The Best Dressed Women of the '80s Were Actually Our Moms—See the Proof
Photo:
Courtesy of Lucy Fitzpatrick
"I just wanted to dress like Princess Diana then, but sometimes I also managed to look like an upholstered chair in an English country house!"
Photo:
Courtesy of Erin Eggertsen
"So many 'statements' were being made in the '80s, and sometimes all in one outfit. I loved this dress with the statement houndstooth print at the top (including shoulder pads) and the more flattering simple black at the bottom (with the statement flower). Additional statements: BIG hair and earrings."
Photo:
Courtesy of Erin Eggertsen
"Jumpsuits were my favorites in the '80s. They made getting dressed so easy, and I always felt so fashionable wearing them. I loved how tall they made me look too. The ones with big shoulder pads were even more flattering."
Photo:
Courtesy of Erin Eggertsen
"How many perms can you seat at one table? This was at my bachelorette party. We were a hip group, including the moms. (Not well pictured: the several jumpsuits at that table too.)"
Photo:
Courtesy of Erin Eggertsen
"We all wore pleated, high-waisted, acid-wash jeans in the '80s. This trend still baffles me. It was not flattering, but I guess it proves we were slaves to the trends. The big pockets were a perk though."
Photo:
Courtesy of Sandra Collings
"I wore a geo-print shirt, which was echoed in my earrings. The scarf in my hair made me look like Madonna—I think. It was 1986. I felt hip and chic."
Photo:
Courtesy of Joanne Russo
"This is the dress I wore to my engagement party. Drop waists were in back then, and it gave a loose, flowy feel to the look. I also fell in the love with the color, which was this baby pink shade and how delicate the silk fabric was. It made me feel so elegant."
Photo:
Courtesy of Joanne Russo
"This was my signature look—a patterned silk blouse under a sweater and finished off with a string of pearls. I remember that wearing the colorful collar sticking out from underneath a simple sweater was a big preppy look in the '80s."
Photo:
Courtesy of Joanne Russo
"Bermuda shorts were really in back then, too. Here I am wearing a plaid linen pair with an oversize sweater for a Sunday picnic."
Photo:
Courtesy of Debbie Payer
"The 'original' high-waisted jeans and gold hoop earrings. Circa 1986."
Photo:
Courtesy of Heather Nichols
"Super-soft and well-worn oversize jean jackets were so classic and iconic in the '80s that I wore my favorite ones well into the '90s."
Photo:
Courtesy of Heather Nichols
"In the '80s, bigger was always better—which meant puffy-sleeve sweaters were one of my staples."
Photo:
Courtesy of Heather Nichols
"Guess jeans, an oversize button-down shirt, and Keds were covetable and comfortable fashion go-to staples for this mom to a baby and toddler in the late '80s."
Photo:
Courtesy of Heather Nichols
"As a working woman in the '80s, I was drawn to upscale American tailored fashion and casual wear by Ralph Lauren and Liz Claiborne. Their designs appealed to my New England upbringing and newfound Western roots."
Photo:
Courtesy of Theresa Marinelli
"This was 1988, and I was going to my brother and sister-in-law's wedding. You [Gina] were the baby in the carriage. I had spent most of the '80s being pregnant or holding a child or wearing practical 'mommy' clothing. I wanted something that was sexy and flashy and made me feel that I was still desirable. This dress was red, of course, and completely unpractical—still had to push that baby carriage."
Photo:
Courtesy of Theresa Marinelli
"I was 7or 8 months pregnant with you [Gina]. I was with Daddy at a conference in Montréal, when he was working for Unity Life. I needed something that was polished and still looked good at 8 months' pregnant. This was springtime 1987, and it was cool in Montréal. Once again, red!"
