'80s Fashion Trivia

This look was ubiquitous in the 1980s, but what started it all was the movie "Flashdance." Who can forget the infamous scene where Jennifer Beals drops water on herself during her show-stopping dance performance in the film?

Swatch watches were one of the ultimate "it" items for kids growing up in the 1980s. They were first introduced in 1983 and were an instant hit; kids would buy multiples of these in every color and pattern they could.

In the '80s, fanny packs became super popular among American tourists of a certain age, but have since regained some popularity in both high and street fashion. If you didn't know, the fanny pack got its name because it actually used to be worn facing the rear above the buttocks.

Hip-hop became super intertwined with fashion in the 1980s because of superstars like Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and Salt-N-Pepa. Artists like these had unique styles that fans all over adopted as their own. This level of influence carried on into the '90s with hip-hop artists like Kriss Kross.

Before there was grunge, there was punk. This was a rebellious response to both the decade's over-the-top fashion as well as the metal music that had emerged during this time. The punk of the '80s was intense and edgy, always clad in studded leather jackets, ripped jeans, heavy-duty boots, and endless band t-shirts.

We've all seen the 'Calvins' ads featuring our favorite hard-bodied men, but their prevalence started well before Mark Wahlberg did that famous shoot in 1992. In the '80s, this design's popularity had soared so high that they reached over $600 million in sales by 1984.

Lamé was seriously apart of every look imaginable during the '80s. Think about all of the shiny, colorful dresses that were adorned with sequins and ruffles - that was lamé!

Also known as "Hammer pants," parachute pants were made extremely popular by MC Hammer in the '80s. The name "parachute" referred to the pants' nylon material, which is similar to that of an actual parachute.

Headbands got their start with the fitness movement (think Olivia Newton-John), but soon found their way to everyday wear no matter what the occasion was. One fashionable look featured headbands with large bows attached to them.

Sheer tights were a new thing in the '80s; up until this point, most pantyhose and tights were a specific shade of nude and very apparent when worn. Sheer tights offered just the right amount of sheen but were not as visible.

Triple F.A.T. is still around today slinging their high-end, super comfy coats, but back in the '80s, they were a highly-sought-after brand. One of their most popular looks was their down-filled leather jacket.

That's right, Coca-Cola was the company to really kick off the trend of branded clothing. This came after they and the parent company of Jordache came to a merchandising agreement.

If you were a fan of the popular 1985 film "Teen Wolf," then you surely remember seeing this slogan appear on Stiles' (argued to be one of the best '80s comedy sidekicks) t-shirt.

Don Johnson's "Miami Vice" character Sonny Crockett was the first to usher in this trendy '80s look. Fun fact - the show's executive producer Michael Mann once said it was a trip he took to a paint store that actually inspired the show's heavy use of pastel.

The fingerless glove of the '80s was a culmination of a few different influences. There was Madonna who made the lace fingerless glove popular, punks who wore their own version of them, and the fact that people just seemed to love cutting the ends off of their garments.

For men and women alike, shoulder pads became the defining fashion statement of the '80s. It was all about the perception of power and status when it came to dressing this way. Every type of garment from jackets to dresses and even undergarments came with its own set of shoulder pads.

Are you more of a Maverick or a Goose? Bomber jackets may have reached the height of the popularity with the release of "Top Gun," but before that many people would buy and wear leftover jackets from actual military service.

Caboodles has an interesting story - it was launched back in 1986 after an interview Vanna White did which featured her showing off a fishing tackle box that she used as a make-up kit. Very creative!

Thanks in part to shows like "Miami Vice," penny loafers became a hit for men in the '80s. What was especially popular during this time was wearing penny loafers without socks.

The term "Valley Girl" did originate in the '70s but hit its peak in the '80s. It originally was used to refer to white women of the middle and upper-class living in the San Fernando Valley. It became the phenomenon we know today during the '80s.

