I’m a child of the 80s. Yes, I am that old. I was horrified to find out that all the stuff I loved, and I guess myself as well, is now considered “vintage”. The horror!
The 1980s were a decade of bold fashion choices, quirky trends, and unforgettable pop culture moments. While some 80s fads have managed to resurface in recent years, many others have thankfully remained buried in the past. From questionable hairstyles to bizarre exercise equipment, these trends defined a generation but thankfully failed to stand the test of time. As I look back, it’s hard not to cringe at some of the choices we once thought were super-cool. Here’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane, featuring 15 80s fads we’re relieved haven’t made a comeback.
Shoulder Pads
Shoulder pads were a staple of 1980s fashion, giving everyone from businesswomen to pop stars an exaggerated silhouette. These foam inserts made shoulders look broader and more angular, often to comical proportions. While they were meant to convey power and confidence, today they just look dated and uncomfortable.
Mullets
The mullet, with its “business in the front, party in the back” approach, was a popular hairstyle for both men and women in the 80s. This haircut featured short hair on top and sides with long hair at the back. While some have tried to bring the mullet back, most of us are happy to leave this questionable style in the past.
Parachute Pants
Parachute pants were baggy, nylon trousers that often came in bright colors or shiny fabrics. They were popularized by breakdancers and hip-hop artists. Despite their eye-catching appearance, these pants were impractical and often made an annoying swishing sound when walking. Shamefully, I was the proud owner of my very own swishy, shiny Nylon parachute pants. I loved them but they really were annoying.
Jelly Shoes
Oh I hated jelly shoes. I had them, though, as they were useful as beach footwear in an era long before water shoes were a thing. Jelly shoes were colorful, translucent footwear made from PVC plastic. While they came in fun colors and designs, they were notoriously uncomfortable and caused feet to sweat. Many 80s kids remember the blisters and foot odor associated with these fashionable but impractical shoes.
Bumbags (aka Fanny Packs)
Bumbags, or fanny packs if you’re from anywhere outside the UK, worn around the waist, were a popular accessory in the 80s. While they were practical for carrying small items, they weren’t exactly stylish. Today, they’re often associated with overzealous tourists and have become a symbol of fashion faux pas. I hate to say it, but I still have a couple of bumbags as they’re useful for holding treats and poo bags for dog walking.
Acid-Washed Jeans
Acid-washed jeans were created by washing denim with pumice stones and chlorine, resulting in a mottled, faded appearance. This trend was everywhere in the 80s, from fashion runways to high school hallways. Today, the look is considered dated and environmentally unfriendly due to the harsh chemicals used in the process.
Crimped Hair
Crimping irons were used to create a zig-zag texture in hair, resulting in a wild, frizzy look. While it was a popular style for parties and concerts, crimped hair required a lot of maintenance and often looked messy. Most of us are happy to leave this time-consuming and damaging hair trend in the past.
Neon Everything
The 80s were all about bright, fluorescent colors. From clothing to accessories, neon was everywhere. While a pop of bright color can be fun, the head-to-toe neon looks of the 80s were often garish and overwhelming. Today, most people prefer more subdued color palettes.
Legwarmers
Popularized by the movie “Flashdance,” legwarmers became a fashion staple in the 80s. Originally designed for dancers to keep their muscles warm, they became a trendy accessory worn with everything from jeans to mini skirts. While they might have looked cute on Jane Fonda, most of us are glad this impractical trend didn’t stick around.
Hypercolor T-Shirts
Hypercolor shirts changed color with heat, often resulting in embarrassing sweat stains. While the novelty was fun at first, the effect didn’t last long and the shirts often ended up a patchy mess. Today, most of us prefer our clothing to stay one color, regardless of our body temperature.
Rat Tails
The rat tail was a hairstyle featuring a long, thin strand of hair at the nape of the neck. Often braided or beaded, rat tails were popular among boys and young men. This questionable style looked out of place with most haircuts and was often seen as trashy or rebellious.
Shellsuits
Oh, the shame! I had several of these hideously ugly creations when I was a kid. Somewhere, there are totally cringe-worthy photos of me sporting a hideous mint and lavender shellsuit. Bleugh!
Shellsuits were a quintessential 80s fashion disaster that thankfully didn’t survive into the new millennium. These shiny, synthetic tracksuits were made from nylon or polyester and often came in garish color combinations. While they were marketed as sportswear, shellsuits were more commonly worn as casual outfits. Not only were they unflattering and noisy when worn, but they were also potentially dangerous due to their high flammability.
Betamax
Betamax was Sony’s video cassette format, competing with VHS in the 1980s. Despite offering better video quality, Betamax lost the format war due to higher costs and shorter recording times. Today, with streaming services and digital downloads, we’re glad we don’t have to deal with either Betamax or VHS tapes.
Phonebox Stuffing
This bizarre fad involved cramming as many people as possible into a phonebox. It was dangerous, uncomfortable, and often resulted in damaged property. With the decline of public phone boxes, this fad has naturally died out, much to everyone’s relief. I still don’t know why “the youth” thought this was a cool activity.
Elnett Hair Spray
Elnett hairspray was a staple for creating the big, teased hairstyles of the 80s. People used excessive amounts to achieve gravity-defying looks. Not only was this bad for the environment due to aerosol cans, but it also left hair stiff and damaged. Today, most of us prefer more natural-looking hairstyles. Those big gold cans were staples in my house when I was growing up. I can still remember my grandmother’s completely stiff, gravity-defying beehive that she achieved with willpower and half a can of this alarmingly flammable hair-stiffening stinky stuff.
Katy Willis is a writer, master herbalist, master gardener, and certified canine nutritionist who has been writing since 2002. She’s finds joy in learning new and interesting things, and finds history, science, and nature endlessly fascinating.
