As a decade, the 1980s gave us a lot to be thankful for: the music of Michael Jackson and Madonna, and millennials like Mark Zuckerberg (born 1984) and Channing Tatum (born 1980) who've made our lives better with their technological inventions and really great abs. However, when it came to style, the '80s also gave us some of the worst accessories and trends ever invented. We're cringing just thinking about it.
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Ah, the good ol' '80s. A simpler time when New Coke was all the rage, John Hughes movies were current, and Jordans were the only basketball player's sneaker on the market. The worst part of the '80s? Undeniably it was the fashion. This was a time when big hair, big jewelry, and bright colors were all the rage. And it was not always a flattering look. A walk down this memory land includes scrunchies, leg warmers, and shoulder pads — that's right, shoulder pads. Which at one time we apparently thought made us look cool and not like a linebacker. Thank goodness times have changed and we no longer celebrate the broad shouldered garment. Read on to see some amazing '80s fashion accessories we wish we could forget. Which is the most cringey?
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Rubber Bracelets
Madonna was so cool in the 1980s, she convinced us that wearing piles of cheap rubber bracelets on top of each other looked good.
Banana Clips
'80s hair was so big and textured, it required a massive banana-shaped claw to hold it up in a ponytail.
Scrunchies
No one would ever be caught dead wearing a scrunchie these days, but they were ubiquitous a few decades ago.
Leg Warmers
They started out as athletic wear, but by the late '80s, women were wearing leg warmers with mini-skirts and leggings as part of their everyday look.
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Jelly Shoes
They looked like kids' shoes and made your feet smell terrible. Enough said.
Shoulder Pads
Having broad, masculine shoulders was the look to kill for.
Reebok Sneakers
Women would walk to work in chunky Reebok sneakers and power suits à la Melanie Griffith in Working Girl.
Fingerless Gloves
Another '80s trend we can thank Madonna for? Fingerless gloves.
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Fanny Packs
The only thing tackier than a fanny pack? An acid-wash denim fanny pack.
Moon Boots
Rainbow Brite would have felt at home wearing these '80s snow boots.
Oversized Hair Bows
Is it cute for an 8-year-old girl to wear a gigantic head bow? Sure. A 30-year-old woman? Not so much.
Scrunch Socks
Also known as slouch socks, these funny, oversized socks were often layered or paired with white Keds.
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Oversized Earrings
When you have big hair, you apparently need even bigger earrings.
Swatch Watch
These watches were the epitome of 1980s style and not in a good way.
Members Only Jackets
These jackets were considered fancy enough to wear to formal, black-tie events.
T-Shirt Clips
These are what you reached for when you wanted to accessorize your T-shirt.
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Cyclops Sunglasses
Neon-colored cyclops sunglasses were a must-have for Star Trek fans.
Pom-Pom Socks
It was like wearing a bunny tail but on both of your ankles.
