1980s and 1990s TIMELINE OF EVENTS 1980 Reagan elected president Trickle down economic theory 1981 Prince Charles I married Lady Diana Spencer 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev became Soviet premier 1988 George H W elected president Invasion of Panama Persian Gulf War 1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall Collapse of Soviet control in Eastern Europe and non Communist governments seized control 1990 East and West Germany reunited The Clean Air Act due to depletion of ozone layer Discovery of the Internet an important communication toolsource of information about fashion 1991 The Soviet Union collapsed End of the Cold War 1992 Bill Clinton elected president 1993 First terrorist attack on the U S on February 25 in World Trade Center 1994 Levi Strauss sell first custom fitted clothing produced through computer imaging at retail level 1994 1996 Russia launched full scale invasion in to the Republic of Chechnya and were defeated 1995 Oklahoma terrorist bomb on April 19 1996 Boris Yeltsin elected as first popular Democratic president in Russia 1997 China assumed control over Hong Kong 1998 Bill Clinton impeached 1999 Vladimir Putin named acting president of Russia and restarts the Chechen war WOMEN S DRESS 1980 1995 Fashion Japanese influences evident in innovative cuts and popularity of black and gray fabrics Martin Margiela Belgian designer known for deconstruction clothes with seams on the outside linings as part of the exterior fabric edges left raw and unhemmed large shoulders and sleeves shoulder pads added to everything from day time dresses to sweaters to evening wear skirt lengths decreased tightly fitting dresses were made of spandex stretch fiber blends cut outs and bare midriffs lace and sheer fabrics popular through the 1990s transparent dresses as outer layer over opaque garment shoulder lines became smaller and more natural in 1990s short skirts and mini skirts reappeared varying lengths of skirts seen throughout 1990s common choice very short skirt or skirt that reached below calf long straight skirts with slits dresses skirts and pants very fitted and tight until early 1990s mid 1990s wider pant legs and shorter full skirts undergarments provided more shape and support for close fitting garments of the 1990s Underwear same general style of past decades frilly feminine underwear makes a comeback Victoria s Secret modern versions of corsets and bustles mid 1990s plain opaque stockings bustles padded panties such as Rear Riser or Butt Booster special bras design to uplift for low cut cleavage baring styles opaque or sheer pantyhose patterned beaded sequined and decorated pantyhose also available Materials no dominating silhouette or style wide range of fabrics Rayon back in fashion since WWII Lycra spandex used extensively in blends with other fibers for stretch fabrics bright floral rayons reminiscent of 1930s natural fibers preferred over synthetic fine polyester microfibers made to look and feel like silk Dresses printed rayon dresses had empire waists and buttoned down the front classic shirtwaist dresses long or short long unfitted through bodice and joined at a dropped waistline to gathered skirt 1920s revival sweater dresses T shirt dresses sweatshirt dresses short tight dresses with stretch fibers made with spandex chemise or shift dresses sleeveless ranging from fitted to full tent like styles delicate sheer dresses over other garments paired with hiking boots or sturdy sandals coordinated ensembles of dresses with short to almost full length jackets or coats Career Wear tailored suits with tailored blouses more diverse suits from latter part of 1980s collarless cardigan styles 1987 skirt length for office wear was just above the knee pantsuits made a comeback in 1990s 1990s long jackets with short slim skirts or pants Shorts Suit Giorgio Armani 1987 suit consisting of shorts and tailored jacket alternative to skirted suit Chanel Suit Revival Karl Lagerfield mid 1980s Evening Wear basic Chanel formula updated with vivid colors revived French couture glittering embroidery sequins beading bright colors ornamented fabrics with vivid woven or printed designs 1985 Christian Lacroix for Patou designed Le Pouf Le Pouf wide puffy skirt with light airy appearance long and short mini crinolines wide skirted short styles late 1980s tightly fitted short stretch fabric evening dresses strapless or tiny shoulder straps 1990s simple slip dresses of soft crepe fabrics mid 1990s short strapless full skirted evening dresses revived mid 1990s interesting back details 1990s lace or elaborately decorated bustiers also worn long fitted evening dresses strapless sleeveless one shouldered peek a boo cut outs black was a popular color late 1990s Givenchy designed flapper style beaded dresses Outerwear early 1980s large oversized coats over narrow dresses and suits Japanese influence end of 1980s longer down coats replaced with short casual down jackets real and imitation fur coats worn throughout the period 1990s fur became less bulky and available in different colors 1990s wrap coats and trench coats were popular 1996 between season coats 1960 Chanel design revived and copied Sportswear Pants and Skirts culottes and divided skirts worn throughout 1980s end of 1980s tight fitting stretch tights or leggings made with spandex varying lengths bright colors and patterns worn with large loose T shirts sweaters or under mini skirts pants were slender in early 1990s started to widen mid 1990s 1994 wide pants with large cuffs Blouses Sweaters and Tops early 1980s sweatshirts were very popular Norma Kamali American designer originated a line of clothes inspired by the knitted fabric used in sweatshirts her styles included traditional sweatshirt features extended to skirts dresses evening wear mid 1980s tailored blouses blouses and sweatshirts with standing ruffled collars sleeves gathered into armscye and puffed sleeve caps Gibson Girl inspiration shirts cut large through shoulders and full through body T shirts basic cotton handsome fabrics embroidered sequined beaded fine gauge cotton or silk knit Fair Isle patterns and knitted pictures on sweaters in early and mid 1980s late 1980s onwards plain or overall patterned sweaters early 1990s frilly white blouse with large sleeves commonly worn with slim black pants sweater sets similar to 1950s pullover and matching cardigans turtleneck revival tight fitting T shirts and knit tops cashmere sweaters Active Sportswear running suits warm up suits jogging and exercise