The 80’s Men’s Fashion were a time of excess, experimentation, and iconic fashion. From power suits with broad shoulders to acid-washed jeans and oversized blazers, men’s fashion in the 80s was all about making a statement.
The decade saw the rise of casual chic, fueled by music, pop culture, and Hollywood. Whether it was Miami Vice-inspired pastel suits, hip-hop streetwear, or glam rock leather jackets, every style had its place in the bold world of 80’s men’s fashion.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most iconic trends, the influence of pop culture, and how elements of 80s style for men continue to inspire fashion today.
The Power Suit: Confidence in Every Stitch
The Rise of the Power Suit 80’s men’s fashion
The power suit was a must-have in the corporate world, symbolizing success and authority. Inspired by Wall Street culture.
Popular Power Suit Brands of the 80’s Men’s Fashion
- Armani – Luxury Italian tailoring with sleek designs
- Hugo Boss – High-end European craftsmanship
- Ralph Lauren – Classic American styling with bold patterns
Even today, modern power dressing draws influence from these 80s style for men trends.
Casual Chic: Laid-Back Cool Meets Street Style
The 80s weren’t just about formal wear. Casual chic became a defining style, blending comfort with a polished look.
Casual Chic Essentials 80’s men’s fashion
- Polo shirts & pastel sweaters – Preppy, effortless, and stylish
- Oversized blazers & rolled-up sleeves – A staple of the Miami Vice look
- High-waisted jeans & pleated trousers – A relaxed yet fashionable touch
Popular Brands for Casual Wear of 80’s men’s fashion
| Brand | Signature Style |
|---|---|
| Lacoste | Polo shirts & preppy sweaters |
| Levi’s | High-waisted & acid-washed jeans |
| Calvin Klein | Casual blazers & denim |
This fusion of casual and polished fashion still influences fashion revival trends today.
The New Wave Rebel 80’s Men’s Fashion
Inspired by Depeche Mode, The Cure, and Duran Duran, the New Wave look blended dark, moody aesthetics with avant-garde fashion.
Key Elements of 80’s Men’s Fashion:
The New Wave Rebel look embraced slim-fit blazers in black or deep jewel tones, paired with high-waisted trousers for a sleek silhouette. Ruffled shirts and lace details added an androgynous touch, while Chelsea boots or pointed shoes kept it polished. To complete the edgy vibe, dark eyeliner and teased hair were essential.
🔹 Influences: Post-punk, gothic aesthetics, European high fashion
🔹 Modern Revival: This style influenced today’s alternative fashion and indie music scenes.
The Preppy Ivy League Look 80’s Men’s Fashion
The preppy aesthetic was a symbol of affluence and upper-class cool in the 80s, made popular by movies like The Breakfast Club and Wall Street.
Key Elements:
The Preppy Ivy League Look defined upper-class cool with polo shirts and knit sweaters casually draped over the shoulders. Chino pants and tailored shorts kept the style crisp, while boat shoes and loafers added sophistication. A blazer with a crest was a must-have, topped off with Ray-Ban Wayfarers and a Rolex for undeniable status.
🔹 Influences: East Coast elite, country club culture, Ralph Lauren & Lacoste
🔹 Modern Revival: The “old money” aesthetic and vintage prep fashion have brought this style back.
The Surf & Skateboarder Style 80’s Men’s Fashion
The 80s surf and skate culture was all about laid-back, sun-soaked, and effortlessly cool fashion.
Key Elements:
The Surf & Skateboarder Style embraced a laid-back, sun-soaked vibe with graphic T-shirts and tank tops from brands like Quiksilver and OP. Board shorts and baggy jeans ensured comfort, while Vans sneakers and checkered slip-ons became skater essentials. Hawaiian shirts added a breezy, colorful touch, finished off with snapback hats and wraparound sunglasses for effortless cool.
🔹 Influences: California surf culture, Venice Beach skate scene, brands like Vision Street Wear
🔹 Modern Revival: Skater brands like Thrasher, Vans, and Stüssy continue to define this aesthetic.
Denim Dominance: The 80s Love Affair with Jeans
Denim ruled the 80s, thanks to acid-washed jeans, ripped denim, and oversized jackets.
