18 Times Music Videos Changed The Way Teens Dressed Back In The ’80s
Remember when MTV actually played music videos? I sure do! As a teen growing up in the ’80s, I lived for those after-school hours glued to the screen, eagerly awaiting the next big video premiere.
I’d sit with a notebook in hand, ready to jot down outfit ideas, hairdos, and even eyeliner techniques. These weren’t just music videos—they were cultural events and visual style guides that shaped an entire generation. From Madonna’s lace gloves and layered necklaces to Prince’s bold colors and ruffles, each three-minute spectacle was a masterclass in fashion.
MTV didn’t just broadcast music—it set trends, sparked creativity, and turned high school hallways into neon-lit catwalks. Looking back, those days were more than fun—they were formative, stitching together the soundtrack and wardrobe of our youth, one video at a time.
1. Madonna’s Lace Revolution
Holy moly, Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” video hit us like a fashion earthquake in 1984! I begged my mom for lace gloves after seeing Madonna rock them while strutting around Venice in a wedding dress. Within weeks, my entire school looked like a sea of fingerless lace.
Girls started layering crucifixes over t-shirts and teasing their hair with wild abandon. The “Madonna wannabe” became an actual recognized high school clique! My friend Stacy even dyed her hair blonde and started wearing her bra outside her clothes.
What made this look so revolutionary was how it mixed traditional bridal elements with punk sensibilities, creating something both rebellious and feminine. Madonna didn’t just give us a style—she delivered an attitude that said good girls could be bad, and fashion was the perfect way to show it.
2. Michael Jackson’s Red Leather Thriller Jacket
Bam! When Michael Jackson donned that red leather jacket in “Thriller,” my allowance suddenly had a new purpose. The V-shaped design with all those zippers wasn’t just clothing—it was a statement that transformed average kids into moonwalking cool cats overnight.
My cousin Tommy saved for six months to buy a knockoff version. He wore it everywhere, even during summer when temperatures hit 90 degrees! The jacket became so ubiquitous that our high school talent show featured no fewer than seven Michael Jackson impersonators, all sporting variations of the iconic red leather.
What’s fascinating is how this single garment transcended gender, race, and social cliques. Preppies, rockers, and everyone in between wanted that jacket. It wasn’t just about looking cool—it was about embodying the King of Pop’s magical confidence, if only for a day.
3. Cyndi Lauper’s Colorful Hair Explosion
Girls just wanted to have fun—and apparently, that meant rocking multi-colored hair like Cyndi Lauper! After her “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” videos, temporary hair color sales skyrocketed among teenagers. My best friend Jess showed up at school with orange streaks one Monday, and by Friday, half our class looked like human rainbows.
Parents freaked out nationwide as teens experimented with Kool-Aid dye jobs and temporary sprays. My own mother nearly fainted when I came home with pink tips, though they washed out before Sunday dinner at Grandma’s (thankfully).
The beauty of Cyndi’s influence was how it encouraged personal expression through temporary transformation. You could be wild on Friday night and back to normal for church on Sunday. Her mismatched vintage clothes and colorful tresses told us it was okay to stand out—essential validation for awkward teens everywhere.
4. Run-DMC’s Adidas Obsession
Sneakers without laces? Revolutionary! When Run-DMC dropped “My Adidas” in 1986, they didn’t just make a song—they created a footwear phenomenon that turned athletic shoes into status symbols. Suddenly, those three stripes were everywhere, worn exactly as the hip-hop pioneers showcased them: laces removed or extremely loose, tongues pushed out proudly.
I remember saving up $60 for my first pair—serious cash for a teenager in the ’80s! The day I strutted into math class with my fresh kicks, even the senior basketball players nodded in approval. That’s when I knew these weren’t just shoes; they were social currency.
What made this trend groundbreaking was how it bridged the gap between athletic wear and everyday fashion. Before Run-DMC, sneakers were for gym class. After their video, sneakers became the foundation of an entire style philosophy that continues influencing fashion today. Talk about lasting impact!
5. Pat Benatar’s Spandex Revolution
Ka-pow! Pat Benatar’s “Love Is A Battlefield” video unleashed a spandex uprising that had girls raiding dance supply stores for legwarmers and leotards. After witnessing her fierce strut in that rebellious dance sequence, I immediately cut the neckline of my favorite t-shirt to achieve that off-the-shoulder look.
