The 80's Returned To Become The Biggest Fashion Trend Of 2017 and 2018 for Sure

The new 80’s wave only hit its stride by the fall of 2016, when the aforementioned designers were joined by Jeremy Scott, Isabel Marant, and, most notably, Mark Jacobs, as he used all the elements that made that era what it is. Fast-forward to spring 2017, and this trend is dominating now, including such titans of the industry as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Balenciaga and Gucci.

As we all know, each year provides us with a large number of new fashion trends. Yet when a style from a different era makes a comeback, it certainly deserves our undivided attention.

After the 70’s and the 90’s had another go at the podium, it seems like the 80’s are now the belle of the ball, as fashion trend analytics conclude that the golden age of Michael Jackson, Madonna and Princess Diana will influence this year’s season.

This trend has been building up for a while now. The 80’s theme jumpstarted with last year’s release of the new Netflix series “Stranger Things”, which, despite its sci-fi genre, is boiling with the carefree fashion style of the 80’s. Another TV series, that added even more hype to this theme, was the “San Junipero” episode of the British hit series – “Black Mirror”.

With the 80’s already in the public’s mind, this year, the trend will only increase in its strength, as a remake of the classic “Dynasty” series (aired from 1981 to 1989) is already in the making, as is the second season of “Stanger Things”, set in 1984.

The public’s spike of interest in the 80’s theme did not go unnoticed by fashion designers. One of the main stars of the “Stranger Things” show, Millie Bobby Brown, is already a Calvin Klein model. These facts are even further supported by the fact that the vast majority of trend agencies announced that the 80’s are going to be one of the largest hits of the spring season.

If we were to turn our glance towards the fashion industry itself, we could see that with the 70’s dominating the podium for several seasons now and with 90’s also being thrown into the mix, while the same elements get rehashed again and again, the buyers have grown tired of them. The 80’s, on the other hand, were barely even mentioned, with the small exceptions of Jonathan Anderson and Olivier Rousteing.

The new 80’s wave only hit its stride by the fall of 2016, when the aforementioned designers were joined by Jeremy Scott, Isabel Marant, and, most notably, Mark Jacobs, as he used all the elements that made that era what it is. Fast-forward to spring 2017, and this trend is dominating now, including such titans of the industry as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Balenciaga and Gucci.

The signature signs of the returning era are the broad, massive shoulder pads. In the post-Soviet Union countries, the 80’s got mixed with the 90’s, as those were the years when the Western culture really made its way into them. That’s why the new collection by the Ukrainian designer BEVZA, shown at the recent Fashion week in Kyiv, will likely to remind the Western buyer of his 80’s memories, while a Russian or Ukrainian collector, will probably think of the next decade.

Obviously, the 80’s aren’t limited only to padded shoulders, as they restored the passion towards dressing up, demanding life to be a party every day, as evening dresses images with bouffants, curls, bright colors, low necklines and prints take the stage once again. The fascination with large sizes spreads towards women’s suits and blouses, paired with skinny jeans and even leggings.

Thanks to the political campaign of Hillary Clinton, women power suits are also back in action, as their origin lies in the 80’s as well.

While it was easy to maintain the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s look without making an impression as if you just ran away from a costume party, the 80’s are a different story.

Even though the idols of the era could afford to stand out with their clothes, both on the stage and in videotapes, in our modern society it would be risky to go out in a full 80’s look, as you will likely feel yourself like an alien. That’s why the majority of fashion experts recommend to only use a couple of signature traits of the decade: a broad shoulder jacket, a printed blouse with lush sleeves, large earrings, mom-jeans or a “political” t-shirt with bright make-up. A total 80’s make-over is more suitable for events that are advertised as “80’s themed parties”.

Yet it is also important to remember that it was the atmosphere of stylistic permissiveness that made that decade great. And we are not by any means required to deny ourselves that freedom, just to fit the demands of the mundane world.