80s Retro Dance, Workout and Fitness Clothing
The
dance and fitness craze of the eighties was started and influenced by
movies such as Fame and Flashdance and also Jane Fonda workout videos. You can find advice on creating a Flashdance costume on this blog.
For
a workout fashion/80s keep fit look the most essential items required
are leg warmers (almost any colour was used, but neon, pastel and horizontal striped themes were particularly popular) that
are scrunched up, wrist sweatbands and a headband. Combine with
leggings/footless tights or neon fishnet tights and a leotard or gym
shorts for a truly authentic look. A vest top, crop top, 80s themed t-shirt or a baggy off-shoulder sweatshirt can be worn on your top half with the aforementioned leg wear.
Now, all of this may seem a lot to take in, so let's break down the items required one step at a time.
Now, all of this may seem a lot to take in, so let's break down the items required one step at a time.
Leg Warmers
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British-made Neon Leg Warmers |
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Roch Valley Stirrup Leg Warrmers |
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Neon Leg Warmers with Sweatbands |
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Neon Striped Leg Warmers |
80s T-shirts and Tops
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I Love The 80s T-shirt £9.48 |
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Ladies Choose Life T-shirt £6.99 |
This vibrant "Choose Life" T-shirt is excellent value and available in 18 colour choices!
Nothing shouts out 80s more than a Wham Choose Life or Frankie Says Relax Tee, and they're the most popular choices at my website. You may also want to visit the page Most popular 80s T-shirts at simplyeighties.com to get some more good ideas.
Here are some more ideas for tops...
Please note that all of these tops - tank tops, mesh tops and crop tops - come in a choice of colours. For a Madonna dance style you can wear a mesh top over a black bra (you may feel more comfortable in a sports bra!) and also over a cropped top.
Also see the Flashdance Costume post on this blog
Leotards/Body Suits
Shiny (almost any colour), pastel shades, neon, animal print and splash pattern/splatter paint leotards were the most popular choices back in the 80s. Unfortunately, the latter are impossible to find these days. Contrary to popular belief, many leotards were NOT neon. Jane Fonda often wore a stripy one for her videos, the Green Goddess wore a green one (obviously!) on BBC Breakfast Time and there were plenty of pastel shades around, especially pink, worn with lavender or grey.
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Neon 80s Belt - choice of colours - up to 38" waist |
Add either a neon belt or white belt for a more complete 80s style.
Leggings and Footless Tights
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Neon Tribal Pattern Leggings |
UV neon, splatter paint and animal print are a popular choice and neon fishnets were also often worn. You may also want to visit the 80s Leggings page at my website simplyeighties.com which has many more ideas.
More 80s Fitness Fashion Ideas
I'll leave you with an array of ideas which I hope will be inspirational...
The rules aren't set in stone when it comes to creating an 80s workout style. Have fun mixing items together to create your own individual look.
For more inspiration visit the following pages;
80s Aerobics Fashion on this blog
Flashdance Costume on this blog
80s Workout Fashion at simplyeighties.com
80s Fashion board at Pinterest
80s Fancy Dress for Ladies at simplyeighties.com
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