The beauty of this trend was its accessibility—anyone could tear up a sweatshirt and pair it with leggings. My friends and I would spend Friday afternoons transforming basic clothes into Benatar-worthy ensembles before hitting the mall. The ripped sweatshirt became such a phenomenon that manufacturers started selling pre-torn versions at ridiculous prices.
What truly made this look stick was how it combined comfort with attitude. You could move freely while looking tough—perfect for teenage girls discovering their power. Benatar’s style wasn’t just fashion; it was physical feminism, letting us take up space with confidence during an era when girls were still expected to be demure.
6. Boy George’s Gender-Bending Makeup
Whoa, Nelly! When Boy George appeared in Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon” video, he didn’t just sing—he completely rewrote the rules of masculinity for suburban teens. Suddenly, boys in my high school were experimenting with eyeliner and hair color, though usually on weekends only (and often washed off before returning home).
My buddy Mike showed up at a party with blue eyeshadow and nearly gave his football coach a heart attack! The androgynous look created this fascinating ripple effect where even the most conventional kids started questioning rigid gender norms. Girls borrowed from boys’ closets and vice versa.
What made Boy George’s influence so powerful was how it gave permission to play with identity during those crucial formative years. His flamboyant, colorful appearance offered liberation for teens who felt constrained by traditional expectations. In conservative communities especially, sporting even a hint of Boy George-inspired style became an act of gentle rebellion that helped many kids survive the conformity pressure cooker of high school.
7. Duran Duran’s New Romantic Flair
Swoon! Duran Duran’s “Rio” video unleashed a tsunami of romantic pirate fashion that had boys raiding their sisters’ makeup drawers for eyeliner. The band’s billowy shirts, highlighted cheekbones, and perfectly coiffed hair inspired a generation of teens to embrace a more polished, romantic aesthetic.
I spent countless hours trying to get my hair to do that perfect Simon Le Bon swoop! My friend Jason started wearing a single dangling earring and pastel blazers with pushed-up sleeves. Even the jocks at school began experimenting with highlights and hair gel, though they’d never admit Duran Duran was the inspiration.
What made this trend so significant was how it challenged the tough-guy stereotypes that dominated male fashion. Suddenly, it was cool for boys to care about their appearance and embrace a more refined, almost feminine aesthetic. The New Romantic look gave permission for young men to express themselves through fashion in ways previously reserved for rock stars and rebels.
8. Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” Military Precision
Attention! When Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” video dropped in 1989, it was like a fashion bomb exploded. Black military-inspired outfits with silver accents, caps, and choreographed movements created an entirely new aesthetic that was equal parts powerful and cool. My high school dance team immediately scrapped their routine to recreate Janet’s military precision.
The local mall couldn’t keep black military-style jackets in stock! I saved babysitting money for weeks to buy a knockoff version with silver buttons and epaulets. The key chain clip trend also exploded, with teens attaching them to belt loops exactly as Janet did in the video.
What made this look so revolutionary was its gender neutrality and emphasis on strength. Girls weren’t dressing to be pretty or sexy—they were dressing to look powerful and in control. Janet’s militaristic style offered a uniform of empowerment that said, “Take me seriously” during a time when young women were fighting for respect and recognition.
9. Guns N’ Roses Bandanas and Ripped Denim
Sweet Child O’ Mine, did Axl Rose change the headwear game forever! After Guns N’ Roses exploded onto MTV, bandanas tied around foreheads became the instant signal of rock rebellion in high schools nationwide. I remember my principal actually making an announcement banning bandanas because too many kids were sporting the Axl look!
Boys grew their hair long and raided thrift stores for ripped jeans and leather jackets. Girls weren’t immune either—my friend Melissa started wearing men’s flannel shirts tied at the waist over leggings with combat boots. The combination of bandanas, torn denim, and that devil-may-care attitude created an accessible rebellion that even suburban kids could pull off.
What made this trend stick was its raw authenticity. Unlike the polished pop stars, GNR looked like they actually slept in their clothes, giving teenagers permission to embrace a more disheveled, carefree aesthetic. It was fashion that said, “I’m too busy living to care about ironing,” which perfectly captured the teenage spirit.
