Spring 2017 Trend Report: How to Wear the 80s Now

Hitting a glam slam isn’t hard when you’re dressed like an 80s icon. This is how the scene played out at Marc Jacobs’s “Chic 80s” party last November. The invite read: “Glamorous Dress Code Door Policy: Chic 80’s with voluminous proportions. Think Gloria von Thurn und Taxis at Le Cirque with Stephanie & Caroline of Monaco. Success, fame and glamour. Punk princess with chiseled cheekbones and exaggerated brows, make Blondie and Brooke Shields proud. Mousse those tresses and tousle them high for a statement hairdo with pumped-up volume. Vertiginous pumps like you’re sitting pretty for your Andy portrait. A decorative frenzy in electric paradise; more is more. No posers and definitely no preppies. Be the life of the party, and remember, girls (and boys) just wanna have fun!” With a dress code like that you know it’s going to be, like, totally fabulous—and it was. (Hello, sequin-sprayed people!)

Yup, the 80s are back—but this time around designers are putting the spotlight on cocktail dresses and eveningwear. There may be plenty of power suits, slouchy tailored trousers and activewear kicking about, but when it comes to maxing out on this maximalist decade, it’s all about after hours glam. This spring, you need a liquid metallic mini dress, like the one at Saint Laurent that featured a plunging (to the naval!) neckline, strong shoulders reminiscent of Dynasty’s Krystle Carrington, and a super short hemline. Isabel Marant showed a relaxed and ruffled metallic version with a cinched waist, while Marc Jacobs went for a blush-worthy hemline and a prom-perfect palette. From clothing to bags, pearlized pink is the hue to do this season.

In terms of outerwear, glossy finishes are the way to go with Kenzo’s slick patent trench coat leading the way. The wet look was spotted at Proenza Schouler, too, with a high shine asymmetrical striped skirt. The black and royal blue colour combo adds another level of 80s edge. Rodarte went back to high school with its prom-perfect dresses drenched in red sequins and glitter. And those puffy sleeves? Straight out of a John Hughes movie—cue the band playing in the school gym on prom night. At Monse, the eveningwear was sparkletastic, too, but an off-the-shoulder neckline added a sexy flash of skin.

Not every ready-to-wear collection put the pedal to the metal this season—Balenciaga gave a one-two punch with an awesome colour combo (pink! purple!) splashed on separates. Check out these totally radical 80s-inspired looks from the spring 2017 runways below—and rewind your next evening look to this decadent decade.