When you want to bring a vintage look such as the look of the 80s into the modern era, the idea is to take bits and pieces and elements of the style and selectively and creatively bring it in or tie it in with modern fashion styles, cuts, color pallettes, fabrics, etc. When you go full fledged "I'm going to wear a Jane Fonda leotard and leg warmers," what you end up with is looking either severely dated or like you belong at a costume party. You aren't in the 80s right now, you're in 2017. You can honor the looks of another time period without looking like you actually belong in a history book.
The 80s in particular were filled with so many popular style choices.
Yuppy/Preppy
Tomboy/Annie Hall
80's Metal/Punk/Madonna
Hip Hop Fashion
Dynasty/Glamour
Jane Fonda/Sportswear
Conservative/Laura Ashley
Movie fashion inspired by The Breakfast Club, The Lost Boys, Pretty in Pink, Heathers, 16 Candles
Popular items of the time were ripped jeans, power suits, floral prints, shoes without socks, headbands, Raybans, Zubaz, giant perms, air brushed ts, acid washed jeans, tutus, lace, leather, scrunchies, tiered-bubble-and ruffle skirts/dresses, Jheri curls, linebacker shoulder pads, sequins, lycra, spandex, hammer pants, one shoulder jumpsuits, tennis shoes without laces or fat laces, off the shoulder cuts, leotards, peg pants, topsiders, colorful eyeshadow, leg warmers, Michael Jackson anything, down vests, blue jean everything, neon colors, giant slogan t-s, mom jeans, loafers, giant earrings, fanny packs, scrunchie socks, silk shirts, side pony tales, and leggings.
When looking at some modern examples of the style below, you can see the different elements pop up. Instead of a mom jean style acid washed pant, it's now a skinny jean, or instead of a long floor length sequinned dress, it's now a mini, or a big bulky line backer suit is now paired down without shoulder pads and a lot of bulk, and of course the hair and make-up are much more natural without tons of height and hairspray.
You can still embrace these looks even if you weren't born in the era or don't have access to vintage pieces per se. Many of the styles often wrap back around to current day again, and if you love the style, stock up.
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