1980's outfit... would you wear it? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

1980's outfit... would you wear it?

krishnidoux

Veteran

The other day as I was building spring/summer outfits, I put these elements together because I thought the color combination was nice.

Jeans: Marciano, last year (altered at the waist because otherwise jeans are too wide there or too tight in the thighs).
Knit striped 3/4 sleeves top: Talbots, last Fall.
Pink strapped Booties: Felmini, last year
Batwing cobalt blue cardi: Rodier, vintage, 1988 (passed down from my mom many years ago, still in perfect condition).

Only when I looked at the picture did I notice this outfit was TOTALLY 1980's! I think it's the cardi+white jeans+booties+my new layered hair.

It's cute, but the problem is, I am old enough to have seen - and rocked, in my day - the eighties look.

Do you think this works today? Or should I just forget this outfit? Or should I just pass on the cardi?

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from krishnidoux

approprio

(website)

Veteran

You could wear this in my neighbourhood, no problem. The boots push it ever so slightly into vintage territory, but a pair of casual oxfords or sneakers would bring it right up to date. Throw on a parka or oversized bomber and you're done.

But don't take my word for it, because Amsterdam is that kind of town and I'm quite shameless about sporting '80's vintage, despite being plenty old enough for it first time around.

Liz

Veteran

I would say this depends on your environment and whether you care about dressing to environmental norms.

In my neighborhood, you'd be seen as someone still wearing styles from her past.

Anonymous

I would wear it minus the cardi. I'm pretty sure I wore that shape in past, and will leave it there for myself. But I'd totally wear the shoes. (See how I worked totally in there?)

Mochi

Veteran

Aww, it's cute and sharp. I don't even think it screams 80's. Just be careful with the hair (which you are), and you're good.

cindysmith

Veteran

I think it's referential without being over it dated. It takes inspiration from the 80s rather than try to recreate them IMO

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I would wear it. I don't see it as an 80s outfit, although I do see the resemblance in lines to the photos you've shown here. (Very entertaining to see, btw!) I like your hair, too!

Basically, I agree with Cindy!

K.M.

Veteran

I agree with delurked--I'd wear it without the cardi. I can see why you keep it though--what a beautiful color, and the vintage shape is lovely (coming from someone who grew up in the 80s, meaning I have a soft spot for these shapes). I don't know how to style this cardi today; I would also keep it if I were you, but for a different outfit.

By the way, very funny inspiration photos! Love the last one

The Cat

Veteran

Eh, no, I wouldn't wear that combination. I would wear the boots with a neutral outfit (for instance grey jeans + T-shirt) and let them be "the heroes."

I would also wear the cardi with a neutral "column of colour" (i.e. T-shirt & jeans in white or black) and with neutral shoes and perhaps a fun multi-coloured necklace.

Love your striped top, by the way. In my wardrobe, it would be styled with black trousers or a black skirt plus shoes in one of the non-neutral colours.

Mirjana

Veteran

Why not if you like it and feel good, nothing wrong with that outfit.

The Cat

Veteran

Your last picture gave me a good laugh. Thanks for bringing back fun memories of crazy outfits from the 80's!

The Cat

Veteran

Your first question was: 'Would YOU wear it?' But you ended your blog post by asking if you yourself should wear it. So you may get very different answers.

No matter what I and others would do, however, OF COURSE you can wear the outfit if you like that combo.

Anonymous

I agree with cindysmith and approprio.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Personally, no, I wouldn't, but I don't really care to go 80s retro for myself. It was not my favorite era for dressing, honestly. I like all the elements in the outfit, but the combination is not *me*. However, if you like it, you can certainly rock it! I do agree with Liz's idea to switch out the shoes for loafers or sneakers. I'm not loving the boots with the rest.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well, of course I would! But that's not to say what you would feel comfortable doing. I DO still have the brightly coloured Mondi jumper in my closet from 1986 and will wear it this winter and post at some point. I don't care what people think because I love it and always have. But I'm an 80s girl. I turned 20 in 1981 and had my first baby just before I turned 30 in 1991. So it was the decade of my 20s, romances plural then meeting and marrying DH. Carefree and oh so much fun. Love your old pics! I wasn't THAT out there but did have permed hair!

Anonymous

It's not my style, so no, I would not.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Coming back to say, I do personally think it works today. I love how the colours go together and think you look so great in it. I would be complimenting you instantly. And no, don't get rid of the amazing cardigan! Signed, 80s lover x

Sal

Veteran

Interesting, I love your hair and you look terrific.

For me I would wear the jeans boots and striped top together, or if I wanted to wear the cardigan I would probably wear trainers or oxfords. I like the cardigan but on me I would wear it with a column of colour (black, grey or white)....

tricia w.

(website)

Wear it! It has a nod to the eighties, but still looks fresh.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

*I* would not wear it, but I think I've posted enough photos to demonstrate that my fashion is safe to the point of being boring. The booties take it over the top for me.

Anonymous

I would

Ledonna N.

Veteran

It is a Throwback look no, I would not wear it together. Individually yes

krishnidoux

Veteran

All of your comments are very appreciated and helpful!

I see most of you don't seem to have such a poison eye for this look.

Approprio, you pinpointed it I think: it's the booties. Alone, they're fine, even cool I find. With this suddenly they become 1980.

It's so funny you mention they would go in Amsterdam. I bought them last year as I was smitten by the show "Dicte" from Denmark, in which women are all sporting this kind of cool, cool booties and also cool jewelry. Ok Denmark is not the Netherlands, but it's not too far! (compared to North America). I wonder if fashion there is similar.

The Cat, I find it interesting you want to pair the striped top with black, it didn't occur to me to do this, now I will try! It sounds like a great idea and I'm very excited to do this, it will be like having a new top

Some of you suggest, like Delurke,that they would wear it minus the cardi. I will also try this myself. Maybe a different jacket would change everything.

Some of you, like Liz, would swap the booties for trainers and I will also certainly give this a try too. I have both white and silver.

Jenni, when you wear that jumper, make sur eto take a pic and post it here! I'd love to see it.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I might. I would definitely wear the sweater somehow and I love the striped top. I guess I would wear flats though.

Joy

Veteran

Your version looks updated to me. The colors, especially the cobalt blue look wonderful on you. Wear it and enjoy.

rachylou

Veteran

It's cute! Totally doable. A little bit hipster. I'm probably not cheerful enough to wear it, but that's me, lol.

But who is that dude in the last pic? Wayne's World all the way

krishnidoux

Veteran

Ok so it looks like I am not putting this cardi away just yet.
It's so interesting to read you and discover that there is a fence, and that you are either on one side or the other with this one. For those of you that would wear it, I think you would all have a different rendition of this outfit. I will try it though, and then complete this post. But I admit it will take me to work up some courage.

Shevia, I can imagine youpulling off this look with flair.
Joy, thank you!
Rach, are you saying the eighties are hipster now? That is very interesting. In my corner of the woods (and woods, literally), the typical young hipster's still the 1970's bearded long hair lumberjack metrosexual type, even though high waists are starting to make a comeback. But if the eighties are back, I guess I'm in!

Anonymous

I think it's fabulous but would be even better with your powder blue heels!
If I saw you walking down the street, I would think you're stylish, not someone who stopped at the 80s.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Oh, smittie, what a good idea!