Photos Capture the Strait-Laced '80s After the Freewheeling '60s and '70s

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After the freewheeling days of the 1960s and 1970s, the 1980s ushered in a more conservative and proper way of living, with the rise of Yuppie culture and a focus on achieving a high-status, polished lifestyle. This shift in vibes is captured in a series of photos that show people dressing more formally, hairstyles becoming more structured, and an overall sense of seriousness and professionalism, even in casual settings.

Why it matters

The photos provide a glimpse into the cultural shift that occurred in the 1980s, as society moved away from the counterculture and experimentation of the previous decades and towards a more buttoned-up, status-conscious way of living. This transition reflects broader economic and social changes, including the growth of the financial sector and the emergence of a new professional class.

The details

The photos show people dressed in suits and power-dressing attire, even when relaxing at home or in casual settings. Hairstyles are highly structured, with an abundance of hairspray, and there is a general sense of seriousness and focus on projecting an image of success and professionalism. The photos also capture the changing urban landscape, with New York City looking more sober and standard compared to its current appearance.

• The 1980s ushered in this more conservative and polished cultural shift after the freewheeling 1960s and 1970s.
• Yuppie culture and the pursuit of a high-status lifestyle emerged as a dominant trend in the 1980s.