1980s Fashion Trends - Designers Scrapbook

We've put together the ultimate resource guide to recreating the quintessential fashion favorites of the 1980s for your 18-inch doll such as American Girl®. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our other style guides such as our 1970s Fashions Style Guide.

Giveaway Alert: Scroll to the bottom of the page to enter our $50 Pixie Faire Gift card giveaway!

We all know trends come in cycles, and we'll likely see the puffed sleeves, scrunchies, and "fold-over jeans" of the 80s come back in style once again very soon! But with the newest release of the 1986 Historical character, Courtney Moore™ from American Girl® that trend has laready hit the doll clothes fashion world! 

What better way to reflect on this fashion era than through the eyes and memories of Pixie Faire designers! I think many of us are still in shock that this is considered a historical time period - thanks American Girl! But seriously, here's a fun look at eighties fashions in all their glory!

Key features that are so fun to play around with in design are:

  • Bold Bright Colors
  • Pleated Jeans, With High Waists, Fold-over Waistbands, and Contrasting Colors
  • Acid Washed Denim, Spandex, and Leg Warmers
  • Bold Prints and Wide Stripes
  • Ruffled Accents, Big and Small 
  • Large Collars and even Larger Puffy Sleeves
  • Fun Accessories Like Suspenders, Big Sunglasses, and Roller Skates

Find the entire collection of 1980s Patterns For 18-inch Dolls on Pixie Faire. 

Go deeper and create the ultimate 1980s wardrobe for your doll by joining the fun in Sewing With Cinnamon! This month's topic includes member-exclusive pattern hack videos and tutorials to build on this theme. Check it out HERE.

The 1980s Trend - Big Puffy Sleeves

 

One prominent design element that was hard to miss was large puffed sleeves, followed closely by bubble skirts too! We saw this style worn by young and old, on dresses and tops, made in satin and calico - the possibilities were endless! Featured above you can see them modeled by Pixie Faire Designers: Donna Kinley (DKinley Designs), Rebecca Bocock (Crafty Lil' Turkey), Shari Fuller (Thimbles and Acorns), and sisters Cinnamon & Terah (Liberty Jane and Lilie Stone).

Recreate this look with these great 18 inch doll clothes patterns:

Awesome 80s Party Dress 18 Inch Doll Clothes Pattern Eden Ava 80s Puffed Sleeve Joy Top 18 Inch Doll Clothes Pattern Pixie Faire 

 

1980s Dresses - Did Someone Say Gunne Sax?

If you weren't into the "rocker" scene, then prairie style dresses were all the rage! This softer side of the eighties was made iconic with the brand "Gunne Sax" which had long been in business but in the 80s the label's prairie, Victorian, and Edwardian-styled designs became so popular and featured prominent elements such as lace, gingham, and calico. Pictured above modeling this lovely fashion style: Cinnamon (LJC), Donna (DKinley Designs), Peggy's Daughter (Frog PRincess Fashions), and Margie (LMM).

Recreate this look with these great 18 inch doll clothes patterns:

   

 

1980s Big Bold Stripes

Wide stripes, big stripes, brightly hued stripes - pretty much any stripe will do! Get creative and use your striped fabic to recreate a variety of vibrant 80s looks! PS. Don't you think Shari (Thiumbles and Acorns) and Margie (Little Miss Muffett) represent this style perfectly?
Recreate this look with these great 18 inch doll clothes patterns:
  

 

80s Trend - Collar Details and Plaid Fabrics!

Plaid fabrics and ruffled trims were all the rage in the 80s too! This look can be found in a variety of styles, from the classic button-up shirt, to an elegant wedding dress (shirtdress style). These designers look pretty fabulous here too! Donna (DKinley Designs), Peggy (Frog Princess Fashions), Cinnamon, and Margie (Little Miss Muffett)

Create this look withthese patterns for 18-inch dolls, add a ruffle to the cuffs, collars, necklines, to bring them the 80s flair!

  

 

80s Awesome Accessories

These shoes and accessories are the perfect way to add a hint of the 1980s to an outfit, or to go the extra mile and create an authentic look. We don't have a sunglasses pattern on Pixie Faire, but these designers sure did represent this style well, don't you agree? Elizabeth (Ladybug Doll Quilts), Peggy (Frog Princess Fashions) , and Cinnamon (Liberty Jane).

