Many of us have succumbed to the fact that the 1980's just won't fade away. Whether it is the music, the video games, the hair or the fashion, the eighties are here to stay. It's amazing to those who grew up in the eighties that everything, especially fashion, would make a comeback. To those of you who are either too young to remember or have blocked it out of your memory, what exactly did people wear in the 1980's and why? Many of those items that are most memorable were surprising from men's fashion and not women's. Here are a few of the most memorable.
Member's Only Jackets
Any guy who was anyone owned a Member's Only jacket and wore it proudly. These were cotton/poly jackets with a nylon lining and a zip up front. Now that we look back at them, they are not the most attractive item ever made. Many of those wondered then and now why they were so popular. Even so, any man who grew up in the 1980's owned or wanted a Member's Only jacket.
Square End Knit Ties
One of the best eighties fashion moments for men was the square end knit tie. These neckties were available in every imaginable color and were slim in size. Many wore them with a suit or with a button down shirt and a pair of acid washed jeans (another 1980 men's fashion staple). This style of neckwear has actually made a comeback believe it or not. It was popular in the early 20th century, in the 50's and 60's and now resurrected from the early old 1980's men's fashion vault, it is actually popping up again.
Skinny Ties
Skinny neckties also enjoyed a comeback from their heyday in the 1950's and 1960's. Many featured a retro look with a modern twist. As with the flat bottom knit neckwear, they, too are a current trend today. Hit TV shows like Mad Men have also certainly influenced their comeback.
Aviator Sunglasses
When the movie "Top Gun" hit the big screen in 1986, aviator sunglasses took off as fast as the movie did. Made by the manufacturer Ray Ban, aviator glasses were seen worn by Tom Cruise in that very popular movie. After Tom wore them, every guy growing up in the 1980's wanted a pair for himself. Noted for their teardrop shape, aviators are still made by the Ray Ban Company today. With a bit of a high price tag (around $115), aviators are still quite popular, almost, but not quite as popular as they were in 1986.
Acid Washed Jeans
Though this fashion trend may have you running for the hills, no one can forget the acid washed craze of the late eighties. They appeared on the scene in and around 1986 and thankfully were a mere distant memory about four years later. "Acid Washed Jeans" took a pair of jeans and added chemicals to the fabric. This exposed white patches on the fabric giving a very "unique" look. Though acid washed jeans came in a variety of colors and were unisex, they played a big part in the 1980 men's fashion trend. In addition to acid washed jeans, there were even acid washed denim jackets that were also popular as well during this time.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it. These are some of the most popular and memorable men's fashion trends of the 1980's. If you were anyone back then, you were decked out in your acid washed jeans, square end knit tie, aviator sunglasses and a Member's Only jacket. Strangely enough, many of these trends can be found today. It will be extremely interesting to see what other trends may pop up from the eighties as the next few years pass.
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