What was pop culture like in the US like from around 1978 to say, June of 1984?
What were the very early 1980s like in terms of music? Fashion for men and women? Hairstyles for both sexes?
What was the general vibe of this period? The 1978-1982 period, and then the 1983-1984 time period?

Pictures?

This one reminds me quite a bit of the early part of what you are talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO8wV6iM7e4

First of all, the separation is better made at 1982, or even mid-1981, between the two time periods.

!978 to mid-1981 or so was the end of the Disco era - pop culture mostly rolled over from the late 1970's into the very early 1980's, but with 80's influences creeping in.  Technology changes: boomboxes were the new "all the rage", interest started picking up in home video games, upgrading to color TV became more affordable, larger numbers of people's jobs involved computer programming, cassettes overtook 8-tracks as the tape medium of choice (improvements in cassette technology drove this in part), and VCRs, expensive at first, became available to the affluent.  Pop culture wise, the influence was mostly 70's, but late 70's which was distinctive.  Music was late 70's-like in general but New Wave was gaining strength during this period.  TV was 70's influenced but 80's flair was creeping in.  Movies were terrific IMO (IMO the 80's had the best movies).  Women's fashion was evolving from the late 70's - going away were bellbottoms and platform shoes; polyester, though still prevalent, was no longer "cool"; women were flocking toward natural and animal based materials - fur, leather, wool, silk, cotton, mohair or angora sweaters, etc.

Mid-1981 through 1984 was the golden age of 1980s.  Pop culture was firmly 80's by this point.  Walkmans were everybody's loves, and portable battery TVs became popular, as well as personal computers (even though these were mostly "toys" during this time frame like Commodore 64).  Video games were full-fledged marvels, at home and in arcades.  Microwaves, although around since the mid-70's, were now becoming widespread (due to people finally deeming them safe, plus the price coming down).  VCRs became more affordable and thus mainstream.  More people got cable TV (though quite a few had it earlier).  Women's fashion was firmly 80's by now - bright colors, natural/animal materials, etc.  Music was firmly 80's by this time.  If you like the 80's, this is the time to enjoy.

And here's a helpful hint for you. If you REALLY want to know what the late 70s were like, listen to the album "Some Girls" by the Rolling Stones. I don't know how they did it, but they managed encapsulate every part of the period...disco, punk, the elegant decadence, the dismal glitter, the utter gorgeousness of it all, into an amazing masterpiece of a record. Put on that record (we used to say "records") and you can literally SMELL the late 70s. And there are lyrics on there that would have today's twinkly snowflakes running for their safe spaces and loudly calling for the cancellation of the Stones. Ha! How refreshing it is to hear the unabashed openness of this record. THAT'S what that period was like. There was an openness, a freedom in the air even though everyone was tired in a way after the long trek of the 60s (which went on until late 1972) and the Vietnam War (which went on until 1975). That's the so-called "malaise" of the era.

This photo montage comes from a women's fashion (sewing patterns) magazine from Fall 1981:

Don't know the exact date, thinking around 1982 - the blurb is attached separately so it can be read:

This photo montage comes from a women's fashion (sewing patterns) magazine from Fall 1981:


Women were so pretty back then. :)

Women were so pretty back then. :)


Well, in that montage they are all models, so you'd expect them to look pretty...

Late 70s, early 80s (1976 to 1981) is actually my favorite time period. I wish I could have existed during that time. I was alive in 80 and 81 but would have liked to have seen and experienced the late 70s. I love the music, the fashion and the hairstyles/make up. The music was so beautiful!

What was pop culture like in the US like from around 1978 to say, June of 1984?
What were the very early 1980s like in terms of music? Fashion for men and women? Hairstyles for both sexes?
What was the general vibe of this period? The 1978-1982 period, and then the 1983-1984 time period?

Pictures?


Was far too young lol, but this style at least influenced a segment of popular culture in that era, representing new wave and hardcore punk which were at their peak during 1978/1979 to 1983/1984. You were most likely to find a few people that stood with these looks, when they were new and in, in any big city at this time from what is documented.

https://i.redd.it/uo70lll3rgsz.jpg

Was far too young lol, but this style at least influenced a segment of popular culture in that era, representing new wave and hardcore punk which were at their peak during 1978/1979 to 1983/1984. You were most likely to find a few people that stood with these looks, when they were new and in, in any big city at this time from what is documented.

https://i.redd.it/uo70lll3rgsz.jpg


The people in that image weren't mainstream in the early 80's.  But you might find them in certain places, like punk-out bars or certain parades.  You wouldn't expect to find someone dressed like that at work in the adjoining cubicle.

The people in that image weren't mainstream in the early 80's.  But you might find them in certain places, like punk-out bars or certain parades.  You wouldn't expect to find someone dressed like that at work in the adjoining cubicle.


I used to see people dressed like this all the time, just in town on a regular weekend. In the U.K. by the early eighties they didn’t particularly attract that much attention.

The people in that image weren't mainstream in the early 80's.  But you might find them in certain places, like punk-out bars or certain parades.  You wouldn't expect to find someone dressed like that at work in the adjoining cubicle.


Of course. But I mean like the fringes of popular culture, like it was part of what was going on at the time in a way even though it wasn't exactly mainstream. You could also say that a lot of new wave and punk influence, at least, was semi mainstream in numerous ways in the same time frame. Also it left a mark in movies, cartoons, fashion etc

From 1983:

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQoI6Oj7yXD4-tiVUwMFh4i473s0W4ZsbYFgQ&usqp=CAU

I used to see people dressed like this all the time, just in town on a regular weekend. In the U.K. by the early eighties they didn’t particularly attract that much attention.


Yes, that look was fairly common in England from 77-80. I used to go to punk clubs here in the US during that specific time and there was a smattering of that, but it was more the leather jacket/Ramones look here.

A lot of my favorite music came from that era. It may have been considered adult contemporary at the time, but these days it is called yacht rock and West Coast aor. Sometimes played on smooth jazz stations. Back when I was little during those years, those songs made me imagine what it would be like to have money. I guess I wasn’t too far off.

Was far too young lol, but this style at least influenced a segment of popular culture in that era, representing new wave and hardcore punk which were at their peak during 1978/1979 to 1983/1984. You were most likely to find a few people that stood with these looks, when they were new and in, in any big city at this time from what is documented.

https://i.redd.it/uo70lll3rgsz.jpg



I couldn't believe they colored their like that, I think I remember the gay/lesbian community had this style too.

I couldn't believe they colored their like that, I think I remember the gay/lesbian community had this style too.


My hair was the orangey blonde colour the person on the left of the photo has. Dark brown hair goes that colour if you bleach it at home

My hair was the orangey blonde colour the person on the left of the photo has. Dark brown hair goes that colour if you bleach it at home


I remember Cyndi Lauper back in the early-mid 80's wore her hair colored orange.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fa/c4/9d/fac49de63182e5dba6bd5cf7b4fa1045.jpg

Keeping in mind I was extremely young, this time period (1978-82) reminds me of...

FILMS : Grease, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes, ET

MUSIC : Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, The Jacksons, Andy Gibb, Air Supply, Olivia Newton John, Boney M, ABBA

TV SHOWS : Eight Is Enough, Plastic Man, Fat Albert, Good Times, What's Happening, Three's Company, Love Boat, Man From Atlantis

TOYS : Playmobil, Star Wars, Game N Watch, Smurfs

FASHION : bellbottoms, flannel shirts, t-shirts / tops with edging like so...

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0170/3532/products/hangten_1024x1024.jpg?v=1584550015


I didn't include 83 and 84, as that deserves a whole new thread.