The totally rad legacy of 80s shoulder pads
While padded-out shoulders — especially in business-style dress suits — have a history dating back to the 1930s (hello, Joan Crawford!), the 1980s took it to a whole new level.
From power jackets in the office to casual sweaters at the mall, 80s shoulder pads infiltrated every corner of the fashion world. Whether they were wide and deep or smaller with an edge, these fashion appendages were a fad that made a statement.
Extreme 80s shoulder pads were a power play
Football-style shoulder pads were an eye-catching affair. They were both wide and deep, exaggerating the shoulders to a nearly comical degree.
This look — hearkening back to the military-inspired shoulder pads of the early-1940s war years — served as the pinnacle of the “power suit,” often worn by career-driven individuals aiming to make a bold statement in the workplace.
On the flip side, smaller, more understated shoulder pads featured a pronounced edge that was visible but not overpowering. This subtler style still had enough flair to be taken seriously by coworkers who weren’t big on the trend.
80s shoulder pads perks & quirks
Of course, the pads had their quirks. Sometimes they were visible through your clothing (especially when your top or jacket was made of a lightweight fabric), which cheapened the effect.
Another annoyance was if you raised your hands over your head, those meticulously placed shoulder pads would bunch up, creating an awkward silhouette that wasn’t exactly the image of grace and poise. This feature was amusing at best… and downright awkward in formal situations.
That said, these foam or fabric inserts did have some unexpected perks. One unsung benefit was that they made carrying a shoulder purse considerably more comfortable. The pad acted as a sort of cushion, reducing the strain a heavy bag could inflict on the shoulder.
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If your existing wardrobe lacked this unique 1980s flair, no worries — shoulder pads could be purchased separately. These standalone pads could be inserted into a variety of garments, making it easy for anyone to hop on the shoulder pad bandwagon without committing to an entirely new outfit.
Whether you remember them fondly or cringe at the thought, there’s no denying that 80s shoulder pads were a fashion moment that left a memorable mark on the decade… right up there with leg warmers.
From power jackets to the more demure styles, these iconic pieces were a true embodiment of the era’s larger-than-life ethos. Below we have amassed a collection to jog — or maybe jar! — your memory.
Actress Emma Samms on the cover of Orange Coast Magazine (1986)
Shoulder padded jacket fashion by Gianni Versace (1987)
Cindy Crawford for Sears in a polka-dot dress with huge shoulder pads (1986)
City dresses and skirts for juniors with the padded look (1986)
Popular 80s juniors clothing with padded shoulders
Shiny metallic dress and jacket with large padded shoulders from Mi Place (1986)
The wide and pointy shoulder look (1986)
Typical trendy jackets with 80s shoulder pads (1984)
Women’s jacket with huge football-style shoulder pads (1985)
Women’s work jackets with squared-off shoulder pads (1984)
Super wide shoulder pads in a stylish juniors jacket (1984)
Stylish women’s jackets by Anya with the padded shoulder look (1986)
The mid-80s power suit look with shoulder pads
Actress-clothing designer Stefanie Powers in a jacket with squared-off shoulders (1986)
80s women’s tops with shoulder pads (1986)
1980s Jonathan Martin sweater with pads
Melanie Griffith and Joan Cusack in the movie Working Girl (1988)
SEE MORE: Retro 1980s leg warmers: Look back at the iconic fashion fad
