Fashion changes at a rapid pace. When we say the ’80s, everyone thinks of big shoulders and Madonna, but each year of each decade had its own unique sartorial mood. See what was at the top of the style conversation the year you were welcomed into the world. The question remains: Are you more or less likely to embrace the choker if Victoria Beckham was wearing it in the year of your birth?
This article originally appeared on Harper’s BAZAAR US.
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https://www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/gallery/year-born-fashion-trends-90-80/
What Everyone Was Wearing the Year You Were Born
1978
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Fashion Trends
If you weren't wearing a giant collar and fitted vest in 1978, who even were you? Harvey Milk became the first openly gay person elected to public office in California and Fleetwood Mac was at the top of the charts.
2000
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Fashion Trends
Jeans were ultra low and boot cut and skinny crystal belts were everything. Paris Hilton became an ultra famous heiress, What A Girl Wants by Christina Aguilera was on the radio and Titanic broke records at the box office.
1999
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Fashion Trends
Speaking of Spice Girls...The choker was the jewelry of choice for stylish girls the world over as were towering platform sandals. Showing off your bra straps and rocking an apron top was also in favor and Y2K loomed like the apocalypse.
1998
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Fashion Trends
Butterfly clips, chain mail tops and pleather pants added up to a great look in 1998. Makeup had a general silver sheen to it and and the haircut to have was the "Something About Mary" bob.
1997
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Fashion Trends
You couldn't walk a city block without seeing at least a few vibrant track suits. Musicians were the greatest style inspiration, including singer Aaliyah, who favored cropped tops—along with every other girl with good abs. It also wasn't unlikely to see men's underwear bands peeking out of everyone's pants.
1996
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Fashion Trends
Little tiny sunglasses were everywhere, as were striped highlights for men and women. Girls wore their button-downs open at the bottom, Beanie Babies reached fever pitch and the top songs were "Don't Speak" by No Doubt and "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls.
1995
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Fashion Trends
Minimalism was one of the major looks of the decade, with Carolyn Bessette as one of its greatest champions. Calvin Klein ruled, as did black and white and clean lines. Shoes were the simple mule or Doc Martens.
1994
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Fashion Trends
Marc Jacobs was the designer to know, My So Called Life was premiering and plaid flannel was already emerging along with grunge bands. Cindy Crawford was the supermodel of the moment and unnatural red hair was the color to have.
1993
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Fashion Trends
It was a year to look like you were headed directly from school to a rave, from work to a rave, or from the dentist, directly to a rave. Life was a Delia's catalogue with overalls, rainbow everything, patches and floppy hats. It's also the year Coachella began, thanks to Pearl Jam.
1992
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Fashion Trends
The designer to wear was Versace, Versace, Versace. Black and gold form-fitting looks with major sex appeal were everywhere as was the high, slick pony tail. The Bodyguard was the soundtrack to listen to and the movie to see.
1991
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Fashion Trends
"Cheers" and "Designing Women" were on TV and Julia Roberts was the It-girl, wearing oversized blazers, natural makeup and simple gold hoops. Everything was understated and cool and the edgy youth were listening to Nirvana’s Nevermind.
1990
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Fashion Trends
Welcome to the year of layered necklaces and chain belts. Fashion in general was more toned down than in the '80s—with an emphasis on basic white blouses and black trousers rather than over-the-top wide shoulder jackets and crazy colors.
1989
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Fashion Trends
It was all about getting a jacket that could stop traffic, jewelry with gem stones to spare and, if you're really feeling special, gloves as accessory. George H.W. Bush became president, Michael Keaton was Batman and Paula Abdul was Forever Your Girl.
1988
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Fashion Trends
The sleek skirt suit, preferable in a color of the rainbow was in every power woman closet. "Working Girl" was in theaters and it wasn't out of the question to throw on that suit with some slouch socks and sneakers. The glass ceiling was just beginning to show cracks and Wall Street was booming.
1987
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Fashion Trends
For every primary color and fuchsia silk rosette available, there was also a sleek buttoned-up moment in fashion. Brows were bold, cheekbones were high and so were collars. Heavy jewelry was a must and Whitney Houston just wanted to dance with somebody.
1986
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Fashion Trends
It was only one look of Madonna's many looks, but it was a big one. Off the shoulder velvet and a lot of taffeta made appearances at proms all over America. Girls were wearing their boyfriends' leather jackets and it was all about a good pump.
1985
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Fashion Trends
It was all about big hair, the slouch boot and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union and Michael Jordan was named "Rookie of the Year" in the NBA.
1984
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Fashion Trends
Everyone was still feeling the sartorial affects of "Flashdance." Off the shoulder sweaters and stir up leggings hit the masses. Christie Brinkley was the supermodel of the moment and Vanessa Williams became the first black Miss America.
1983
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Fashion Trends
Pick your polka dot, any polka dot. Black, white and red was having a graphic moment, shoulders were still big and a wasp waist was everything. Everyone was naming their daughters Jennifer, Jessica, Amanda or Ashley.
1982
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Fashion Trends
A lace portrait collar and smart velvet with a statement shoulder was just the sort of tasteful look royals and non-royals alike favored. This was a time when the world was falling in love with Princess Di and happily hadn't embraced neon yet.
1981
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Fashion Trends
Consider it the precursor to today's athleisure boom. It was all about a Jane Fonda-style workout with the leotard and leg warmers to match. Heather Locklear pulled it all off with particular aplomb.
1980
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Fashion Trends
It was gold lamé or bust, baby and the question on everyone's lips was “Who Shot J.R.?” It was all glamour and glitz and looking like the richest girl in the room.
1979
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Fashion Trends
It was two more years before nothing could get between Brooke Shields and her Calvins but dark, fitted denim was already everywhere. Everyone was reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and life expectancy for males was 70 years old.
1977
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Fashion Trends
Spain held its first democratic election in 41 years, the Trans Alaskan Oil Pipeline opened and Saturday Night Fever hit the big screen. Ladies wore a little sparkle whereever they could, smart, slouchy turtlenecks and anything that you could do the Hustle in.
1976
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Fashion Trends
The Apple Computer Company formed and Charlie's Angels premiered on TV. Women were wearing shirt dresses, midi skirts and pussy bow blouses. Feathering your hair was an unofficial mandate.
1975
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Fashion Trends
The world saw the end of the Vietnam War and the rise of platform sandals, mini dresses and turtlenecks for layering. There was an ice-skater vibe in fashion and the price of a brand new Mustang was just over $4,000.
1974
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Fashion Trends
It wasn't all suiting and menswear inspired in the 1970s. Off the shoulder-easy breezy dresses were having a moment. All the better in white cotton.
1973
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Fashion Trends
The bell bottom was just the thing for men and women. It was all about showing your curves and making room for a big platform shoe underneath those roomy hems.
1972
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Fashion Trends
A great wide collar was perfect for disco dancing. Bianca Jagger proved that embracing menswear shapes for women, as pioneered by Yves Saint Laurent's Le Smoking was all the rage. Obviously, this idea endures.
1971
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Fashion Trends
Everyone was embracing stripes, good suiting and a solid wide brim hat. Women in ties was optional, but gave a good indication that Women's Lib was alive and well.
1970
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Fashion Trends
It was a year of smart camel coats, Love Story and strong female silhouettes. Take note from a post-White House Jackie Kennedy in this dream jacket and cross-body bag to really pinpoint the vibe.
1969
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Fashion Trends
The Summer of Love was in full swing as was the Vietnam War. Girls like supermodel Twiggy were rocking mini skirts, often with matching or coordinating tops.