Fashion designers and illustrators have been nostalgic this season, turning their heads back to the history of fashion. No wonder, for the world of fashion is in continual change. Between innovating new designs and trends and recalling old fashions such as those of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s for inspiration, fashion designers continue to create, teach, and motivate us to master the art of looking good. In this article, Pouted online magazine presents eight 80s and 90s retro trends employed in the Fall/winter fashion. But first, let’s have a look at how was the fashion in the 80s and 90s.
Fashion always gets affected by social and economic changes that occur within the society. For example, the beginning of the 80s witnessed the royal marriage of Lady Diana and Prince Charles, which initiated the meringue dress trend. Plus, economic gains like equal pay and maternity leave encouraged more and more women to work. And let’s not forget huge events like Margret Thatcher becoming a prime minister of the UK in 1979. Therefore, power dressing and fashion trends that emphasize strength, like big shoulders, showed up. We can say that the primary silhouette of the 1980s and 1990s was the loose-fitting top and fitting bottom, unlike the 1970s fashion, which was precisely the opposite, characterized by flare jeans and wide-leg pants along with fitted tops. Other popular trends back then included neons and bright colors, oversized bold-printed t-shirts ana dresses, sweaters tied on the waist, fitted leather and corduroy pants, and stonewashed jeans.
Now, here are 80s and 90s retro trends and designs that appeared in the fashion runways of Fall/Winter.
Shoulder pads that vary between medium and statement continue to make a considerable presence in the fashion scene of the cold season. They convey a sense of power and complement edgy designs and looks. Big shoulders showed up in jackets, coats, blouses, and dresses, sometimes combined with moton sleeves. Among the fashion houses that employed the trend impressively are Saint Laurent, Parada, Fendi, and Isabel Marant.
Sparkly dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, jumpsuits, etc. made a significant presence in the fall/winter fashion shows. Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Versace, Michael Kors, and Alberta Ferretti are among the fashion houses that adopted the nightclub or disco style.
The 80s neon trend found its way to the runways of this season too. Neon coats, dresses, and even shoes were present in the fashion shows of Roksanda, Versace, and Saint Laurent.
Loose-fitting tops and tight bottoms were a primary look of the 80s and 90s. In fall/winter fashion, loose-fitting tops appeared with both fitted and wide-leg pants. Loose-fitting and flare pants are a massive trend of the season, and many ladies are happy about that because they are quite comfortable.
All denim is another retro fashion trend coming back from the 90s. Nailing the look uniquely requires putting some effort into choosing the top and bottom pieces you are styling together. We are into this Dior look that combines a pleated midi denim skirt with a printed shirt of darker denim. The employment of different textures and blue shades turned the look quite lively and dimensional. Louis Vuitton’s belted jumpsuit looks gorgeous as well.
Meringue dresses with statement decorations are back. They showed up in the fall/winter runways of in different designs and colors. Decorated with bows and layers of fabrics, the voluminous dresses differ in the sense they convey; some look more like a piece of dessert while others are elegant and feel comfier and homy, as described by Maya Adivi on Glowsly magazine. We are especially fascinated by the bright magenta dress of Roksanda; it is a perfect combination of messy and elegant and indeed stands out stylishly among the meringues of the season. To be honest, all their meringue pieces are spectacular.
Another retro that has been trending for years is plaids. Fall/winter runways witnessed the presence of plaid jackets, suits, coats, shirts, skirts, and pants. Chloé, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and Alexander Mcqueen are among the fashion houses that adopted the trend.
Coming from the 90s are camisole dresses. In the fashion shows of fall/winter, they were mostly paired with t-shirts, shirts, and turtlenecks or topped with coats and blazers. Camisole dresses were present in the fashion shows of Versace, Prada, and Louis Vuitton