{"id":408992484,"date":"2012-04-13T09:22:55","date_gmt":"2012-04-13T13:22:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/?p=408992484"},"modified":"2019-10-29T02:30:55","modified_gmt":"2019-10-29T07:30:55","slug":"1980s-dresses-trends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/1980s-dresses-trends\/","title":{"rendered":"The Trendiest 1980s Dresses I Love"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992562\" title=\"1980s_colorful_dress_main_rock\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/main_image_long1.jpg\" alt=\"1980s_colorful_dress_main\" width=\"540\" height=\"813\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/main_image_long1.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/main_image_long1-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Wearing a dress from the\u00a0&#8217;80s doesn&#8217;t mean you have to look like Molly Ringwald from <em>Pretty and Pink<\/em> or a glam-trash version of Madonna from the beginnings of her career.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/\">1980s<\/a> was an era of excessive energy and showstopping style that while at first glance may seem intimidating, has a time and place for the modern girls&#8217; wardrobe of today. So when I began brainstorming looks for my personal retrospect of &#8217;80s dresses I love, I wanted to showcase the <a href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style-faqs\/\">vintage style<\/a> that spoke to the decade&#8217;s trends but were 100 percent wearable for 2012, too.<\/p>\n<p>In my search for the perfect\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.classic80s.com\/80s-dresses.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8217;80s dresses<\/a> I discovered <a href=\"http:\/\/www.olivesveryvintage.com\/index2.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Very Olive&#8217;s Vintage<\/a>, a women&#8217;s trendy vintage boutique stocked with a gorgeous vintage collection from the turn of the century through the &#8217;90s.<\/p>\n<p>Olive&#8217;s owner Jen welcomed me into her warm, cozy store to check her racks for great &#8217;80s dresses to model on the streets of Carroll Gardens, the adorable Brooklyn neighborhood her shop has called home for 11 years.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/20s\/20s-clothing\/attachment\/screen-shot-2013-08-06-at-12-44-58-pm\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-408997964\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408997964\" title=\"shop now button \" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/Screen-Shot-2013-08-06-at-12.44.58-PM.png\" alt=\"shop now button\" width=\"117\" height=\"43\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>&lt;&lt; CHECK &#8216;EM OUT! The best\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/rover.ebay.com\/rover\/1\/711-53200-19255-0\/1?icep_ff3=9&amp;pub=5575057215&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5337378771&amp;customid=&amp;icep_uq=1980s+vintage+clothing&amp;icep_sellerId=&amp;icep_ex_kw=&amp;icep_sortBy=12&amp;icep_catId=&amp;icep_minPrice=&amp;icep_maxPrice=&amp;ipn=psmain&amp;icep_vectorid=229466&amp;kwid=902099&amp;mtid=824&amp;kw=lg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1980s vintage clothing<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"text-decoration: none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0;\" src=\"http:\/\/rover.ebay.com\/roverimp\/1\/711-53200-19255-0\/1?ff3=9&amp;pub=5575057215&amp;toolid=10001&amp;campid=5337378771&amp;customid=&amp;uq=1980s+vintage+clothing&amp;mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]\" alt=\"\" \/>\u00a0trends you love to remember, wear and (perhaps) chuckle at\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After much deliberation, I chose 5 dresses from Olive&#8217;s that speak to wearable trends from the &#8217;80s. Keep reading after the jump to see the dresses I chose to model, and to learn more about the style ethos of this <em>like totally awesome <\/em>era!\u00a0<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>I was born in 1986, so I never had the chance to live <a title=\"\u201980s Clothing Trends You Love to Remember (or Wear!)\" href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/80s-clothing\/\" target=\"_blank\">&#8217;80s fashion<\/a> firsthand. Perhaps that&#8217;s why today, I find myself drawn to its\u00a0exaggerated\u00a0shapes, abstract prints, bold primary colors, shiny sequins and over-the-top glamour.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;d love to know how you feel about the &#8217;80s! Did you love the &#8217;80s when you lived it, or are you re-living the styles today?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Let me know by leaving a comment below the post, or sharing your thoughts with a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/sammydavis22\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tweet<\/a> or a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sammydavisvintage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook post!