how to style 1980s

If Thai Elephant Pants Existed in the 1980s

Here's why I love personal styling.

People often think styling is simply about putting beautiful clothes together. But for me, it's about something much deeper. It's about curiosity. It's about asking "What if?" and using fashion to tell stories that connect history, culture, and identity.

So I started wondering...

What if Thailand's iconic elephant pants had existed in the 1980s?

To bring the idea to life, my friend and I spent the day walking through Bangkok—from the lively streets of Khao San Road to the historic neighbourhood of Song Wat—reimagining one of Thailand's most recognisable garments through the lens of one of fashion's boldest decades.

It wasn't about recreating the 1980s exactly. It was about imagining how two cultures, separated by time and place, could meet through creativity.

Styling as Storytelling

What I love most about projects like this is how fashion allows us to connect the past with the present. Bangkok will always be home to me. Elephant pants are more than a tourist souvenir—they've become part of Thailand's visual identity and everyday street culture. Reimagining them through 1980s fashion became my way of celebrating both my roots and my creativity.

Looking Back: The Power of 1980s Fashion

The 1980s was a decade defined by confidence.

As more women entered leadership positions and corporate spaces, fashion became a powerful way to communicate authority and ambition. Sharp tailoring, oversized silhouettes, bold shoulders, statement accessories, and vibrant colours all reflected a new sense of empowerment.

This became known as power dressing. It wasn't simply about looking fashionable. It was about dressing for the person you wanted the world to see. That idea still inspires me today.

Because personal style isn't about following trends—it's about expressing who you are.

Colour as Emotion

For this styling, I chose purple.

Not simply because it looked beautiful — but because every colour tells a story. Purple became one of the defining colours of the 1980s, immortalised by artists like Prince and his iconic Purple Rain album. It came to represent imagination, creativity, individuality, and artistic rebellion.

Purple captures the fearless energy of the decade while reflecting the creative freedom that sits at the heart of personal style.

It's a reminder that colour isn't just something we wear. It shapes how we feel. It communicates emotion before we ever say a word.

Why This Matters

Projects like this remind me why I fell in love with styling in the first place.

Fashion gives us permission to explore ideas.

To celebrate where we come from.

To reinterpret history through our own perspective.

To express ourselves without saying a single word.

Whether I'm working with a brand, creating editorial imagery, or helping someone discover their own style, the process always begins with the same question:

What story are we trying to tell?

Because that's what great styling has always been. Not simply choosing clothes — but creating a visual language that reflects who we are.