From tees to polos, 80s shirts for men were bright and colorful. A shirt was often the focus of an outfit and defined the style of the decade.
Where to Get the Look
There are many shirts that can be bought today that resemble the style of the 1980s. For an authentic shirt straight out of the 80s, check your attic or go to a yard sale. You can also find deals on eBay or at a thrift store. If you would rather shop online for a 80s shirt, check out the following sites:
- 80s Tees features several styles of Miami Vice t-shirts to choose from.
- Rusty Zipper has clothing straight from the 80s. Shop their site for some vintage finds that you can add to your existing wardrobe.
- Monster Vintage has cool shirts from the 1980s that will add a retro feel to your clothing collection.
- Backward Glances has retro t-shirts from the 80s at reasonable prices.
- Sazz Vintage sells vintage clothing from the 80s such as Western shirts, concert tees, sweaters and polos.
- Mables has 80s apparel for men including Izod polos, bomber jackets, t-shirts and more.
Styles of 80s Shirts For Men
The 1980s had a wide range of fashion trends for men. Some men followed the preppy look while others turned to a more Miami Vice style of dress. No matter what look they chose, one thing was for sure, the 1980s brought trends that can still be seen in fashion today.
Some shirt styles of the 1980s were:
- Wearing a casual t-shirt underneath a designer jacket. This look became popular by Don Johnson in the TV show Miami Vice.
- Hawaiian shirts became popular in the 80s and they were often worn alone or under a sport coat. Many were worn to the office without a tie.
- Michael Jackson set many trends in the 80s and shirts were no exception. Anything oversized with slouch shoulders was in style as were leather studded jackets and puffy sleeves.
- Leather bomber jackets were all the rage in the 80s. Seen as a part of daily wear, the leather jacket appeared anywhere from work to a club.
- The preppy look was extremely popular. Men wore button-down oxford style shirts, argyle sweaters, sweater vests and polo shirts with the collar turned up. These looks can still be seen in today's fashion.
- It was also common to see men wear sweaters over their shoulders and tied loosely around the neck. This was considered the ultimate preppy look.
It was rare to find a man in the 1980s who didn't have an extensive t-shirt collection. Since tees were worn alone as well as under jackets, men added several to their wardrobes. Tees could be found in solid neon colors as well as with graphics on them featuring designs such as:
- Concert rock bands
- Brand logos such as Coca-Cola
- Cartoon or movie characters
Popular Shirt Colors
Color made a statement in the 80s. The bolder the better. There was no better way to show off color than to wear a brightly colored shirt. Men chose shirt colors such as:
- Pink
- Lime Green
- Yellow
Logos were also all the rage in the 1980s. Some brands that were sought after included:
- Izod
- Levi
- Gap
- Polo
- Guess
- Benetton
Variety of Styles and Colors
No matter what the trend of the decade was, 80s shirts for men were available in a wide range of styles and colors. Men of all ages and sizes could find something to suit their tastes. Today, there is no better way to show your fashionable side than by incorporating a style from the 80s into your wardrobe.