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>xx, SD<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Puff_Sleeved_Primary_Colored_Dress\"><\/span>Puff Sleeved Primary Colored Dress<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_50 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\" role=\"button\"><label for=\"item-6491160f49c41\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-6491160f49c41\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-visibility-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/1980s-dresses-trends\/#Puff_Sleeved_Primary_Colored_Dress\" title=\"Puff Sleeved Primary Colored Dress\">Puff Sleeved Primary Colored Dress<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/1980s-dresses-trends\/#Sequin_Shoulder_Black_Dress\" title=\"Sequin Shoulder Black Dress\">Sequin Shoulder Black Dress<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/1980s-dresses-trends\/#Polka_Dot_Ra-Ra_Skirt_Dress\" title=\"Polka Dot Ra-Ra Skirt Dress\">Polka Dot Ra-Ra Skirt Dress<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/1980s-dresses-trends\/#Red_White_Sequin_Hibiscus_Dress\" title=\"Red &amp; White Sequin\u00a0Hibiscus\u00a0Dress\">Red &amp; White Sequin\u00a0Hibiscus\u00a0Dress<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/1980s-dresses-trends\/#Abstract_Shirtwaist_Dress\" title=\"Abstract Shirtwaist Dress\">Abstract Shirtwaist Dress<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/1980s-dresses-trends\/#MORE_FROM_THE_%E2%80%9980s\" title=\"MORE FROM THE &#8217;80s\">MORE FROM THE &#8217;80s<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992529\" title=\"80s_balloon_sleeve_dress_wide\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9210_540.jpg\" alt=\"80s_balloon_sleeve_dress_multi_color_de\" width=\"540\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9210_540.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9210_540-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992538\" title=\"80s_balloon_sleeve_dress_2shot\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Multi_dress_2shot.jpg\" alt=\"80s_balloon_sleeve_dress_sequins\" width=\"540\" height=\"406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Multi_dress_2shot.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Multi_dress_2shot-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992528\" title=\"80s_balloon_sleeve_dress_side\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9201_540.jpg\" alt=\"80s_balloon_sleeve_dress_multi_color\" width=\"540\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9201_540.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9201_540-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE STYLE:<\/strong> A body conscious party frock with a mixed geometric and floral print. I could call it a dress, but calling it a &#8220;frock&#8221; sounds so much more fitting for the fun\u00a0occasion\u00a0you&#8217;d surely want to wear it for!<\/p>\n<p>It fits a girls&#8217; curves well thanks to divine tailoring similar to the style of a \u00a0&#8217;50s wiggle dress. I definitely &#8220;wiggled&#8221; a bit wearing it as I walked to our photoshoot location!<\/p>\n<p><strong>WHY I LOVE IT:<\/strong>\u00a0I enjoy capturing my vibrant personality in the clothing I wear, so the bright colors grabbed my attention first. And then I spotted the sequin treatment along the\u00a0exaggerated\u00a0puff sleeves and I was hooked!<\/p>\n<p>The design is a showstopping style without looking like a costume. Rather, it just looks you wanna have a good time without having to say a word &#8212; your dress <em>says it all!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>HOW IT FITS &#8217;80s TRENDS:<\/strong> The exotic, ethnic-inspired hues of the &#8217;70s were pushed aside for bold primary colors a la red, green and blue in the &#8217;80s. It was like every dress you wore was somehow inspired by a Kindergarten art teacher&#8217;s dream closet!<\/p>\n<p>Maybe the era&#8217;s love for primary colors is why street art found its way into &#8217;80s fashion. This dresses&#8217; floral design on geometric colorblock print reminds me of strokes made from a can of spray paint. This dress was probably influenced by Vivienne Westwood&#8217;s 1983 &#8220;Witches&#8221; collection, which adopted the graffiti art of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.haring.com\/home.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Keith Haring<\/a> into its designs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>GET IT VINTAGE:<\/strong> I&#8217;m loving this <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/itm\/Vtg-80s-Valentine-BLACK-SILK-Bows-PUFF-SLEEVE-Party-Prom-Cocktail-MINI-Dress-S-\/150782506224?pt=Vintage_Women_s_Clothing&amp;hash=item231b5674f0#ht_8686wt_1270\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">black &#8217;80s cocktail dress<\/a> with similar 3-D puff sleeves and this <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/itm\/John-Charles-Vintage-1980s-Puff-Sleeve-Dress-Sive-12-Prom-ball-cocktail-\/110854869252?pt=UK_Women_s_Vintage_Clothing&amp;hash=item19cf771104#ht_500wt_1054\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8217;80s black cocktail dress<\/a>\u00a0with tease-worthy turquoise puff sleeves.