The Decade of Excess - Essay Example

Essay, English 6th November Why and how did the Styles of Pop Stars such as Michael Jackson and Madonna Influence Clothing in the 1980s? The 1980s was an era known as the decade of excess. Greenberg et al point out that it “was a decade characterized by consumerist values that reflected the Reagan era nostalgia for the past and the tastes of the young and the trendy from fashion and films to music and morality” (175). Everything had to be big, especially fashion. Fashion in the 1980s was expensive and included accessories. The fashion was bold and clear and fashion appearances were bright and bold. The 1980s was an era of status seekers. Everyone wanted to have a particular status and it was acceptable to show off one’s status. It was a time of revolution against the normal. This was shown through the cultural response of the classy style, and this fashion has achieved to bring up the social feeling that extended to include all manners of consumables and socializations. This style was shown throughout many of the trends of the 1980s. According to Niven, “jewelry wasn’t just an accessory in the eighties. It was a focal point” (27). Punk fashion which was combination of the hippie movement of the past decades and the current materialist trend also emerged. When it came to hairstyles, people preferred big, curly, dreadlocked and heavy. The fashion included a pair of torn jeans, tights trousers, leather clothes, leg warmers, leggings and athletic shoes. The celebrities wore leather, laced clothes and fishnet stockings and gloves. When it came to a business look, there was the power suit. Knight describes power suit as a “term popularized in the 1980s that was associated with the attire worn by business men and women to project confidence and authority” (viii-ix).The women during this period wore heavy and bright makeup. They often used light colored lipstick, dark and thick eyelashes and pink and blue blusher. The 1980s clothing was considered unisex. The women wore sweaters that included turtlenecks and V-necks. The most preferred school shoes were knee-high boots and kitten heels, sneakers and jelly shoes. The women had become more colorful as they wore wool coats, long flared skirts and miniskirts. Punk fashion emerged in the1980s. It was popular among people aged 18–22. This fashion was expressed by multi-colored mohawks, “black clothing, leather jackets, and ripped jeans” (Feinstein 13). Jean jackets were fashionable when fixed with a safety pin, buttons, patches, or cultural trophies. People of the punk style would use bits of fabric and attach them with safety pins. This style soon became a fashionable way of fixing clothing and young women used it on shirts. The shirts were mostly made of rectangular pieces of fabric that were fixed on one side with safety pins. In the 1980s, a dressed down look which comprised of big hair, a T-shirt, jeans and button up shirt, became very popular with people who listened to punk rock. Teenagers no longer governed the fashion trends. The generation was getting older and richer and demanded more charismatic, upmarket fashion. Fashion in the 1980s didn’t express the non-materialist hippie values that had been inspired by the 1970s fashion. Some people wore clothes that portrayed materialist values and flashed their newly-acquired wealth and social status. For these people, carrying cash was an outdated lifestyle. This is because credit cards had become a well-known way of getting goods. As a result, expensive designer labels branded and sporting goods became increasingly popular. Leotards that were worn when dancing emerged. They incorporated a lot of colour and texture. According to Niven, they were worn with a matching pant, legwarmers and a headgear (5). They were also used as a gym wear. Over-sized tops had become the trend. Young women wore big sweaters which could be worn with leggings, and a classy belt. Parachute pants were a trend that was associated with young people during this period. These pants were extra big and baggy trousers. In the 1980s, athletic clothes were more fashionable than jeans. They were available in different colours like black, white, brown, orange and green. Baggy trousers continued to be fashionable and were worn with tight shirts. Athletic clothes included tracksuits, V-neck sweaters, polo shirts and sports jerseys (Eckert, 65). Men during this period preferred to wear sport coats. Athletic shoes had been casual wear, during this time it became fashionable. Converse shoes continued to grow in popularity, Air Jordan became fashionable and Michael Jordan stopped people from wearing them and they became a trend. The fashion had continued to advance; eye wear to have its fashion .The men and women wore large plastic glasses. During the 1980s the eyewear was advancing and they incorporated small metal and later glasses with a tortoise shelling colouring. The mullet was a fashionable hairdo, the hair was combed upwards, the sides were cut in short layers (Gorry and Solomon’s, 15). The back was long. At time the length could change and sometimes it could be levelled. This style was famous among the athletic, and pop singer. Purdey was another popular hair style; it was a short unique hair do. Blunt cut which was bowl-like in shape and it was angled at the side to the neck (Niven, 10). In the 1980s, MTV changed pop stars and their music and gave greater focus on image. A new and fashionable look of mega-stars cropped up, it became an iconic mascot. This look was defining the decade through fashion, talent and persona. Some of the superstars that merged were Madonna, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Prince. They had a level of fame and success which had not been seen since Elvis Presley and