New Romantics - 1980s Fashion History

What Was 1980's New Romanticism?

New Romanticism was a manufactured scene within London nightclubs in the early 1980s. The posers within the group, often the more creative people who had always been more interested in the sartorial aspects of dressing up than the anarchic statement of punk anti fashion, looked for new ideas to draw attention to themselves.

Adapted factual or fictional themes and Hollywood glamour were chosen by the New Romantics to make a personal look. The flamboyant, colourful dramatic look used frills and luscious fabrics associated with historical periods. In contrast to punks the wearers made an effort to look flamboyant in an attractive, luxuriant, beautiful, narcissistic way.

Designers of New Romantic Clothing

The early designers of the romantic look were Vivienne Westwood, Colin Swift, Stevie Stewart and David Holah. Westwood began her romantic ideas with adaptations of dandified Regency designs which later she developed into a Pirate look. She designed especially for Adam and The Ants.

 A Vivienne Westwood pirate design.

New Romantic Pop Groups

The look rapidly dubbed New Romantics by the media, moved quickly into mainstream fashion and was reinforced by hot chart topping pop groups of the time such as Adam And The Ants, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran and Visage. David Bowie, Bryan Ferry and Boy George were all influential singers of the era.

The Swashbuckling Pirate Look

Typical romantic glamour had the swashbuckling style of pirates and buccaneers. Full sleeved frilled pirate shirts were made from luxury fabrics. Theatrical brocade or hussar style jackets of velvet or silk complete with braiding were copied and appeared on many jackets.

Mass Market Effects

Glamour became a 1980's norm and occasion wear was influenced by the romantic idea of dressing up. Dressing up was in again and filtered every avenue of fashion eventually influencing the world, through media uptake via television soap operas like Dynasty.

Princess of Wales Opts for Romantic Glamour

Romantic dressing put a stamp on early 80's clothing especially for occasion wear. The die was cast for the mainstream of mass fashion in the culmination of the wedding clothes of Diana, Princess Of Wales with Charles, Prince of Wales.

Photographs of her romantic evening dresses and her wedding dress set the romantic style for full ball gowns for almost a decade.