70s & 80s & 90s Women’s Fashion
Although the saying “what goes around, comes around” is used to describe karma, it is also suitable to describe fashion’s cycle. Undoubtedly, the 80s women had a bold, loud, and brave fashion that tends to be stylish today. Women’s fashion that was cool in the 1990s still prevails today, less than 20 years after it first became popular.
Today we will go back to the 90s, 80s, and 70s to see the women’s fashion that still shines in modern beauty.
90s Women’s Fashion
The 1990s saw a new fashion movement that included youth and allowed for some rebellion. The decade labeled grunge, hip-hop, and sexy as the main trends. Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen were grunge pioneers, drawing inspiration from gritty streets. Supermodels like Kate Moss lead the pack with her “heroin chic”. Everybody wanted to imitate Moss’s “too chic to care” style. Fashion reflected this attitude. As for fans of musicians, fashion and music were coming closer than ever.
Flared Jeans
Flared and wide-leg styles were popular long before skinny jeans became everyone’s favorite. These pants were popular in the 1990s due to their preference for loose and oversized silhouettes. These pants were perfect for daywear and cute with crop tops at night. For a modern take on flared jeans, try a cropped style.
Cargo Pants
Cargo pants were also a popular choice for trouser designs in the 1990s. These pants are being worn again and have regained popularity in the modern days. These trousers feature by their countless pockets, typically located on the sides and legs of the pants. These pockets are often spacious and practical, making them a good choice for people who need to carry a lot of items with them. Cargo pants are typically made of durable materials such as cotton or polyester and are often worn in casual or outdoor settings. They can be paired with various tops, from t-shirts to jackets and hoodies, making them a versatile choice for everyday wear.
Bike Shorts
Bike shorts, also named short tights, were very popular in the 1990s, especially among women and girls. They are designed for cycling but have also become popular as casual or athletic wear. Bike shorts are typically made of stretchy, form-fitting materials such as spandex or lycra and are proper to provide comfort and support while cycling. They often have a padded insert in the seating area to provide additional cushioning and reduce pressure on the saddle.
Bike shorts became a popular fashion trend in the 1990s. Celebrities such as Lady Diana and Madonna often wore bike shorts at that time. They often paired shorts with oversized t-shirts, sweatshirts, or crop tops for a casual, sporty look. In recent years, bike shorts have continued to be popular as a fashion item, often paired with more dressed-up tops and jackets for a more polished look.
Choker
Chokers were necessary accessories in the 1990s. The collar-like necklaces were worn tightly around the neck, adding an edge to outfits. Many chockers were made from stretchy plastic materials and looked like a tattoo by design. Others featured a fabric construction with jewels and charms. Chokers became popular in the 1990s as part of the grunge and alternative fashion trends. People matched chockers with casual, edgy clothing such as band t-shirts and distressed jeans. In recent years, chokers have regained popularity and incorporated into various fashion styles, such as casual and bohemian. They can be worn with a wide range of outfits and add a touch of vintage or retro flair to a modern look.
Oversized Blazer
Oversize blazers are excellent for elegant or sporty outfits. They can add a touch of sophistication and structure to an outfit, making them a good choice for formal or elegant occasions. At the same time, they can also be worn in a more casual setting, providing a laid-back, relaxed vibe.
To create an elegant look with an oversized blazer, you can pair it with a slip dress or other form-fitting dresses. This combination adds a touch of femininity and sophistication to the outfit. You can pair an oversized blazer with vintage jeans or other casual bottoms, such as chinos or cargo pants, for a more casual look. This look creates a laid-back, relaxed vibe that is perfect for everyday wear.
Pairing an oversized blazer with bike shorts is also a great way to modernize a 1990s-inspired look and create a stylish, contemporary outfit. This combination can be dressed up or down and is a nice choice for different occasions.
80s Women’s Fashion
Minimalist fashion has been the trend recently, but things are different in the 1980s. Designers and style icons were introducing a new generation of maximal fashion. Fashion was in style with bold colors and big shoulders. This 80s fashion trend is perfect for creating eye-catching and fantastic outfits.
Power Suit
In the 1980s, power suits and dressing were a popular trend led by movie stars and celebrities who played powerful career women.
Grace Jones’s sharply tailored suits and padded shoulders inspired cross-dressing. This movement inspired artists like Annie Lennox, Lady Gaga, Solange, and Lorde. Margaret Thatcher was Britain’s first-ever female Prime Minister, indicating that women were rising the ranks.
Neon Outfits
Fashion was about making a statement in the 1980s. You can often do this with 80s neon clothing and let the world know you were trendy and hip. Neon clothing was a common choice for young adults in the 1980s.
Bright neon colors and bright oranges make you stand out from the crowd. Being bold was the leading spirit of 80s fashion. It’s no surprise that neon fashion was so popular in the 1980s and remains one of that time’s most iconic fashion trends.
Also, neon outfits didn’t only include tops and pants. Neon accessories were trendy too. You could find everything from sunglasses to jelly bracelets in neon colors in the 1980s.
Leather Jacket
Leather jacket outfit fashion starts from the movie and music stars like Cher, Bon Jovi, Madonna, and Morten Harket.
