Okay so yesterday I totally fell down this rabbit hole about 80s fashion after seeing some TikTok clips. Got me wondering, what was actually cool back then, like really 1981 cool, and what stuff is sneaking back into stores today? Figured I’d do a little experiment with my own wardrobe and the thrift store haul.
First stop: memory lane. I went straight down to my parents’ basement. They’ve got boxes of old photo albums stuffed everywhere. Dusted off the big blue one marked “1980-1984”. Man, looking at pics of my mom was a trip. Saw her rocking these massive shoulder pads under a blazer – like, seriously, her shoulders looked twice as wide as her hips in some shots. Remembered those instantly. Also spotted acid wash jeans everywhere, skinny leather ties on my uncle, polos with popped collars layered high, and lots of bright, almost neon, colors mixed with dark denim. Stuff looked pretty distinct back then.
Time to hit the thrift shops. Decided to hunt for original stuff. Went to three different thrift stores across town, digging for hours. Shoulder pads? Found ’em! But getting vintage pieces that fit? That’s where it got real. Found this epic oversized blazer from maybe the early 80s – felt amazing quality, thick wool blend. Threw it on over a plain tee. Shoulders were HUGE. Instant power vibes, honestly. But finding actual 80s jeans in my size? Nearly impossible. Everything was either super baggy or shrunk weird.
Next, the modern stores. Needed to see what the high street brands are actually selling right now that screams 1981. Grabbed my phone and started snapping pics:
- Shoulder pads everywhere! Not quite the sharp, structured bricks my mom wore, but softer, rounder ones. Saw them in knit sweaters, blazers, even sweatshirts. More subtle, sure, but definitely there.
- Acid Wash Revival. Walked into that trendy store downtown – yep, racks full of acid wash denim jackets and jeans. Washed out grays and blues, super intentional “worn-in” look. Not like the accidental thrift store fade, this was factory-made retro.
- Classic Polos & Popped Collars. Saw neat rows of classic-cut polos, usually solid colors or thin stripes. And mannequins styled with the collars popped up. Felt very “tennis club chic,” just modernized.
- Bold Colors & Jewel Tones. Emerald greens, deep ruby reds, sapphire blues – all over the place, especially on simple pieces like tank tops and knit dresses. Reminded me of the richness in those old photos.
Then came the main event: trying it all on together. Back at my apartment, cleared the living room floor. Put on my thrifted oversized blazer (with its original shoulder pads!), a modern high-waisted acid wash jean skirt I found recently, a plain fitted white tee, and a vintage-style crystal pendant necklace. Looked in the full-length mirror and… felt kinda ridiculous at first. The shoulders alone felt so different to my usual look. Grabbed my phone and took a bunch of selfies, trying different angles. After a while, actually started vibing with the strong shoulder line and the retro mashup. Ended up keeping the blazer for a potential statement piece.
Final verdict? Shoulder pads and acid wash are definitely having a major comeback moment, but softened for today’s comfort. Popped collars and rich jewel tones feel fresh again too. The big difference I noticed? Fits today are looser, less structured overall except for those power shoulders, and the colors feel more sophisticated even when bold. It’s like taking the strongest bits of 1981 – the confidence, the boldness, the textures – and smoothing out the sharper edges for how we live now. Pretty wild how fashion spins things back around!
