Men enjoyed unrivaled freedom of fashion in the 1980s. The attire for men was gradually evolving to be more than just a part of clothing, slowly transforming into an entire identity with music, cinema, and culture influencing every outfit. Men’s Fashion was fearless in the 80s and could easily be found in corporate boardrooms and in the underground clubs of society. In this guide, I highlight the notable styles of men of that decade which included suits, streetwear, and even punk.
The Wall Street Power Suit
The 1980s power suit served as an emblem of ambition and financial dominance within society. It was often seen in bold navy, gray, or charcoal shades. It was characterized by double-breasted cuts, sleek tailoring, and prominent shoulder pads.The suit was often accompanied by polished oxfords, silk ties, and even suspenders, which completed the attire for men excellently. The Wall Street movie inspired this kind of showing, which was less about business and more a corporate display of confidence and control.
Image Source: chatgpt.com
Streetwear and Hip-Hop Culture
Men’s fashion evolved with the emergence of hip-hop culture. The attire for men included track pants with a loose fit, sneakers with thick soles, bold necklaces, as well as gold chains. Run-D.M.C. and LL Cool J have been noted to wear Kangol hats, Adidas tracksuits, and oversized gear which are now recognized as what was coined urban pride. This fashion statement symbolized the essence of pride, urban creativity, and rhythm. Sneakers, bold logos, and gold chains were essentials.
Image Source: chatgpt.com
Looks Rock, Glam, and Leather
Ripped band tee, studded jackets, and chains are trademarks of the glam-collection rock, along with bold leather pants. The cranked-up volume of these fashion features ignited the wild attitude rockers were blasting through speakers, not to mention the long and teased hair that was popularized for flair by singers such as Mötley Crüe and Bon Jovi. This attire for men was an essential part of the rebellious rock image. The aesthetic was all about thrill, which could be performed on stage, off stage, or pretty much anywhere exuding fierce confidence.
Image Source: chatgpt.com
Casual Suits of the Miami Vice Style
Miami Vice popularized a new style of suiting, which emerged in the 1980s. Soft pastel-colored jackets such as peach, aqua, or white were layered over casual T-shirts with the sleeves rolled up. Complementary linen trousers and loafers sans socks created a laid-back yet sophisticated style that embraced beachy elegance. This effortless look was cool, confident, and a blend of comfort and class, ideal for warm summer evenings.
Image Source: chatgpt.com
Effortless Style for the Weekend
Not all 80s men were interested in chasing power or the punk trend. There was a different subset focused on embracing an easy, relaxed style on the weekend. The quintessential casual attire for men consisted of acid-washed jeans, graphic t-shirts, bomber jackets, and white sneakers. Shirts sported pop culture from MTV, Star Wars, and beyond. This was casual, laid-back, relatable, and friendly. From arcade outings to backyard parties, this was a comfortable style with a dash of flair.
Image Source: chatgpt.com
Fitness-Inspired Casual Attire
The fitness revolution of the ’80s turned gym clothing into casual wear. The attire for men included neon tank tops, sweatbands, spandex shorts, and even track pants and high-top sneakers, all of which were deemed fashionable. This trend was influenced by celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and the popular aerobics movement. The athletic aesthetic was equally loud and celebrated health, vigor, and endurance. Flamboyant, expensive leisure clothing was the new norm, and looking effortlessly ready to ‘sweat it out’ was the order of the day.
Image Source: chatgpt.com
Rebellion of Punk Rock
Fashion embraced resistance and rebellion through punk attire for men in the ‘80s. Core staples included ripped jeans, leather jackets, combat boots, and safety pins. Bold hairstyles like dyed spikes, shaved sides, and mohawks were ubiquitous. The Clash and Sex Pistols championed the anti-establishment style we now associate with punk. It was politically charged as much as it was stylish. A mix of instantly recognizable do-it-yourself designs, patches, unpolished edges, and defiant nonconformity formed a style centered on breaking rules.
Image Source: chatgpt.com
Ivy League Prep Style
Preppy clothes provided a clean counterpoint to the 80s wilder sartorial choices. Attire for men in this style included boat shoes, khakis, v-neck sweaters, and polo shirts all fit in with this polished and upper-class aesthetic. Pastels and argyle, as well as layered collars, were a favorite with those emulating university style. Drawing from the preppy aesthetic brands like Lacoste and Ralph Lauren put out, it was put together, timeless, a hint snobbish, and yet striking in its effortless simplicity.
Image Source: chatgpt.com
Everything Denim
We can all agree that the 80s boosted denim’s popularity. The attire for men included acid-washed jeans, along with denim jackets and denim button-up shirts—sometimes all at once.The rugged, bold double-denim style was often accessorized with rolled cuffs and patches or pins. This trend became popular thanks to Bruce Springsteen and George Michael, turning it into a symbol of casual masculinity. Denim socks and sandals were also a thing, but then again, why not? Denim was so practical, it was an attitude.
Image Source: chatgpt.com
Accessories and Hairstyles
Every fashion enthusiast understands just how important 80s accessories and hairstyles are to attire for men. Sunglasses, caps, fingerless gloves, gold chains, and wide belts all served as key pieces for aviation glasses. Long hairstyles with various do spiking, mullets, and perms were quintessential too. These finishing touches served as hairspray, like the armor on the boots to a knight. As the 1980s taught us, accessorizing incorporates how one styles their hair.
Image Source: chatgpt.com
Conclusion: The Decade That Dared to Dress Loud!
Men’s 1980s fashion has dominantly appeared in the mainstream with high, bold colors along with structured hair. Dominated by neon and rebellious punk tracksuits. They screamed with phrases like “Every outfit told a story,” embellished by a final touch like “sunglasses and shoelaces.” The 80s encouraged a bold personality with an energetic impact on any man. Every man in search of polished prep or streetwear swagger now has attire options from post-war era clothing to lay bold styles on.
We hope this list of A Style Breakdown”- “80s Attire for Men: Streetwear, Suits & More” gave you a good starting point for you to build something that stand the test of times. If you are looking to start a clothing brand, we recommend that you read our guide – how to start a clothing brand.
If you have already started a fashion brand and you are looking for suppliers, do read our guide on how to find clothing manufacturers and do not forget to download our checklists. If you want to get in touch with us, please connect with us here.
We also have a separate section – Commonly asked questions about the most expensive clothing brands, it is worth checking out.
Wanna get in touch with us. You can also Book a 1-on-1 Call Session BOOK NOW