The 1980s were by far some of the most unique, extreme, and creative years in the world of fashion. While some designers started anew with bold and wild clothing styles, others borrowed from history or created brand-new trends based on the designs they envisioned would be worn in the future. At the beginning of the 1980s, neutral colors like tan, brown, and orange were the main palette, with geometric shapes and velour separates taking center stage. During the start of the decade, many women wore dresses reminiscent of the 1950s and some designs that were still stuck in the 1970s. This soon changed, with pop stars like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper wearing bold colors and styles, creating fashion trends that would sweep the nation. These totally tubular styles slowly faded over time, but today, a few of them are making a surprising comeback.

Large and wild accessories like colorful sunglasses, an abundance of plastic bangle bracelets, and huge hoop earrings became the hallmark of the 1980s style. Brightly colored makeup and teased hair were definitely in play for the younger generation at the time. In terms of the everyday outfit, you’d see tight stirrup pants or leggings along with a thick turtleneck sweater or parachute pants and a high-waisted belt for those who wanted to dress a little more conservatively. Shoulder pads were all the rage. Today, women still sport leggings and tunic tops or long sweaters as a popular trend. Brands started to take center stage during the decade, with Coca-Cola T-shirts and MTV-branded clothes worn by the hippest 1980s trendsetters. Another popular brand that stood the test of time is Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers, which are still popular today.

At the onset of the 1980s, clothing trends ranged from opulent and high-fashion-inspired styles to the classic preppie look inspired by the prep schools of New England in the 1940s and 1950s. Materials like velvet, tweed, canvas, and lace were worn either separately or together to create an eclectic look. A wide range of colors was featured, like soft pastels or bright neon hues, with a focus on blocks of color and bold geometric prints. The shape of clothing started to change, and balloon pants and Bermuda shorts began to be worn as the norm. Metallic accents like brass, copper, and gold could be found on every article of clothing, ranging from skirts to blouses, and on accessories like shoes, belts, and purses. Leather was also in vogue again during the 1980s thanks to new processing techniques that made it buttery soft and supple. Nose piercings also began to take hold in the 1980s, and the piercing trend would get more dramatic throughout the 1990s, with people piercing everything from their eyebrows to their tongues.

As the decade progressed, so did the fashion, but one thing remained constant: The 1980s were a decade of opulence, avant-garde style, and dramatic looks. Layers were certainly on-trend; you’d often find women wearing a skin-tight T-shirt layered with a comfy sweater and blazer. Today, cardigans worn over a graphic tee are still a style you’ll find everywhere. Tight pants and ripped jeans were found on both women and men, and today’s “skinny jeans” pay homage to the clingy bottoms worn throughout the 1980s. Hats were another popular accessory during the decade, when you’d see women wearing berets or baseball caps covered in colorful paint splatter. Today, newsboy caps and rancher hats are popular choices, but the decision to wear them is certainly parallel with the styles of that time.

Famous designers like Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Donna Karan, and Chanel were all the rage throughout the 1980s. Prior to this decade, only the wealthy could afford to purchase clothing or accessories made by these well-known names. However, in the 1980s, the designers decided to create clothing that could be purchased and worn by the masses at more affordable prices. You’ll still find clothes created by these designers today, with prices ranging from reasonable to over-the-top, depending on the item.

A plethora of trends took hold in the 1980s, and each one made its mark in the fashion world. A few examples of popular looks of the time included jelly shoes and sandals, hot pink blush, bike shorts worn alone or under a skirt, blue eyeshadow and eyeliner, and leg warmers. All of these wild styles could be mixed and matched to create a unique look. You’ll still find bold makeup colors today, with a focus on metallics and rich eyeshadow and lip colors. Jelly shoes are making a comeback, and pre-ripped jeans are, too. Costume jewelry like chunky bracelets, dangle earrings, and statement necklaces have remained in style. While the 1980s was undoubtedly a decade of decadence, those incredibly unique trends have translated into their own styles found on the newest generation of trendsetters today.