Add 80s flair with these great 18 inch doll accessory patterns:

  

 

1980s Bright Colors and Fun Styles

Bold bright colors are what stood out most in the 80s! Neon took center stage, followed closely by hot pink, turquoise, purple, and yellow. It's all about creating a contrast or highlighing the unique geometric shapes and designs through color! These cute shots capture the colors and styles perfectly, pictured are: Cinnamon (LJC), Rebecca Bocock (Craftyl Lil' Tiukey), and Terah Lites (Lilie Stone).

Recreate these looks and others that capture this idea with these 18 inch doll clothes patterns:

  

 There's so much more that we didn't cover here! Be sure to check out our full 1980s Fashions Collection to exlore all the great deigns available to recreate the ultimate 80s wardrobe for your 18-inch dolls!

ENTER TO WIN A $50 Pixie Faire Gift Card!

To enter this week's contest, simply click the link below and then enter through the giveaway widget at the bottom of the blog post, there are many things you can do to earn multiple entry points!

Contest Details: You enter through the entry form that is embedded on this page and appears just below this paragraph, if you don't see it, be sure to visit the page from your desktop or an alternate browser such as Google Chrome. It may not appear on all mobile devices. The complete rules and entry details appear on the entry form. This is not a comment contest - in other words, leaving a comment on the bottom of this page is not an official entry method. The only required entry method is to leave a comment under this post and then confirm that you did it in the contest widget. One person will receive the digital gift card from Pixie Faire. You can enter once, or gain multiple entries by completing the other entry methods and increase your chances of winning. Please review all Terms and Conditions on the giveaway page before entering. While we wish we could run this contest everywhere, for legal reasons it is only open to eligible residents of the U.S. and Canada, not including Rhode Island. This contest is exclusively endorsed by Liberty Jane Clothing and Pixie Faire. Not endorsed by or affiliated with American Girl®. 

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We'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us - which '80s trend represented above is your favorite! Commenting below and confirming your entry in the widget above gives you one entry method, the other methods are listed in the widget above, be sure to enter in as many ways as you can to receive the maximum amount of entries to win one Julie™ Doll!

Thanks, everyone!

The Pixie Faire Team

 


100 Comments

Shelly Hammond
Shelly Hammond

October 19, 2020

I think the puffy sleeves.

Ingrid
Ingrid

October 19, 2020

Had a lot of the 80’s styles. A lot of my clothes were sewn by my mom (now passed). Yes, the shoulder pads, the jumpsuits (I still have at least one pattern left). My current boyfriend remembers me in hand sewn dresses. I was in school from the 5th grade (1981) to graduation 1989 (12th grade).

Kathleen
Kathleen

October 19, 2020

I was having my babies in the 80s! I loved to dress my girls in pinafores and ruffles! And the girls could really rock a “side ponytail”!

Judy McP
Judy McP

October 19, 2020

Shoulder pads, puffy sleeves, and pleated waist pants scream ’80’s to me.

Janice Bradley
Janice Bradley

October 19, 2020

I loved the high waisted, pleated jean, Princess Diana hairstyle and of course my wedding dress had the puffy sleeves!

Francoise
Francoise

October 19, 2020

I love oversized sweaters with leggings, the mini skirts and the bright colors of these period.
I also like lace.

Dorothy
Dorothy

October 18, 2020

I really like the drop waist dress, but my absolute favorite has to be the roller skates !!! Oh the memories they bring back !!!

Sam
Sam

October 17, 2020

I would say the lace, gingham and calico are my favorite

Brooklynn
Brooklynn

October 16, 2020

Hair was such a major part, so of course the hair. I also loved the neon colors, the lace, and scrunchies!!

Beth C
Beth C

October 16, 2020

Bright colors and bold style!

Connie M
Connie M

October 16, 2020

I loved the ruffles and lace look.

Jem
Jem

October 16, 2020

The sweatsuit!

Annlee
Annlee

October 15, 2020

The Puffy sleeves and the curly hair.

Deb H
Deb H

October 15, 2020

I like the lace trend of the 80’s.

Irene
Irene

October 15, 2020

I still like the puffed sleeves!

