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Do You Know If This Fashion Trend Is From the ’80s or the ’90s?

By: Allison Lips

3 min

Do You Know If This Fashion Trend Is From the ’80s or the ’90s?

Image: Izusek/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

If you lived through the '80s and '90s, you probably wore some regrettable fashions. Hair was big. Jeans were baggy. Some brands, such as Members Only and JNCO, got left behind and could never fully recover from their signature products going out of fashion. People work bucket hats, spandex and platform shoes. While you may look back at many of these fashions fondly, there are others you wouldn't be caught dead in these days because they were for teenagers.

In the 1980s, many teens wore the fashions they saw their favorite hip hop artists wearing, such as bucket hats and the high top fades. In the 1990s, grunge took over, which meant teens were now wearing plaid and combat boots. However, if you were a teenage girl, you would rock a high pony or decorate your hair with several butterfly clips.

As you look back on these '80s and' '90s fashion, will you find yourself missing them? Or do you look back at your yearbook photos with embarrassment? Was your '80s style sweet? Were you the raddest of the rad in the '90s? Test your memory of popular '80s and '90s fashions with this quiz! Maybe you'll decide to incorporate some of these fashions back into your wardrobe.

1 Fanny Pack

RyanJLane/E+/Getty Images

During which decade was it fashionable to wear a fanny pack, which is now considered a fashion faux pas?

'80s

'90s

While the fanny pack was around in the 1980s, it became extremely popular and a fashion statement in the '90s. In the United Kingdom, they are called bum bags.

Both

Neither

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2 Ray-Ban

By 2timesM/Moment/Getty Images

After appearing in "The Blues Brothers" and "Risky Business," in which decade did Ray-Ban Wayfarers become popular?

'80s

In 1956, Raymond Stegman designed the Ray-Ban Wayfarer. The sunglasses were initially popular in the 1950s and 1960s, and Tom Cruise brought them back with "Risky Business."

'90s

Both

Neither

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3 Jordache

If you are wearing "The Jordache Look," which decade are you paying homage to?

'80s

In the 1980s, a pair of Jordache jeans sold for about $26. Today, Jordache has an '80s-inspired vintage brand that sells jeans for $140 to $180.

'90s

Both

Neither

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4 Platform Shoes

ValaGrenier/E+/Getty Images

During which decade were the Spice Girls known for wearing platform shoes?

'80s

'90s

At the height of their popularity, the Spice Girls wore Buffalo brand platform sneakers. In 2018, Buffalo relaunched the brand to appeal to modern consumers.

Both

Neither

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5 Vans

YouTube by Nwin

Sean Penn wore Vans in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," but what decade was the brand most popular in?

'80s

'90s

Both

In 1982, Vans gained international attention through its appearance in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." In 1995, Vans would sponsor the Vans Warped Tour, which would go on to launch the careers of many punk rock bands.

Neither

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6 Leg Warmers

Moodboard/Cultura/Getty Images

In her popular fitness videos, Jane Fonda often wore leg warmers. When were they popular?

'80s

Legwarmers were initially worn to exercise. The films "Flashdance" and "Footloose," which came out in 1983 and 1984 respectively, helped popularize the fashion trend.

'90s

Both

Neither

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7 Miniskirts

Jena Ardell/Moment/Getty Images

Miniskirts may have first become popular in the '60s, but during which decade did they make their way into the office?

'80s

'90s

Both

In 1982, cheerleading inspired "rah-rah" skirts became available in stores. During the 90s, the fashion trend found its way onto shows like "Ally McBeal" and "Melrose Place."

Neither

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8 Butterfly clips

Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images Plus

While they are now commonly found at Coachella, "butterfly clips" hit the mainstream in which decade?

'80s

'90s

In the 90s, female celebrities popular with young girls could be seen wearing the trend. Melissa Joan Hart, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Mandy Moore and Sarah Michelle Gellar decorated their hair with the clips.

Both

Neither

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9 Shoulder pads

Lorado/E+/Getty Images

During which decade could you see shoulder pads on the "Dynasty" cast?

'80s

After World War II, shoulder pads first became popular with women. They went out of style only to come back decades later. During the 80s, shoulder pads were an essential part of a power suit.

'90s

Both

Neither

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10 Choker

Elizabeth Fernandez/Moment/Getty Images

While they were first popular in the 19th century, the choker became associated with which decade?

'80s

'90s

In the 1920s, chokers were also worn. They are occasionally seen on Lady Mary in "Downton Abbey." In the 1990s, they often resembled tattoos.

