70s, 80s, and 90s: How to style each decade

By now we all know how it works: nothing ever truly goes out of style. Even the cheugiest trends we swore we had blacklisted (looking at you, early 2000s fashion) come back hotter than ever seemingly overnight.

Some decades, on the other hand, appear to be bottomless wells of inspiration for today’s designers and, by all measures, our own wardrobes: the ‘70s, ’80s, and ’90s come to mind. The boho feel of the 1970s has inspired the creative minds at Chloé and Stella McCartney, the glitz and glamour of the ’80s can be seen on the catwalks of Versace and Marc Jacobs, and pieces from Acne Studios scream ‘90s grunge.

So, whether you consider yourself a ’70s flower child, an ’80s working girl, or a ’90s fashion superfan, here’s how to incorporate each style decade into your own wardrobe.

’70s style seems to come back cyclically as soon as the warm weather returns, and for good reason: nothing says “carefree, relaxed summer” like fashions from the decade that gave us the Sexual Revolution. Iconic 1970s staples include clogs, bell bottoms, and suede which are perfect when paired with more modern pieces. To avoid feeling costumey, look for ‘70s-inspired pieces with a contemporary twist.

Style icons of the ’70s: Jane Birkin, Farrah Fawcett, Romy Schneider, and Catherine Deneuve.

’70s essentials: wide-leg jeans, corduroy, suede, chunky turtlenecks, and vests.

The style of the ’80s is marked by the glitz and glamour of the decade. Post-punk, The Breakfast Club, the emergence of MTV, and the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana are all pivotal to the decade’s fashion and style.

And, sure enough, 1980s fashion lives on in our favourite trends from 2023: bright-coloured suiting, metallics, surfing and skating sportswear are just a few examples of the most recent take on ’80s style.

Style icons of the ’80s: Madonna, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and Grace Jones.

’80s essentials: parachute trousers, sequins, shoulder pads, oversized blazers, and bold prints.

The 1990s are arguably one of the most influential styles for 2023 fashion, with their characteristic clean lines and minimalist silhouettes being reflected in many current trends. Baby tees, sheer dresses, knee socks, cargo pants, and the iconic matching plaid sets are just a few of the most current ’90s-inspired trends for your wardrobe.

Style icons of the ’90s: Kurt Cobain, the Spice Girls, Cindy Crawford, and Julia Roberts.

’90s essentials: grunge plaid shirts, off-duty-model biker shorts, claw clips, straight-leg denim, baby tees, draped dresses.

Original text: Kayla Kuefler