MADONNA and Kylie Minogue fought it out in the 80s with Kylie’s bubbly, girl next door image (baggy jeans, kooky hats, big grin) contrasting with Madonna’s seductive posturing (conical bras, underwear as outerwear, Jean-Paul Gaultier as her chief designer). Cyndi Lauper, with her mismatched converse, crazy hair colour and flouncy skirts was an alternative contender.

In the 1980s, more women were coming to boardrooms and wanted to project an image of themselves as strong and efficient. They wore jackets with padded, broad shoulders in bright, primary colours, teamed with pencil or pleated skirts, and sometimes trousers. These became known as power suits. Donna Karan invented a wardrobe for the modern working woman, easy to wear, and including the stretch “body”, a top like a leotard that gave clean lines under suits.

Track suits and sportswear became seen on the streets with different trainer brands and new models being important status symbols. Denim skirts and denim jackets, as well as jeans, proliferated. The boy band Bros popularised jeans ripped at the knee.

Inspirational films included Flashdance – Jennifer Beales had a huge part in popularising dance-wear as street-wear; Beetlejuice – Geena Davis for her curly permed, Laura Ashley dressed housewife, and Catherine O’Hara for her power dressed art dealer character; Desperately Seeking Susan perfectly captures 80s’ street style as Madonna and Rosanna Arquette model frosted perms, lace gloves, multiple chains, wayfarer sunglasses and lots of attitude.

Hairstyles: Bubble perms were fashionable, dressed with padded hairbands and Fergie bows, named for Princess Sarah Fergusson, who was a style icon back then. Princess Diana was married in 1981, and her short hairstyle was also often copied.

Makeup: Bright makeup in a “More is More” style was popular. For example, you might wear purple eye shadow with electric blue mascara, a streak of peach blusher, and frosted pink lipstick. And that would be just for day time.

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