Five ways the 80s came back in 2017

[A] glorious yet often derided decade, the 1980s was a period of decadence and daring as the Miami Vice aesthetic took hold, Wall St went boom and then bust, New York’s creative scene was buzzing against a backdrop of social dischord and disruption and the UK music scene found itself caught between electro-pop and bleak post-punk. Flamingoes were a vibe as well.

As the zeitgeist appears to be slowly turning its attention away from 90s nostalgia the way is paved for a return to the 1980s. Here are five ways the decade came back in 2017 already.

The welcome and triumphant revival of Yacht Rock

You’ve just made your first crooked million on Wall St, you’re aboard your yacht wearing a pink Ralph Lauren polo shirt, sipping champagne and wearing Wayfarers. But what are you going to listen to? Yacht Rock of course. But with no new soft, soft sounds coming from the likes of Player, Ace and Steely Dan, where will you turn? Strangely, you will turn to Denmark, where you will find bands like GENTS and Liss, providing you with low key R&B. The kind of sounds that make you forget you’re a white collar criminal/coke fiend. Also representing the genre are HOMESHAKE and Thundercat, who way back in January dropped this insanely soothing track featuring YR legends Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. Dive in.

Lil Yachty – “Bring it Back”

Lil Yachty’s second single from his upcoming album Teenage Emotions (out May 26th) was a throwback to low key 80s prom parties directed by Millicient Hailes. Featuring a very soft lens, a lime green suit and plenty of jellies it’s one of the most soothing music videos (and tracks) to have come out this year.

Brand Revivals

Iconic euro-wear brand Esprit has been re-interpreted by Opening Ceremony, Kappa and Fila have enjoyed high-profile collaborations with Gosha Rubchinskiy, late 70s and early 80s party-time label Fiorucci has returned via a celebratory pop up and Selfridges and Reebok Classics have been everywhere. 80s brands are cashing in on the decade taking its turn on the great cultural merry-go-round. This is why you should hoard all clothes.

The return of the 80s party girl at YSL

Anthony Vaccarello ushered in a new era at Saint Laurent, initially by triumphantly re-incorporating the brand founder’s initial “Y” into his debut collection, but also by departing from Hedi Slimane’s androgynous rock chick and replacing her with an 80s party girl headed directly for iconic NYC nightspot Studio 54. Shoulder pads, one-shoulder dresses, leopard print and lots of legs were on display at the Belgian designer’s debut in Paris. The collection was reminiscent of the very height of 80s glamour.

The return of the big suit at balenciaga

These two-piece wonders are everything your steretypical 80s ad exec would have loved – broad, boxy and brawny, with ample pockets for business cards. Online wisdom says that the more expansive cuts of the decade were the result of more relaxed attitudes in offices, though some would also note that it was simply time for change after the streamlined cuts of the 60s were given a free pass in the 70s because no one would actually wear a flared two piece to an office. Demna Gvasalia’s revival of this look for Balenciaga AW17 was very well received, not least by those who know they can pick up something just like this in their Dad’s wardrobe.