If you lived through the 80s or 90s, you might cringe when thumbing through old photos. If you do, you might find yourself having looked highly ridiculous. And quite cringeworthy.
There were some pretty bad fashion trends in the 80s and 90s. I mean, really bad. The hair was big and so were the jeans. There were neon and tacky floral prints.
Things were pleated and there was a lot of Lycra. Mullets, at one point, reigned supreme. Some of the designs you’re about to see might make you throw up in your mouth a little bit.
Here are 50 of the worst fashion trends of the 80s and 90s:
Shoulder pads were big in 80s women fashion. And they lasted into the early 90s. For some reason, women in the 80s wanted to look like football players.
Everyone had Tommy Hilfiger gear in the 90s. And if you couldn’t afford it, you had knock-off Tommy Hilfiger gear. But it wasn’t subtle it had to be clothing with the brand name very apparent.
Work out gear was extrodinarly shiny in the 80s. It was all made out of Spandex and Lycra. Spandex and Lyrca pants were also popular amongst rock stars in the 80s.
4) Wearing a Backpack Over One Shoulder
Round shoulders and back pain be damned. Nineties kids weren’t afraid of medical issues caused by wearing heavy backpacks. They wore their backpacks on one shoulder, regardless, because it was cool.
Clothing prints were LOUD in the 80s. There was just A LOT going on when it came to graphic prints. You could see them a mile away.
6) Partially-Buttoned Clothing
Some people didn’t bother to button their clothing all the way in the 90s. Denim jackets would be half-buttoned. Denim short buttons would be left undone.
There’s was a lot of pastel going on in 80s fashion. But most of the time it wasn’t just one color. You’d wear multiple pastels at once.
Men, women… everyone was wearing turtlenecks in the 90s. I can’t imagine why. They are uncomfortable.
Blazers were a staple of 80s fashion. People dressed them up and they dressed them down. Everyone was just constantly wearing blazers
Jeans were enormous in the 90s. To the point where you could fit another person in them. They were super duper wide legs. Brands like JNCO were really popular with the skater kids.
You didn’t wear just one or two patterns or colors in the 80s. You wore all of them. At the same time.
People wanted some height in the 90s. So, they put platforms on their shoes. Boots, sneakers, Mary Janes, heels. They platformed all the shoes in the 90s.
Sleeves in the 80s were both poofy and pleated. And sometimes they were both. The combination produced a very powerful and bitchy look.
Your jeans couldn’t be boring in the 90s. People, especially, girls would often add DIY embellishments. You could add embroidered patches to your jeans or even inserts that would turn your regular jeans into bell bottoms.
Jewelry in the 80s was big, bulky, and plastic. And colorful. And heavy.
16) Short Sleeves Over Long Sleeves
People in the 90s wore both short and long sleeved shirts… at the same time. It didn’t really make sense. But people seemed to think it looked cool.
People washing their jeans in acid in the 80s. Well, they didn’t but they bought acid washed jeans. They were horrific looking.
Ass cracks were something often seen in the 90s. That’s because low rise pants were in fashion. Low to the point where you needed to get a bikini wax to wear them.
Lots of outfits in the 80s were oversized. It was big and bulky. We’re talking two sizes too big.
Lots of sunglasses were tinted in the 90s. For men and women. They didn’t do a very good job of blocking the sun out.
The 80s were full of sparke thanks to sequins. And there was nothing subtle about it. It was loud and colorful.
Vests of all kinds were worn in the 90s. Embroidered vests, sweater vests, denim vests, plaid vests, vests as shirts. Men and women all wore lots of vests in the 90s.
These colorful plastic watches were super trendy in the 80s. People even wore multiple Swatches at once. They were pretty pricey considering they were plastic.
Midriffs were a fashion accessory in the 90s. They were constantly showing. You’d have low rise pants paired with a crop top so your midriff would be on full display.
People must have sweat a lot in the 80s. Because they all wore sweatbands on their heads. And sometimes on their wrists. Even when they weren’t working out.
Women in the 90s knew the pain of a strapless bra. That’s because they wore a lot of crop tops. There was also a lot of bralessness going on.
People in the 80s also had cold ankles. So, they wore leg warmers. They were thick footless high socks that looked ridiculous.
Everyone wore oversized plaid in the 90s. It was very rock and roll. It was apart of the whole grunge look.
Parents didn’t have time to hold big giant shoulder bags while toting their kids around. They were smart enough to wear fanny packs. They looked horrific but were extrodinarly practical.
People in the 90s wanted to look like farmers. I have no idea why. But that’s why they wore overalls.
31) Off the Shoulder Sweatshirt
Even sweatshirts had some pizazz in the 80s. They would wear them off the shoulder. Who knew sweatshirts could be sexy?
Camouflage was a popular print in the 90s. But it was more about standing out than blending in.
People wore very funky pants in the 80s. Parachute pants were big and baggy up top and narrow at the bottom. They often had loud and ugly prints. These were and 80s and early 90s thing.
Both men and women wore chokers. Some of them were even made out of plastic. It was more of a fashion thing than a comfort thing.
People wore pants with straps on the bottoms. And I have no idea why. They were call stirrups. Some people wore the strap over the shoes and some under.
People wore bandanas in the 90s to look tough. They also wore bandanas as clothing. There was a lot of bandana love in the 90s.
All the cool bros wore their collars popped in the 80s. They just flipped their collars upward. It made them look extra douchey.
Nineties girls loved their butterfly hair clips. They’d put their hair in twists and would secure them with colorful butterfly clips. Girls and even celebrities wore them.
Moms wore mom jeans in the 80s. But no one called them mom jeans back then. They were high rise, very roomy, and sometimes had pleats in the front. They had a diaper-like look to them.
Raving was big back in the 90s. But even ravers and non-ravers wore UFO pants. They were big, baggy, thin cargo pants with straps that allowed you to turn your pants into a backpack
41) Sweaters Draped Over Your Shoulders
Want to look like you’re well off? To do this, people wore sweaters over their shoulders in the 80s. It gave you a preppy look.
Lots of slips are really pretty but are made to be worn underneath their clothes. But 90s women didn’t care. They wore them as dresses.
Big curly hair was all the rage in the 80s. Perms helped women keep their hair big and curly. It was pretty extra.
Sagging pants were a fashion statement in the 90s. Your ass and boxers were a fashion accessory. Butts were all out back then.
45) Mini Skirts and Footless Tights
Skirts were short in the 80s. They were mini. But they were also paired with footless tights.
Kangol hats were very popular in the 90s. But the fuzzy Kangol happy was one of the worst fashion pieces of the 90s. It made everyone look like a pimp.
Mullets are bad enough. But in the 80s, they were feathered. Your average Americans as well as celebrities like Cher and Tina Turner were all rocking feathered mullets.
Men wore jean shorts in the 90s. But they were large, long, and baggy. Some even had cargo pockets. They were also known as jorts.
Neon was everywhere in the 80s. It was blinding. Even their winterwear was neon.
Bridal fashion in both the 80s and 90s was tacky as hell. There was ruffles, tule, lace, gloves, you name it. It was large and loud.
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