Staple white and pastel tones maintained their stronghold in lingerie color palettes, bringing with them a sense of classic elegance and understated beauty. Styles varied, but bras often featured lace detailing and considered design elements (hello high leg panties!) that subtly elevated these everyday essentials.
However, the true revolution in 80s lingerie was not in its aesthetics, but its sizing. The 1980s marked an industry-wide awakening to the truth that women’s bodies did not conform to a single standard template.
Brands began to embrace this diversity, broadening their size ranges to cater to smaller and in-between sizes. This shift was significant, challenging the status quo and ensuring every woman could find her perfect fit.
Retro 80s Jezebel and Jordache bra and panty sets (1988)
WOW! With-Out-Wire ComfortFlex bra and panty set (1986)
Now the WOW WithsOutWire underwire bra has panties to match! In gorgeous pastels like Aqua Lily, Lavender Mist, and Peach Blossom.
Choose your favorite WOW stretchy, seamless, or lacy style; they’re all more comfortable than old-fashioned underwire bras because they have ComfortFlex Shapers instead of metal wires. WOW won’t pinch you, poke through or twist out of shape, no matter how many times you wash it or wear it.
So get a WOW bra now, and get its beautiful match-mate panty, too. And they’re sensational for Spring.
SEE MORE: The 1920s lingerie revolution: How women ditched corsets for comfort and freedom
80s lingerie: The Flexible Frame bra from Vanity Fair (1987)
With all you have to remember, you need a bra you can put on and forget.
Introducing the Flexible Frame Bra. To shape your shape: streamlined construction hugs the body for absolute comfort and ideal support with freedom of movement. A flexible center that lifts and separates. New frame designed for better shaping. And adjustable straps for a customized fit.
The pretty support bra. From Vanity Fair, of course.
The famous Scoop fit underwear by Olga (1987)
80s lingerie: “Thank Goodness it Fits” Playtex bra (1982)
A and nearly B cup women, you don’t have to wear a bra that doesn’t fit… anymore!
“Thank Goodness it Fits” is not a big bra cut down to a smaller size like the others. It’s made with an exclusive new fitting system that’s so exact, it even comes in special sizes… Nearly A, Perfectly A, and Nearly B.
“Thank Goodness it Fits” clings where you need it. Stretches where you want it. It’s big here. Small there. So it helps get rid of the pinching. The bagging.:And the bunching. It comes in pretty whites. And blushing beiges. Front close. Back close. Soft cup. And lightly lined (with exclusive new soft fiberfill!).
Each fits… like your bra never ever fit before. The new “Thank Goodness It Fits” bra. Playtex doesn’t call it that for nothing.
DON’T MISS: Women: Do you have the ideal figure? Here’s what ‘they’ thought in 1950
Sporty Sears lingerie for juniors (1988)
Maidenform Chantilly 1980s bra and panties set
The Maidenform Woman knows where she’s going. She creates her own itinerary and lets Chantilly create the rest. All satin, lace, and sophistication… in a world of colors. The Maidenform Woman has a style all her own.
Thank Goodness It Fits cotton lingerie by Playtex (1986)
“Thank Goodness it Fits” introduces beautiful new embroidered styles in cool, comfortable cotton. Not ordinary bras cut down to size, but an exclusive collection specially designed to fit your small busted figure. No gapping, no bunching. In fact, Playtex created a unique fitting system so exact that it even has special cup sizes… Nearly A, perfectly A, and Nearly B.
Sears brand 80s lingerie Busy Lady Undershapers (1984)
‘Right For Me’ Playtex lingerie (1987)
Private Affair stretch lace 80s lingerie by Maidenform with high cut panties (1986)
Maidenform lingerie Delectables set (1986)
The Maidenform Woman is a cut above the ordinary. She has her own ideas and makes them work… beautifully.
Delectables is her idea of a young and beautiful look. Cottony comfort, traces of lace… and colors that reflect her personality. The Maidenform Woman has a style all her own.
