My class is doing a report on the various decades of the 20th century. My group is doing the 80s. It's my job to report on 80s fashions. I was hoping all of you could take the time to help me out. Please tell when you went to highschool and what your typical outfit was during this time. This includes clothes, hair and makeup (if you wore any). Also if you could tell me what other people wore during this same time period, if it was different from you. I know the 80s is famous for "big hair" and "loud fashions and makeup" can someone describe what exactly "big hair" was. If anyone can point out anyother websites, or has any pictures of themselves i would appreciate that as well.

Thank you for helping me out with our project. Missy

Missy, I wish I had projects like that in school. I'll do the best I can.

In 1980, I was 10 and in the 5th Grade. We were pretty young, so everyone still looked like a bunch of 70's kids running around.

In 1981, sixth grade, I distinctly remember have feathers in my hair, cascading down a leather cord and attached with a clip to my barettes. Braided barettes were in. We still didn't care too much about fashion back then.

1982/3, Now we were into leggings, rainbow sweaters, mini-skirt outfits. If you want to know what we were wearing, check out Valley Girl, that was it! Button-down shirts with frilly collars and the buttons going diagonally across your chest. Oh gawd, and then there was the Olivia Newton-John head-band around the forhead thing. Check out her video "Physical" for that one.

1984/5, a lot of neon, the swatch watch hit the scene, thin rubber bracelets, Esprit was where to shop, oh and Benneton (Gap was still a lame jeans joint at this point), very layered look, upturned collars, baggy boy-george stuff going on. For the haircuts, check out this site (it's pretty funny, but you have to like the sense of humor)...it's called mulletsgalore.com. You see them now, but lordy, that was big back then. This is really when big hair started. Imagine lots of perms, with bangs, only the bangs were blow-dryed and curled up, not under, then teased like you wouldn't believe and cemented with as much hair spray as you could possible get out of one can of Aqua-net. Horrible. I actually had a friend who's sister was spared injury after having gone through the windshield with big hair. I kid you not! :-) Some girls still have it in the mid-west, I don't know why.

1986-88, that was my rebellion. All black, all the time, very new wave. Big, spiky hair was in. Very New Order, Depeche Mode, Siouxie and the Banshees. Tops much bigger than bottoms, many spikes around neck, wrists, etc.

I hope that helps!

Hi Missy,

I went to high school in Florida 1980 - 1984 in - so I was on the cusp of disco music and new wave (with heavy metal and punk rock in between)..... I actually went through a chameleon phase through high school - in 9th grade (1980-1981)I started out with feathered hair (blond) with feather clips in my hair (a roach clip w/string with colored feathers glued on it), a thin disco headband that you wore on your forehead, designer jeans (preferably jordache and calvin klien),and nike sneakers. The coolest shirts to wear in 1981 were beach related (remember I'm in Florida) Ocean Pacific, Hang Ten, and Ron Jon's. The preppies (not me) wore the Izod shirts and the losers (not me) wore Jack Daniels T'shirts with flannel shirts or denim jacket. In 10th grade (1981-1982)my hair is permed (like everyone else) for height with a layer feathered hair look...rainbow shirts were hip, so were shoe laces with rainbows or hearts, add a bead necklaces and for guys boat deck shoes, jeans where still designer but Gloria vanderbelt comes out with the first Black jeans. I am the first to have them which I would wear with my tuxedo shirt - nice white shirt that looks like a tuxedo with a black tie. In 11th grade - (1982-1983) - my first punk hair cut, no more jeans for me - I wear bright colored pants (Espirit) or skirts (hangten) and of course punk boots and jazz shoes (think old Duran Duran). Finally in 1984 - started with a "bob" haircut (think Molly Ringwald) and coloring my hair different colors (red or pink) with a rat tail - one long lock of hair. Shoes of choice - vans ( slip on sneakers with hotpink and purple checkeredboard print) or punk boots, clam digger pants in bright colors, trench coats, and tights. Remember not everyone followed the style - plenty of people just wore jeans, t-shirts and sneakers - only a few people were fashionable in my town.

Have fun with your project.

I'm Class of '83, so I started high school way back in the dark ages of 1979. I wore a lot of acid wash and stone wash jeans, denim and black leather jackets with lots of heavy metal band logos sewn on - Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Ted Nugent were all big then. My hair was always long and big in those days: see most any Ratt video for reference.

>I graduated in 1991 so I started highschool in 87. Big hair was made by flipping your head over and spraying this underneath with hairspray, then flipping it back and going!! Also you could blow the sides out with the hairdryer and spray with hairspray. Make up was bright blue eyeshadow and lots of blush. Lots of bracelets, the jelly bracelets were popular and I think they're coming back in style. Watch the movie "The Wedding Singer" if you have time - they have great 80's fashions - good luck on your project.

the best way to get "big hair" is to put gel in it first then blow dry uside down.as for the front, blow your bangs down straight with lots of hair spray(if you see smoke,don't worry, the hairspray burns before your hair does.) Look in the mirror and hold your hand in front of your head with the fingers facing up. This is what the top of your head should look like. To do this, brush it straight up,hold it ,spray it, dry it, repeat. Do this to the sides too so you'll look really cool. makeup...wear as much as you can clothes...tight pants(black stretchies or acid wash stretchie jeans)with stirrups. Dad's dress shirt with a belt around the waist and a tank top underneith with socks to match. Shoes were either hightop reeboks or high heels. high heels with tight jeans,can you believe we did that? have fun...squish(class of 89)