For a year or so, fashion had become all about the Seventies. But that's about to end, with a sea change of Eighties pop culture and fashion references popping up to prove it. From the upcoming release of Wet Hot American summer to the rise of frongs, you’d think we died and woke up in in pink Spandex, in 1981.

Wham colours are creeping onto the runways

JW Anderson summed this up best when he showed an autumn/winter ’15 collection loaded with references from the decade (oversized sweaters, bell sleeves, jazzy boots, leggings, and a Wham-tastic colour palette), while the song Goodbye Seventies played. And Jonathan wasn’t the only one. Balmain and Saint Laurent pulled from the decade too.

The models are getting their own TV show

Variety reports Cindy Crawford is working on a scripted television series about the Eighties modeling world called Icon. Best of all, it will center around the rivalry between Elite Model Management and Ford Modeling Agency. And we are here for it! Because who doesn't love a fashion battle? Fingers crossed the costumes will be all the flamboyant, shoulder padded glory one would hope for and more (we suggest the show creators tack this image of Brooke Shields onto their mood boards.) 

A Jem and the Holograms remake is happening

The big hair, purple eyeshadow and bedazzled costumes are coming back. Even better: it stars the original 80s throwback actress Molly Ringwald —alongside, I might add, Juliette Lewis. Could there be a more perfect cast for this?

We’re living in the biggest fitness era we’ve seen since, well, the 80s

At team ELLE, we wear our workout kit in the office, all day. And it’s become so trendy to walk around town in your yoga pants, even if your last Bikram class was a week ago, that denim brands are running scared. And don’t get me started on all the jazzy, neon bright running tights that are ALL the rage these days. 

Frongs are a thing

As our friends over at American ELLE recently pointed out, frontal thongs are everywhere. Beyoncé is a fan. And so is Miley, Khloe, Nicki and Katy. Do you know who else wore frongs? Jane Fonda, Christie Brinkley and the entire cast of Baywatch (which just narrowly makes this list with a launch date of 1989). Basically all the famous 80s ladies.

Lionel Richie is popular again

He won Glastonbury with 'All Night Long' and landed his first UK number 1 in 23 years a week later. See? Lionel Richie topping charts. 1983 all over again.

Headshot of Kenya Hunt
Kenya Hunt

Kenya Hunt is the Editor-in-Chief of ELLE UK. Her career spans working for some of the world's most influential women’s titles on both sides of the Atlantic from her post-graduate days as an Assistant Editor at the seminal magazine, Jane, to her time as Deputy Editor of Grazia UK and ELLE UK. As the founder of R.O.O.M. Mentoring, she advocates for greater diversity within the fashion industry by providing a supportive network for some of the many talented aspiring designers, journalists and image makers of colour London has to offer. In 2021, she was recognised by The British Fashion Council for her work and given a Global Leader Of Change Award at its annual Fashion Awards. An American based in London, she lives south of the river with her husband and two sons. Her critically-acclaimed book, Girl: Essays on Black Womanhood (HarperCollins/HQ), is out now.