How to wear retro 80s jackets? (ETA actual item pics)

Hey there Fabbers, I need some advice! In my thrifting 3/$1 binge before I started this job, I got three jackets that I maybe shouldn't have... because I have no idea how to wear them! But now that I have them, I figure I might as well make the best of it.

All three are somewhat dated, and have a very 80s vibe (to my mind). There is a red wool jacket that zips, with a collar, and is very boxy. There is a houndstooth jacket with slightly puffed shoulders and some funky tie thingys on the sleeves. Last, there is a blue boucle jacket, also a bit boxy. The images are the exact pieces I have (although I think the houndstooth might be) but they are pretty close.

So how do I wear these without looking like I'm playing dress up in Auntie Bertha's closet? What can I do to update the look and make it more fresh and modern?

ETA: The pictures are now the actual items I have, on me. Excuse the mess and casual leggings, I'm having a very lazy day at home with my kids today.

The fit of the red and blue jackets seems ok, and I think either of those could be worn open, am I right? The houndstooth jacket, on the other hand, looks horrible open, I think. Too much volume. There are some interesting details, I'm curious what you think.

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11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I don't see '80s at all, probably due to the shorter lengths. I think the shoes are the key: combat boots and pointy toes. I wouldn't wear them with Chucks, because that's so '00s IT (the guys and gals who come fix your email). On the other hand, that was always a good look in my book.

I do go for the softer, drapey sort of trouser or skinnies. No straight, classic fit trousers.

trekkiegirl

Ok I was thinking skinnies too. What about skirts or dresses, anything I could get away with there?

Anonymous

I love the first jacket. It looks Chanel-esque. Can you wear nice jeans to work? I could see this one updated with dark denim, black or white jeans. I have one jacket in this style and wear it with a pencil skirt most, updating with booties and some print mixing by wearing a polkadot shirt. Yours could work with floral or even a plaid or check or stripe
with colors similar to some in the jacket
The third (houndstooth) looks like a belted moto jacket. You could replace the elt with a leather one, maybe with studs. You could wear a longer top underneath and/or pair it with leather pants or skirt. I also think the self belted jackets and coats are coming back based on some of the runway shows.
The red jacket looks like the hardest to modernize. Maybe worn open with a plaid shirt and boyfriend jeans and booties or ankle strap pumps?

Great suggestions for the first two.

I cannot stand the boyfriend jeans trend. For one, I'm a bit bottom heavy and I think they would really emphasize that, and two - I think they look sloppy. Just my opinion. I can totally see how it could work with the red jacket... On someone else haha

UmmLila (Lisa)

And remove any excessive shoulder padding. In the photos I don't see it, but it might be lurking for your photo op.

tulle

I love this challenge. For a dollar, you can certainly afford to play with the styling a bit! The boucle jacket should look great with skinny jeans and a little t-shirt or cami, just like the picture--and pointy-toed boots, as Rachylou says. With the red jacket, if it's cropped and boxy like the photo, try high-waisted skinnies or slouchy tapered fluid pants--black or olive--and heels, if you wear them. Try it with the collar flat or popped, open or zipped up, with a statement necklace, and maybe a crisp white shirt underneath. The houndstooth jacket's puffed sleeves will probably make it the trickiest piece to style. You could try having it altered, if it's exceptional quality, or just embrace the quirkiness and wear it with a very chic silky designer tee and leather jeans, or over a knit dress, with great boots. Have fun with them all!

P.S. I'm always amazed by the effect of a big scarf or muffler casually wound around the neck of a less-than-trendy jacket--French girl trick. Also, having now seen a couple of your other posts, I realize that you like an edgy twist; these jackets would definitely be smartened up by wearing them with some of the tougher items from your closet. You seem to have mastered the art of mixing punk-ish and classic already--looking forward to seeing what you do with them!

Interesting to see the actual jackets . . . The red one is softer and less boxy than I expected, a good fit and the tomato color is pretty, too. You could definitely wear it with jeans, but it could also look great with a gray knit dress or an animal print pencil skirt. The Chanel-style boucle jacket can be a workhorse, functioning like a cardigan or a top, depending on whether you keep it open or closed; either way, I would try to keep the neckline uncluttered. The houndstooth piece is a wild card, and I can see its appeal! Unfortunately, it's pulling across your shoulders and chest when buttoned, which takes away from the Gwen-Stefani effect. You may still be able to get that effect with the jacket open to the waist over the leather corset: the wide collar should give that beautiful emphasis on the slim throat and the chunky baubles. Can you push the sleeves up to your elbows so the little dangles can do their thing? Add red lipstick, and it could be smashing---but an after-hours look, rather than one you'd wear to work, maybe.

The pulling on the houndstooth could be because I was wearing an extra oomph vavavoom bra at the time haha! I really prefer it buttoned all the way up, so I'll have to remember not to wear the super padded bra with it.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Seeing the actual items confirms my previous suspicion that these aren't 80s, or at least not typical 80s - they look very 90s to me. 80s would have a lot more shoulder pad and bagginess. 90s was all about fitted.

I think the Chanel-ish black/white one would work well with a tee and jeans, either buttoned or open. The red one looks a tad short on you to be worn with pants - what about over a dress? Or a tucked top and skirt?

I agree that the houndstooth one is better buttoned, like an outerwear jacket. But it does look like it pulls across the shoulders and chest. The details are interesting but it just doesn't look like it fits you well enough.

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