"Mom jeans" is a slang term used to describe the high-waisted, baggy jeans that became popular during the '80s. We've since seen a big rise in their popularity again, with the super fashionable and hipsters wearing them today.

As more men and women wanted to work out in the '80s, home video was becoming a normal part of every household. Jane Fonda's workout videos were flying off the shelves at this time; she became a household name synonymous with fitness and the pairing of leggings with leotards.

Airbrushed T-shirts were the way to let everyone know what your relationship status was back in the '80s, and where did people always get these done? The county fair! Those who grew up in the '90s likely still saw these around, but overall the trend faded out rather quickly.

Growing up, how many of you knew that Jellies were made with PVC plastic? What's super cool about this material is how malleable it is; that's why Jellies were available in every color you can think of (and with sparkles!)

At a time when social awareness wasn't exactly a "thing," Benetton stood alone in taking a stance with their ads. With their "United Colors" campaign, they tackled issues from racial discrimination to multi-cultural awareness and appreciation. This featured mixed groups of races and ethnicities in their clothing.

Everyone should know that famous scene where Cruise slides across his floors in socks and a button-up (and some of you have likely recreated it in your own homes). It may surprise you that Cruise isn't actually wearing Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses in that scene. Iconically, he wears them on the poster and throughout the film, though.

Rappers of the '80s were primarily responsible for this style of hat finding popularity during this decade (and the '90s); LL Cool J almost exclusively can be seen photographed wearing a bucket hat during this time.

Velour is a blend of spandex and velvet, which helps create that unique soft, stretchy fabric you can only really find in a tracksuit. They were phased out a bit by the late '80s when shellsuits (made of nylon) took their place.

Hair metal bands were a real pinnacle of going over-the-top with fashion during the '80s. They and their fans enjoyed wearing a liberal use of make-up and lots of leather and spandex. Let's not forget the hairspray either - so much hair spray.

A real trend that arose in '80s films was the "douchebag" villainous character. It was always a sure sign that the guy who made more money than the protagonist and used "summer" as a verb was also clad in a sweater tied around their shoulders. More often than not, that character was the "bad guy."

The '80s was the era of a lot of things, and one of them was the "Yuppies." Yuppies were preppy, typically upper-class men who more often than not wore a pastel or striped Lacoste polo shirt anywhere they went.

Just like the lifeguard babes of "Baywatch," the high-cut one-piece swimsuit was the look for every woman hitting the beach in the '80s. The "teeny bikini" also hit its height of popularity during the '80s.

Business in the front, party in the back! The '80s saw a whole lot of crazy hairstyles, but this one takes the cake. It really hit its popularity once TV characters like MacGyver and Uncle Jesse from "Full House" started rocking the 'do.

What a name, right? These thick, braided chains were worn by the big rappers of the '80s as a statement of luxury and power. They were ostentatious and a symbol of success for those who wore them.

In Hawaii, people would wear Aloha shirts and Bermuda shorts on Fridays, which they'd call "Aloha Fridays." Eventually, this spread to the rest of the U.S. and soon most office workplaces celebrated what we know today as Casual Fridays.

Doc Martens were the essential fashion accessory for the punk subculture that existed in both the U.S and the UK. Women who identified as punks would wear them too, typically paired with mini-skirts.

The New Wave genre was an all-encompassing sound of music that incorporated styles from the '70s and '80s and tied them in with mod and electronic music. The fashion trends that followed it included slim-fitting suits, thin neckties, bold patterns, and androgynous make-up.

As the uncontested queen of pop in the '80s, Madonna not only completely influenced music trends, but she was also the pioneer of many fashion trends that epitomized the decade. From lacy tutus and leather jackets to the 'layered look' featuring multiple shirts and coats, everyone wanted to look like Madonna.

From high-waisted jeans and cut-off shorts to denim jackets and skirts, denim was at the center of fashion for every sect of people in the '80s. Whether it was acid-washed or ripped to shreds, everybody loved their denim!