80s Menswear: What did men wear in the 80s?

What did men wear in the 80s? There is no one 80s look. The decade spanned from sharp power suits and Miami Vice pastels to leather jackets, denim, preppy clothing and sporty influences. Anyone who wants to properly understand 80s men's clothing should therefore look at different style groups instead of just at neon and tracksuits.

80s men's clothing in one image

Typical elements that you often see in the decade are broader shoulders, roomier outerwear, striking colors, washed denim, leather jackets, polos, sweaters and strong contrasts between formal and casual.

The fashion also changed significantly between the beginning and end of the decade. Early '80s clothing still retained elements of the '70s, while later sharper tailoring, sports influences and a more clearly oversized silhouette became more important.

1. The power suit

Business men's fashion gained more volume in the 1980s. Jackets got wider, sometimes clearly padded shoulders and suits could be double-breasted. The appearance was confident and businesslike.

You don't have to look for an extreme shoulder-padding suit today to hit the mood. A slightly roomier jacket, higher trousers and a strong silhouette quickly give that direction.

2. Miami Vice: the soft side of 80s tailoring

In addition to the power suit, a completely different form of dressy men's fashion emerged: light jackets, pastel colors, T-shirts and loafers. The television series Miami Vice made that combination recognizable worldwide.

The style is less harsh than Wall Street tailoring: soft colors, relaxed jackets and no tie. Read our separate guide Miami Vice clothing for men for the full look.

3. Leather jackets

Leather jackets were strongly visible in music, film and street fashion. From sleek biker jackets to roomier bomber-like models: leather suited both rock and a more casual everyday style.

Now it is one of the easiest 80s elements to wear without looking dressed up. View our leather and suede jackets or read whether a leather jacket is still in fashion.

4. Denim: washed, roomy and visible

Jeans were everywhere. Light blue washes, stonewash and acid wash became characteristic of the decade. Denim jackets and complete denim combinations were also common.

For a modern interpretation, you don't have to immediately turn to extreme acid wash. Straight or slightly looser jeans with a leather jacket, polo or vintage shirt already give a clear 80s atmosphere.

5. Sportswear became everyday clothing

Training jackets, sweatshirts, sneakers and other sporty clothing were given more and more space outside the gym. Music culture and brands from the sports world made sportswear part of the street scene.

That is a different style direction than what EcoGents mainly focuses on today, but historically it is part of the story of 80s men's fashion.

6. Preppy and American casual

The 80s were also the decade of polos, Oxford shirts, cable sweaters, chinos and loafers. The preppy style became very visible and is a much calmer alternative to neon or power dressing.

This side of the decade is especially easy to wear today: a button-down shirt, quarter-zip, chinos and dress shoes does not feel like a suit but does have a clear classic American atmosphere.

7. Shirts and prints

Not every 80s shirt was bright. You see calm stripes and checks as well as abstract and geometric prints. Collars generally became less extreme than the largest 70s point collars, but wider cuts and striking use of color remained visible.

Our vintage shirts regularly feature models that fit well into this period.

Which colors suit the 80s?

It depends on the style. Miami Vice uses a lot of white, cream and pastel. Power dressing works more with dark blue, gray and business tones. Sports and pop culture brought brighter contrasts, while preppy styles used a lot of red, green, blue, cream and classic checks.

How do you recognize real 80s clothing?

An exact dating requires more than one striking detail. Look at brand label, washing label, country of production, cut, shoulder shape, material mention, zippers and finishing. A modern coat with broad shoulders can look 80s without being from that period.

At EcoGents we only call a piece truly 80s when there are sufficient indications. Otherwise, '80s style' is more honest.

Creating an 80s outfit without dressing up

Choose one clear direction. For example:

• Miami Vice: light suit jacket, T-shirt, light trousers and loafers.
• Rock: leather jacket, simple jeans and T-shirt.
• Preppy: Oxford shirt, sweater or quarter-zip and chinos.
• Power dressing: roomier jacket, smart trousers and strong shirt.

By choosing one style, the outfit remains credible. Combining everything at once — neon, leather jacket, track pants, pastel and tie — makes it more carnivalesque than 80s.

80s men's clothing at EcoGents

EcoGents does not sell a separate permanent 80s collection, but within vintage men's clothing, jackets, leather jackets and vintage shirts, pieces from or inspired by this period are regularly available.

In the store you can compare different periods and styles. This makes it much easier to choose an 80s element that remains wearable outside of a theme party.