The 1980’s were a time of greatness. With classic films like The Empire Strikes Back hitting theatres, musicians like Bruce Springsteen were occupying the top of the charts and tie-dye was all the rage. Flash forward to 2021, Star Wars is as big as ever, Artists like The Weeknd are topping the charts with a distinct 80’s sound, and tie-dye is back in. But why are the 1980’s seemingly so popular again?
Chloe Bennet, a high-school senior and self-described fashionista believes that fashion is a cycle that repeats itself.
“I think that fashion kind of repeats itself and people are getting bored of the styles that are in now. So then they look back on movies and like, music videos and stuff and find something that they like and I think that clothing stores thrive on this”
While Bennet believes this is only a trend that is unlikely to stick around, she sees examples of 80’s fashion everywhere she goes.
“I see a lot of 80’s fashion everywhere I go. This includes scrunchies, tie dye, cords, velvet, like a lot of things are coming back in style again. And I think that people are wearing a lot of it all the time. Like I see tie dye everywhere.”
Benigno Hoyuela / Unsplash Modern take on 80’s fashion
With a younger generation embracing the 80’s right now, that begs the question of why? Was there anything particularly unique about the 1980’s that makes the decade stand out to people who weren’t even there? Doug Hasenfeld is a man who grew up in the 80’s, and he believes that marketing has a big role to play.
“I don’t think it’s people my age, I think it’s younger people that are pulling off the 80’s. They’re the ones who want the funny clothes and the big hair. I Don’t want to see it again, I already lived through it. You know, it’s like in my childhood and growing up, it was the 60s, that was the cherished decade. In the 80s you’re like, oh, the 60s were so cool. And everybody wanted to be a hippie and flower power. Now that we’re 40 years from the 80’s, I think of how they’re marketing it to younger people, you know, even the big eyeglasses are back, I think a lot of it is driven by marketing.
Hasenfeld also believes nostalgia has a part to play in the recent popularity of the 80’s.
“I think people from my generation too now. They’re reliving their childhood through their children. Buying them their toys and their video games, things that they were fond of during that time period. The 80s were great. They had the best toys, they had the best cartoons too.
As an avid 80’s toy collector himself, Doug says that the rules surrounding marketing to children were loosened in the 80’s leading to an explosion of great toys that are still highly desirable to this day.
“With children’s programming prior to the 80’s they weren’t allowed to have a cartoon and then make the toys for that cartoon, and market that to children. That wasn’t allowed. But in the 80’s that changed and they were allowed to make a cartoon and then make action figures for that cartoon and market it towards children.”
Tom Mac/ G.I. Joe was one of the most popular toy lines of the 1980’s, and had a cartoon run alongside the toy line from 1983-1986.
While it’s unclear if the 80’s trends will continue to stick around in the future, or if trends are just a cycle, one thing is clear. The 1980’s hold a special place in the hearts of not only those who grew up during that time, but also young people who are fascinated with such an interesting time in human history.
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