Suzanne
Suzanne

October 15, 2020

I love oversized sweaters with leggings and mini skirt!

Charissa
Charissa

October 15, 2020

Really like the 80s party dress

Bobbi
Bobbi

October 15, 2020

My favorite trend of the 80’s was the big shoulder pads. Their width minimized the width of my hipsl

Theresa
Theresa

October 15, 2020

I really can’t decide but I like the lacy wedding dresses alot. Thank you Pixie Faire!

Susan
Susan

October 15, 2020

My kids were born in 1984 and 1987. They were a big part of our lives and still are. I don’t remember much.

Rachel Schumacher
Rachel Schumacher

October 15, 2020

I loved the ultra-feminine look of Gunne Sax dresses! My sister and I had them in pink.

Carol
Carol

October 15, 2020

Thank you for sharing the cute photos of you all! I have Jumpsuit Jammin’ memories!

S.C.
S.C.

October 15, 2020

Lace, puffy sleeves, and piad are my favorite ‘80 styles!

Darby Darby
Darby Darby

October 15, 2020

I liked the leg warmers.

Carol
Carol

October 15, 2020

I loved making dresses for my daughters with puffy sleeves and lace.

Mara
Mara

October 15, 2020

I loved the big hair styles, neon colours & ruffley lacy wedding dresses with, of course, puffy sleeves!

Barb
Barb

October 15, 2020

The things I liked about the 80’s was the long hair, puffy sleeves, and lace. Thanks for all you do.

Karen L
Karen L

October 15, 2020

It wasn’t mentioned, but if you look at many of the shorter hairstyles, you will see the influence of Princess Diana. I had that hair style, too!

Christie
Christie

October 15, 2020

I can’t choose just one! Gunne Sax is my favourite of course but I also loved side ponytails, stirrup pants, neon layers, yellow eyeshadow, rainbows (I had a sweatshirt almost just like that rainbow sweatshirt in the photo!), lace fingerless gloves…I could keep going on and on. I HATED shoulderpads though.

Marylin
Marylin

October 15, 2020

Bright colors

CarolB
CarolB

October 15, 2020

Big hair, big sunglasses, fold-over waistband and caboodles!

Sparkle
Sparkle

October 15, 2020

Love the wild and wacky sweatsuits. The bright colors, fold over waist bands and ruffles..are all so cool. Thanks for all the fun options.

Sandy
Sandy

October 15, 2020

Loved the flared princess dress featuring buttons down the front and large puffed sleeves. I’ve never been able to give that dress away. The Eden Ava 80s Party dress is a close match. Another fashion was the classy pantsuit (very different from the polyester pantsuit of the Beatles 60s-70s).

Rhonda
Rhonda

October 15, 2020

I used to have a pair of fold over waistband shorts, I love those!!

Barbara H Peart
Barbara H Peart

October 15, 2020

Big puffy sleeves, slouch socks, baggy pants and puffy hair.

Karen
Karen

October 15, 2020

My favorite 80’s trend was lace and ruffles. I’d been thru a bad marriage and wanted to look feminine and pretty. Oh, and very long hair.

Sandra Stuckless
Sandra Stuckless

October 15, 2020

I loved the lace and calico! I’ll admit to still being partial to small floral prints.

Pamela
Pamela

October 15, 2020

I loved the big puffy sleeves! My 1982 wedding dress from Maury Hamburger had a slim silhouette (although the skirt was gathered) with a beautiful lace all over and big long puffy sleeves. It was strapless like many of today’s gowns, but a lace overlay made it high-necked with the long sleeves. So beautiful!

candy
candy

October 15, 2020

It was all about the hair.

Cath
Cath

October 15, 2020

Bright colors and bold designs were cool, but my favorite fabric is jeans material and I loved the acid washes and distressed looks. Thanks for the opportunity. Happy stitching!

Kimberly
Kimberly

October 15, 2020

Looking back, I think the ruffle details, puffed sleeves, and pleated skirts are my favorite trends from the 1980s.

Barb
Barb

October 15, 2020

Lace, gingham and big collars

Pat Stone
Pat Stone

October 15, 2020

I love the puffed sleeves.

Julie
Julie

October 15, 2020

Rara skirts!!!

