After the nostalgia cycle exhausted the culture of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, the runaway success of Stranger Things reinvigorated our appreciation for the decade of New Wave, Reaganomics, and the video’s killing of the radio star—the 1980s. More and more people are getting in on ’80s retro fashion. Wouldn’t it be good to get in on it yourself? If you want to know how to bring back ’80s fashion for men, this is the day you’ve been waiting for. Wanna be adored? Jump into this list of suggestions.
Skinny Ties
Ties widen and narrow through the years, and in the ‘80s, skinny ties were our obsession. You need slim ties to get the cool, angular look that made New Wave fashion so iconic in your eyes and everybody else’s. If you don’t have the frame to pull off a skinny tie, you might think that the ‘80s style isn’t for you. But fear not—there are other ways to pull off the retro look.
Coats and Crewnecks
If ties cramp your style (and your neck), get into the groove by throwing them out completely. Miami Vice popularized T-shirts under sport coats and suit jackets for that serious-but-relaxed look. With no pesky material around the collar, every breath you take will be an easy one. And remember—the brighter the colors, the better.
Bright Colors
Between the burnt oranges, avocado greens, and cocoa browns of the 1970s and the muted earth tones of the ‘90s, the fluorescent colors that the Memphis art movement popularized had everyone’s senses working overtime. It was an unforgettable fire of neon pinks, tangerine oranges, and radiant greens. And one thing leads to another—preppy fashions brought pastels into the mix, too. You can out embrace color wholeheartedly or dial it down to tasteful but vivid accents on black—whatever suits your ever-changing moods.
High-Top Sneakers
Whether you’re running up that hill or hitting the hardwood, high-tops defined footwear in the ‘80s. Air Jordans came to the fore as #23 brought the Chicago Bulls to prominence, while Chuck Taylors were the alternate choice. With these shoes as an option for any situation, athleisure was around long before the present.
Athletic Wear
It wasn’t just shoes—the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles had everyone dressed for movement. The tracksuit, in a dizzying array of color choices and patterns, came to prominence in the ’80s. The quickest way to bring back ’80s fashion for men is to don the matching jacket and pants, even if you don’t have quite the stamina for the Olympic track and field team. It’s about keeping the zeitgeist alive—carry that torch, and ensure that 1980s fashion is a light that never goes out.
