80s Fashion Black Women Bold Looks That Defined an Era

The Social and Cultural Influences of 80s Black female style

Black women were making their mark in the media and entertainment in new ways in the 1980s. In the early 1980s, Diana Ross was a style icon, with glamour for the stage in all her public appearances. Whitney Houston was a stylish power-dresser. Grace Jones experimented with fashion as a kind of avant-garde sculpture, with large-scale shapes, bold make up and no limits on style.

Onscreen, television shows like The Cosby Show showcased images of a wealthy African American family whose sartorial choices – especially those of Phylicia Rashad and Jasmine Guy on A Different World – were extremely popular. The images they presented reached millions of viewers every week, and helped to define the concept of Black excellence to include aesthetic refinement and stylish pride.

The Power Silhouette

A signature of women’s 1980s fashion styles across all backgrounds was the power shoulder, a style in which Black women excelled. The broad, padded shoulders of blazers and dresses gave women a powerful, strong presence – a good look for the 1980s, as more and more Black women entered the work force in previously off-limits jobs.

The power suit – a blazer and trousers or skirt in a solid or loud pattern in bright colours – was a must-have item. Black women wore these suits in deep jewel tones: deep purple, cobalt, emerald and red. The suit was paired with matching accessories (pumps, handbags), for an appearance of sophistication and self-control.

Color and Print

The 1980s were a decade of vibrant and bold colours. Electric colors, soft pastels and primary tones were prevalent in all types of clothing. For Afro-American women, these colours resonated with the colours of the African diaspora, and the influence of African textiles on Afro-American fashion.
Evening gowns, casual outfits and accessories had African prints and kente cloth designs. Designers such as Patrick Kelly – a Black American who became a sensation in Paris – showcased the ways in which Black cultural imagery could be incorporated into high fashion designs and be admired around the world. He showed that Africa’s aesthetic approaches could be, not just a part of, but the vanguard of, the fashion world.

Hair and Beauty

Black hair styles were an important part of 1980s fashion. Jheri curls were popularised and worn by Michael Jackson and many other Americans, and often complemented dramatic fashion statements and flamboyant 80s looks. Permed hair was worn long and thick, sometimes with the fullness and volume to match the maximal aesthetic.
Meanwhile, natural hair styles such as locs, braids and afros were proudly worn and becoming more popular. Beaded braids were trendy among young African-American women and the decade saw an increasing appreciation for natural hair as a symbol of cultural pride.

Music and Street Style

The hip hop style of the 1980s was beginning to emerge mid-way through the decade and young black women were instrumental in developing a female hip hop style. Late 1980s hip hop group Salt-N-Pepa were known for their brash, colourful ensembles, lopsided hair and a sassy attitude that would influence the style of the 1990s.
Leather jackets paired with bright dresses or to match with leather pants was a bad boy-blingy look. Coloured sneakers, especially Adidas and Nike sneakers that were an integral part of hip hop culture, were worn by women in the 80s.

For more casual attire, stone-washed jeans were all the rage. Denim jackets, jeans, skirts and even overalls were all part of 80s fashion. Denim that lasts has always been a staple for creating a timeless wardrobe; and stores like alexousa104 still offer shoppers who want quality denim that will stand the test of time.

Evening and Glamour Wear

In the 1980s, when African-American women dressed-up, it was a spectacle. Evening gowns offered crazy one-shoulder necklines, low V-backs and decoration – sequins, beads, frills and fur were all the rage. Evening dresses were theatrically in style.

Fancy jumpsuits in rich fabrics, such as silk, velvet and metallic, were popular for special occasions. These were accessorized with dramatic pieces of jewelry: oversized earrings, multiple bangles and choker necklaces to draw attention to the neckline. The result was all-out glitzy.

80s Black Female Fashion is still influential today

80s Black female fashion is still contributing to popular culture today. The power shoulder made a comeback in the 2010s, and has featured in several collections since. Jewel tones are still a favourite of women seeking to dress powerfully. African prints are still a source of inspiration for both African designers and the fashion industry.
Above all, the 1980s proved that Black women do not follow fashion – they set trends. Black women’s fashionable choices in that decade contributed to the American look and this aspect of fashion should be remembered.

Q&A on 80s Fashion Black Women

Q: What was the style of the 1980s for black women?
A: Power shoulders, jewel-toned power suits, African-inspired prints, stone-washed jeans, bright and vibrant colours, and extravagant evening gowns were all the rage.

Q: Who were the most iconic black women in 1980s fashion?
A: Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Grace Jones, Salt-N-Pepa, Phylicia Rashad and designer Patrick Kelly.

Q: What was the impact of TV on 80s black women’s fashion?
A: Television programs such as The Cosby Show and A Different World depicted fashionable, educated black women and families whose fashion choices influenced millions of viewers every week and to a larger extent, mainstream culture.

Q: How did African prints feature in 80s Black women’s fashion?
A: African prints and the kente cloth pattern were featured in everything from casual to formal attire, as a way of celebrating African cultural heritage in Black American fashion.

Q: Are there any 80s trends in Black women’s fashion that are in fashion today?
A: Yes. Squashed shoulders, neon jewel tones, large accessories and African prints are all popular design elements in today’s fashion.

Q: Was hair a part of 80s Black women’s fashion?
A: Hair was an important element of the look. Jheri curls, big perms, afros and beaded braids all emerged and were worn as a way to express personal style.

Q: Did 80s Black women’s fashion impact other cultures?
A: Absolutely. The bright colors, fierce styles and cultural spirit of 80s Black female fashion had an impact on mainstream American fashion and the international fashion industry.