Made for Me Playtex bra (1984)
“I’m a perfect 35.” “For millions of women like me who are tired of squeezing into a 34 bra or floating around in a 36, there’s finally a bra specially designed to fit our odd-numbered sizes.”
Introducing “Made for Me”. The New ‘Made for Me’ by Playtex is the perfect 33 to 41 bra. Perfect because the computerized design ensures that cups, straps, and back measurements are perfectly proportioned to fit odd-numbered sizes.
Why settle for an even-sized bra when you can have a bra that’s specially designed to fit your proportions? The choice is yours. And the fit is too. Finally, the odds have it.
Lycra-based 80s lingerie: Bodysilk by Olga (1986)
“You” bras and panties made from Lita by Formfit (1981)
“You” can breathe, thanks to Lita. Nylon and cotton aren’t good enough for the new “You”. That’s why we came up with an incredible new fabric. It’s called LITA, which is made of 100% Olefin; It actually breathes just like skin. So moisture evaporates completely and you stay cool at all times.
You will be absolutely knocked out by this new light, sexy-looking fabric. It’s airy, silky, and soft. And it comes with matching bras, in colors that would make a rainbow jealous. Colors that don’t wash away or fade away. And they’re stain resistant. They’re almost too fashionable, too colorful, too sexy to be so smart. No other panty breathes like “You”.
ALSO SEE: Stylish ’80s swimsuits: Shapely, slimming, sexy summer swimwear
Pastel and lace underwear from 1985
Lily of France lingerie set by Gloria Falla (1981)
Light pink Sweet Nothings lingerie from Maidenform (1986)
The Maidenform Woman creates her own mood. She puts on something romantic… like Sweet Nothings. Extravagant with lace and gently shaped… in colors that suit her every mood.
Lacy pink Sweet Nothings lingerie set by Maidenform (1986)
The Maidenform Woman is a shade more daring. She’s a shade more colorful. A shade more particular. No wonder her choice is Sweet Nothings.
Satin and lace in a pretty palette of “choose me” colors — a look both daring and demure. The Maidenform Woman has a style all her own.
Lace-topped burgundy gown 1980s lingerie from Vanity Fair (1980)
Just Your Fit 1980s lingerie by Warners (1986)
I bought a fit like this with my clothes on! I’ve got Warner’s working for me.
Why guess and undress when you can buy a Just Your Fit” bra with your clothes on? All you need to know is your band size (32, 34, or 36). And whether you’re an A, B, or C cup, you’ll get a perfect fit every time. That’s because we’ve designed each one with the super stretch of Lycra.
‘Body Slicks’ shown here in the big picture, covers the bare essentials beautifully. ‘Love That Cotton’ has a cottony comfort a woman never outgrows. ‘My Skin’ shapes so naturally. And ‘Skin-lites’ special fabric stretches to fit like magic. So go ahead. Treat your body to a perfect fit from the Just Your Fit collection. No need to even try them on. You’ve got Warner’s working for you.
French Raspberry pink color 80s lingerie from Playtex & fashion designer Givenchy (1981)
Diet-Trim Shapers WONDER S-P-A-N (1984)
Get great figure control and a comfortable fit before, during, and after dieting thanks to WONDER S-P-A-N… a unique fabric that gives you the trim shaping of a firm-control garment; the adaptable comfort of a moderate control garment.
Bodysilk lingerie by Olga (1981)
1980s Right for Me custom size bra for A and B cups (1986)
Start wearing “Right for Me” — Finally! Fit that’s custom-sized just for you! “Right For Me”, the new Custom Size Bra for Almost A, Absolutely A and, Almost B sizes. Our exclusive “Curve-For-Curve” Fitting System is shaped for fit where you need it — with no extra fabric where you don’t.
“Right For Me” — it’s right for you! The right styles: soft cup or lightly lined, in front or back closure. The right look: all feminine, all-natural, all you. Best of all, the right fit. And when the fit’s right, the feeling’s beautiful!
White 80s slips for women], at Sears (1986)
ALSO SEE: See Cheryl Tiegs’ clothing collection & swimwear at Sears in the ’80s
Sears nylon tricot high-waist panties from the 80s
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