The Eighties Online

The '80s was a decade of significant political and cultural change. These events have an impact on our lives today and will into the future in so many ways.

There were also, admittedly, trivial or relatively unimportant events that took place in the 1980's. Here are some of the events that ranged from the deadly serious to the ridiculous.

So whether you loved the 1980s or hated it, there's something here for everyone who lived during this decade to bring back those nostalgic memories.

1980

• The $40 million "Heaven's Gate" took a dive after it's Thanksgiving premier.
• Despite a recession, auction prices started to soar. Lighting the way: A Tiffany Lamp sold for $360,000.
• Tampons caused toxic shock syndrome, resulting in 42 deaths.
• In Mexico city, Yin-Yin delivered the first giant panda born outside China, but smothered the cub shortly thereafter.
• "Friday the 13th" was a big enough grosser to scare up seven sequels by the end of the decade.
• Rubik's Cube, the product of a Hungarian inventor, tormented puzzlers trying to find the correct variation out of 43.2 quintillion possibilities.
• Dialects were Meryl Streep's signature. Her New York whine in "Kramer vs. Kramer" won her an Oscar.

The 80s movies and music define the fashions of the 80s about as good as anything.   Of course not everyone dressed as uniquely as Jon Crier's Duckie  character from "Pretty in Pink" or  Madonna in "Desperately Seeking Susan.  But many were extremely fashion conscious in the 1980s.

Pastel colors were seen on occasion. Most of the time preppy's or yuppies were seen in pastel colors.  The Izod and Polo shirts with the upturned collar or a pastel colored sweater tied over the shoulders. Black was worn mainly in mod, goth and punk circles.

The 80s hair and 80s makeup styles manifested in bright colored clothing and outrageous, big hair. Punk and new wave 80s makeup was at the extreme end, being load and colorful.

In the end, there were so many different 80s fashion styles and colors that the 80s can't be defined by any one fashion trend. The list of eighties fashions and accessories that follows is by no means complete. Please comment with any 80s fashion items that may have been left off.

These lists of what people wore in the 80s will be a big help to you if you are planning an 80s party and need an 80s outfit to wear. 80s parties are very trendy these days. And a big crowd pleaser.

The movies of the 1980s decade were very often a way to "lighten up" at the movies. An 80s movie will have great 80s music and a happy ending. John Hughes movies, for example always leave you feeling good at the end.

Many of the most loved movies of the 80s such as Ground Hog Day or National Lampoon's Vacation are just awesome movies to watch if you're having an off day.

There were many classic dramas in the 80s like Scarface or The Godfather Part, no doubt. But many of the most memorable are eighties films like Back to the Future and Peggy Sue Got Married were light and happy affairs.

The 1980s decade was a colorful time and it showed in the movies, with sometimes outlandish outfits and 80s character costumes stealing the scene. The movies and television shows of the 1980s are loaded with examples of eighties fashions.

Recommended Eighties Movies and Films

1. Sixteen Candles

2. The Breakfast Club

3. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) Total gross in the United States was approximately $70 million. It subsequently became the 10th highest grossing film of 1986. Compared to the lean budget of $6 million, it was viewed as a big success.