The Best Dressed Women of the '80s Were Actually Our Moms—See the Proof

When I caught wind of the triumphant return of certain '80s fashion trends, I was initially hesitant to jump on the bandwagon. Instead of turning solely to the runway and new arrivals sections of my trusted e-commerce sites (normal first steps for me as I investigate a new trend), I texted my mom. I asked her which '80s fashion trends she wore the most frequently back in the day, and she excitedly looped me into a group text with her and four of her closest friends. Here, I got to witness them reminisce over photos from college, make fun of each other's embarrassing outfits, and laugh at how ridiculous some of the items they loved then look now. They were laughing, but I wasn't. I instantly scolded my mother for not saving any of her favorite pieces from the '80s for me, and realized her style was much cooler than I'd ever given her credit for. (Mom, if you're reading this, don't let that go to your head.)

This got my wheels turning. If my mom and her closest friends had incredible style, I was sure the other editors on the Who What Wear team had mothers who were just as stylish. To honor the ladies who raised us and loved us at times when we definitely weren't very lovable, we asked them to send us photos of them rocking the hottest '80s fashion trends better than anyone we've seen before. From acid-wash denim to ruched hot-pink frocks, Laura Ashley dresses to geometric earrings, get ready for the best fashion moments of the '80s, brought to you by our mothers. We tossed in their personal commentary on the looks, too, for good measure. 

Lucy Fitzpatrick

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(Image credit: 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!"

Erin Eggertsen

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(Image credit: 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."

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(Image credit: 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."

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(Image credit: 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.)"

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(Image credit: 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."

Sandra Collings

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(Image credit: 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."

Joanne Russo

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(Image credit: 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."

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(Image credit: 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."

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(Image credit: 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."

Debbie Payer

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Debbie Payer)

"The 'original' high-waisted jeans and gold hoop earrings. Circa 1986."

Heather Nichols

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(Image credit: 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."

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Heather Nichols)

"In the '80s, bigger was always better—which meant puffy-sleeve sweaters were one of my staples."

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(Image credit: 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."

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(Image credit: 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."

Theresa Marinelli

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(Image credit: 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."

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(Image credit: 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!"

Shop '80s items we're loving:

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Lauren Eggertsen
Editorial Director

"Copy (200 words): Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Where and has worked at the company for nearly seven years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Sydney Sweeney, Lindsay Lohan, and Megan Fox. 


She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, and Milan, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Elle.com, HarpersBazaar.com, and Vogue.co.uk. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.