10. Salt-N-Pepa’s Door Knocker Earrings
Push it real good! When Salt-N-Pepa’s videos hit MTV rotation, their oversized door knocker earrings became the must-have accessory for fashion-forward teens. After watching “Push It,” I dragged my mom to the mall, where we discovered every Claire’s and accessory shop was already sold out of these statement pieces.
Girls paired these bold earrings with asymmetrical haircuts, high-top sneakers, and bright spandex. The bigger and bolder the earring, the better! My earlobes actually stretched from wearing these heavy gold hoops, but the temporary discomfort was worth the style points.
What made this trend so significant was how it brought elements of urban Black culture into mainstream fashion. For many suburban teens, these earrings represented their first adoption of hip-hop style. Salt-N-Pepa didn’t just popularize an accessory—they created a gateway for many young people to appreciate and embrace Black cultural aesthetics, making their fashion influence both stylistic and culturally important.
11. A-ha’s Animated Comic Book Look
Pencil me in! When A-ha’s groundbreaking “Take On Me” video combined animation with reality, it sparked a whole comic book aesthetic that had teens drawing on their own clothes. The black and white sketch look inspired a wave of DIY fashion where plain white sneakers became canvases for Sharpie art.
My friend Derek showed up to school with a white denim jacket he’d transformed with black marker outlines to mimic the video’s animation style. Soon, white t-shirts with hand-drawn black outlines became weekend projects for artsy teens everywhere. Even temporary tattoos designed to look like comic book lines became popular at school dances.
What made this trend unique was how it encouraged creativity rather than consumption. Unlike other video-inspired fashions that required purchasing specific items, the A-ha look was about transformation and artistic expression. It gave artistically inclined teens a way to stand out without spending much money, proving that style could come from imagination rather than just imitation.
12. Siouxsie Sioux’s Gothic Influence
Holy hairspray, Batman! When Siouxsie and the Banshees videos hit MTV’s late-night rotation, they unleashed a gothic revolution that transformed suburban bedrooms into black-painted sanctuaries. Siouxsie’s dramatic eye makeup, teased black hair, and pale foundation became the blueprint for alternative teens seeking something darker than mainstream pop fashion.
I spent hours perfecting that dramatic eyeliner wing, much to my mother’s horror. My friend Tina showed up at school one Monday with her naturally blonde hair dyed jet black and teased to twice its normal size. Parents and teachers panicked, convinced we were joining cults when we were really just expressing our artistic sides.
The beauty of this trend was its complete rejection of the peppy, colorful mainstream ’80s aesthetic. While most teens were wearing neon, Siouxsie fans created a parallel universe of black lace, fishnet, and dramatic silhouettes. Her influence gave permission for the misfits and outsiders to create their own visual language—one that continues inspiring alternative fashion today.
13. Debbie Gibson’s Electric Hat Revolution
Zap! When Debbie Gibson’s “Electric Youth” video premiered, it sent shockwaves through teen fashion circles. That black bowler hat with dangling chains became the accessory du jour for mall-crawling teenagers across America. I begged for one for Christmas in 1988, and Santa delivered—along with a bottle of Electric Youth perfume, naturally!
Girls started rolling up the sleeves of their oversized sweatshirts and pairing them with leggings and flats, just like Debbie. The bowler hat was the cherry on top of this wholesome-yet-trendy sundae. My school yearbook from 1989 looks like a Debbie Gibson fan convention with all those hats and rolled sleeves.
What made this trend so appealing was its achievability. Unlike Madonna’s more provocative looks, Debbie offered a parent-approved alternative that still felt fashionable. Her style was the perfect middle ground for teens who wanted to be trendy without causing family arguments. It was rebellion-lite—fashion with training wheels that helped many of us develop our own style sensibilities.
14. Prince’s Purple Rain Everything
Purple reigned supreme after Prince’s iconic film and music video onslaught! Ruffled shirts, purple everything, and motorcycle jackets became the uniform of cool for teens brave enough to embrace the look. After watching “When Doves Cry,” my cousin Tommy started wearing eyeliner and got a perm to achieve those perfect Prince curls.