<\/p>\n<p>Find your ideal style by searching for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_nkw=%2780s+puff+sleeve+dress&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_odkw=%2780s+puff+sleeves&amp;_osacat=0&amp;_from=R40\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8217;80s puff sleeve dress<\/a> on Ebay.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sequin_Shoulder_Black_Dress\"><\/span>Sequin Shoulder Black Dress<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992567\" title=\"80s-Black-Dress-Evening-Gown-Wide\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9137_540.jpg\" alt=\"80s-Black-Dress-Evening-Gown-Wide\" width=\"540\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9137_540.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9137_540-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992566\" title=\"1980s-Black-Dress-Evening-Gown-Top \" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9155_540.jpg\" alt=\"1980s-Black-Dress-Evening-Gown-Top\" width=\"540\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9155_540.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9155_540-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992565\" title=\"1980s_Black_dress_2shot\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Black_dress_2shot1.jpg\" alt=\"1980s Black Evening Gown Front and back\" width=\"540\" height=\"406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Black_dress_2shot1.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Black_dress_2shot1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE STYLE:<\/strong> It&#8217;s a LBD (<em>long black dress<\/em>) re-imagined for a decade of power dressing, power cocktail hour and the birth of the diva. The wife of a CEO would rock this black dress to the firm&#8217;s quarterly board meeting and no one would dare blink an eye.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WHY I LOVE IT:<\/strong> To me, this dress literally <em>drips<\/em> sex. It was so tight that I wasn&#8217;t sure if it was going to zip up the back.\u00a0Thankfully it zipped to the top, but not before I had to take a deep breath and suck it all in. I felt like a millionaire&#8217;s wife wearing this stunner!<\/p>\n<p><strong>HOW IT FITS &#8217;80s TRENDS:<\/strong> The formal dress re-emerged as a fashion staple in the &#8217;80s, and women fought to make<em> the<\/em> party statement at the era&#8217;s popular black-tie events.<\/p>\n<p>For the woman who demands you hear her roar, this fitted, body-conscious silhouette complete with a sexy front slit represents how the &#8217;80s mixed masculine touches with old style Hollywood glamour and remarkably structured shapes.<\/p>\n<p>The sleeves are a crystal-studded scallop design that speak to the era&#8217;s penchant for excess while making me appear broader, as if I were wearing the shoulders of a bull-fighting Matadaor.<\/p>\n<p>Then there&#8217;s the sharp shape of the dress, which takes no prisoners with its tightly cut bust and waist (<em>suck it in ladies!<\/em>) that flares slightly into a straight skirt that reminds me of a split Greek column.<\/p>\n<p><strong>GET IT VINTAGE:<\/strong> This <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/itm\/vtg-80s-sexy-black-plunging-sheer-sequin-fishtail-party-dress-gown-prom-S-sz-4-\/160777755849?pt=US_CSA_WC_Dresses&amp;hash=item256f19dcc9#ht_1045wt_1037\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">long black &#8217;80s dress<\/a> captures the glam of the era and conforms to your body with sultry drapes. And then there&#8217;s this version by a very <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/itm\/Vintage-Oscar-De-La-Renta-Iconic-little-black-1980s-cocktail-dress-\/200740600157?pt=Vintage_Women_s_Clothing&amp;hash=item2ebd12795d#ht_500wt_1287\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8217;80s Oscar De La Renta <\/a>that I&#8217;m loving for its 3-D shoulder effects.<\/p>\n<p>Find your ideal style by searching for\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_nkw=%2780s+black+dresses&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_odkw=%2780s+puff+sleeve+dress&amp;_osacat=0&amp;_from=R40\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8217;80s black dresses<\/a> on Ebay.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Polka_Dot_Ra-Ra_Skirt_Dress\"><\/span>Polka Dot Ra-Ra Skirt Dress<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992531\" title=\"1980s_black_dotted_shear_dress_ground\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9247_540.jpg\" alt=\"1980s_black_dotted_shear_dress_crab\" width=\"540\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9247_540.