Summer Fashions of the 80s

If you can recall a time when jelly shoes, Ray Ban sunglasses, pastel shirts and denim mini skirts were common, you're probably all too familiar with the summer fashions of the '80s. Trendsetters and trend-followers of the day were no strangers to the decade of excess and its highly adventurous styles, and today many of those same looks are regaining popularity.

Cool Summer

The ladies of Bananarama may have dubbed it a "Cruel Summer," but considering just how sweet and surprisingly influential trends of the 1980s have proven to be, it seems those summers were anything but cruel. In fact, some of the seasons' most memorable elements have experienced a revival of sorts in the new millennium. They've been infused into everything from pants to shoes, and they've proven the old adage that everything old really is new again.

A Peek at Summer Fashions of the '80s

Vibrant dresses beneath powerhouse white blazers. Bold pumps. Bright handbags. Colored sunglasses. Do any of these ring a bell? It should; these are looks that women all over the world have embraced with enthusiasm. Their inspiration, though, comes from a time long gone - the 1980s. Known for its over-the-top, fearless fashions, the '80s embraced vibrant colors and a generally overdone, exaggerated spirit that made itself known on everything from big hairstyles to extravagant color combinations.

Summertime was a great time to show off this veritable explosion of peppiness, through a variety of garments that showed off some skin, celebrated the great weather and made some sort of sense in their own kaleidoscopic, chaotic way. For every article of clothing in the closet, there was a particular look that dominated the decade:

Tops

Tops of all kinds, from T-shirts to jackets, were worn in quite specific ways back in the '80s. During summertime, it was not unusual for men and women to roll up the sleeves of their T-shirts. Even jacket sleeves, from blazers to denim, were often rolled up. Though bright colors essentially ruled the decade, summer in particular saw a special fondness for pastels and neon hues. It wasn't uncommon to spot a day-glow orange top with the sleeves folded, paired with pegged jeans. Cropped tops, which often featured asymmetrical hems and fell directly above the belly button, were also favored.

Bottoms

Pegged jeans are so quintessentially '80s that it would be remiss not to mention them. Tightly rolled at the ankle, they were fun to wear with jelly shoes and a bright, baggy top during summer. Acid washed denim in general was quite the fad, and during summer it was seen on mini skirts, tapered pants and jeans with zippers that extended up the sides. All of these exposed some skin and kept women comfortable on warm days, while still remaining true to the ultra-cool look of the day.

Dresses

Though we tend to associate the dresses of the '80s with powerhouse shoulder pads and an excess of ruffles, there were other styles that were especially popular when temperatures would rise. During summer, women would often wear the now infamous floral Laura Ashley dresses with white Keds shoes and ankle socks. The look essentially defined style for a generation of teenage girls, who would wear them not only for casual occasions, but also to school dances during the rest of the year. With their primarily pastel tones, puffed sleeves and full skirts, they were soft, sweet and feminine.

Modern Interpretations

Though the majority of summer fashions of the '80s are best left to the annals of fashion history, certain fragments of that period have either remained relevant or regained their importance among fashion-forward women with an eye for style.

Rolled up sleeves on loose-fitting blazers are quite common today. In fact, many boyfriend blazers are designed with printed linings, so that the pattern is visible when the sleeves are rolled up.
Skinny jeans, often seen back in the '80s or created when the legs were tightly rolled up, are now a mainstay in women's wardrobes all over the world.
Cropped tops, though not quite as exaggerated as they once were, are equally comfortable to wear during present-day summer seasons. Unique, flattering cuts render them practically timeless now.
Floral prints are considered spring and summer essentials today, but their look now is decidedly less matronly and much bolder.
Mini skirts and leggings have enjoyed renewed popularity for the past several years, and show no signs of expiring anytime soon. Of course, they are rarely worn together as they were back in the '80s, but both pieces are just as perfect for today's balmy summers as they were then.