Girls weren’t immune either. My friend Jessica showed up to homecoming in a white ruffled blouse with a purple blazer, looking like she stepped straight out of the “Purple Rain” video. The local thrift store couldn’t keep purple items in stock as teens ransacked the racks for anything resembling Prince’s royal hue.
What made Prince’s influence so powerful was how it blurred gender lines and embraced theatrical elements in everyday fashion. His look required commitment and confidence—you couldn’t halfway dress like Prince. By embracing his aesthetic, teens weren’t just following a trend; they were making a bold statement about individuality and artistic expression that challenged conventional boundaries.
15. The Bangles’ Paisley and Ankle Boots
Walk like an Egyptian? More like shop like a Bangle! After their videos dominated MTV, The Bangles inspired a resurgence of 1960s-influenced fashion with a distinctly ’80s twist. Suddenly, thrift stores couldn’t keep paisley prints and ankle boots in stock as teens nationwide emulated Susanna Hoffs’ bohemian-meets-rock style.
My sister cut her bangs to match Susanna’s iconic eye-covering fringe, then nearly cried when she realized she couldn’t see properly! Long pendant necklaces, peasant tops, and mini-skirts with tights became the unofficial uniform for girls who wanted that effortlessly cool Bangles vibe. I saved babysitting money for weeks to buy suede ankle boots just like theirs.
What made this trend so appealing was its vintage sensibility that felt simultaneously retro and current. The Bangles offered a softer alternative to the harder rock aesthetics of the time, giving girls a way to look feminine without looking fussy. Their style was the perfect middle ground—not as provocative as Madonna but cooler than the bubblegum pop stars.
16. Beastie Boys’ VW Necklaces
Ch-check it out! When the Beastie Boys strutted through their videos wearing Volkswagen emblems as necklaces, they sparked an automotive jewelry craze that had teens raiding junkyards and car dealerships. After seeing “Fight For Your Right,” my friend Jason actually removed the emblem from his dad’s VW Golf and strung it on a chain—he was grounded for a month!
Boys started wearing these stolen trophies along with baseball caps turned backward and unlaced sneakers. The trend became so widespread that car dealerships reported increased security measures to prevent emblem theft. Some enterprising students at my high school even started selling fake VW emblems made in metal shop class.
What made this trend fascinating was its rebellious, slightly illegal nature. Unlike store-bought accessories, these emblems had to be “acquired” through questionable means, giving them street cred that money couldn’t buy. The Beastie Boys didn’t just influence fashion—they inspired a minor crime wave of automotive vandalism that drove parents and car owners crazy!
17. Wham!’s “Choose Life” T-Shirts
Jitterbug! When George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley bounced through their “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” video wearing those massive “CHOOSE LIFE” t-shirts, they launched a slogan-wear revolution. Overnight, oversized message tees became the hottest fashion statement for teens eager to let their clothes do the talking.
I saved up two weeks of allowance to buy my knockoff version, which was so big it practically reached my knees! The trend quickly expanded beyond the original slogan as teens started wearing shirts with all kinds of bold statements. My friend Rachel cycled through a different message tee every day for a month, turning her wardrobe into a walking billboard of teenage opinions.
What made this trend so significant was how it transformed clothing into communication. Before Wham!, t-shirts were just t-shirts. After their video, shirts became platforms for personal expression, political statements, and cultural references. The oversized fit also introduced a new silhouette that challenged the skin-tight trends dominating other areas of ’80s fashion.
18. Bon Jovi’s Tattered Denim and Bandanas
Livin’ on a prayer and sporting tattered denim! When Bon Jovi’s videos for “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer” hit heavy rotation, they sparked a denim revolution that had teens taking scissors to perfectly good jeans. I remember my mother nearly fainting when I cut up my brand-new Levi’s to achieve that Jon Bon Jovi look.
Boys grew their hair into magnificent manes and tied bandanas around their thighs, not just their heads. Girls weren’t immune either—many adopted the distressed denim look paired with tight tops and big hair. The hallways of my high school looked like a Bon Jovi concert with all the ripped jeans and teased hair bouncing around.
What made this trend so accessible was that anyone could participate with items they already owned. All you needed was scissors, maybe some bleach, and the courage to destroy perfectly good clothing. It was fashion democracy at its finest—even kids without much money could rock the look of their musical heroes.