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9247_540-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992540\" title=\"1980s_black_dotted_shear_dress_2shot\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Star_dress_2shot.jpg\" alt=\"1980s_black_dotted_shear_dress_hugg\" width=\"540\" height=\"406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Star_dress_2shot.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Star_dress_2shot-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992530\" title=\"1980s_black_dotted_shear_dress_rear\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9240_540.jpg\" alt=\"1980s_black_dotted_shear_dress_1\" width=\"540\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9240_540.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9240_540-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE STYLE:<\/strong> A white-on-navy &#8220;ra-ra&#8221; skirt style polka dot dress that was (and <em>still<\/em> is!) perfect for the lady who brunches and lunches with girlfriends, clients and any boy who has time to fall in between.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WHY I LOVE IT:<\/strong> This dress felt like I was wearing a modern piece circa 2012. Unless you look at the designer&#8217;s tag, it&#8217;s hard to tell that this piece is actually vintage.<\/p>\n<p>I love the name of the dress&#8217; skirt as much as I love the style itself, which reminds me of something a city chic lady would wear to her girlfriends-only Sunday brunch or a single lady&#8217;s date lunch. It&#8217;s sexy <em>and<\/em> sophisticated without &#8220;screaming&#8221; either.<\/p>\n<p><strong>HOW IT FITS &#8217;80s TRENDS:<\/strong> Polka dots were one of the most popular patterns of the late &#8217;80s after designer Caroline Herrera embraced them as an integral style element in her womenswear collections.<\/p>\n<p>Remember Julia Roberts wearing a polka dot dress in the iconic polo match scene of <em>Pretty Woman<\/em>? Released in 1990, the movie&#8217;s styles represented the trends of the late &#8217;80s &#8212; polka dots included.<\/p>\n<p>The skirt style of the dress is called a &#8220;ra-ra,&#8221; a two-to-three tiered skirt that resembles a layered tutu. The ra-ra style became standard dress for the girl of 1986-1987 according to Emma Baxter-Wright, author of <a href=\"http:\/\/gabbyb.tv\/vlogging\/how-to-handle-whats-out-of-your-control\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vintage Fashion.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>GET IT VINTAGE:<\/strong> This <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/itm\/VTG-80s-SHEER-BLACK-WHITE-POLKA-DOT-DRAPED-BABYDOLL-FLOWY-DOLLY-MINI-DRESS-S-\/300689571702?pt=Vintage_Women_s_Clothing&amp;hash=item46027ebf76#ht_2801wt_1270\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8217;80s polka dot dress<\/a> drapes to cover the upper body for spring warmth. Then there&#8217;s this <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/itm\/Vintage-80s-40s-Polka-Dot-Cut-Out-Criss-Cross-Back-Dress-Rockabilly-Lindy-Pin-Up-\/190662887059?pt=Vintage_Women_s_Clothing&amp;hash=item2c6464c693#ht_13967wt_1270\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8217;80s does &#8217;40s halter style<\/a>\u00a0perfect worn as a summer sundress.<\/p>\n<p>Find your ideal style by searching for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_nkw=%2780s+polka+dot+dress&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_odkw=%2780s+black+dresses&amp;_osacat=0&amp;_from=R40\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8217;80s polka dot dresses<\/a> on Ebay.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Red_White_Sequin_Hibiscus_Dress\"><\/span>Red &amp; White Sequin\u00a0Hibiscus\u00a0Dress<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992532\" title=\"80s_sequins_dress_red_wide\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9265_540.jpg\" alt=\"80s_sequins_dress_red_wall\" width=\"540\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9265_540.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9265_540-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"80s_sequins_dress_red_cu\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9277_540.jpg\" alt=\"80s_sequins_dress_red_pattern\" width=\"540\" height=\"359\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992539\" title=\"80s_sequins_dress_red_2shot\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Red_dress_2shot.jpg\" alt=\"80s_sequins_dress_red_chair\" width=\"540\" height=\"406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Red_dress_2shot.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Red_dress_2shot-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE STYLE:<\/strong> It&#8217;s the LRCD (Little Red Cocktail Dress) that&#8217;s studded with sequins, exudes stylish sass and fits the body like a glove.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s designed with a sequin decoration of red swirls and\u00a0white hibiscus flowers\u00a0which gives the dress a\u00a0tropical edge, but without feeling like you should actually wear it in the islands.