Shoulder Pads in the 80s
Shoulder pads were popular during the 1980s, especially after Norma Kamali brought them back into casual daywear. They were a part of the 1980s edicts for material wealth and gender equality, and many people thought that they helped reform the female body and correct bad posture. They were even worn by the characters on the television show Dynasty. But some people had mixed feelings about shoulder pads. One actress, Joan Collins, said that the thicker foams were not necessary.
Princess Diana’s shoulder pads
Princess Diana was famous for her daring style and eye-catching outfits. From an off-the-shoulder “Revenge Dress” to a casual Virgin-Atlantic sweatshirt, she never hesitated to make a statement. For her wedding to Prince Charles, she embraced the 80s style, wearing a beautiful, long gown with a 25-foot train. Her accessories included a matching hat and muff.
During the 1980s, Princess Diana’s shoulder pads were popular. Her red coat, designed by Jan van Velden, featured trendy shoulder pads, a red bow necktie, and striped sleeves. She also wore a floral patterned dress, designed by Bellville Sassoon, in which shoulder pads were also a popular trend.
When Diana first married Prince Charles, she was still a teenager and not yet royal. She was constantly photographed in public, including outside the Coleherne Court in Earl’s Court, London. Diana was known for wearing colorful clothes, and this 1981 picture captures the young Diana’s youthful innocence and desire to give back to society. She was also a patron of the National Head Injuries Association, and was greeted by two Santas at the event.
Margaret Thatcher’s shoulder pads
The 1980s were a great decade for shoulder pads. The British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher reignited the shoulder pad trend with her own power dress style. Thatcher’s shoulder pads were the perfect symbol of power. Her shoulder pads gave women a way to bridge the gender gap and look equal to men. This made shoulder pads a popular choice for women seeking to make a name for themselves in the corporate world.
The political climate of the 1980s also had an impact on women’s fashion. Iron Ladies like Margaret Thatcher and Nancy Regan sported signature coats and dresses that were adorned with shoulder pads. In addition, ordinary women also wore shoulder pads during this era.
While shoulder pads were fashionable in the 80s, they are not so popular today. In the ’80s, many women wore shoulder pads as a way to visually assimilate with men. In addition to blending in, shoulder pads helped women to distance themselves from the traditional roles of women in public office. This trend continued as more women made inroads into corporate roles. As a result, women in corporate positions needed a way to look professional and assert their power.
Elsa Schiaparelli’s shoulder pads
Shoulder pads are currently having a moment, a comeback that parallels the general revival of ’80s fashion. This trend is popular among high-fashion designers, and shoulder pads ruled the Fall/Winter 2018 runways.
Shoulder pads were popular in the ’80s thanks to their edgy and empowering look. Hollywood actresses and models sported oversized, cape-like, and balloon-like sleeves. Designers began to experiment with shoulder pads during the 1980s.
Shoulder pads were originally developed for football players in the late nineteenth century, but didn’t make their way into women’s fashion until the 1930s. The French designer Elsa Schiaparelli, who was part of the surrealist movement, made shoulder pads a staple of her structured jackets.
Shoulder pads were popular during the ’80s because women wanted to look sexy. The more-is-better mindset dominated ’80s fashion. Women in popular culture, such as actresses in teen dramas like Heathers, were wearing shoulder pads.
Music and TV shows inspired 80s fashion
The era’s fashion was often inspired by popular music and movies. The teen movie Pretty in Pink, for example, featured outfits that became a staple of the decade. These outfits included oversized blazers, floral vests, lace trims, and delicate pearls. The television show Dynasty also influenced the 80s fashion scene. The characters in the show were incredibly wealthy and often wore very stylish outfits.
The fashion of the 80s was influenced by popular music, especially new wave and post-punk. The decade’s biggest hit movies included E.T., Back to the Future, Footloose, and the Friday the 13th and Poltergeist franchises. In politics, the decade saw the end of the Berlin Wall and the Iran-Iraq War, as well as the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Music and TV shows were major influences. The first music video aired on MTV in 1981. It introduced visually-presented music, bringing a whole new generation to the music that was making its way into their lives. MTV did not restrict music videos to a specific genre or style, so a variety of different styles were introduced to its vast audience. Music also influenced the fashion of the 1980s in a way it hadn’t before. Music videos allowed fans to see the faces and clothes of their favorite artists.