Alecia
Alecia

October 15, 2020

I have to say puffy sleeves and neon colors!

debra
debra

October 15, 2020

I remember the 80s well. In hindsight, the fashions are scary, but at that time we all thought we looked awesome! My favorite had to be BIG HAIR! I can remember teasing and spraying for a LONG time to get my hair as big as possible! lol

Margaretta
Margaretta

October 15, 2020

Definitely lace, gingham & calico.

Laurie
Laurie

October 15, 2020

These are awesome! I was in school in the 70’s and 80’s and these are exactly what we had! The big hair too.
The bigger the better!!
Big puffy sleeves! We had to make big puffy sleeved prairie shirts in home economics! Thank you for these wonderful patterns!!

pat p
pat p

October 15, 2020

Oversized shirts, big sleeves, and jeans. For work it was suits with the big shoulder pads.

Rebecca
Rebecca

October 15, 2020

I LOVE the gunny sax! So definite l feminine and pretty.

Candice Lacy
Candice Lacy

October 15, 2020

My favorite 80’s fashion-and activity-is roller skates!!! Especially when wearing bright colors, acid wash denim, and big hair…

Rebecca
Rebecca

October 15, 2020

I remember those days! I’m sure I could come up with plenty of pictures as well. I didn’t go with the bright colors…more of the softer side.

Stephanie
Stephanie

October 15, 2020

Big hair and bright colors!

Connie
Connie

October 15, 2020

Loved the Gunne Sax look with boots.

Jacque
Jacque

October 15, 2020

I love the bell bottoms, big hair, calico, prairie, big stripes. I guess all of it. So fun.

Jacque
Jacque

October 15, 2020

I love the bell bottoms, big hair, calico, prairie, big stripes. I guess all of it. So fun.

Heidi Brown
Heidi Brown

October 15, 2020

That hair and those sleeves!

Sophie T
Sophie T

October 15, 2020

I had a soft spot for ruffled collars! And also oversized tops (t-shirts or sweatshirts or sweaters or shirts). Loved the belt worn over the oversized tops!

Mary Ann
Mary Ann

October 15, 2020

I liked the lace, gingham and calico and also bright colors and accessories

Sophie T
Sophie T

October 15, 2020

I had a soft spot for ruffled collars! And also oversized tops (t-shirts or sweatshirts or sweaters or shirts). Loved the belt worn over the oversized tops!

Christine
Christine

October 15, 2020

Bright colors and rainbows.

Cathy
Cathy

October 15, 2020

Accessories, especially the roller skates. Owing a roller rink back then and our girls were little everything was about roller skates and skating. All dolls had roller skates .

KAREN TANNER
KAREN TANNER

October 15, 2020

Oh it is such fun looking back at the fashions Princess Diana’s influenced my choice of going away outfit after my wedding.

Cindy
Cindy

October 15, 2020

Of course Gunne Sax! I got married in 1981 (still married to the same great guy!) and my wedding dress was VERY PRAIRIE! Still love, love, love this fashion trend!

Jill
Jill

October 15, 2020

Loved banana clips! Big hair!!

elaine rhawn
elaine rhawn

October 15, 2020

I remember loving the big puffy sleeves ans my daughter loved leg warmers

Jayne Whittles
Jayne Whittles

October 15, 2020

Big, curly hair! I love it!

Lynette
Lynette

October 15, 2020

Leg warmers are my favorite 80’s trend.

Marian Peoples
Marian Peoples

October 15, 2020

As an adult with young children in the 80s, I loved all the accessories, earrings and bracelets for me, big sweaters, etc. I’ve always loved the plaids and stripe of that era, just because they present a bit of challenge to get them just right. For my 80s children I loved the Gunne Sax look for my daughter (Mother daughter dropwaist with lace…) My boys had the washed jeans, polo look even as kids. But I was a high school Home Ec teacher and took one girl to FHA Convention with at least 5 cans of hairspray, seriously!

Brisja
Brisja

October 15, 2020

I graduated high school in 1987. It’s hard to believe that was so long ago, and then again, it almost feels like it never happened! The 80s were a fun fashion time to grow up in. I loved my leg warmers and sunglasses. Headbands and purses with changeable covers were also a big hit. But I have to say, one of the most fun fashion trends were the satin jackets and colored jeans that had blingy embellished backs and back pockets. It was neat to see what designs everyone could find. It was certainly a creative and colorful fashion era!

