While men’s fashion didn’t change as dramatically throughout the 20th century as women’s fashion, 1980s men’s fashion trends and styles developed new looks alongside a resurgence of older styles.
For the most part, 1980s fashion for mature men settled back down from the flamboyant fashion of the ‘70s and closely resembled men’s classic styles of the 1940s-1950s. Pastel sportswear, conservative suiting, and even Hawaiian shirts were back in style.
Young men’s fashion, on the other hand, was bold, colorful, and athletic. ’80s guys wore layers of denim, baggy jackets, leather goods, workout clothes, and sneakers. Most teens and college kids adopted one of several key looks: the prep, the rocker, the athlete, the cool dude, the surfer, or the urban cowboy. Each had a distinct style, yet they all borrowed elements from each other.
Take a look at these vintage photos to see what men wore in the 1980s.
