Neon colors were an important part of the fashion throughout the decade, which led to the creation of countless bright 80s fashions.
The use of neon throughout the 80s was an unmistakable symbol of the decade. It dominated everything from fashion to entertainment, and could even be found in advertising and art. The vibrant, high-intensity hues, encapsulated the spirit of an entire generation. Everyone wanted to be bold, exciting, and unapologetically flashy. No matter where you went you would see electric pinks, greens, yellows, and blues. These ultimately became the defining trend of the decade and represented the ethos of pop culture throughout the decade.
The Rise of Neon Colors and Bright 80s Fashions The 80s were a pivotal time in society, as they represented expansive cultural and social shifts. There was more economic optimism and a booming media landscape that helped to fuel the sense of individualism. The world was in the midst of a tech revolution with personal computers , video games, cable television, and MTV entering their homes at breakneck speed. And it was the latter that helped to drive many of the shifts in the fashion industry throughout the decade.
The fact is, that the 80s was a consumer-driven society where people wanted to be more visible and stand out amongst the crowd. And, it was in this context that neon colors began their climb in popularity. At first, it was simple things like neon shoelaces. Then there were graphic tees, Hawaiian shirts, and even oversized sweaters. People began integrating neon colors in excess which led to some of the most unique and Bright 80s fashions imaginable.
Why Bright 80s Fashions Became Popular There were many reasons for the popularity of bright 80s fashions, from the neon lights that were found everywhere throughout the country, to the art and pop culture scenes. Everyone wanted neon in their wardrobe.
Bright 80s Fashions Were A Bold Expression of Individuality The decade was entirely unique when it came to bright 80s fashions. Neon colors were everywhere, and they played a crucial role in changing the fashion industry. There were leg warmers, and traction, Fanny packs, sunglasses, oversized shirts, oversized sweaters, sneakers, and so much more. It became a quintessential hallmark of streetwear, club fashion, and sports apparel. As a result, it was accessible in virtually every demographic and subculture throughout the country. Neon colors symbolized the energy, individuality, and self-expressionism of the era.
Some of the most memorable examples of bright 80s fashions can be found in athletic wear. Major brands like Reebok and Nike were known to produce some of the flashiest neon jumpsuits, shoes, sweatbands, and more. This, of course, was fueled by the aerobics craze of the decade. Neon leggings and headbands were everywhere. At the same time, pop icons like Cyndi Lauper and Madonna embraced neon colors in their wardrobes. This helped to further drive the popularity of bright 80s fashions.
Neon Signs Were Everywhere Of course, you couldn’t go anywhere during the 80s without seeing neon signs. They were found both inside and outside of businesses across the nation. Neon signs lit up our city streets, nightclubs, and movie theaters across the country. The visually striking nature of neon signs made them an effective tool for marketing.
This color palette made the transition from advertising into our street fashions, thanks to the launching of MTV. Their first logo was made using bright neon colors, and their VJ’s were just as bright. MTV was a cultural powerhouse that helped contribute to the popularity of bright 80s fashions. Eventually, neon became synonymous with the youth culture due to its reflection of a fun and more carefree lifestyle.
Bright 80s Fashions, Art, and Pop Culture This influence extended far beyond fashion and advertising. It found its way into art as well as pop culture and entertainment. Neon artwork became all the rage, with artists like Keith Haring who was the king of the pop art movement. They used bright and vivid colors and all of their pieces which were often used to comment on social issues.
Then there was cinema and television. Neon colors became a symbol of the 80s aesthetic. You had films like Blade Runner which was released in 1982, that used neon lighting to create a more futuristic dystopian cityscape. There is also the popularity of arcade games which used neon graphics and bright flashing lights. The mix of neon colors and electronic soundtracks in video games as well as films helped contribute to the more futuristic, high-energy atmosphere of the 80s.
Neon Colors Become A Bright 80s Fashion Trend Of course, we wouldn’t have all of the bright 80s fashions if it weren’t for the many pop culture icons and fashion designers who helped to drive the trend. Some of the biggest names in the fashion industry that pushed neon colors were designers like Gianni Versace and Vivienne Westwood. And, when it came to pop culture icons, you had top-name celebrities like David Bowie, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Debbie Gibson who helped push the neon fashion trend to the masses.
What Happened to the Neon Colors of the Bright 80s Fashions The cultural impact of neon colors throughout the 80s can never be overstated. The use of neon colors throughout the decade represented a huge departure from the muted earth tones of the previous decade. The use of bright colors continued on for a short period of time during the early 90s, before eventually fading away into oblivion.
In the fashion world, neon colors did however experience a revival during the 2010s, when fashion designers began to reincorporate these hues into their collections again. This use of retro-inspired aesthetics began a trend that could be seen in music videos, films, and interior designs. In the last decade, there have been more revamps of movies, TV shows, and music from the 80s thanks to platforms like Netflix, Facebook, and TikTok.
Conclusion When it comes to recognizing the 80s out of all of the decades in American history, neon colors remain one of the most recognizable and defining elements. You can simply look at any color photo of any generation in the last century and immediately point out which one was based on the 80s simply because of the use of neon colors and big fuzzy hairstyles. Bright 80s fashions played an integral role in defining an entire generation who embodied the culture of bold, bright, self-expressionism.
