Modern style is changing faster and faster in the age of the internet and social media, where new ideas can spread in a flash. However, as many new trends emerge, you can never go wrong with picking out the best of the best from decades past.
In particular, the 1980’s and 1990’s have tons of terrific style gems to choose from. These two decades offer a wide range of silhouettes, color palettes, accessories, and cosmetics to fit both your figure and chemistry. Since these style decades are hot right now, it’s easy to find vintage inspired items to add a power punch to your wardrobe.
Consider some of these throw-back, iconic looks for a quick splash of style.
Scent
Nothing is as quickly evocative of an era as a great perfume. No scent will take you back to the very best of the time period that gave us Dallas and My So Called Life as quickly as the classic, romantic fragrance Calvin Klein Eternity, which was launched in 1988.
Mousse
Have you ever wondered how women got that fabulously huge hair that the 1980’s made famous? The answer is mousse. It’s a beauty product that has fallen a bit out of fashion, but it’s hands-down the best product for adding oomph and volume to your hair from the roots up.
Ripped Jeans
Ripped jeans are back with a vengeance. This particular trend first developed in the heavy metal 1980’s. However, strategically torn denim is now accessible to more than Metallica lovers. Teens, parents, hipsters, Tik Tok sensations, and even grandmas are rocking all different cuts and styles of jeans with holes these days.
Pastels
Light, sweet colors used to be the go-to hues for good girls throughout the time Ronald Reagan was President. These days, pastels have a punk rock edge and are featured in some of the most cutting-edge fashion styles. Lucky for you, that means you have many different ways to add pastel to your wardrobe.
Eye Catching Sneakers
Another trend that started in the 1980’s and has never stopped dominating street fashion are ultra-stylish sneakers. Thanks to the powerful influence of hip-hop music on popular fashion, you can easily find bold graphics and bright colors on your trainers at any shoe store. Honor the 1980’s by letting your sporty footgear be the major highlight of your outfit.
Bias Cut Slip Dress
Perhaps the most becoming item the 1990’s gave us was the cabinets full of the slip dress, cut on the bias. It became an instant classic because it fits and flatters every body type. If you want to draw from the best of the TV show Friends fashion and channel your inner Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe, pull on a slip dress and watch your form turn into a sleek hourglass.
Doc Martens
Dr. Martens boots came out in the 1960’s, but really hit their stride in the 1990’s. These boots are built like comfortable tanks and have a distinctive military type appearance that has made them a go-to for lovers of alternative and punk rock style for years. Wear them with anything from jeans or sweats to a party dress.
Tortoise Shell Glasses
Nerd chic is all over Instagram these days. It’s a trend that blossomed in the 1990’s, with flattering eyewear that accentuated how sexy the wearer’s brain was. Bring some vintage Seinfeld to your style with the perfect eyeglass frames for your face.
Inspired by Coco Chanel
The 1995 film Clueless gave us hilariously dismissive phrases like “as if” and “whatever.” The main character, Cher, and her friends also gave us a whole new twist on the 1950’s era status symbol of the plaid Chanel suit. Their new version was shorter and sassier. Cher knew how to add flirtatiousness to old classics, which is a trick you can borrow. Add a bold, feminine plaid jacket to jeans, skinny pants, or a pencil skirt. Wear it over a cropped shirt for a younger look.
No Ruts
The best fashion lesson the 1980’s and 1990’s brought us is to not fear all kinds of mixing and matching. When Sharon Stone wore a lush Vera Wang formal skirt paired with a simple white Gap button-down, women of the world took notice that the rules had relaxed. Grunge music lovers made clashing patterns mainstream. Major style influencers like Madonna and Prince were unafraid to assemble a little bit of the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s into their ultra-modern aesthetics. There is so much inspiration out there, if you truly channel the 80’s and 90’s, you will never get into a wardrobe rut.