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WHY I LOVE IT:<\/strong>\u00a0Its body conscious fit reminds me of &#8217;80s designer Thierry Mugler&#8217;s influence combined with a little bit of 1977&#8217;s <em>Saturday Night Fever<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m not sure how much <em>actual<\/em> booty shaking I could do in this sassy number (it was pretty tight!) but at least I&#8217;d turn heads wearing this number to the party!<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8217;80s FASHION IMPACT:<\/strong>\u00a0Wearing sequins dresses wasn&#8217;t a new idea for women in the &#8217;80s, but wearing sequins to a cocktail party was.<\/p>\n<p>Sequin dresses went from longer below-the-knee to maxi <a href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/70s\/70s-clothing\/\">styles in the &#8217;70s<\/a> to mini and above-the-knee styles in the &#8217;80s.\u00a0Previously worn to capture the lights of a glittering disco ball on the floors of a &#8217;70s discotheque, the style transcended new limits to become a trend for &#8217;80s evening attire.<\/p>\n<p>In other words, you didn&#8217;t have to shake your behind just to wear some sparkly shine &#8212; you could do so in a sophisticated, socially-acceptable fashion thanks to the era&#8217;s ethos of excess!<\/p>\n<p><strong>GET IT VINTAGE: <\/strong>A similar style to my dress but with a touch <a href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/20s\/1920s-fashion-trends-movies\/\">&#8217;20s fashion<\/a> funk is this\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/itm\/Vtg-80s-VIXEN-RED-Flapper-SEQUIN-BEADED-Silk-Trophy-FRINGE-Holiday-Party-Dress-\/290631156635?pt=Vintage_Women_s_Clothing&amp;hash=item43aaf7839b#ht_6593wt_1270\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8217;80s red sequin dress with fringe<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Find your ideal style by searching for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_nkw=%2780s+red+sequin+dress&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_odkw=%2780s+red+sequin+cocktail+dress&amp;_osacat=0&amp;_from=R40\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8217;80s red sequin dress<\/a> on Ebay.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Abstract_Shirtwaist_Dress\"><\/span>Abstract Shirtwaist Dress<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992525\" title=\"1980_Crazy_dress_2shot\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Crazy_dress_2shot.jpg\" alt=\"1980 crazy dress\" width=\"540\" height=\"406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Crazy_dress_2shot.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Crazy_dress_2shot-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"1980_crazy_pattern_dress_cu\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9297_540.jpg\" alt=\"1980_crazy_pattern_dress_tight\" width=\"540\" height=\"359\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992537\" title=\"1980_crazy_pattern_dress_back\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9302_540.jpg\" alt=\"1980_crazy_pattern_dress_street\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9302_540.jpg 540w, https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMGP9302_540-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE STYLE:<\/strong> This is a &#8217;80s-does-<a href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/50s\/1950s-dress-shirtwaist\/\">&#8217;50s shirtwaist dress<\/a> with a button-up bodice and double pockets at the chest. It comes with convenient waist pockets and an excuse to smile loud and proud when wearing!<\/p>\n<p><strong>WHY I LOVE IT:<\/strong> I <em>almost<\/em> didn&#8217;t model this dress for the shoot. When I first saw it on the rack at Olive&#8217;s, I felt the print was too wacky for the modern girl and that you&#8217;d be turned off once you saw the dress on. \u00a0So I was shocked when after putting it on, I looked in the mirror and liked what I saw &#8212; crazy print and all!<\/p>\n<p>To give it a more modern fit, I rolled up the batwing sleeves so it wasn&#8217;t as oversized on top, which while a style element of the &#8217;80s isn&#8217;t always a flattering look for today.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8217;80s FASHION IMPACT:\u00a0<\/strong>According to the book\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Vintage-Fashion-Collecting-Designer-1900-1990\/dp\/0062120867\/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1333983039&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Vintage Fashion<\/a>, vivid prints were at the forefront of &#8217;80s styles thanks to designers&#8217; affections for them.\u00a0I&#8217;ve interpreted this particular abstract pattern to be a mix of Art Nouveau&#8217;s swirls blended with the structured shapes of geometric prints.<\/p>\n<p>Also worth noting is the\u00a0tiny bit of fuschia pink appearing around the waist of the dress.