1980’S

Priyanka Ghosh-21
Priyum Tikmani-22
Richa Malkani-25
 THE
YUPPIES
Many Yuppies felt a need to display their
wealth, so "dress for success" fashion
became a form of self advertisement and
self-promotion, both for those who had
made it and those who hoped someday they
would. The street-style looks of the young
and penniless were swept aside in favor of
an opulent look and the fashion designer
quickly became a superstar. Even the
couture and its $30,000 dress was
pronounced cool.
The fashion pack has been whispering
about
a 1980s revival for several years now, but for
- most of the 1990s, the 1980s look was just
too painfully fresh in our minds so nothing
really materialized. Lately though, some of
the edgier, youth-oriented fashions have
shown 1980s­inspired designs, along with
1980s originals.
• 1980
_ • ‘Je suis mod’ dress, showing the influence of the
punk aesthetic, designed by Australian designer
Jenny Bannister.
– • Rubik’s Cube launched by Ideal Toys (May)
Timeline
• 1981
• Elizabethan 80s-style evening gown designed by
English Fashion designer Zandra
Rhodes
– • ‘Bran cusi’ mini dress designed by Katie Pye in
Sydney
– • Royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana
Spencer is watched by millions around the world; in
Australia the wedding is televised on ABC and every
commercial television station (29 July)
• 1982
– • ‘Opal Passion’ outfit designed by Australian
designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson
– • The Trivial Pursuit board game is released and
quickly becomes an 80s fad
• 1983
– • Japanese fashion designer Rei Kawakubo
champions black as a colour for both day and night,
challenging traditional notions of glamour in
designs for the Comme des Garcons label
– • Karl Lagerfeld uses Australian designer Jenny
Kee’s black opal print as feature fabric in his
collection for Chanel
– • The Swatch watch, known as ‘fashion that ticks’, is
introduced into the market
– • My Little Pony, a line of colorful toy ponies, is
launched
•1984
• The must-have party frock of the 80s designed by Sydney-
based fashion label Studebaker Hawk
• Stripes and flowers women’s outfit designed by Australian
designer Stuart Membery
• Stonewashed jeans first introduced
•1985
• Gold and black gown designed by French designer Thierry
Mugler
• YSL evening gown designed by Yves St Laurent in 1985
• American singer, Madonna, named by The Edge as woman
of the decade (February)
•1986
• Mouse shoes designed by Japanese shoe designer Tokyo
Kumagai
•1987
• ‘Aboriginal Paisley’ cotton jersey designed by Bronwyn
Bancroft, one of the most successful Aboriginal artists and
designers in Australia.
•1988
• Hammer pants worn by RAT Party organizer Jac Vidgen
•1989
• ‘New Age Business Suit’ designed by Australian designer Peter
Tully
Key features of
this period
• 1980s fashion tended to be
rebellious, colorful, and crazy
• People used fashion to express
themselves
• Clothes often did not match
• No conservative fashion was
followed.
• Leggings, legwarmers, and
anything brightly colored was in
style
Hair and makeup Body art

Power dressing was a high-maintenance,

ultra groomed look so makeup became
heavier and more dramatic. Big, regularly
coiffure hair a la Dallas and Dynasty, plus
carefully manicured feet and nails, testified
to the existence of lots of dis­posable
income, more than enough to finance fre­
quent and regular visits to top salons.
 1980 -1984
Silhouette : Mid-thigh-Length (mini)
skirts, tailored jackets with wide
shoulders.
Bodice :Fitted, square shoulders.
Neckline: Low round, slashed, boat-
shaped, tailored collars and reverse
Sleeves: Inset, dolman, raglan, Couture wear Bridal wear
kimono; all worn with pads
Skirt : Short clinging mid-thigh-Length
(mini), some mid-calf-length
Fabric : Wool and silk jersey, Lycra,
fine cotton lawn (maxi).
Trimmings: Embroidery and appliqué.
Color: Bright, vibrant, clashing color
schemes.
Accessories : Pull-on hats, berets,
boaters, shoes with stiletto heels and
pointed toes, flat pumps leisure wear Day wear
 1985 -1990
Silhouette: Wide padded shoulders,
mid-thigh-Length and shorter skirts.
Bodice: Fitted, body-hugging, no
foundation garment.
Neckline: High round, slashed, deep V-
shaped, tailored collars.
Sleeves: Inset, raglan, dolman, kimono;
all worn with pads Bridal wear Couture wear
Skirt: Various, knee-length to upper-
thigh-Length, tight, clinging
Fabric: Wool and silk jersey, Lycra,
stretch satin, stretch velvet, linen.
Trimmings: Appliqué embroidery,
beading, top-stitching, quilting
Color: Bright, electric, off-beat
combinations.
Accessories: Pull-on hats, outsized
jewelry, shoes with stiletto heels and
leisure wear Day wear
pointed toes, flat pumps, ankle boots.
Bibliography