After the flambuyonces of glam, the leather jackets of Punk plus the terror of flares and white crinoline suits at the Disco no one was really sure what the 1980’s were going to bring. The decade before had seen strikes and industrial disruption plus issues with the British economy. Mens fashions were floundering around trying to find direction. At least men could rely on the solid staple of a decent set of Farah Shirts like those from https://www.ejmenswear.com/men/farah.
The answer seemed to come, originally, from the new romantics. They favoured the baggy and the bright, such as Spandau Ballet below. They faced a losing battle against the marketing onslaught of stonewashed Denim. With a series of clever retro adverts Levi’s put jeans back on the map and even managed to capture women with the look as well. Jacket’s, trousers became a sort of uniform.
Not to say that we didn’t get something new. Rap and Hip Hop artists like Run DMC and Public Enemy were thrusting the sportswear look and baggy style into vogue. The word shell suits were uttered for the first time. One of the biggest influences was Miami Vice, suddenly breasted suits could be light, airy and very colourful.