The style sensibilities of the past certainly were a mixed bag, but there is no denying that some folks would still look absolutely great in this day and age. From incredible mustaches to vivid color combinations, folks in the past really had it going on.
The “Old School Dads” Instagram account is dedicated to pictures of groovy and cool vintage pictures of dads from the past. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your own thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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#1 Love To All The Dads Who Cleared Us A Space On Your Work Bench And In Your Heart
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#2 "I Typically Don't Take Requests, But The Itsy Bitsy Spider Happens To Be A Personal Favorite Of Mine Too."
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#3 "He's Not Safe, But He's Good"
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Guy fashion in the 1980s was about stating it loud and big or leaving. Perhaps the most iconic of all looks was the power suit, popularized by business leaders and television personalities alike. Jackets had broad shoulder pads that gave width and authoritative presence to the wearer, while skinny pants were used to balance out the look.
Fabrics were available in pinstripes and solid pastels, and suits were generally paired with skinny ties or wide, striped neckties that satisfied the decade's thirst for contrast and drama. Fashion wear for everyday use during the 80s embraced preppy looks with a dynamism twist.
#4 Good Boy
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#5 When I Blow A Kiss To My Enemies
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#6 Not Too Late For You And Your Diabesties To Commit To A Balanced Diet In 2023
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Polo shirts in bright colors were pulled under pastel-hued sweaters loosely tied over the shoulders, and chinos were rolled up at the cuff to expose white leather sneakers or loafers without socks. Brands like Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, and Izod were symbols of status, with their logos prominently emblazoned on chests, hips, and even belt buckles. The "Ivy League" style announced leisure and wealth, while neon accessories such as fanny packs and Ray-Ban Wayfarers provided a flippant splash of color.
#7 The Most Precious Photo Doesn't Ex
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#8 The Old Ball And Chain
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#9 You Know I Keep That Mf Thang On Me
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Sports and streetwear started creeping into the average wardrobe. Fierce stripe-trimmed track jackets, high-top Reebok and Nike running shoes, and acid-washed denim jeans demonstrated that sports clothing no longer belonged solely to the gym. Baseball caps and headbands, often worn bearing team logos or brand names, sat atop outfits and indicated a growing union of style and functionality. Hip-hop fashion fueled the trend as well, as oversized T-shirts and baggy jeans became ubiquitous on and off the court.
#10 “Alright, Listen To Me. This Is Our Last Race, Okay?
"Last chance to burn your name into the dirt. Look at me—eyes on me. No, don't look at the kid with the fancy goggles. He peaked in practice. Eyes. On. Me.” “Now—before you twist that throttle—I want you to remember what our goals are today. What are our goals? Huh? To have fun? To be safe?” “Wrong. That’s what the losers say when they finish 9th and cry into their GoGurt.” “Our goals are: rip holeshots, scare the dads, roast the berms, and cross that finish line before anyone even realizes their visor’s fogging up.” “You see that kid with the number 12? I know his dad. Nice guy. Chiropractor. You’re about to make him question his whole bloodline.” “There are two kinds of people in this world: champions, and everyone else’s dad.” “Let’s go out there and ruin someone’s Saturday.” “Start it up. Ride hard. And remember—if you crash, crash cool.”
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#11 Raised On Horsepower And Hugs
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#12 Get A Load Of The Butte On That
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Denim itself was masculine. Acid-wash, stone-wash, and frayed jeans were worn by everyone from punks to rock stars, who wore them with leather jackets, band tops, and spiked belts. Double-denim outfits, jean jacket and coordinating jeans, spoke for themselves, especially when finished off with rolled-up sleeves or turned-over collars. Denim's outlaw attitude spoke to youth culture's desire to be different and rugged.
#13 When You Have The Opportunity To Post A Photo Of This Caliber You Don't Mull It Over, You Just Post
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#14 I Won't Tell You I'm Uncomfortable Holding Your Purse In Public, But There Will Be Hints
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#15 Olan Mills Thinking They Were The Treasury Department In The 80s Just Printing Money Like This
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80s accessories did not hold back. Thick watches and gold chains were the mark of success, while friendship bands, colored rubber bands, and pin badges on lapels reflected one's personality. Oversized, huge belt buckles featuring some engraved as eagles, letters, or even cartoon characters gave a twist to plain clothes. And no 80s look was complete without aviator glasses or mirrored Wayfarers to ooze that cool-and-carefree vibe.
#16 Just The Pew Pew Of Us
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#17 Tom Celica
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#18 Psa: Snow Accumulation Is Measured From The Bottom Of The Snow Balls To The Tip Of The Snow
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Hairstyles contributed to the fashion theatrics too. Boys attempted mullets, volume curls, and side-swept bangs that required enormous amounts of mousse or gel to put in place. Perms and feathered haircuts provided a soft but fluffy look, the opposite of the stiff lines of padded shoulders and starched coats. Facial hair also shifted from shaving to the neatly trimmed mustache so notoriously worn by action-movie heroes, adding a suggestion of raw masculinity.
