
Throughout the film San Junipero, the 1980’s fashion played a significant role: clothes, music, dance. In the film, Kelly said, “People try so hard to look how they think they should look.” In other words, people were trying so hard to grab others attention with their clothes. However, in the present day, people emphasize more about the outfit all together rather than each clothes or accessories. Weather the fashion in 80’s or today, they are all illustrating their particular cultures.

During 1980’s the fashion evolved in variety of different ways, where the people was trying new clothes and accessories to dress themselves differently. For example, in 80’s, people were more likely to dress colorful clothes, such as bright blue shirt and bright pink pants; and women were usually with an accessory such as huge earring. Also in the beginning of the scene of San Junipero, Kelly dressed like Michael Jackson, which was a really famous trend of wearing in 80’s. One of the fashion people dress in 80’s is they put their shirt in their pants such as polo shirt with jeans. In my culture, putting shirt into pants was a symbol of fashion. Compare to today’s fashion, people are more likely to dress single color and one or two accessories at most; and one of the different dressing is men also wear earring. 

Compare to Asian country, the fashion had changed a lot since 80’s. For example, my country, Taiwan, had changed a lot in fashion. First of all, during the time Japan dominated Taiwan, people were basically dressed Chinese tradition clothes or Japanese tradition clothes, however, after they finished their domination and people had more chance to know about western style of dressing, women started to wear long skirt and men started to wear jeans in 80’s. Secondly, as an Asian country, people were not as open-minded as western country, so people dressed more conservative but it didn't last long. Thirdly, after 80’s, Taiwan cloth industry was growing up and brought our industry to a new stage. 

In 80’s, the music industry was soaring up, and a lot of bands and singers were coming out. For example, Michael Jackson, Prince, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses, to name but a few, their music were played all over the world. In San Junipero, Kelly and Yorkie, they were enjoying the music in the bar and dance together. But there are some changes in 80’s and today’s music: after electronic music came out, it becomes one of the mainstream music people listen now; also, Rap played a big role in America music industry. Nowadays, when we go to bar or club, those music in 80’s have less chance to be played but play something famous singer such as Future, Drake, Kanye West, and so on.

In the San Junipero, car is also one of the fashions. Kelly was driving her jeep around the city, and in the end of the film, she was taking a soundless silver van to the hospital. Back in 80’s, the ideal of a car is fast, efficient, and comfort. But now the fashion of a car is more focus on safety, soundless, simplification.

Fashion is a wide topic throughout the history, however, based on San Junipero, we can tell that 80’s fashion and today’s fashion have its own special and outstanding style. 


