Fashion in the nineteen eighties was much different than the fashion in the sixties and seventies. In the eighties there wasn't just one style but a variety of different styles. The nineteen eighties were known for their power dressing, which was when women's clothing moved closer to men's in the world of business. Power dressing included smart suits, exaggerated shoulder lines, shoulder pads, shirts and neckties. The eighties were also known for their "Yuppies". A "Yuppie" was an upwardly mobile professional person, who wore loose fitting wool jackets with square shoulders, printed silk blouses, leather skirts, gloves and chunky silver earrings.
The media had a direct influence on fashion with television, films, art and pop music all playing an important piece. Soap operas were popular and presented an array of different styles, along with the movie "flashdance". This movie showed both young and old people in tank tops, tight-fitting pants or torn jeans and leg-warmers. As for pop stars, Madonna influenced others with her provocative appearance. She wore pearls, crucifixes, lace gloves, bras over her clothes and net skirts. Other pop stars who influenced styles were George Michael with his leather jacket and jeans, Annie Lennox with his suits, Prince with his velvet jacket and silk shirt with a ruffled front, and Boy George. Another important influence portrayed through mass media was the elegant and groomed style of the Princess of Wales. Princess Diana's clothes were copied by women throughout the world. Additional influences of the eighties were the green peace and animal rights movements, along with some Ethnic influences.
Clothing manufacturers began catering more for the younger teenage market in the eighties. Girl's styles tended to follow women's fashion and included smart, as well as casual wear. Furthermore, children's clothes became more colorful, practical, and hard wearing.
