In this ultimate guide, I’ll introduce you to the 11 most iconic and statement-making 80s fashion styles for men.
From timeless Preppy styles to polished Italian looks and edgy punk-rock fashion, this article covers them all and even how to recreate these 80s fashion styles for men with a modern twist.
Whether you’re a fan of the Power Dressing look, the classic British style, or something in between, I’ve got you covered.
1. The 80s Power Dressing Look
Arguably, the most iconic 80s fashion trend, Power Dressing, was undoubtedly one of the most popular 80s styles for men.
This timeless style consisted of sharp-tailored dark-coloured suits (black, navy, and charcoal), crisp white T-shirts, and bold ties or scarves.
The Power Dressing look was popular among Wall Street workers, bankers, lawyers, and top business professionals.
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2. The 80s Italian Look
Another famous ’80s style for men was the Italian look, which consisted of relaxed-tailored suits paired with T-shirts or shirts with colourful ties.
To create a complete look, the Italian style had to be paired with designer shoes and high-quality leather accessories such as belts, wallets, sunglasses, and watches.
The Italian style was popularised by 1980s celebrities like Don Johnson and Michael Douglas in their TV show “Miami Vice.”
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3. The New Romantic 80s Look
The ’80s ‘New Romantic’ style for men comprised theatrical clothing such as frilly shirts, cravats, and lace-up boots.
Thanks to bands like Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, and Adam Ant, the New Romantic look reached peak popularity during the 80s.
And, for a perfect reinterpretation, this striking style must be matched with oversized sunglasses and opulent hairstyles.
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4. The 80s Preppy Fashion Style
The Preppy style of the 80s incorporated Ralph Lauren polo shirts and jackets in bright colours paired with khaki chinos and boat-style shoes.
College students completed the look with blazers or sweaters around the neck, leather belts, assorted ties, and sunglasses for an extra polished and put-together look.
The Preppy style was popularised by celebrities like Tom Cruise in the 1983 “Risky Business” movie, John Cusack in “Say Anything,” Paul Gleason in “The Breakfast Club,” and Jon Cryer in “Pretty in Pink.”
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5. The 80s Hip-Hopper Look
The 80s hip-hop style for men consisted of baggy pants, oversized T-shirts, branded tracksuits, sneakers, Kangol hats, and large gold chains (hoop earrings).
The look was popularised by Black 80s fashion hip-hop icons such as LL Cool J, Run DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, MC Hammer, and Rapper Kid.
Pioneered by black designers and popularised by black celebrities and musicians, the Hip-Hop 80s style became a fashion trend that continues to impact modern times.
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6. The 80s Punk Look
Started in the late 70s by ‘Sex Pistols’ Johnny Rotten, and Sid Vicious from ‘The Clash’ and popularised by movies like ‘Sid and Nancy’ and ‘Repo Man,’ the Punk style was a movement against the 80s polished and sophisticated looks.
The Punk style for men included biker jackets, ripped jeans, heavy leather boots, distressed band tees, studded belts, and chain accessories.
For an extra visual effect, the 80s Punk look was matched with bold hairstyles, such as dyed mohawks, side-shaved, or spiky cuts.
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7. The 80s Skater Look
Inspired by the Surfer culture of the 70s, the 80s Skater style was prevalent amongst West Coast men but, shortly after, took over New York’s skater community and the entire East Coast.
The Skater look comprised baggy jeans, chequered shirts with monochrome tees underneath, ripped sweaters, and high-top sneakers.
80s celebrities like Christian Slater promoted the look in his 1987 movie Gleaming the Cube, Sean Penn in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Josh Brolin in Thrashin.
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8. The 80s Yuppie Look
Combining unexpected elements from other styles, like Preppy sweaters with bomber jackets and Hawaiian shirts with suits, ties, and tight pants, the Yuppie dressing style of the 80s was one of the most relaxed and casual wears of all.
The look was popular among young urban professionals and included several stylistic variations, such as branded ’80s jeans, loafers, polo shirts, scarves, and manbags.
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9. The 80s Classic British Style
Hailing from the UK in the 1970s and 1980s, the Classic British style took over the 1980s thanks to celebrities like Sean Connery and Roger Moore in the 1980s James Bond series.
The Classic British style for men comprised dinner suits (or traditional tweed jackets), cashmere sweaters, and assorted leather shoes.
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10. The 80s Cool School Boy Look
The American School style comprised bomber, baseball, or college-style jackets paired with ankle-length jeans and loud-logo trucker hats.
The look became popular in the 1980s thanks to Ralph Macchio in The Karate Kid, Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future, and TV shows like The A-Team.
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11. The ’80s Workout Look
Sports clothing was one of the most popular men’s fashion styles in the 80s.
The 80s workout style for men included branded tracksuits—Nike, Rebook, and Adidas—paired with windbreakers, headbands, and sports sneakers.
Through videos, books, talk shows, and clothing, 80s fitness celebrities like Richard Simmons, Tony Little, Billy Blanks, and Jake Steinfeld brought fitness fashion to the public eye.
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Key Takeaways
It’s refreshing to see that the era’s most iconic ’80s men’s fashion and timeless styles are back with a vengeance.
Whether you’re a fan of the preppy look, the punk-rock vibe, or the power-dressing aesthetic, the ’80s had something for everyone.
Use this ultimate guide to recreate your favourite ’80s men’s fashion looks and add a touch of nostalgia to your wardrobe.
Experiment with colours, patterns, and styles and recreate the most iconic men’s styles of the 80s decade, perfect for any occasion.
After years of managing hundreds of fashion brands from London's office of a global retailer, Mandy has ventured into freelancing. Connected with several fashion retailers and media platforms in the US, Australia, and the UK, Mandy uses her expertise to consult for emerging fashion brands create top-notch content as an editorial strategist for several online publications.
Academic, historian, university professor, feminist campaigner, and activist, Elizabeth Wilson has written extensively on the history of fashion and is considered an expert on the subject of 1980s fashion. Elizabeth's book "Adorned in Dreams: Fashion and Modernity" is considered an absolute classic in 'fashion and style.'
A passionate advocate for inclusivity and diversity, Aidan is the driving force behind The VOU as its Editorial Manager. With a unique blend of editorial acumen and project management prowess, Aidan's insightful articles have graced the pages of The Verge, WWD, Forbes, and WTVOX, reflecting his deep interest in the dynamic intersection of styling with grooming for men and beyond.