Both

Neither

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11 Overalls

Eugenio Morangiu/Cultura/Getty Images

Which decade could teenagers be spotted wearing overalls, often with one strap unhooked?

'80s

'90s

Overalls were worn as early as the 1700s. When jeans were invented, they were originally called "waist overalls."

Both

Neither

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12 Mullet

Image Source/Image Source/Getty Images

David Bowie sported a mullet in the 1970s. What decade was the hairstyle most popular in?

'80s

'90s

Both

Billy Ray Cyrus, John Stamos, Ellen DeGeneres and many other celebrities wore mullets in the '90s. The mullet is describe as "business in the front, party in the back" because the front is kept short while the back of the hairstyle is longer.

Neither

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13 Air Jordans

Wiki Commons by Ting Him Mak

Even though they were first released in 1985, during which decade were Air Jordans most popular?

'80s

'90s

In 1985, the first Air Jordan's cost $65 a pair. When Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan I on the court, the NBA fined him $5,000 because the colors did not meet the uniform code. Nike eventually designed an Air Jordan that would meet guidelines.

Both

Neither

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14 Scrunchies

Ron Levine/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images

During which decade did women pull their hair into scrunchies?

'80s

'90s

In 1987, Ronny Revson patented the scrunchy. However, it was invented by Philip E. Meyers in 1963.

Both

Neither

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15 Boat shoes

Jamesbowyer/E+/Getty Image

In 1935 boat shoes were invented, but during which decade were they most popular?

'80s

Boat shoes are sometimes called deck shoes. In "The Official Preppy Handbook" by Lisa Birnbach, they were mentioned as an essential part of preppy style.

'90s

Both

Neither

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16 Studded belts

Comstock Images/Stockbyte/Getty Images

While studded belts were always associated with punk fashion, in which decade did they become popular with teenagers?

'80s

'90s

Both

Neither

Studded belts are associated with alternative fashion. They can be seen in the punk, Goth, metal and emo scenes.

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17 Leggings

Frytka/E+/Getty Images

Leggings made a comeback in the 2000s, but during which decade were they extremely popular with women?

'80s

'90s

While they were not always called leggings, women have worn tight pants since at least the 1950s. In 1957's "Funny Face," Audrey Hepburn wore skintight pants that resemble what are now called leggings.

Both

Neither

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18 Plaid shirts

Django/E+/Getty Images

During which decade was plaid popular with teenagers?

'80s

'90s

In the '90s, plaid was everywhere. It was a staple of both preppy and grunge fashion.

Both

Neither

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19 Crop tops

Lena Mirisola/Image Source/Getty Images

Which decade would you find Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera wearing crop tops?

'80s

'90s

In the 1980s, crop tops were part of workout clothing due to the fitness craze. However, in the '90s, crop tops ranged from bustier-style shirts to cropped graphic T-shirts.

Both

Neither

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20 JNCOs

YouTube by Danny Duncan

During which decade would you spot people wearing JNCOs?

'80s

'90s

In 1985, Haim and Yaakov Revah founded the JNCO brand. JNCO stands for "Judge None, Choose One."

Both

Neither

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21 Moodring

YouTube by HeyThatsMike

Even though they were invented in 1975, the mood ring made a comeback in which decade?

'80s

'90s

Mood rings do not actually tell a wearer's mood. Instead, they contain temperature sensitive liquid crystals that react to human body temperature.

Both

Neither

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22 Tracksuits

RyanJLane/E+/Getty Images

Which decade is best known for nylon tracksuits?

'80s

In the 1960s, Adidas created the first tracksuit for sports use. In the '80s tracksuits could be seen in fitness classes and on hip-hop artists.

'90s

Both

Neither

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23 Side ponytail

MichaelEdwards/DigitalVision/Getty Images

In which decade were side ponytails seen on Debbie Gibson and teen girls?

'80s

While the side pony was big in the '80s, it retained some of its popularity into the '90s. The hairstyle made a small comeback in the early 2000s.

'90s

Both

Neither

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24 Bell bottoms

YouTube by The DIY Designer

Which decade gave us Sonny and Cher and bell bottoms?

'80s

'90s

Both

Neither

Bell bottoms with extremely wide leg openings were nicknamed "elephant bells." In the 1990s, bell bottoms returned to fashion, but this time they were called flared pants.

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25 Members Only Jacket

Even though the brand was founded in the '70s, Members Only became well-known for its jackets in which decade?

