Ruffled blouses were one of the most distinctive, frilly, flamboyant, and androgynous 80s fashion statements of the decade.
Characterized by decorative fabric frills along the neckline, sleeves, and even down the front, ruffled blouses provided a dramatic flair to everyday and formal outfits. During an era that was marked by bold self-expression, ruffled blouses perfectly encapsulated the love for extravagant style and daring fashion choices throughout the 80s. And, the trend became an iconic part of the decade’s androgynous 80s fashion statement.
Androgynous 80s Fashion and the MTV Generation The 80s were full of major shifts, culturally, technically , and financially. While the economic shifts were the result of a widening middle class and an increase in disposable income, cultural shifts could be associated with the rise of the MTV generation. And, it was against this backdrop that fashion became an important outlet for a person’s self-expression.
Moreover, the 80s saw a shift in traditional norms that began to blur the lines between men’s and women’s styles. Ruffled blouses were considered to be an androgynous 80s fashion style that could be worn by both men and women. It was not uncommon to see bands like Duran Duran, or artists like David Bowie and Prince sporting a ruffled blouse and their music videos.
Ruffled Blouses for All Genders Without question, ruffled blouses were a representation of the androgynous 80s fashion statements that ruled the decade’s fashion industry.
Women and Androgynous 80s Fashion Women were the first to wear ruffled blouses, but they definitely were not the last. During the 80s, women would traditionally pair a ruffled blouse with high-waisted jeans, skirts, or even suits. These blouses quickly became a statement piece in corporate settings across the country, as well as a form of evening wear. Countless designers introduced a number of ruffled blouses for women including Yves Saint Laurent and Vivienne Westwood.
These blouses were typically made out of either silk, satin, or lace, and featured exaggerated ruffles that framed the neckline and cascaded down the front. This dramatic flair just so happens to align with the larger-than-life fashion trends of the 80s. It was, after all, a period when bold patterns and flamboyant details were highly celebrated. Even Princess Diana was known to wear blouses at the time, and she was one of the largest style icons of the decade.
Men and Androgynous 80s Fashion Soon after, due to the androgynous 80s fashion styles that were becoming commonplace, men too began to wear ruffled shirts. It is a style that dates back to the Victorian era, and with the help of musicians and performers, it made a surprising comeback in the 80s. Prince for example, was one of the biggest names in the music industry that helped to reinvigorate the androgynous 80s fashion trend thanks to his flamboyant fashion styles.
These ruffled shirts were often paired with sharp suits and high-waisted trousers. It provided a contrast between the softness of the ruffles and the structured element of a traditional man’s outfit. This juxtaposition gave men’s fashion a more fluid and expressive look. The popularity of ruffled blouses for men was also tied directly to the rise of the New Romantic fashion movement of the 80s. In fact, popular bands like Spandau Ballet and Adam and the Ants helped push androgynous 80s fashion into the limelight.
Ruffled Blouses in Pop Culture There is no question that the media during the 80s played a crucial role in popularizing the ruffled blouse. There was no greater force during the 80s than MTV, which brought music videos into homes across America. Major artists like David Bowie and Prince would regularly appear in their videos sporting ruffled shirts, and as a result, influence their fans to try them on as well.
There were also movies like The Labyrinth which was released back in 1986 which also happened to star David Bowie. Throughout the film, David Bowie who played Jareth wore ruffled blouses. The further rise of costume dramas, historical television series, and fantasy films throughout the decade helped to fuel interest in ruffles. They were linked to the romantic and adventurous ideals of the past while simultaneously placing them firmly within the androgynous 80s fashion movement.
The People Who Made Ruffled Blouses Fashionable There were a number of icons throughout the 80s that helped to make ruffled blouses more fashionable. The most infamous of these was Prince, who frequently wore ruffled shirts during his live performances as well as in his music videos. He pushed the boundaries of gender and fashion in this daring approach to style and challenged the traditional norms of the time.
Other popular icons who helped to push ruffled blouses into the limelight include Princess Diana whose use of ruffles in her own wardrobe influenced women’s fashion around the globe. Then, there were artists like David Bowie and the members of Duran Duran who were often seen sporting ruffled shirts both on and off stage.
Ruffled Blouses Challenged Gender Roles Perhaps the biggest impact of ruffled blouses during the 80s was the role they played in challenging and redefining gender roles. The decade saw a rise in androgynous 80s fashion, which blurred the lines between masculine and feminine fashion styles. This allowed for greater experimentation and self-expression throughout the decade. As a result, the shift opened a door for more gender-fluid styles that still exist today.
Conclusion In the end, androgynous 80s fashion were more than just another trend in the decade, they were a bold expression of the heirs of love for individuality, breaking boundaries, and of course drama. They were worn by both men and women throughout the decade, as a way of showcasing their own daring spirit and playfulness. Ultimately, ruffled blouses became a timeless symbol of creativity and self-expression.
