'The Preppy Look'

In the early 80s fashion turned the opposite way from the previous punk rock look of the 70s. It became fashionable to wear smart clothing and to wear designer labels. In America it was called the 'preppy look', this clothing included blue blazers, shetland sweaters, and white soled boating shoes nicknamed 'topsiders'. Lacoste T shirts became the trend with the distinctive alligator badge to make it known that it was designer. Anything which had the symbol of an expensive designer on it became ultimately desirable, this was because it led people to believe you lived a rich lifestyle.