The most popular kind of leather jacket had large shoulders and rolled-up sleeves. These jackets, also known as “bomber” or “aviator” jackets, were characterized by their boxy, oversized fit and often featured ribbed cuffs and hem. They were usually made of leather or synthetic materials and were popular among men and women.
One famous example of this leather jacket style is the one Michael Jackson wore in his music video for “Thriller”. The jacket, which featured large shoulders and rolled-up sleeves, became iconic and helped to popularize the trend.
The double rider and cafe racer jackets were also popular in the 80s. These jackets are available at The Jacket Maker with the option to personalize them.
Preppy Style
The preppy style originated in the 1980s and was characterized by a clean, classic, and polished look often associated with private schools and Ivy League universities. Preppy fashion was popular among men and women and typically featured a range of clothing items, such as turtlenecks, blazers, sweaters, polo shirts, khaki pants, and wrap skirts.
For women, the preppy style often included puffy sleeves, knee-high socks, pencil skirts, and pullovers that could be layered over turtlenecks or button-up shirts. Keds, or canvas sneakers, were also a popular choice for footwear. Fashionable girls often completed the preppy look with a sweater tied around the neck or a wrap dress with a tucked or buttoned hip.
Jewelry
Madonna’s iconic cross necklace look was a defining part of her fashion style in the 1980s, and it helped to popularize the trend among her followers and fans. Madonna often wore long, decorative cross necklaces as part of her outfits, and this look became closely associated with her image. Many of her fans, or “wannabes,” emulated this style by wearing similar cross necklaces and other jewelry.
In addition to wearing cross necklaces, Madonna was also known for her bold and influential fashion sense, including layers of bracelets, bangles, and unique hairstyles such as teased hair and braids. Madonna’s unique and daring fashion choices helped define the 1980s music scene and remain remembered as an essential part of fashion history.
70s Women’s Fashion
One of the most enduring fashion styles is from 1970. The 1970s were a time for experimentation in fashion and style. The clothing was colorful and quite different from the current fashion—people like this decade for its bold colors and patterns. In the 70s, women’s clothing became more confident and would continue to be so for the next few years. There was no need to conceal behind spandex or layers of fabric.
Fashion for women is about showing off your personality through clothes and accessories. To make a fashion statement, you should do it with style and grace.
It isn’t easy to choose from so many styles. Let’s look at some of these most popular looks from that era.
Maxi Boho Dress
Maxi boho dresses are Maxi dresses with Bohemian style. They were a fashion icon of the 70s, which interpreted the boho style with their loose silhouettes and flowing fabrics.
Maxi dresses are fabulous for anyone who wants to add drama and color to their outfits but not sacrifice comfort or style. They are also a good choice for people who don’t like tight clothing, as they offer a relaxed fit that is easy to move in.
Maxi boho dresses are versatile and can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion and personal style. They can be paired with different shoes, from flats to heels, and can be worn with a range of accessories, such as belts, scarves, and hats, to create a variety of stylish looks.
Scooter Skirt
Scooter skirts of the 1970s look very much like Catholic schoolgirl skirts today. However, there is a big difference. These “skirts,” which were actually shorts, are pleated to appear like skirts.
The mini skirt was trendy in the 1960s. However, the “skort,” which was more suitable to show the upper half of the leg by the young people of the 1970s, was more popular. When hot pants, extremely short and skin-tight shorts, emerged in the 1970s, the mini skirt became the scooter skirt.
Girls started wearing their scooter skirts to keep their undergarments from being exposed. Eventually, the scooter skirt became popular in America and turned into American daily clothing.
Flared Pants
Flared pants were a big trend in the 1970s and still are. Women wore flared pants to work, parties, and all other occasions. Flared pants weren’t suitable for everyone, and some people still consider today’s pants acceptable alternatives. But we love the look.
You can find them in many sizes and styles. They don’t need to be expensive. All these affordable options make flared pants stand out against other clothes.
Hooded Dress
The origins of the hood are from medieval times when women and men wore hooded caps/cloaks to protect their faces and hair from harsh weather conditions. A hood over your outer garment meant you didn’t need to worry about adding another piece to your outfit. Because people were free to move on horseback and foot, having all the necessary components in one place was convenient.
The popularity of Medieval-style peasant dresses was evident in the 1970s. The hooded sleeveless dress also gained popularity.
You can wear a hooded dress casually or extravagantly, depending on how you use it. Famous 70s designer Halston dressed Bianca Jagger and his friends in his iconic hooded disco gown. Although Halston did not invent the hooded dress, it represents his brand, which mixes nightlife with everyday functional clothes. Halston also created ultra suede dresses and gained himself mainstream notoriety.
Basket Bag
The perfect accessory for your 70s style is a basket shopping bag. You can carry this item conveniently and look fashionista.
This bag is versatile. You can use it for many purposes. For instance, you can collect all your favorite pieces from the 70s era with this bag.
It is also a good match with a white dress.
Final Thoughts
Fashion is a continuous cycle. It has no beginning or end because fashion constantly changes, and new ideas can always pop out. The same concepts and actions used in the past can re-create new fashions. Designers can create something new that is slightly different from the original.
There is always a new clothing style, but the ideas behind it are old. People who can maintain their clothes will tell you that there is a lot of inspiration in old fashion from history. The only thing that you need to do is the adjustment of some details.
Hope you can get some fashion inspiration from this essay. If you want to see more ideas, welcome to our website!