Alright, so I got this idea stuck in my head a while back – 80s women’s fashion. Don’t ask me why, maybe I saw an old movie or something, but it just sparked this urge to dive in and see what it was all about. Not just read about it, you know, but actually try to get the vibe.
Getting Started: The “Research” Phase
First thing I did was just start looking around. I mean, I wasn’t about to buy a history book on fashion. Nah, I went straight to the good stuff – old music videos, movie clips, even some old family photos I vaguely remembered. I started to see patterns, you know? Big shoulders, that was a huge one. And color! Lots of bright, almost LOUD colors. And textures, like denim on denim, or those shiny fabrics.
I made a mental checklist, sort of:
- Shoulder pads (obviously)
- High-waisted jeans, maybe acid wash?
- Oversized sweaters or sweatshirts
- Leg warmers (classic!)
- Neon colors, definitely
- Maybe some chunky jewelry
It felt like a treasure hunt was about to begin.
The Hunt for 80s Gear
So, armed with my vague list, I started the actual hunt. My first thought was thrift stores. I figured, that’s where the real old stuff would be, right? And yeah, I spent a good few afternoons just rummaging through racks. It’s funny what you find. Lots of duds, of course. But then, you spot something – a jacket with those unmistakable shoulder pads, or a pair of jeans that just scream 80s.
I also looked online, but it’s trickier there. You can’t feel the fabric, you can’t see how truly big those shoulder pads are. But I did find a couple of brightly colored tops that seemed promising. I wasn’t aiming for a costume, more like trying to capture the spirit of it, if that makes sense. I tried to find pieces that could, maybe, maybe, be toned down a tiny bit for today.
Putting It All Together: Trial and Error
Okay, then came the trying-on part. This was… an experience. I laid out all my finds on the bed. First up, the shoulder pads. Man, they really change your silhouette. I found this blazer, probably navy blue, and the pads were INTENSE. I put it on with some high-waisted jeans I’d managed to snag. Looked in the mirror and thought, “Okay, this is… a look.”
Then I played with layering. An oversized, off-the-shoulder sweatshirt (think Flashdance, but maybe not that extreme) over a bright tank top. Paired that with some leggings and, yes, I even tried some leg warmers I found. Felt a bit silly at first, not gonna lie, but then it started to click a bit. The key, I realized, was not to take it too seriously. It’s supposed to be fun, bold.
I experimented with color combinations too. Tried some neon pink with electric blue. Wow. It was definitely… vibrant. Some things worked, some things felt a bit much, even for an 80s experiment. I realized that proportions were super important. Like, if you’ve got massive shoulders, maybe keep the bottom half a bit more streamlined. Or if you’re doing the oversized top, tight pants or leggings seemed to balance it out.
What I Learned and The “Look”
After a bunch of mixing and matching, I started to get a feel for it. It wasn’t just about individual items, but how they all shouted “80s!” together. Confidence is key. You can’t wear this stuff timidly. You gotta own it.
I found that a good starting point was a pair of high-waisted jeans, maybe a little tapered at the ankle. Then add a top with some volume – either an oversized sweater, a blouse with those shoulder pads, or even just a looser t-shirt tucked in. A wide belt helped cinch the waist and add to that 80s silhouette. For fun, I’d throw on some colorful plastic bangles I picked up somewhere cheap, or some bigger earrings.
I didn’t go full-on costume for everyday, obviously. But I did manage to incorporate some elements. Like, I found a denim jacket that had a bit of that 80s cut, and I’d wear it. Or a sweater that was a bit brighter than my usual. It was about the attitude, the boldness. It’s a style that doesn’t apologize for taking up space, and I kind of dug that.
So yeah, that was my little journey into 80s women’s fashion. It was fun, a bit of a laugh, and I definitely learned a few things about statement shoulders and the power of neon. It’s not all going to become my daily wardrobe, but it was cool to explore a different era for a bit!