the Beatles. These super stars used fashion through their music videos, giving their fans a first-hand glimpse into the new trends. Michael Jackson was one of the greatest pop stars of our time. His career started and reached its peak of his adult career. During this era Michael’s music was released which was a major influence on 80’s music and style(Bella, 5). It was during the 80’s that The Jackson Five split up and they started looking for their own venues. Michael Jackson during this time broke the music and racial barriers. Michael became one of the few African American pop stars of his time he his fashion and music to his advantage. His fame and music gave him a chance to become one of the first black musicians on MTV and he first African American artists to be known worldwide. Michael Jackson used a bad boy personality which became wildly popular during this decade. Michael Jackson Wore one glove to reach into the pop culture trend and influenced an entire generation, using pieces as simple as military badges and the use of an imprint headgear was at this time considered as powerful as his music. In the 1980s, Michael Jackson started a fashion revolution that incorporated slimmer silhouette, shorter pants, bright-colored socks and, most importantly, sequins. It was during this time when the pop culture recognized pieces of clothing. At the Beginning of his career in the mid-1980s, he represented a male pop singer could look, with his perfectly carved face, long curls, white T-shirt, black tightened pants, white ankle socks and black loafers. This represented a dancers costume; the use of black-and-white expressed his unbelievable moves (Chico, 164). That rhinestone-studded glove had become his trademark statement. His fashion style had been admired by many and got fame in the MTV. His fashion was portrayed with his songs Billie Jean and Beat It; the world had recognized him as a fashion icon. Teenagers emulated what he had, taking break-dance lessons and wearing a pink bow ties and one rhinestone gloves to school, church and markets. As he continued to receive popularity, the more he dressed to impress the people. He wore a red leather, zippers and curls of Thriller, which gave him the reputation as the King of Pop. His overstated jackets became his uniform, garnishing with gold braiding and brass buttons, each one was more elaborate than the next, and they became a kind of symbol for the more is more fashion era. His fashion had a big influence on the men; he was inspired by punk fashion. They created a pirate look for Adam and the Ant. The hair was spiky, men worn make up, especially on the eyeliner and the clothes were disgraceful. Thriller was his video that gave him a signature of a red leather jacket (Sickels, 284) . Michael has several versions of the jacket throughout the decade. The military Jacket and a slim tight pair of trousers became his style. His socks were seen as he danced onstage and it gave so much attention to his dancing styles. When it came to accessories Michael used a chunky belt, hats, straps, ties, sunglasses and makeup. In the 1980s, rising pop star Madonna was a very influential to the female fashions. She first came into the limelight during the dance music scene with her street urchin look, which consisted of short skirts worn over leggings, a piece necklaces, flexible bracelets, fishnet gloves, hair bows, long covered strings of beads, untidy hair with dark, heavy roots, head bands, and lace ribbons. In one of her song Like a Virgin, many young girls around the world copied her fashion which included brassieres that were worn as outerwear, big crucifix jewelry, laced gloves, tulle skirts, and boy toy belts. The gloves, laced or fingerless, were used by Madonna in promoting fashion as well as fishnet stockings and covered beaded necklaces (Kimmel, 26). She dressed in short, tight leather miniskirts and dresses which were accompanied with a short, bolero jackets. She preferred black in her clothing. Another fashion for the women was lingerie as outerwear. In 1980s showing a strap or slip of brassiere in public was considered as a taboo (Geczy and Karaminas,39). This act was considered as a sign of social ignorance. With this trend, young women wouldn’t wear the outer-garments for the classic-style bustier with lacy slips and several large crucifixes. This was a way of expressing sexual freedom and a conscious rejection of prevailing androgynous fashions. Madonna first single Holiday was released in 1983, this song brought her fame (Blackwell and Stephan,178). Madonna stage performances and music hocked the country of America she was a unique performer. Madonna did not look like other pop stars, she was not beautiful, slim, nor did she have an attractive figure. Madonna often wore dread locks on her hair; she wore heavy dark make-up and several chains and bracelets around her wrists. Madonna stopped fashion barriers, she had an edgy style, daring and demanded a got a response from her audience. Her style of fashion inspired many of her fans and followers as she always showed a style that shocked and impressed her audience. She started a trend or attracted attention to the existing trend to increase its popularity. Madonna wore a crucifix earring only in one ear, this became of her many trademarks, but young started to copy her. Young people, women in particular admired and emulated. Her fashion trends were copied by many teenage girls (Benstock and Serriss,166). Her fashion brought a lot of controversy with her hit single Vogue, people believed that her laced blouse, bright blonde hair and dance moves were provocative, this didn’t stop the American teenagers from loving her fashion.. She wasn’t afraid of people opinions; she was strong and confident about her style (James, 23). Madonna was able to remake herself and her fashion styles were admired, she was able to use her power and ability to impress her fans. Her music videos expressed a new different look, which included hair, make-up and clothing, this was seen as unique and attractive way acting out different characters and roles. She later became a role model for many teenage girls, who aspired to be musicians. Her style was seen as an been an independent woman, she took her destiny in her own hands and work hard to succeed in a man’s world. She changed many young women around the world, and gave the girls the confidence to be as powerful as the men. She inspired the women to be confident and hopeful, regardless of the situation they face in their lives. Many people argued that Madonna’s power was the reason for her success and her different characters gave no clue to her personality. She boosted women self-esteem and she reflected beauty through her fashion and image. Madonna had a great impact culturally in the 1980s. It was a combination of things that lead to this success, such as appeal of feminism, power as well as her sense of fashion (James, 23). She was able to give women the confidence they needed not to feel suppressed by males. She allowed women to feel liberated and by being such a dominant female figure she encouraged them to pursue their dreams. Madonna was and still continues to get the imagination of many young girls in the 1980s. Madonna often wore short skirts an out three quarter length, dancing tights together with midriff tops that exposed her brassiere. She had layers of jewels, which included black rubber bracelets and a crucifix, and she had a loose tousled hair (Condra, 205). Madonna had many looks and style during the 1980s. Her ability to always re-style herself, she certainly contributed to the success of her career (Corrigan,34). Her wavy hair with highlights was the most memorable look of the 80s. Girls went to the salons in crowds to get the wavy look. Her black tank top, skirt, bleached blonde hair and an attitude, defined her. During this time Madonna started the messy chic look, which incorporates a layered look, with shirts and coats and more shirts. A lace shirt was worn with another shirt, or a sweatshirt which had a huge neck or a cut off sleeves which was worn with a smaller shirt or bra. She came up with another fashion idea towards the end of the 1980’s; she was the super sexy vixen style. She wore pointed bustier, bras and clothing in several videos. She made it a norm to be in shape, and she showed her body off. Madonna changed the fashion industry forever. Her styles influenced many girls through her music videos. Her changing style in her music videos gave her the name chameleon. She used her style to empower women, (Batchellor and Stoddart, 71). She gave women a chance to be liberated and encouraged them to pursue and fulfil their dreams. Despite been a fashion and music icon, many people questioned about her sexual appearances in her songs. Her seductive customs, photos and clothes caused an outcry in the society. It could be argued that these videos and songs were publicity stunts by Madonna to gain more publicity (Harrison,11). The young generation continued to emulate her fashion and style, despite the bad publicity. The youth continued to take interest in what she was doing. Madonna used her body for fashion, dances, sexual acts and other activities that gave her attention. Since 1980, womens dressing and fashions has contiuned change over time, to fit in with social and economic changes. Women’s fashion has been influenced by the music scene. The 1980s brought a cluster of music and fashion styles that seemed fashionable at the times. Women preferred colours and fashion trends that fit their lifestyle, as well as music. The preppy look and laced fashion in women blazers, belted at the sleeves which were worn over polo shirts or with flowing silk blouses and fashion pearls. The women dresses were slackly and worn it with a silk blouse and blazer, with a bright coloured high heel shoe (Lenkeit, 49). The most worn shoe was loafers with a unique setoff denim cloth. Women hair were made and the stringy, long hair came to an end, instead the women opted for permed and hairspray. Madonna encourages women to wear designer fitting clothes. Women used heavy foundation and powder, the women used bright rainbow colours and a dark shade and eyeliner; and light lipstick. During the 1980s, Neon colours aren’t the easiest easy and simple to wear, but this didnt stop girls and women from sporting these bright colours (Jill,nd). Tops, skirts and jewellery were made in garish neon greens, yellows, pinks and blues. Makeup kit were also designed to match the clothes, neon gave so much power to the women. Another trend was the introduction of acid-washed jeans, which could be worn with neon, with or without an ankle zipper or bow. Flash dance fashion was a trend; tops had an off-the-shoulder slouchy. This was a casual look but not an official wear. Towards the end of the 1980s, the music and fashion scene in America was dominated by two personalities. Despite the pop sounds of Michael Jackson and Madonna. In conclusion, fashion in the 1980s took a different turn. People started wearing clothes with colour and bold. Miniskirt, skinny jeans, flash dance, permed hair and etc had become the trend and everyone was getting the fashion. Pop star Madonna and Michael established a style that was emulated by many; Madonna wore one huge earring, fishnet stockings, miniskirts, pumps, while Michael had a unique style. He wore a red leather jacket, one glove, and a pair of tight jeans. They influence in fashion was appreciated and copied by many. 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