Women’s clothing in 1980 ran the gamut from conservative to opulent fantasy. Many designers reached back in history for inspiration. The looked to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Victorian era and even the Peruvian Indians for something “new.” A few avant-garde designers took their cues from futurism and designed clothes that looked like uniforms for space travel.
1980 witnessed a revival of the classic “preppie” look that began in New England prep schools in the 40s and 50s.
International fashion was influenced by American sportswear more so in 1980 than it had been since the jeans of the 60s. Western clothes began to make a comeback as well.