1978-1988 Mens Wear: Graphics and Patterns

      Men's wear in late 70s to late 80s were mostly dominated with stripes.  The stripes varied according to what type of outfit the man was wearing. Suits were generally pin striped while their ties were bolder stripes.  Men's active wear was generally 3-4 colors with bold stripes across the chest or vertically down the shoulder.

     The early 80s introduces the checkered pattern which was not commonly used in previous years.  This pattern also varried by what the man was wearing. If it was a suit, the checkered pattern was small. If the man was wearing a sweater the checker pattern was much larger.

      By the late 80s the patterns had settled down and were generally plain stripes symmetrical in size, plaid and checkered.

    Mens Wear: 1978-1979

Trends in Mens graphics/patterns for 1978 and 1979:

• Bold stripes
• horizontal across the chest
• vertical down one or both sides of the chest
• Mens suits:
• pin stripes

    Mens Wear: 1980-1981

Trends in Mens graphics/patterns for 1980 and 1981

• New group of patterns:
• Tartans
• Geometrics
• Diamonds 
• Sweaters 1980
• "Black and Bright"
• Black background with bright rainbow stripes
• Across the chest 
• Vertical
• Plaid
• Diagonal solid thick stripe across front of shirt 
• Bohemian patterns in pastel colors

 Mens Wear: 1982-83

Trends in graphics/patterns for 1982 and 1983:

• Stripes
• Thin 
• Thick
• Diagonal
• Vertical
• Horiztonal
• Plaid 
• Diamonds 

MensWear Spring 1983 Fabrics:  May 24th, 1982

By Robert Bryan

      “Reflecting their concerns about current economic conditions, fabric manufacturers are taking a more realistic and conservative approach to spring 1983. “Wearable” has become the by-word in the marketplace, suggesting colors or patterns that are considered not extreme to sell. Fortunately, though, thanks to a wide variety of excellent, salable colors, and the luxurious surface interest of silk and linen textures, there is still plenty of fashion excitement.”

      “Generally the colorations are softer and concentrated in the medium to medium-light range. With all the interest in color and texture, patterns have taken a back seat. Though plaids remain important in sport coats, they are down substantially in other areas. Stripes on the other hand are making gains especially in sport shirts.” 

    Mens Wear: 1984-85

Trends in graphics/patterns for 1984 and 1985

• Checkers 
• Diamonds
• Small
• Large
• "Blocked" colors
• Stripes
• Thin

    Mens Wear: 1986-1988

Trends in graphics/patterns for 1986,1987 and 1988:

• Plaid
• Large
• Blocks of color
• Diamonds
• Checkers
• Horizontal Stripes

Citations: 

Articles:

MensWear Spring 1983 Fabrics:  May 24th, 1982

By Robert Bryan

Page 31

Mens Wear magazine 1980:Changing Patterns Sporting Life By Jane Golden

Mens Wear Magazine

1981,1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988

Vintage Shirts:http://www.papasoul.com/next24.html