If you had told me at the beginning of 2025 that the 80s was going to make a comeback next year, I would have laughed in your face. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but I certainly would have looked at you weirdly. I thought that as a society, we had collectively agreed that the neon leotards and gaudy patters belonged to a fashion era never to be repeated. However, towards the end of 2025 as I was building my fashion bingo card, an 80s comeback sat very near the top, and when watching a TikTok creator drape a broad-shouldered jacket over her dress in a GRWM, it seems I wasn't far off.
From Daniel Roseberry referencing Elsa Schiaparelli’s early designs to exhibitions dedicated to department stores that have long closed their doors, the fashion industry has always been drawn to nostalgia. But in a cultural environment currently obsessed with Ozempic, health-maxing, and restraint, where does the exuberance of the 80s fit in?
The simple answer to that is that it doesn’t – at least not at first glance. There is very little about the 80s that aligns itself with the ethos of recent trends or dominant ‘cores’. A quick glance at fashion trends over the last couple of years indicates this: hemlines are lengthening, ‘old money’ and ‘clean girl’ aesthetics continue to dominate, and as discussed last week, GLP-1s are encouraging aspiration towards depletion (read it here!). What does lend itself to this kind of visual shift, however, is conservatism.
A rise in stylistically conservative dressing is easily explained by the state of the world over the last few years. Trump’s second election win, anti-immigration sentiment, and Kier Starmer’s Labour falling out of favour all point towards a broader shift rightward. Many people that follow these trends may not consciously recognise their participation in this visual conservatism – the more times a trend is thrust upon you, the more normal it becomes (I swore I would never style a slick-back, but here I am writing this, my hair crispy with gel).
Aesthetics, however, are rarely neutral. They often mirror wider cultural moods: restraint, control, a desire to blend in. As with most trends, this moment of cultural conservatism is beginning to lose its grip and in the opinion of many, political conservatism has gone too far. In both the UK and the US, policies around immigration, surveillance, and policing – from ICE raids to restrictive legislation – have intensified this sentiment that goes beyond the personal and into the everyday.
It comes as no surprise then, that just as fashion reflected a rise in cultural conservatism, it may begin to push back. Just as clothing once reflected a turn towards restraint, it can also signal resistance. Like protest movements that rely on visibility, bolder sartorial choices allow individuals and group sentiments to take up space. The 1980s, one of the least stylistically conservative decades in fashion history, offers the perfect vocabulary for that. A return to exaggerated shoulders, bold accessories, and unapologetic glamour may define the next year not as nostalgia, but expression.
What will a 1980s revival look like in the mid 2020s?
This won’t be a literal recreation. We’re unlikely to see the neon, athleisure-heavy extravagance of the original decade. Instead, the revival looks more nuanced and pared back. SS26 collections suggest that the industry is already approaching the 80s selectively, borrowing silhouettes rather than spectacle.
At Bottega Venetta, power suits with pronounces shoulders and saturated colour dominated the runway. Accessorised with ruffle collars, the looks were softened by modern tailoring.
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Acne Studios explored similar territory, pairing structured suits with oversized, playful jewellery.
Chanel interpreted the decade through its own classic codes – their staple tweed suits, just oversized and elegant outerwear with subtle embellishment. Unmistakably 80s, but unmistakably Chanel.
What does this mean for sustainability?
Despite its free-spirited reputation, the 1980s was a decade marked by consumption. Its aesthetics were inseparable from overproduction, synthetic materials and a belief in endless growth that no longer feels viable. A revival, then, must be selective. Participation doesn’t need to replicate the decade’s appetite to reference its attitude.
How to engage without overconsuming:
Work with what you’ve got before buying in
a. The 80s were a lot about silhouette more than anything else (especially if you want to avoid the crazy colours). Use a belt to create contrast and definition, roll, cuff, or layer to exaggerate proportions.
2. Let the accessories do the talking
a. Accessories (big earrings, statement necklaces, bangles) were key to creating a look in the 80s. Choose a dramatic accessory, and build the outfit around that.
b. Charity shops are a great place to browse for statement jewellery. You’re pretty much guaranteed to find a big-beaded necklace or patterned bangle whichever one you go into.
3. Borrow from menswear or shared wardrobes.
a. As we’ve seen, power suits are going to be a key player in 2026’s 80s revival. Grab an oversized jacket or blazer from your dad or brother’s stash and accessorize it.
b. Thrifting menswear often provides better quality and longevity!
4. Buy with intention, not impulse.
a. If buying a new-to-you piece is unavoidable, make sure you know what you’re looking for: construction (shoulder pads, lining, weight) rather than trend labels.
b. Avoid ultra-specific novelty items (like a neon leotard) that will date quickly
c. Choose pieces that you’ll be able to style in a less-80s way to make sure they survive the trend window.
Here's to a new, more sustainable 80s!