Popular 80s Brands Now Considered Vintage Gems
Fashion in the 1980s was all about making life bigger, bolder, and brighter. Today’s resurgence of boxy blazers, colorful athletic wear, and chunky jewelry has modern fashion lovers searching for authentic vintage pieces that capture the era’s unmistakably glamorous style.
If you’re ready to add some 80s flair to your wardrobe, check out some of the most sought-after 80s clothing brands to look out for.
1. Nike
Nike revolutionized athletic wear and street fashion during the 1980s, creating pieces that blended performance with style. In fact, their world-famous “Just Do It” campaign (1988) captured the decade’s ambitious spirit. It remains one of advertising history’s most successful slogans.
Today, vintage Nike pieces, especially those featuring early iterations of the swoosh logo and early Air Jordan sneakers, are considered grails among vintage collectors.
2. Adidas
During the 1980s, adidas leaned into the popular techno-futurism aesthetic, introducing the innovative Micropacer sneaker with its built-in fitness tracker—a revolutionary concept for its time.
Original Micropacers can be hard to find—fortunately, there are a few valuable adidas pieces you can likely get your hands on:
Classic Superstar sneakers
Graphic tees and sweaters
Original tracksuits
When thrifting for clothes, keep an eye out for rare 80s adidas pieces including Olympic Centennial Collection silver tags or tags with product codes beginning with F1.
3. GUESS
GUESS revolutionized fashion in the 80s by bringing European styling to American denim. Their form-fitting designs, high-waisted jeans, and jackets featuring the iconic triangle logo defined the decade’s statement-making fashion.
The most prized vintage GUESS pieces include:
Signature stone-washed jeans
Oversized denim jackets
Graphic tees and crewnecks
If you're trying to determine if the GUESS jeans you thrifted are truly vintage, identifying vintage clothing tags is key. Look for tags featuring the names Georges Marciano and GUESS, which are characteristic of 1980s-era tags.
4. Levi’s
While Levi’s is an American heritage brand with a history stretching back to the 1800s, the 1980s marked a defining era for the brand.
Here are some of the most desired 80s Levi’s pieces to search for during your next thrifting sesh:
Orange tab 501 and 505 style denim
Trucker jackets
Denim vests
Graphic tees
Levi's jeans from this period are known for superior denim quality and distinctive made-in-USA craftsmanship. These qualities made them popular with punk rockers and preppy fashionistas alike.
5. Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein elevated everyday items into designer territory, while their ready-to-wear collections offered sophisticated simplicity that contrasted sharply with the typical excess of the 80s.
Vintage Calvin Klein pieces are high-quality, impeccably tailored garments that still feel modern today, making them a favorite among vintage shoppers.
6. Esprit
When you think of bold 80s prints—the ones with neon colors and squiggly lines—you're likely thinking of vintage Esprit style. The brand embodied the youthful, optimistic spirit of the 1980s through colorful casual wear and socially conscious marketing.
The most collectible Esprit pieces include:
Graphic sweaters
Coordinated sets
Canvas bags with logo prints
Bold collared shirts
These pieces are especially valuable for conscious consumers who appreciate both sustainable fashion and bold vintage style, as this is one of the few remaining 80s clothing brands.
7. Vans
The 1980s transformed Vans from a California skate shop staple into a global fashion brand. As skateboarding culture went mainstream, Vans' classic slip-ons and high-tops with checkered patterns became essential footwear for skaters and fashion lovers alike.
8. Chanel
Chanel pieces from the 80s represent the perfect marriage of traditional luxury and the bold style of the decade thanks to a creative renaissance led by Karl Lagerfeld. He breathed new life into the brand by embracing the era's appetite for glamor while maintaining Chanel's core elegance.
9. Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren's Polo was practically a lifestyle empire in the 1980s, as it became a staple for the decade’s preppy fashions. The brand’s polo shirts with the distinctive horse logo were status symbols, while their rugby shirts and Oxford button-downs captured the 80s’ appreciation for traditional American sportswear.
10. Members Only
No brand captures 1980s outerwear quite like Members Only. Their signature jackets, with distinctive epaulets and elastic waistbands, became cultural touchstones thanks to their "When you put it on… something happens" advertising campaign.
Today, original Members Only jackets instantly evoke 80s nostalgia for vintage collectors.
11. Reebok
Reebok dominated the 1980s fitness boom by recognizing untapped market potential. Their 1982 Freestyle high-top revolutionized athletic footwear as the first shoe designed specifically for women's aerobics. By 1986, Reebok had overtaken Nike in athletic shoe sales, driven by their innovative garment leather designs that bridged fashion and performance.
Some favored vintage Reebok finds include:
Original Freestyle high-tops
Ex-O-Fit with single strap design
Newport Classic tennis shoes
These pieces represent a pivotal moment in athletic wear history when fitness culture went mainstream.
12. Lee
Lee jeans rivaled Levi's in the 1980s denim scene. They were known for their sturdy construction and distinctive patches. In fact, their Rider jacket and high-waisted jeans became wardrobe staples, representing American denim at its finest.
These days, vintage Lee pieces are prized for their quality construction and classic styling, which captures authentic 1980s Americana.
13. Jordache
Jordache epitomized the designer jeans craze of the 1980s with its form-fitting designs and distinctive horse head logo. Its provocative advertising campaigns and premium positioning made it a status symbol, while its dark-wash denim set industry standards.
Put simply, original Jordache pieces represent the height of 80s designer denim culture.
Revive the 80s With Pre-Loved Clothing
The enduring appeal of popular 80s clothing brands lies in their boldness, innovation, and cultural significance. These brands also offered high-quality, superior craftsmanship making them both sustainable and stylish choices. While the 80s brands featured here offer a great starting point, the 90s clothing brands also bring their own nostalgic flair. Whether you’re hunting for 80s or 90s vintage finds, thrifting for clothes from these iconic eras gives you the chance to score pieces that are both stylish and sustainable.
If you’re looking to build a unique wardrobe inspired by decades past, browse ShopGoodwill.com. You can find vintage gems and secondhand clothing from these brands and support your local community through ShopGoodwill.com’s mission.
Sources:
Tone Footwear. The Evolution of Nike: A Detailed History and Key Model Releases by Year. https://tonefootwear.com/pages/the-evolution-of-nike-a-detailed-history?srsltid=AfmBOor9RwukWngM9WDZWeLiuF-Wjp-pOTQAu-Le-jHsi0B5n62NA4Ju
Adidas. adidas History: 1949 to Now. https://www.adidas.com/us/blog/392942-adidas-history-1949-to-now
VCG. How to tell if Adidas is vintage: Logos, Tags & Tips. https://vintageclothingguides.com/tags-labels/how-to-tell-if-adidas-is-vintage/
Bundlex. The history of GUESS. https://www.bundlex.com/en/blog/fashion-tips/history-of-guess/
Levis. History & Heritage. https://www.levi.jp/about-us.html?fdid=about-us
Women’s Wear Daily. Calvin Klein: A History and Timeline. https://wwd.com/feature/calvin-klein-history-1236091817/
Mental Floss. A Brief History of Members Only Jackets. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/83033/how-members-only-dressed-80s
Ssense. The Almost Definitive History of Reebok Classics. https://www.ssense.com/en-us/editorial/fashion/the-almost-definitive-history-of-reebok-classics