Popular 80’s Men’s Fashion Denim Styles
- Acid-washed jeans – Light-washed with a marbled effect
- Ripped & distressed jeans – A rebellious rockstar look
- Denim jackets – Often oversized, sometimes shearling-lined
Brands that ruled 80s denim fashion: Levi’s, Guess, Wrangler
Athleisure and Sportswear: When Fitness Became Fashion
The 80s fitness craze made athleisure a mainstream trend. Tracksuits, windbreakers, and sneakers became everyday wear.
The 80s Athletic Streetwear look was all about bold neon colors and oversized fits, blending comfort with eye-catching style. Signature brands like Adidas, Nike, and Puma dominated the scene, heavily influenced by hip-hop streetwear and basketball culture. This look combined sporty aesthetics with urban edge, making it a staple of 80’s men’s fashion.
The Impact of Michael Jordan on 80s Footwear
Michael Jordan’s Air Jordans (released in 1984) revolutionized sneaker culture, making high-top sneakers a fashion staple.
Leather & Rebellion: Rock and Biker Aesthetic
Rockstars brought glam rock and biker fashion to the mainstream.
Key Pieces in Rocker Fashion 80’s Men’s Fashion
- Leather jackets – Studded, fringed, or classic black
- Tight-fitting jeans – Often ripped or acid-washed
- Chunky jewelry & oversized belts – Statement accessories of the 80s
Style icons like Billy Idol, Bon Jovi, and The Ramones made leather jackets synonymous with rebellion.
Statement Accessories: Bold, Flashy, and Unapologetic
Accessories in 80’s men’s fashion were flashy and oversized.
Must-Have Accessories
The 80s Urban Icon style made a statement with chunky gold chains, a must-have in hip-hop streetwear. Oversized sunglasses like Wayfarers and aviators added flair, while snapbacks and sweatbands brought a sporty edge. Topping it off, the Members Only jacket became an iconic staple of 80’s men’s fashion.
Fashion in the 80s was about standing out, not blending in.
Music and Pop Culture’s Influence on Fashion
The 80s saw MTV revolutionizing fashion, with music icons setting the trends.
Style Icons & Their Signature Looks 80’s Men’s Fashion
- Michael Jackson – Military jackets, gloves, and penny loafers
- Prince – Androgynous glam, ruffled shirts, and velvet suits
- Run-D.M.C. – Adidas tracksuits and bucket hats
- Miami Vice (TV Show) – Pastel-colored suits and loafers without socks
Music-driven fashion revival trends continue to dominate modern streetwear.
Hair & Grooming: The Bigger, the Better
Popular 80s Hairstyles for Men
80s hairstyles were bold and expressive. The feathered mullet became iconic with its “business in the front, party in the back” style. Jheri curls were all the rage in hip-hop streetwear, offering a glossy, curly look. Meanwhile, the quiff hairstyle, full of volume and styled with hairspray and pomade, added a touch of drama and sophistication to the era’s signature looks.
Grooming Trends: Mustaches, sideburns, and facial hair experimentation were all in style.
Shoes That Defined the Decade 80’s Men’s Fashion
Men’s 80’s fashion extended to footwear, with high-tops, loafers, and boots ruling the streets.
Popular Shoe Styles of the 80s
| Shoe Type | Popular Brands |
|---|---|
| Sneakers | Air Jordans, Reebok Pump |
| Loafers | Gucci, Bass Weejuns |
| Boots | Doc Martens, Cowboy boots |
From high-top sneakers to polished loafers, shoes completed the 80s look.
80s Fashion Revivals & Modern Interpretations
Elements of 80s men’s fashion continue to influence modern style.
The 80s-inspired business fashion is back with oversized blazers and broad shoulders, embracing a powerful, structured look. In streetwear, retro sneakers like Jordans and Reebok Pumps have made a major comeback, solidifying their iconic status. Meanwhile, acid-washed jeans and vintage graphic tees are once again dominating the fashion scene, blending nostalgia with modern street style.
Celebrities like Harry Styles, The Weeknd, and Travis Scott have embraced 80s fashion revival with modern twists.
Conclusion
The 80s men’s fashion scene was all about bold statements, oversized fits, and fearless styling. Whether it was power suits, casual chic, or glam rock leather, the 80s left an undeniable mark on men’s style.
From pastel-colored suits and rolled-up sleeves to chunky gold chains and statement accessories, the decade pushed boundaries and set trends that still influence fashion today.
Want to channel your inner 80s icon? Start with a power suit, a vintage denim jacket, or classic high-top sneakers, and you’re good to go!