The Eighties: An overload of neon and lycra

The early 80s started out quite similar to the late 70s. Yet, the new trend that started to grow was fitness fashion as casual wear, sparked by the release of Jane Fonda's work out video in 1982.Leotards, lycra ,legwarmers and tracksuits  in all variations of colour were some of the bright sights of the 80s.

With female presence increasing in the workplace they needed a "power suit"  resulting in the shoulder pads extravaganza arose. Wore both inside and outside the office, by men and women, it is something that many people will remember or want to forget about this decade.

Moving to the mid 80s, the emergence of MTV, once again saw music as a big influence with the likes of Madonna, Boy George and Whitney Houston taking centre stage.TV shows such as Dallas and Dynasty were also popular in influencing fashion choices.

There were bright neon colours all around. Popular female styles involved tutus, oversized tops with leggings/pedal pushers and massive belts. Scrunchies and fingerless gloves were staple garment accessories ,alongside the biggest earrings possible and brightest make up you could find. Hair was always backcombed and held in place with unreal amounts of hairspray. Male fashion saw the popularity of ' Members Only' jackets, patterned sweatshirts and parachute pants.

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Some may say the 80s was a bad time for fashion, but more than one of the many trends have come back in the past few years (minus legwarmers) , so it can't have been that horrendous!

My Auntie Mo and her friends, Liz and Laura, were kind enough to share some of their 80s fashion regrets:

Favourite fashion trend?

v  “Everything electric blue= clothes, accessories, make-up”

v  “Paisley pattern skirts”

v  “Bright colour jersey dresses with matching wide leather belts”

Biggest fashion faux pas?

v  “ Laura Ashley dresses”

v  “Shoulder pads”

v  “Poodle perm/ white pedal pushers with luminous green ankle socks and white stilettos!”

Fashion icon?

v  “Madonna”

v  “Bananarama”

Influenced your fashion choices?

v  “Clubbing”

v  “Magazines”

v  “Top of the Pops/ MTV”