The 80s was a time of big hair, shoulder pads, and sequins. It’s hard to believe that decades ago people wore those things without thinking they were silly, but the truth is that fashion isn’t always about being practical—it’s also about expressing yourself and having fun.
In this article, we’re going to look at some of the most popular 80s disco fashion trends so you can decide whether they’d suit your personality or not!
80s Disco Fashion
So if you’re looking for a great outfit for your next 80s themed party, or perhaps just want to learn more about the history, here are some of the most popular 80s disco fashion trends that you need to know about:
1. Metallic Jumpsuits
Metallic jumpsuits were a huge 80s women’s disco fashion trend. Metallic outfits were worn by both men and women, day or night, and for casual or formal occasions. They were shiny, colorful, and out of this world!
Generally speaking though we think of women in the 80s wearing these metallic disco outfits. These were usually in the form of metallic jumpsuits, but women also sometimes combined metallic pants with a crop top or some other matching garment.
Lately, we’ve seen a resurgence of this trend. You can find metallic outfits in many stores today. The recent popularity of metallic outfits is not surprising because they are timeless and they appeal to all ages.
2. Power Suits
Power suits were a popular style of clothing in the 1980s. They were worn by powerful people, like businesspeople and lawyers, but they were worn to discos as well. The 80s power suits were often made of wool or silk, and came in many colors and patterns to fit just about any taste.
They could either be long-sleeved or short-sleeved, with buttons at the cuffs that fastened around your wrist when you rolled them back to your elbow. They had wide lapels over which you could wear a tie to hold it closed if you wanted (but not required).
The pants would fit close to your body but weren’t tight enough for anything too revealing; they usually had pleats on them so they could stretch out when sitting down without needing any alterations done beforehand–just throw ’em on!
3. Sequins
Sequins were used in many different styles and colors, making them an essential part of the 80s disco fashion trends. They could be found on clothing, shoes, and accessories of all kinds. The majority of women’s dresses and tops had sequins or beadwork sewn into them in one form or another!
Men’s clothing wasn’t left out either; there were plenty of suits with lapels adorned with shiny beads too! For instance: remember that famous scene from Risky Business where Tom Cruise wears his “test shirt?” Well, guess what? The shirt was made from a lightweight fabric called “micro-sequin” which was extremely popular at the time.
4. Leotards
Leotards are tight-fitting garments that usually come in a variety of colors and patterns, such as bold stripes or polka dots. Even though they are typically associated with 1980s workout fashion, during the disco crazy 80s leotards were often worn as part of a night out on the town outfit!
Leotards are stretchy and made of Lycra, which is a synthetic material that allows the garment to keep its shape while still being comfortable on your skin.
In addition to creating an overall smoothed appearance when worn by dancers, they also have the added benefit of being easy to move around in—which is great for those who are putting on a show!
Leotards continue to be popular among both men and women today; some even wear them under their clothes as an alternative to wearing underwear with tight pants or jeans (for example).
5. Disco Shirts
Just like women and their metallic jumpsuits, men in the 80s also had their own shiny disco flare when it came to the shirts that they wore.
A good disco shirt had a good shine to it, and often featured far out patterns. They were usually made of satin or silk, and they were always worn with the top few buttons open to reveal the chest.
Men’s disco shirts were loose fitting and usually tucked in to a great pair of loose-fitting flared pants.
6. Disco Dresses
In the 1980s, disco dresses were all the rage. These short, loose dresses were usually made of a soft fabric like cotton or silk, though if you wanted to kick it up a notch they could be made of metallic materials or sequins. They came in a ton of different styles that could be paired with anything from tights to jackets.
To look your best in one of these dresses, wear them with a belt around your waist and add some accessories like hats and necklaces to complete the look!
7. Shoulder Pads
Shoulder pads were a huge part of 80s fashion. While they’re not as popular today, they were originally used to create a broader shoulder line which was a must-have in the 80s. This was considered to be more attractive at the time, but over time people realized that this wasn’t always practical or comfortable.
The use of shoulder pads in the 80s also created an illusion that made the wearer’s body appear thinner: it made their waist look smaller and their hips wider, so it was more flattering to women who were trying to lose weight or felt self-conscious about their shape (or both).
8. Shiny Crop Tops
Shiny crop tops were a popular 80s disco fashion trend. This look was seen on both men and women, and it’s a perfect example of how the 80s was a time of great fashion innovation.
Think about it: Crop tops were all over the place—on everyone from Cyndi Lauper to David Bowie to Madonna, who wore them with her famous cone bras. If you weren’t sure what to wear when it came to 80s disco, you definitely couldn’t go wrong with a shiny crop top!
Is 80s Disco Fashion Still Popular?
The 80s were a fun time. Disco fashion was a reaction to the 70s and gave you a chance to channel your inner diva without taking yourself too seriously. Sure, some of the trends were silly (hello, hair bows), but if you think about it, there’s something freeing about dressing up like an extra from “Fame” or wearing clothes that are way too tight for someone who doesn’t have washboard abs.
The 80s disco look can be as flamboyant or understated as you want it to be: everything from neon leg warmers and oversized sunglasses to simple white T-shirts with high-waisted jeans will work fantastically well if they’re paired with an attitude of positivity, confidence, and irreverence.
So there you have it! The 80s disco fashion trends were so much fun, and it’s great to see that there are still people out there who love to embrace this style.