80s fashion revival: Leopard prints and power suits lead 2024

Reviving trends from past years is nothing new in the fashion world. Designers often draw inspiration for the latest collections from what has been fashionable before and is well-known to us. This time will be no different. During the 2024/2025 winter season, we will be accompanied by 80s trends. Slightly crazy and attention-grabbing, they will complement the "boring" winter outfits in theory. They are exactly what we need now.

We already knew last year that the maximalism from the 80s would be one of the strongest trends of 2024.

What 80s trends will be present in winter fashion in 2024 and 2025? Among the most important are oversized clothes, especially sweaters loved by the young Princess Diana, leopard prints and lace worn by Madonna at the time, and the business yuppie style, another comeback of the classic "working girl" aesthetic from the 80s.

Yuppie, an acronym for "young urban professional" or "young upwardly mobile professional," appeared in the early 80s. Initially, it described young and talented professionals from big cities, but it soon entered the fashion world. We saw it not only on the streets, runways, and movies.

Yuppie is a kind of power dressing associated with the 80s. Young women dressed in suits with oversized shoulder pads and sheer stockings. Some believe certain elements should stay in that era and never return, but designers had and still have a different opinion on this matter.

The former yuppie trend is now known as "corporate core," which has appeared on runways in recent years, such as in the Saint Laurent Fall-Winter 2019/2020 collection. In 2024, it returns similarly but more closely references the 80s.

Add a fitted bodysuit or turtleneck, an oversized coat, and pointy-toed pumps or slingbacks to a two- or three-piece suit. This way, we create a look that fits current trends but nods to the fashion of the 80s.

We're talking about iconic "pyramid" pants loved by stars like Dakota Johnson, Katie Holmes, and Demi Moore. There's a good reason for this. Pyramid pants not only elongate legs and silhouettes beautifully but are also favored by designers.

Example? The French number one among young talents, Jacquemus. A few months ago, he released a cult model with flared legs. He paired pyramid pants with fitted blazers in the same color, creating monochromatic suits.

Pyramid pants, especially denim ones, are the perfect base for outfits with an original top, such as a jeweled top, one with cutouts or sheer parts. It's worth pairing them with classic stiletto booties or metallic ones in silver or gold.

These types of pants are suitable for everyday wear, the office, as well as date outfits. Simply pair them with a suit vest, a classic shirt and blazer, or a flowy blouse with flared sleeves, like those from Chloe's recent collections.

In the 80s (and 90s), Princess Diana was a true icon. As Diana Spencer, before marrying the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, she was most often seen in woolen, oversized sweaters that are fashionable again today. In an interview, she admitted that in the early 80s, her wardrobe consisted exclusively of such sweaters, which she did not intend to change completely.

Oversize in Lady Di style is one of the hottest trends referencing the 80s. Woolen and "too big" sweaters can be paired with skirts, fully inspired by the princess, but also with the mentioned pyramid pants, creating a total 80s look.

Inspired by Princess Diana's style, we can go a step further. Everyone probably remembers her silk taffeta wedding dress with huge puffed sleeves, epitomizing 80s extravagance. It is another trend: puffed sleeves, perfect for New Year's festivities.

Like Diana, we can transform from shy "Di" into "Lady Diana," choosing models during this crazy, festive time that highlight our figure and visually enlarge and broaden our shoulders (a very desirable combination). Following the princess, we can opt for a calmer color or an original one inspired by another 80s icon, one of the main characters of the TV series "Dynasty," Alexis Colby.

There's much to say about leopard print and lace. Some hate them, while others love them. The truth is that in the 1980s, they were among the most important trends, worn by Madonna, for example, on stage and on the street.

Leopard print and lace played leading roles in mob wife-style outfits at the beginning of 2024, referencing looks from the 80s and 90s. And although we've moved away from "mob wife," these two trends have stayed with us.

However, she adds that we won't wear them together in winter 2024 (as in "mob wife" looks). Either leopard print or lace. If you prefer the former, go for faux fur coats or midi satin skirts. If the latter, choose tops, blouses, dresses, and tube skirts that emphasize our figure.

Remember that these trends can quickly make an outfit "kitsch." Personally, I dislike this term because fashion is meant to be fun. However, I advise caution here, even slightly. Either one or the other. If you're unsure, start with one element, such as a leopard print handbag.