How to Dress 80s Punk

Fashion in the 1980s tended to be loud and provocative, and the styles sported by the punk music fans of the day were no different. Committed punks set themselves apart by rebelling against the status quo, wearing bright colors and intentionally torn clothes decorated with in-your-face slogans and accessories. Whether you hope to emulate '80s punk style exactly or want to incorporate this iconic trend into a more current look, a few indispensable wardrobe pieces should help define your ensemble.

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  Deliberately torn jeans are a staple in any '80s punk wardrobe Jeans image by Francis Bourgouin from Fotolia.com

  Pick clothing in materials and textures often worn by '80s punks. Some of the most commonly used materials that defined the era's punk fashion include leather, vinyl, mesh, and shredded denim. For example, girls can put on a leather or faux-leather mini-skirt and a mesh over-shirt, while both guys and girls can sport tight, ripped jeans.

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  Go for tees with provocative slogans or symbols. Tees In a Row image by Cinneman from Fotolia.com

  Wear clothing emblazoned with provocative slogans and patterns to emulate original 1980s punk trends. Common motifs included a defiled image of the Union Jack or the Queen of England, and anti-authority symbols or phrases. Many punks of the time wore clothing with clashing patterns, such as a striped t-shirt with a plaid skirt or leopard-print pants.

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  Embrace neons and other bright colors to make for a more authentic '80s punk look. neon pencils 2 image by Andrew Brown from Fotolia.com

  Accent your outfits with bright colors. Most punks of the day incorporated loud colors from neon green to electric blue into their outfits, and often wore these in-your-face colors in multiple layers. On the other hand, black was also widely worn with standout pieces in black leather, lace or mesh.

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  Stackable bangle bracelets add vibrant color to a femme '80s punk outfit. Colourful Bangles image by Imagine-Imaging from Fotolia.com

  Choose at least a few eye-catching accessories, as they tend to distinguish '80s punk style from similar edgy trends. Put on accessories such as leg warmers, colorful necklaces and bangle bracelets, and dangling earrings or other piercing jewelry (for both men and women). Belts are another '80s punk accessory that helped define the fashion genre, particularly leather belts with studs or spikes. Or, don fingerless or full-fingered wrist-length leather gloves. Girls can add to their look with colorful fishnet stockings, or transform old pairs by wearing them as elbow-length, fingerless gloves.

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  High-top Chuck Taylors make a comfortable addition to any' 80s punk ensemble. Sneakers image by irum from Fotolia.com

  Complete your look by pulling on a pair of '80s punk-appropriate footwear. Some popular picks from the era include military-style boots such as Doc Martens, classic motorcycle boots, creeper shoes and high-top Converse All-Stars. Though the boots typically worn were often black, they also wore sneakers in bright, sometimes clashing colors.