It’s no secret that fashions from the 80s are back, but what good is that for those who don’t feel like they fit into the preppy, polished style framework that was popular at the time?

Luckily, beyond the polo shirts, white sneakers, and power suits, there was another fashion trend sweeping youth culture that was bolder and spoke to a niche with a different set of values than what was presented in the mainstream.

While we may think of spikes and chains as a relatively new invention, these types of trends have actually been around for decades.

In fact, many of the fashion choices that we would consider “punk” today have their origins in the 80s, particularly within the United Kingdom.

How do you dress in an 80s punk style?

The aforementioned chains and spikes are definitely an important component of what we consider “punk style”, but it is vital to point out that behind the fabric there was an influential social movement happening.

In a world of increasing conformity brought on by mass consumerism, many punks felt it necessary to make a statement through the way they dress, sending a message to the outside world that they were doing their own thing.

Aside from this, they also saw the way they dress as a way to rebel against consumer culture, especially if they could create looks by using items found around the house or at a thrift store.

We may be far away from the 1980s in some ways, but in a lot of ways a lot of the messages that punks were setting out to prove still ring true. Whether you want to support a message of individuality, or you just like the way that the style looks, here are some punk staples to incorporate into your wardrobe.

1. Doc Martens

Docs have been around since the 1940s, but it was really in the 1970s and 80s where they found their footing (pun intended) in niche youth culture in the UK.