#19 Tops Off Bottoms Up
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#20 Sesame Skeet
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#21 Not Sure Whose Grandma Needs To Hear This, But We've Got All The Sweaters We Need
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Finally, the emergence of designer names and logos made brand loyalty a mainstay of men's fashion during the 80s. Armani, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger soon began to show up on everything from underwear waistbands to jeans seams. Wearing a name was to bear witness to taste and financial ability, the decade's focus on conspicuous consumption as well as the notion that clothing could convey status as visibly as an executive office or a business card.
#22 If The Love Is Not Like This I Don't Want It
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#23 The Most Dangerous Snakes Are The Ones Hiding In Plain Sight
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#24 Nice Selfie. Be A Shame If Someone's Dad Came And Took A More Iconic One
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All these avenues, men's fashion in the 1980s was unique for its excessiveness, oversized silhouettes, bold colors, and a mix-and-match approach that celebrated personal expression. It was an era where dressing was a performance, and every aspect, from shoulder pads to the lenses of sunglasses, was an opportunity to turn heads and get noticed.
#25 When I Ask If You Want To Go Out Drinking With The Boys, This Is What I Mean
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#26 Stay Balanced, My Friends
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#27 Damn Dad Save Some P***y For The Rest Of Us
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#28 Felt Cute, Might Record Over A Second Grade Graduation Later Idk
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#29 Hung Like A Baby's Arm
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#30 Tell Me You Already Spent The D**g Money Without Telling Me
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#31 Unbothered. Moisturized. Happy. In My Lane. Focused. Flourishing
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#32 Hop In Loser We're Going To Serve Hög'n'dongz Ice Cream To All The Neighborhood Moms
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#33 POV: You're Next In Line For The Mustache Ride
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#34 Dadslow's Hierarchy Of Dads
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#35 Imagine Hating Me And I'm Just Over Here Seducing Your Mom Like
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#36 Want To Pretend You're Kryptonite And Drain Me... Of My Powers?
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#37 When They Said Tool Belt And Hammer, But You Heard Tool Belt And Glamour
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#38 Felt Barbecute Might Delete Later, Idk
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#39 Muscle, Cars & Titty Bars
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#40 I'm Just Here For The Wholesome Posts
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#41 Invented The Helicopter Dad
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#42 Me Trying To Reverse Two Decades Of Bad Food & Drink Decisions On Day One Of A Juice Cleanse
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#43 Licensed To Impregnate On Sight In All 50 States
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#44 Every Room In The House Is A Ballroom If You Pick The Right Outfit
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#45 Someone Call A Toe-Truck For That Pileup Down Around The Junk-Tion
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#46 "It Was Really Nice To Run Into You, But Dad Has To Get Back To Work Now. I Promise I'll Call Next Weekend"
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#47 Cradle The Balls Support The Shaft. (Or Whatever The Guy From Karate Kid Says)
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#48 ...but It Takes A Real Man To Be A Daddy
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#49 Boom! You're Pregnant!
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#50 All Time [nut] Sack Leader
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#51 Holiday Season Is Mostly Just Repeating "We Don't Do That In Our House" To Dads Who Parented With Smokes In Hand
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#52 Just Top Er Off
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#53 When You're A 10/10 On Dry Land But Urinate In The Pool
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#54 The Codfather
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#55 That Face When You're About To Leave Em In A Vegetative State
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#56 Summer Got Me Feeling Like
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#57 How I'm Tying To Be
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#58 Squad Goals
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#59 Wow
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#60 Toodaloo Mutha$ucka!
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#61 Take Your Daughter To Work Day And Take Your Daddy To School Day Are Now Completely Indistinguishable
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#62 If This Isn't The Kind Of Energy You're Asking Me To Bring, Don't Even Invite Me
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#63 When Old School Dads Were The Coaches
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#64 Omg I'm About To Com...plete The Level!
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#65 Topsiders In The Streets Inside Er In The Sheets
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#66 All The People That Said I'd Never Be A Top Contributor In Every Facebook Group I'm Part Of Are Awful Quiet Right Now
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#67 Hurricane In The Streets Her A Came In The Sheets
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#68 I'm Not Like A Regular Chad, I'm A Sexy Chad
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#69 All Time Sack Leader
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#70 Damn Dad Save Some Birches For The Rest Of Us
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#71 Hate To Flex On Y'all But Had To
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#72 I Don't Care Who You Are: When A Kid Asks You To Do Little Bunny Foo Foo You Do Little Bunny Foo Foo
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#73 That Face When You Realize Dad Is About That Life
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#74 That Face When He's About To Go Down (And Over) On You
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#75 That Morning Juice Buzz Hits Different
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#76 It's A Recliner Rodeo And All You Have To Do To Win Is Stay On For The Full 8 Inches
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#77 Format Change! All Of Our Pictures Will Now Be Of Male Fitness Models
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#78 Waiting For Santa Like
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#79 Bunny Dad
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