Nostalgic ’80s Children Fashion Trends That Never Get Old

The 1980s is one of those decades that seemingly never grows old. Everyone who experienced it loves to look back on this time of teased hair and bright neon styles with fondness. Even those who had never lived in the decade immediately recognized this time for what it was. It was a moment when creativity was in full swing, and pop culture was on fire with classic movies, video stores, and the first arcade games. Another reason people are hung up on the 1980s is because of the iconic fashion trends.

The most iconic fashion trends from the '80s weren't just for adults, though. From chunky heart bracelets to bright neon shoelaces, the 1980s were full of eye-catching and fun fashion for kids. Colorful and significant were the staples of '80s children's fashion, with fun trends like jellies and tracksuits thrown in there as well.

Some of the other fashion trends from the 80s that kids loved to wear include:

• Bold patterns
• Multiple layers
• Scrunchies
• Sneakers and striped socks

Let's look back and explore some of the best '80s children's fashion trends that make us want to travel back in time.

This post was updated in June 2025 to include additional information about the trends that were popular with kids in the 1980s.

Fashion changes all the time. As soon as you get on board with trends, you turn around, and something new pops up.

In the 1920s, dropped-waist dresses and flappers were popular. Fast forward 30 years to the 1950s, when women wore pencil skirts and big hats. Today, athleisure and bomber jackets are all on trend. Although fashion trends come and go, some iconic fashion trends are timeless and we simply can't get enough of them. Since the 1980s, there have been certain trends that keep coming back.

Looking back at the 1980s, we can all agree that the incredibly bright and over-the-top fashion was one thing this decade had going for it. For some reason, many of these trends have staying power and are constantly trying to make a comeback.

Looking back at photos and videos filled with 1980s children's fashion can invoke nostalgia you have never felt before, even if you didn't grow up in this decade. In the 1980s, society loved big, teased hair, mullets, leather jackets, bright colors, and those high-waisted jeans. Kids could be seen running the streets with their jelly shoes, oversized tops, and leg warmers. Picture Stephanie Tanner playing in her backyard with her sisters. That's 1980s nostalgia.

Now we will look back in time at the top '80s children's fashion. These trends take us back to a period of bold trends, punk rock, and disco. But be warned, walking down memory lane may have you rushing to your attic to grab those tights and leg warmers so you can jam out to Madonna radio one more time.

One of the trademark styles that sets the 1980s fashion apart from other decades is the bright neon colors. Neon is the symbol of the 1980s. Kids could be seen donning those bright t-shirts, leg warmers, and accessories. The brighter the pinks, oranges, greens, and blues were, the better.

Shoulder pads are one of the most significant trademarks of the '80s. They symbolized authority for women, especially as they joined the workforce, but it didn't stop there. Children also loved sporting these power symbols.

During this decade, the music icon Michael Jackson began a trend. This trend was the reemergence of the red leather jacket. Initially, the jackets were simultaneous with rebellion in the 1950s, thanks to James Dean and Marlon Brando. However, in the 1980s, children of all ages began wearing these power symbols after Michael Jackson made it popular yet again.

Jelly shoes, remember those? The colorful plastic shoes that rubbed your feet raw? They quickly became popular in the '80s for several reasons. First, they were pretty inexpensive. They could also match other jelly accessories to create a fun and trendy outfit for girls and women. Not to mention, the options felt endless!

Is it even the '80s if tracksuits aren't involved? They were comfortable enough to wear daily and quickly became part of hip-hop culture.

Let's take a trip back to bright colors. To complete any colorful outfit, you, of course, needed the brightly colored neon shoelaces.

Jeans were extremely popular in the '80s. The high waist was one trend. Another popular trend was acid-washed jeans; if they were high-waisted, acid-washed jeans were even better.

Sure, people still wear polo shirts. However, during this decade, you couldn't walk down the hallways of the school without seeing children wearing polo shirts of all kinds. Solid polos and stripped polos were the most popular type of shirt worn. This is mainly because this style was considered dressy casual.

Leg warmers were commonly worn in the 1980s. In fact, bright neon leg warmers over tights, paired with a leotard, probably conjure up images of workout DVDs. But you didn't have to be working out to wear these fun, fashionable items.

Goody still makes fun and cute hair barrettes for kids. However, in the '80s, almost every little girl seemed to wear these. They were a fun and trendy accessory. It helped that there was such a wide range of options; girls could pick and choose a new one every day to match their outfits.

Another fashion trend from the '80s included the oversized tops. These t-shirts and sweatshirts were often worn over leotards or with high-waisted jeans. It would be even better if these oversized shirts were bright neon colors.

Kids loved their bomber jackets, whether inspired by Tom Cruise in Top Gun or Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones. This style was inspired by the military and made its way to becoming a cultural symbol of rebellion.

Bulky, plastic, and neon bracelets were popular among young kids during the 1980s. They made the perfect accessory to go along with the colorful neon outfits worn every day.

Did your parents ever dress you up in a velvet party dress? These dresses were the perfect fancy outfit to wear while celebrating any holiday. Maybe the kids didn't always like them, but at least the parents could get adorable photos.

Jumpers are a fashion trend that is making a comeback in 2025. In the '80s, this fashion choice was popular for many reasons. Jumpers (or sweaters) came in many different styles and colors. They could also be paired easily with dresses and jeans, making them versatile.

Starter Jackets became a status symbol in the late 1980s and especially in the early 1990s. These jackets allowed kids to support their favorite sports teams and were highly sought after. It's important not to confuse Starter Jackets with Members Only jackets, which were a separate popular brand during the 1980s.

Pedal pushers, or capris, were a comfortable style choice that kids and adults loved. This pants style was very versatile and allowed modesty while still being trendy. An interesting fact is that pedal pushers were initially named because of their ability to be worn without the pant leg getting caught in the chains of a bicycle.

The 1980s have plenty of staying power, with trends constantly trying to make a comeback. During this time, pop culture thrived; MTV became popular, and fashion set trends people never wanted to let go of. Those who grew up in the 1980s may fondly look back on this era. Some people love the incredible influence this decade has had on our society. Regardless, these '80s children's fashions are making us nostalgic.