Black 80s Fashion Most Iconic Styles and Looks

Influenced by the clothes black and Afro-American communities wore on the streets, the 1980s became a decade of bright, bold colors and prints.

Reflecting a growing interest in black cultural heritage, African-inspired fabrics, patterns, and colors became popular during the 80s decade.

Black fashion designers Willi Smith and Patrick Kelly became famous in the 80s for their ability to capture and convert this unique energy into culturally-infused, playful clothing.

Black and Afro-American music, sports, and movie celebrities played an equally important role in shaping the trends of the time, both in the United States and worldwide.

Quickly embraced by other communities, bright-colored clothing in bold patterns became a hallmark of 80s fashion.

Most Popular Black Fashion Styles of the 80s

This section will explore the seven iconic black 80s fashion trends that continue to make the 80s such an unforgettable decade of taste and style.

1. Hip-Hop Style

The 1980s saw the emergence of several popular clothing trends influenced by black culture, pioneered by black designers, and popularized by black celebrities and musicians.

One such trend was the rise of the 80s hip-hop fashion style for men, inspired by the decade’s celebs.

Comprising baggy pants, oversized t-shirts, tracksuits, sneakers, and large gold chains (hoop earrings), the look was widespread in the 80s by hip-hop icons like LL Cool J, Run DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, MC Hammer, and Rapper Kid.

Black designer brands like FUBU, Karl Kani, and Sean Combs were at the forefront of the 80s hip-hop clothing trend.

Cross Colours, a brand founded by Carl Jones and T.J. Walker and designed for African American and Hispanic youth, played a significant role in the rise of hip-hop fashion.

With slogans like “Educate 2 Elevate” and “Stop D Violence” appearing on their clothing, Cross Colours was one of the first streetwear brands to incorporate socially conscious messages into its designs.