Debbie
Debbie

October 15, 2020

I loved the feminine style of the puffy sleeves, lace Gunny Sax styles. And of course the bright colors and the plaid!

Janice Campbell
Janice Campbell

October 15, 2020

I live in the UK I got married in 1980 and my daughters were born in 1982, 1985 and 1986. The 80s were a very important part of my life and of course it was very much about the newly married Princess Diana too in the UK and her puff sleeves and ruffles, I loved her style and it was the way I dressed too. I remember making puff ball dresses and skirts for my daughters when they were little. My Courtney has arrived from the US this week and I’m eagerly awaiting her delivery now. One of my Ruby wedding anniversary gifts from my husband. I can’t wait to start working on the 80s patterns for her. I just love the puff sleeves, ruffles and puff ball dresses and skirts.

linda
linda

October 15, 2020

loved the puffy sleeves

Gail Beam
Gail Beam

October 14, 2020

Bell bottoms, lace and calico dresses

kathleen
kathleen

October 14, 2020

Wow ! Memory"s right? I loved the Puffy hair, bright colors ,and the workout clothes! The little girls dresses were so beautiful!

Joanne
Joanne

October 14, 2020

Gingham and puffy sleeves, large collar. I had several shirts that I’d made of the same pattern. They were my favorites!

Betty
Betty

October 14, 2020

I loved the Stirrpu pants and big sweaters

Joann
Joann

October 14, 2020

Loved the big puffy sleeves and the bright colors. Little girls dresses were so adorable.

Margaret
Margaret

October 14, 2020

Loved it all.Bring back the 80’s fashion,that’s what I say.Especially the leotards and leggings for the aerobics workouts..

Carol
Carol

October 14, 2020

I adored the Gunne Sax dresses. I had several of them. And they all had big puffy sleeves!

Bella
Bella

October 14, 2020

I loved the colors in the 80s.

Julia
Julia

October 14, 2020

I missed the 80’s styles… I was too big and too tall with baby fine straight hair so I was a fashion outlier.

Monya
Monya

October 14, 2020

It’s between the puffy sleeves and Gunne Sax!

Deborah Fields
Deborah Fields

October 14, 2020

I liked the puffy sleeves and ruffles.

Mae Lynn Beck
Mae Lynn Beck

October 14, 2020

I like the collars and plaid.

Melinda Cieslinski
Melinda Cieslinski

October 14, 2020

Oh I have to lump it into one big category – ACCESSORIES – that would include shoulder pads, vests, high waist fold down jeans, big hair, – - it’s simply too difficult to simply name one thing!!!

OKSANA
OKSANA

October 14, 2020

Interesting years!

Beth Reiman
Beth Reiman

October 14, 2020

Gunnesax!

Missy
Missy

October 14, 2020

Bright colors

Daniele
Daniele

October 14, 2020

The 1980s Trend – Big Puffy Sleeves
Was always a favorite of mine.

Daniele
Daniele

October 14, 2020

I am teaching my daughter how to sew using a sewing machine so she can sew her own doll clothes and she just loves you site. Thank you

Heidi
Heidi

October 14, 2020

Puffy sleeves and Gunnesax.

Sherril
Sherril

October 14, 2020

Plaid is an 80’s trend that I like.

kathy m
kathy m

October 14, 2020

the 80"s fashion what I like big shirts and the overalls and the long shirt no dress and jeans too

SHELLY
SHELLY

October 14, 2020

I liked big hair, shoulder pads, and knickers and bibs!

Nancy G
Nancy G

October 14, 2020

I loved the big hair, shoulder pads, tube tops and bike shorts!

Tiffanie
Tiffanie

October 14, 2020

I love it all! But the skates bring back the most memories!

Lisa
Lisa

October 14, 2020

High waisted jeans!

Julie
Julie

October 14, 2020

I loved all the bold, bright colors! Those rainbow shirts were so cool…I had one and I loved it then. Wish I still had it (but of course, it wouldn’t fit me now!)

Bonny
Bonny

October 14, 2020

I loved the Gunne Sax styles, the big puffy sleeves and the turned down waistbands.

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