People Are Sharing Pics Of Their Cool Dads And These 50 Pics Are Pretty Epic (New Pics)

Guy fashion in the 1980s was about stating it loud and big or leaving. Perhaps the most iconic of all looks was the power suit, popularized by business leaders and television personalities alike. Jackets had broad shoulder pads that gave width and authoritative presence to the wearer, while skinny pants were used to balance out the look.

Fabrics were available in pinstripes and solid pastels, and suits were generally paired with skinny ties or wide, striped neckties that satisfied the decade's thirst for contrast and drama. Fashion wear for everyday use during the 80s embraced preppy looks with a dynamism twist.

Polo shirts in bright colors were pulled under pastel-hued sweaters loosely tied over the shoulders, and chinos were rolled up at the cuff to expose white leather sneakers or loafers without socks. Brands like Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, and Izod were symbols of status, with their logos prominently emblazoned on chests, hips, and even belt buckles. The "Ivy League" style announced leisure and wealth, while neon accessories such as fanny packs and Ray-Ban Wayfarers provided a flippant splash of color.

Sports and streetwear started creeping into the average wardrobe. Fierce stripe-trimmed track jackets, high-top Reebok and Nike running shoes, and acid-washed denim jeans demonstrated that sports clothing no longer belonged solely to the gym. Baseball caps and headbands, often worn bearing team logos or brand names, sat atop outfits and indicated a growing union of style and functionality. Hip-hop fashion fueled the trend as well, as oversized T-shirts and baggy jeans became ubiquitous on and off the court.

Denim itself was masculine. Acid-wash, stone-wash, and frayed jeans were worn by everyone from punks to rock stars, who wore them with leather jackets, band tops, and spiked belts. Double-denim outfits, jean jacket and coordinating jeans, spoke for themselves, especially when finished off with rolled-up sleeves or turned-over collars. Denim's outlaw attitude spoke to youth culture's desire to be different and rugged.

80s accessories did not hold back. Thick watches and gold chains were the mark of success, while friendship bands, colored rubber bands, and pin badges on lapels reflected one's personality. Oversized, huge belt buckles featuring some engraved as eagles, letters, or even cartoon characters gave a twist to plain clothes. And no 80s look was complete without aviator glasses or mirrored Wayfarers to ooze that cool-and-carefree vibe.

Hairstyles contributed to the fashion theatrics too. Boys attempted mullets, volume curls, and side-swept bangs that required enormous amounts of mousse or gel to put in place. Perms and feathered haircuts provided a soft but fluffy look, the opposite of the stiff lines of padded shoulders and starched coats. Facial hair also shifted from shaving to the neatly trimmed mustache so notoriously worn by action-movie heroes, adding a suggestion of raw masculinity.

Finally, the emergence of designer names and logos made brand loyalty a mainstay of men's fashion during the 80s. Armani, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger soon began to show up on everything from underwear waistbands to jeans seams. Wearing a name was to bear witness to taste and financial ability, the decade's focus on conspicuous consumption as well as the notion that clothing could convey status as visibly as an executive office or a business card.

All these avenues, men's fashion in the 1980s was unique for its excessiveness, oversized silhouettes, bold colors, and a mix-and-match approach that celebrated personal expression. It was an era where dressing was a performance, and every aspect, from shoulder pads to the lenses of sunglasses, was an opportunity to turn heads and get noticed.