\u00a0Fuchsia\u00a0became a trendy color during the &#8217;80s. You can find entire garments (blazers, pants, dresses, you name it!) in a solid\u00a0fuchsia\u00a0color.<\/p>\n<p>Technically called &#8220;magenta,&#8221; the color fuchsia was invented in the 1890s. A brighter, more electric version of the color was invented for computer design in the &#8217;80s (<em><a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Magenta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">source<\/a><\/em>), which I believe may have impacted the growth of this color trend.<\/p>\n<p><strong>GET IT VINTAGE: <\/strong>If dresses had family, this <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/itm\/EMERALD-GREEN-black-tiered-vintage-80s-ABSTRACT-office-party-dress-and-BELT-s-\/251035972689?pt=Vintage_Women_s_Clothing&amp;hash=item3a72e8f451#ht_4486wt_1037\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8217;80s abstract print shirtwaist dress<\/a> would be my version&#8217;s cousin &#8230; minus the abundance of colors!<\/p>\n<p>Find your ideal style by searching for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_nkw=%2780s+shirtwaist+dress&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_odkw=%2780s+red+sequin+dress&amp;_osacat=0&amp;_from=R40\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8217;80s shirtwaist dress<\/a> on Ebay.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Thank you to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.olivesveryvintage.com\/index2.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Olive&#8217;s Very Vintage<\/a> for loaning vintage clothing for creation of this article.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.olivesveryvintage.com\/index2.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-408992549\" title=\"Olives_Very _Vintage\" src=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Picture-1.png\" alt=\"Olives_Very _Vintage_logo\" width=\"217\" height=\"123\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MORE_FROM_THE_%E2%80%9980s\"><\/span>MORE FROM THE &#8217;80s<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>Where to buy: <\/strong><a title=\"\u201980s Clothing Trends You Love to Remember (or Wear!)\" href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/80s-clothing\/\" target=\"_blank\">1980s Fashion<\/a><strong><br \/>\nWAYS TO WEAR:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/1980s-edwardian-blouse\/\" target=\"_blank\">&#8217;80s Edwardian Blouse<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/1980s-vintage-blazer-greek-key\/\" target=\"_blank\">&#8217;80s Greek Key Blazer<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/1980s-clothing-fishtail-skirt\/\" target=\"_blank\">&#8217;80s Fishtail Skirt<\/a> &amp; \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/vintage-style\/80s\/vintage-fashion-outfit-bustier\/\" target=\"_blank\">&#8217;80s Bustier<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>SHOPPING:<\/strong> Buy the Best <a href=\"http:\/\/www.etsy.com\/search\/vintage?search_submit=&amp;q=80s+dress&amp;view_type=gallery&amp;ship_to=US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8217;80s Dresses<\/a> on Etsy<br \/>\n<strong>FUN HISTORY:<\/strong> Get Decade Crazy on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.liketotally80s.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Like Totally &#8217;80s!\u00a0<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>SOURCE:<\/strong> My\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Vintage-Fashion-Collecting-Designer-1900-1990\/dp\/0062120867\/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1333983039&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Vintage Fashion<\/a>\u00a0Bible by Emma Baxter-Wright<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In my search for the trendiest &#8217;80s dresses I discovered Very Olive&#8217;s Vintage, a vintage boutique stocked with a gorgeous vintage collection from the turn of the century through the &#8217;90s. Keep reading after the jump to see the 5 dresses I modeled from Olive&#8217;s that speak to wearable trends from the &#8217;80s, and to learn more about the style ethos of this totally awesome era! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":408992524,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":""},"categories":[3064],"tags":[3106,3148,3094,3153,3149,3154,3150],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/408992484"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=408992484"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/408992484\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/408992524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=408992484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=408992484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sammydvintage.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=408992484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}