Television has proved to be a wonderful way of chronicling fashion through the ages, particularly style has changed at break-neck speed during the television age. Music shows in particular have been superb at recording youth fashions. As it’s nearly always the young who adapt to new styles (the oldies usually need to give it a decade before taking the plunge), you get to see the pristine, unadulterated looks as though they have been preserved in amber.

A particularly interesting time was the 1980s. Archived editions of Top of the Pops from this era show that subtle shift from the loose-fitting seventies influence at the start of the decade to the slightly more tailored, almost office-like, styles that crept in as things started to get a bit yuppier. It could be argued that even though style has ebbed and flowed ever since, something of that late-80s philosophy has stayed with us. It’s when we started to think more about food, for example, and when the seeds of our grooming, art, comedy and music habits were sown.

In fact, whether it’s just because there is still something of an eighties revival going on, or simply because of this altered outlook on the things we consume, clothing from the 1980s (and I mean vintage clothing, actually from that decade) can still cut it. This is no truer than in our evening and party wear. The cuts of the 1980s were flattering and subtly glamorous enough to look fantastic without looking like you’re trying too hard. Yes, you can expect sequins and sparkles and some rather outlandish printed designs, but the hourglass silhouette never lets these details overburden the eye. Whether it’s a sleeveless top, a blouse or a full evening gown, the look remains feminine, appropriately flaunty and, most importantly, fun.

If you do think Molly Ringwald was indeed pretty in pink (and a generation of boys grew up insisting that she was), then you’ll have put your finger on the attraction of this era’s evening wear. Being glamorous, especially when your nine to five was absolutely not (which was true for much of the working class in the 1980s) was not something to be embarrassed or sniffy about; it was something to be celebrated. Spending the night listening and dancing to music about making money and living the high life might be mocked as pointless escapism, but only by those who have no desire to escape. And let’s not forget that behind the glamorous exterior of 1980s culture was a darkness and a sarcasm that was lost on all but the most astute observers of the time.

There’s something else that’s probably worth noting, too … you can read far too much into a nice sparkly top! You don’t have to be evoking or reliving anything to choose a supreme example of 1980s evening chic for your night out. You just have to be a person who appreciates that style and enjoyment are pretty much timeless. It’s only bad taste that truly attaches itself inseparably to an era

Pam advises dressing the part with a 1980s party top to get the best out of any vintage or retro party. Pam has some great tips for picking vintage clothing to suit any occasion.

Pam advises dressing the part with a 1980s party top to get the best out of any vintage or retro party from the era of pop. Pam has some great tips for picking vintage clothing at outlets such as http://www.rokit.co.uk/ to help you look great any vintage celebration.

Author Bio: Pam advises dressing the part with a 1980s party top to get the best out of any vintage or retro party. Pam has some great tips for picking vintage clothing to suit any occasion.

Category: Culture
Keywords: