Ask anyone under 30 to describe the 1980s, and they’ll probably talk about neon colors, legwarmers, and the usual suspects.
But if you actually grew up in the ’80s, you know that flashy image was mostly a creation of Hollywood and advertising. The reality for most of us? More wood paneling and dingy hand-me-downs from the gritty and gloomy ’70s.
This contrast has even inspired a popular meme, showing the difference between how people think the ’80s looked and what they were really like.
How everyone else thinks the 80s looked like vs. reality
byu/fart-debris inGenX
RELATED: 16 Totally Awesome ’80s Candies We Were Obsessed With
Boomboxes and Blockbusters
The ’80s could be described as a financial blockbuster, but for those of us who lived through it, it was a defining moment when movies, music, and all forms of pop culture were simply about having fun. Can you say the same about those gritty ’70s? Definitely not.
Old portable cassette player and headphones on a abstract background. Vintage advertisement style
RELATED: How Many of These Objects From the ’70s Can You Identify?
Indiana Jones swashbuckled through the box office, E.T. phoned home to massive success, and amidst it all, we enjoyed wholesome family entertainment with the Tanners and Huxtables—although things did get a bit complicated later on.
The ’80s Were Fun But Disposable
While entertainment and distractions were abundant, the ’80s weren’t exactly known for their environmental consciousness. We were all about saving the whales, but plastic and styrofoam were all the rage.
1980s Core Memories
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This is when mass production came into play, and if it broke, you got another one.
⬇️ Keep scrolling for the ’80s mystery objects. ⬇️
Strap on your big shoulders and fire up the DeLorean! Let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the ’80s and see how many of these iconic treasures you remember.
LOOK: How Many of These 1980s Objects Do You Remember?
Gear up for a blast from the past as we dive into a list of iconic ’80s treasures that shaped a decade of vibrant style and unforgettable pop culture moments.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
SWEET: 16 Totally Awesome ’80s Candies We Were Obsessed With
Get ready to dive into a list of the most awesome ’80s candies—those iconic treats that starred in movies, were sometimes more plastic than candy, and captured our hearts with their unforgettable flavors and wacky packaging.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
LOOK: Can You Recognize These Iconic ’70s Objects
Let’s take a walk down a very groovy memory lane and ponder some of the things that made life easy, fun and undeniably cool in the ’70s.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
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