80s Outfits for Women: 13 Looks to Copy in Canada

80s outfits for women are back on Canadian Pinterest feeds, and the look is easier to wear than you might think. Pinterest’s editors list “Glamoratti”, a loud, glossy, high-shine style, among the trends they are tracking in Canada this week, and the 1980s are where most of that glamour comes from. This guide gives you 13 80s outfits for women, from sequins and shoulder pads to scrunchies and neon, with ideas for making each one work in a Canadian November.

The trick with any 80s outfit is to pick one loud piece and keep everything else simple. A leopard coat over a plain black dress reads as retro without looking like a costume. The same goes for a bright jacket over jeans. Most of these looks also layer well, so they work for a house party, a winter wedding or a night out in a cold city.

80s outfits for women: 13 looks to try

1. Sequin dress for a party. The easiest way into 80s glamour is a sparkly dress. Pick a long-sleeved sequin or sheer glitter dress, add dark sunglasses and strappy heels, and let the dress do the work. In a Canadian winter, wear it under a long coat and carry the heels in a bag until you are inside.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: sequin dresses, strappy heels and long coats.

2. Oversized blazer with strong shoulders. Shoulder pads defined 80s office wear. A boxy black blazer worn loose over a simple dress or tee gives you the same wide silhouette. Push the sleeves up, add a bold red lip and keep the rest plain. It is also one of the warmest 80s outfits for women, because you can layer a sweater underneath.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: oversized blazers, shoulder pads and red lipstick.

3. Oversized leather jacket. A slouchy black leather jacket with big sleeves and a wide collar fits the 80s rocker mood. Wear it open over a tee and jeans. In Canada this is a fall and early-winter piece, so add a scarf and gloves when the temperature drops below zero.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: oversized leather jackets and wool scarves.

4. Leopard print dress. Animal print was everywhere in the 80s. A fitted leopard slip dress with heels is the simplest version. Keep jewellery gold and chunky, and cover up with a black coat on the way out.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: leopard print dresses and gold hoop earrings.

5. Leopard coat over black. If a full print dress feels like too much, wear the print on top only. A leopard coat over a black dress, with cat-eye sunglasses and boots, is a very 80s look that also works in snow. It is the best choice here for people who want a statement piece they can wear again.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: leopard print coats, cat-eye sunglasses and ankle boots.

6. Denim jacket and sunglasses. A blue denim jacket is the most wearable 80s outfit for women on this list. Add tinted sunglasses and a bright top underneath. It also looks good under neon light, and in cold weather it layers well under a parka.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: denim jackets and tinted sunglasses.

7. Retro track jacket. Colour-blocked track jackets and windbreakers came from 80s sportswear. A faded pastel or teal jacket worn with tinted shades looks relaxed and playful. Choose one with a zip collar and wear a hoodie under it for winter.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: retro track jackets and hoodies.

8. Bold striped pants and a fur jacket. Colour was a big part of the decade. Rainbow-striped trousers with a plain cream jacket and oversized sunglasses show how to wear several colours at once. The cream layer keeps the outfit from looking busy.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: striped pants, faux fur jackets and oversized sunglasses.

9. Fishnets and slouch socks. Slouchy white socks over fishnet tights, with a short white dress, is a playful take on the 80s dance-class look. Wear it with sneakers or boots. For Canadian weather, put warm leg warmers or thick socks on top and swap the dress for a skirt over thermal tights.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: fishnet tights, slouch socks and leg warmers.

10. Printed shirt, jeans and white sneakers. A loud abstract-print shirt with relaxed jeans and white sneakers is the casual version of 80s fashion. It works for a daytime outing, and a puffer vest over the top keeps it practical in the cold.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: retro print shirts, high-waisted jeans and white sneakers.

11. Scrunchies in your hair or on your wrist. Nothing says 80s like a scrunchie. Wear one on a high ponytail, or stack a few on your wrist. Satin and velvet versions look dressier, while cotton ones suit a casual outfit. They also pull double duty when you take your hat off in a warm shop.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: scrunchies and satin scrunchies.

12. Round sunglasses and neon makeup. Small round tinted glasses and bright pink or blue eyeshadow give a plain outfit an 80s feel. Pair them with a black top and you have a full look. A pink lip and a high ponytail finish it.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: round tinted sunglasses, neon eyeshadow and pink lipstick.

13. Fitted leather biker jacket and a high ponytail. For a sharper, rock-star version, choose a fitted black leather biker jacket, black pants, sunglasses and a high ponytail. It is the best match for cold days, because the jacket sits close to the body and you can add a thin sweater underneath.
Shop the look on Amazon.ca: leather biker jackets and black skinny jeans.

How to wear 80s outfits for women in Canada. Start with the weather. From November to March most of these looks need a warm outer layer, so choose a long coat or parka that does not fight the outfit, such as black wool or cream faux fur. Thermal tights go under skirts and dresses, and waterproof boots matter more than heels on wet or icy sidewalks. Keep the loud pieces on top, where your coat will not hide them.

Next, pick one statement item and build around it. A sequin dress, a leopard coat or a bright jacket is enough. If you want more, add scrunchies, sunglasses or a bold lip. Thrift and vintage shops in most Canadian cities are a good place to find real 80s jackets and blazers at lower prices, and Amazon.ca links are above for the rest.

You can browse our picks in the Canada News Media storefront on Amazon.ca. Canada News Media earns a commission on qualifying purchases. All photos on this page are licensed from Unsplash and credited to the photographers, and each caption describes what the photo shows.