How to Wear 80s Retro Style in 2020

Some trends just keep coming back. “We bring you right round baby right round.” (by Dead or Alive) Eighties fashion seems to find it’s way into current styles nearly every year. 

So what are we seeing of Madonna like waves made famous in yesteryear reimagined in 2020? Here’s my take on how to carry 80s style clothing with modern 2020 sophistication.

First of all, let’s talk colors. One thing that marks 80s fashion is bold colors. The eighties palettes were anything but neutral. According to WWD, the pantone hues of late, and distinctly of the glam decade, are the flame scarlet red, saffron yellow, classic blue and biscay green. 

Even the word biscay brings you right back to Miami Vice-esque colorways. Then add floral prints and crochet knits.

To best incorporate glam with modern, I am partial to a splash of bold, vintage inspired clothing with more subtle pieces to balance out.

To me, the ideal combinations are to include the best of both worlds, Bright colors, prints but mixed with more up to date fabrics and organic colors so that you highlight the garment without becoming a walking strobe light.

The key to incorporating vintage clothing is to focus on one aspect at a time, ruffles, velvet, animal prints or neon colors, not all at once, but as a fun pop element make for a tasteful fashion statement.

Vintage style is great when you can update a past style with a newer take on fabrics and cuts to be better fitting etc. Or maybe a jazzy 80s print from retro clothing just with your favorite denim is the easiest way to go.

Here are some quintessential eighties icons that are on repeat mode for 2020:

 

Leggings are here to stay……

Let’s face it, we all like to be comfortable when we can get away with it. So from fashion to athletic wear and back to fashion. Every woman at some point seems to try to sneak in a pair of leggings with a jacket, flannel or sweater and dress it up with sandals or heels. These leggings are all about 80s reimagined with croc texture, metallic shimmer and high waisted fit.

 

Bra tops long ago made “a thing” by Madonna in the eighties.

Now reintroduced for Spring – Summer 2020. Belly buttons unite!

And to go with your bra top, a now fashion staple; High waisted mom jeans like Levi’s Wedgie High waisted skinny jeans.

 

Bright colored Leather

 

It would be hard to get more eighties than a flashy colored, Michael Jackson leather jacket. Included in the Harpersbazaar.com list of top 12 styles in 2020, it seems that you can continue to flaunt your signature leather piece of past seasons But the good news is that some designers are taking that leather and modernizing it with more muted colors such as black grape, vanilla cream and denim blue suggested by fashionunited.com as the leather to look for in Fall/Winter 2020. 

 

Bermuda shorts are making a comeback with a bit more fit and flow.

 

Not as much the preppier boyfriend cut 80s version. 

Listed as a current fashion trends by our friends at Cosmopolitan.com, These are one of the new-old looks for Spring and Summer 2020.

 

Polka Dots can be fun in 2020.

 

Making “the list” on The Zoe Report for Spring 2020 is the return of the almighty dot. And here, another Zoe (Kravitz) at Golden Globes sporting the spots by Saint Laurent.

 

Pleats please….

 

Many looks with flowing pleated skirts resurfaced at Fashion Week showing the return of the 80’s pleat with a modern twist (pun intended). What a great way to be in style and comfort at the same time. 

The versatility of a pleated skirt makes it a must have this season. Wear with tennis shoes or strappy heels. Pair with cashmere knit or crochet bra top. It’s always fun to have a piece of clothing that you can transform to be appropriate in multiple settings.

 

Jumpsuits! Jump!

 

In this paparazzi photo collage put together by Fashionista.com where they feature a variety of jumpsuit aficionados from the “in” crowd. 

Jumpsuits take the work out of mix and matching and can be accessorized up or down to fit the occasion. This is definitely a practical replacement for the old black dress in the closet.

Crossover trends and fashion can and should always be personalized. If you take eighties style at face value then it can easily look like you’re ready for a costume party. So my advice is to have a hint of these trends mixed in with your best you wardrobe to make it a true style and not just a trendy look.