'80s

Members Only was founded in 1975. In 2016, Members Only came out with a line that features '90s Nickelodeon characters.

'90s

Both

Neither

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26 High top fades

PeopleImages/E+/Getty Images

During which decade would you find hightop fades on hip-hop artists?

'80s

'90s

Both

The hightop fade is a variation of a regular flattop. A high top fade as the sides and the back of the head shaved as they top of the head grew out.

Neither

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27 Bucket Hats

Andersen Ross Photography Inc./DigitalVision/Getty Images Plus

Bucket hats were part of hip-hop fashion in which decade?

'80s

In the 1980s, bucket hats could be seen on Big Bank Hank of the Sugar Hill Gang, Run-DMC, and LL Cool J. In 2018, bucket hats could be seen on the Valentino Spring/Summer 2019 runway.

'90s

Both

Neither

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28 Spandex

Jeff Randall/DigitalVision/Getty Images

During which decade would you see dancers and rock stars wearing spandex?

'80s

In 1959, Joseph C. Shivers invented spandex. At the time he was working for DuPont, which chose to call the material Lycra.

'90s

Both

Neither

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29 Miami Vice

Which decade saw men dressing like the main characters in "Miami Vice?"

'80s

"Miami Vice's" executive producer, Michael Mann, was responsible for Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas' flashy wardrobes. They often wore t-shirts under suits as James "Sonny" Crocket and Ricardo Tubbs.

'90s

Both

Neither

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30 Grunge

GoodLifeStudio/E+/Getty Images

Which decade saw grunge and combat boots become popular?

'80s

'90s

In the 1990s, women wore combat boots with everything from dresses to flannel shirts and torn jeans. Combat boots can still be seen in the goth, heavy metal, and punk subcultures.

Both

Neither

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31 Backwards cap

Anthony Saint James/Stockbyte/Getty Images

During which decade could Marky Mark be seen wearing a backward baseball cap?

'80s

'90s

Baseball players have worn the baseball cap since 1858. Over the decades, the caps have become a recognized part of attire off the field, as well, with companies even printing their logos on the crowns as promotional giveaways.

Both

Neither

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32 Neon

Alina555/E+/Getty Images

Which decade saw neon on almost every piece of clothing?

'80s

Some of the most popular neon colors were neon green, neon yellow, neon pink, and neon blue. The fashion was seen on both men and women.

'90s

Both

Neither

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33 Bandanas

Ty Foster/Moment/Getty Images

During which decade would you find Tupac wearing bandannas?

'80s

'90s

In 1741, the word bandanna entered English from the Sankrit word "badhnati." It refers to a large patterned handkerchief.

Both

Neither

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34 Slap bracelet

YouTube by Marketing Tomas

When would you find children accidentally hurting themselves with slap bracelets?

'80s

'90s

In the 1980s, Stuart Anders invented slap bracelets. He originally called them the Slap Wrap.

Both

Neither

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35 Parachute pants

YouTube by ParachutePantsStore

Teenage boys wore parachute pants while breakdancing in which decade?

'80s

Despite often being called parachute pants, the pants MC Hammer wore technically did not fit the category. His pants were a take on harem pants.

'90s

Neither

Both

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36 Jehri curls

During which decade did African American men wear Jehri curls?

'80s

Jehri Redding was the hairdresser who invented the Jehri curl. The hairstyle requires the hair to be permed.

'90s

Both

Neither

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37 Acid wash jeans

Bill Diodato/Photodisc/Getty Images

Which decade gave all styles of jeans an acid wash?

'80s

Acid wash jeans are treated with chemicals. Chlorine bleach is among the chemicals used to create this look.

'90s

Both

Neither

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38 Trucket hat

Chictype/E+/Getty Images

When would you have found Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake wearing Von Dutch trucker hats?

'80s

'90s

Both

Neither

Von Dutch was the nickname of Kenneth Howard. He was known for pin-striping cars and motorcycles.

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39 Skechers

YouTube by SoftMoc Shoes

While Skechers is still around, when was the brand most popular?

'80s

'90s

Sketchers was founded in 1992. Robert and Michael Greenberg were the co-founders.

Both

Neither

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40 FUBU

YouTube by EMC Vlogs

When was FUBU at the height of its popularity?

'80s

'90s

In 1992, Daymond John, Keith Perrin, J. Alexander Martin, and Carl Brown founded FUBU. The brand's first collection was a small line of tops and hats with the brand's logo printed on them.

Both

Neither

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