Cultural Shift Through Power Dressing in 80s Fashion Trends

The 1980’s is one of the most interesting decades in the United States. Dealing with the stock market, the coming up of new inventions, all the way to the types of music people listened to. During the 1980s, the only thing that made Americans be “Americans” was because of the many creative things they had. Many Americans had fun throughout the 1980s with many different creative lifestyles therefore there were different economical problems that Americans faced. In the 1980s, the fashion landscape was marked by a dynamic and distinctive trend known as 'power dressing'. The essay explores this trend as it was closely tied to the rise of women in the workforce and the evolving perceptions of gender roles, which were reflected in the bold and assertive styles of the era. Power dressing in the 80s was not merely about clothing; it represented a cultural shift and a means for individuals, particularly women, to express confidence, authority, and ambition.

The creation of MTV revolutionised fashion, the music industry and even how we watched tv. But for others, it was nothing but bad hair, terrible clothing and music often had more to do with machines than talent. The clothes worn in the 80’s depicted people who were trying to find themselves. They looked for ways to express their creativity and individuality.

Men wore heavy make-up and grew long hair (for ex. David Bowie and boy George). Whilst women wore layers of clothing and short hair cuts. The likes of Madonna and Cindy luaper rocked this look. Both sexes were looking for an identity. Famous fashion trends in the 80s like power dressing or valley girl were just a few famous trends that people in the 80’s wore. New wave, new romantic and gothic fashion at this time was heavily influenced by punk fashion. The streaky eyeliner, the spiked hair, the outrages clothing, some of which derived from bondage wear and some of which was a nod to long-gone eras.

Significance of 80s Power Dressing Trends

Power dressing consisted of shoulder pads, that were made popular by joan collins and linda evans from the soap opera dynasty, and remained popular throughout the 1980’s and the first three years of the 1990’s. Power dressing then started to become popular with women. The reason being that women in the workplace were no longer unusual and wanted to “power dress” to show that they were equals of men at the office. Many womens outfits had velcro on the inside of the shoulder where various sized shoulder pads could be attached. Leotards and dancewear. Leotards had been a fashion trend under the “layered look” popular in the middle of that decade.

By the end of the decade leotards made from shiny spandex had become the standard feminine fashion of the “disco era”, partly for their form-fitting quality and the fact that they allowed flexibility and ease of movement. With the arrival of the aerobics craze of the early 1980’s the classic leotard moved from the dance floor to the gym, accompanied by matching tights leg warmers and elastic headbands. Leotards of the early 1980’s boasted bright stripes, polka dots and even elastic belts.

Accessories played a crucial role in completing the power dressing look. Wide belts cinched at the waist, adding definition to the silhouette. Statement jewelry, like oversized earrings and chunky necklaces, added a touch of glamour and sophistication. Handbags, often structured and practical, were chosen to convey professionalism.

Footwear was another essential element of power dressing. Women frequently opted for high heels with pointed toes, which not only elevated height but also exuded authority. However, comfort was sometimes sacrificed for style, as these shoes could be quite challenging to wear for extended periods.

Conclusion

In conclusion 80’s fashion was eccentric and identity based. Many people wore many different types of fashion that they felt fit their identity. Women also wore the same thing as men because they started to be seen as equals. There were even some different types of fashion that are still popular with society today. In retrospect, the power dressing trend of the 80s symbolizes more than just fashion. It represented a tangible expression of women's changing roles in society, particularly in the professional realm.

References

1. Steele, V. (Ed.). (2010). 'The Berg Companion to Fashion.' Berg Publishers.
2. Colleen, H. (1990). 'The Power Dressing 80s.' The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3. McDowell, C. (1984). 'Power Dressing.' Vogue.
4. Gold, G. (2005). '80s Fashion: From Power Suits to Pinstripes.' Thames & Hudson.
5. Steele, V. (Ed.). (1997). 'Chic Clicks: Creativity and Commerce in Contemporary Fashion Photography.' University of California Press.
6. Thomas, P. (1989). 'Style Icons Vol 1. Golden Boys.' Fashion Media.