What We Were Wearing - Fall 1981

Here are the high fashion trends that were popular 30 years ago this month.  This is what we wore in 1981.

Jun Ashida

Business suits with big shoulders in menswear inspired fabrics.  Pinstripes, herringbones, houndstooth plaids, and subtle tweeds.  Colors ran the gamut from professional dark tones like these browns to brights like hot pink, acid yellow, and teal green.

Guy Laroche

The ubiquitous "secretary" dress with blouson bodice and pleated skirt.  These were everywhere.  They usually had shoulder pads and many had ruffles or pussy bows.  These are often misidentified as 70s these days.

Pierre Cardin Diffusion

Dirndl skirts with gathers and high waists.  Big, big sweaters.

Lanvin

Lots of volume.  Oversized garments layered one on top of the other.

Umberto Ginocchietti

Pants cut high at the waist with pleats at the front.  They were full at the hip and narrow at the cuff, and we now know they were unflattering on most women.  Silk blouses with big shoulder pads.  Colorblocking was popular with mixes of bright colors.

Yves St. Laurent

Short cocktail dresses with poufy skirts and lots of ruching.  Most were made of satin or taffeta.  If you weren't wearing black, you were wearing hot pink, teal green or purple.

Carven

Romantic inspirations with lots of lace, ruffles, bows, gathers, fullness, puffed sleeves and poufs.