1980s America

The 80's - A Decade of Decadence

It's now 30 years after the 1980's and still people everywhere in America look back on these years as some of the best in their life. What is it about the 1980's that makes people look back and still celebrate the culture? Is it the outrageous colours of the clothing or the music, or maybe the tons of icons that came out of the 80's that makes this decade so special? Perhaps the answer is simple... It's all of them.

If you grew up in the 1980's then you know how special this time period was for America. The 80's is when pop culture hit its peak and fashion came to an all time high. Even if you were into the metal scene, the 80's had everything you wanted, from the long haired metal bands to the rock ballads that are still used everywhere. Everything in the 80's was fashion and music.

If you were into the pop scene then you remember the rise of great artists like Michael Jackson, Debby Gibson, Tiffany, and Cyndi Lauper. You remember their style with the tight leggings and poofy skirts over them that made you stand out and look the part of the 80's pop star. Who could forget Madonna? It was the 1980's when she exploded onto the scene with her risque clothing and songs that made the censors go wide eyed. She wowed the crowds with clothing that no woman before would dare to wear before. The critics didn't know what to think about all the crazy colours and make up, but teenagers and young adults everywhere went nuts for this outrageous rebel style that was like nothing seen before.

The metal scene was just as glamorous as the pop scene. Men had long hair and women cut their hair short. hair metal bands everywhere were selling out show after show. Bands like Poison, Cinderella, Rat, Motley Crue, and Whitesnake are only a few among the dozens of hair metal bands that made the crowds go crazy. It was the true age of sex, drugs, and rock n` roll. Spandex was found in abundance, along with tight ripped jeans, and striped everywhere made the fashion of this era stand out like no other. Men even began to wear make up and proclaim themselves as glam rock bands.

Hairstyles was another thing that made the 80's stand out above many other decades. Women wore their bands as high as they could get them. You saw crimped hair everywhere with so much hairspray that the hair barely moved at all. Men had long hair or wore the mullet style, and no one was afraid of glitter. Even women who wore their hair short teased their hair until it was spiked up. It was the age of hairspray to many people, and some swear the reason we have a hole in our o-zone.

No matter which way you look, the 1980's in America was glamorous and full of color. There are still parties all over the country commemorating the awesome decade where anything goes and you were only as cool as your hair was tall. It was the decade where so many things were introduced, timeless fashions came into play, and you could truly express yourself in anyway that you felt you needed to. The 1980's was absolutely a decade of decadence.