Ah, the 1980s - a decade full of big hair, flashy clothes and lots of colour! Not to mention noteworthy advances in technology like VCRs, cassette tapes and Walkmans. It was certainly an exciting time for everyone involved in the fashion world.

While fashion tends to be cyclical and ‘old’ styles eventually come back, it’s hard to argue that there’s something special about the nostalgic fashion trends of the 1980s.

If you’re missing this wonderful decade, then we invite you to take a look at these photographs from a 1981 edition of BIG W - a promotional catalogue showcasing some of the apparel products available back then.

Posting on the popular forum site Reddit, one user said that they found some old department store catalogues while cleaning out the apartment of their partner's grandmother.

'These were just lying around,' they added.

So, if you're looking to take a trip down memory lane, take a look at these photos!

Those ribbed polyester skivvies and corduroy overdresses with pockets look quite comfortable. Credit: Reddit.

Ribbed polyester skivvies and corduroy overdresses with pockets

These pieces are classic! At $4.27 and $12 respectively, you can't really get a better deal on skivvies and corduroy.

The western cord jeans were high-quality clothing despite their low price tag of $9 at the time. Credit: Reddit.

Front-pleated corduroy skirts and western cord jeans

The front-pleated skirts as well as the western cord jeans came in varying lengths: long, mid and short. Pretty sure that middle outfit is still in fashion today!

The drill sports shorts were only available in brown. Credit: Reddit

Men's drill sports shorts

These clothes are no joke! For $2.98, it’s basically a steal.

The Police had achieved enormous popularity throughout this decade, so it's no surprise that many Australians were eager to get their hands on their record. Credit: Reddit.

Miscellaneous Items

According to the person posting the images on Reddit, there were also a few miscellaneous items that were included in the catalogue —among them was an album available on both cassette and vinyl, featuring The Police's hits.

Customers who purchased this clock radio back then can save roughly $4 on it and wake up to music or an alarm! What an exciting moment to be alive. Credit: Reddit.

While it’s not the cheapest item in the catalogue, an ad for the 6-piece HI-FI system proved that big-ticket items with advanced technology were always a hit among shoppers.

The 6-piece AWA HI-FI system includes an ‘attractive furniture stand’, so listening to your collection of Air Supply and Mondo Rock LPs was definitely well worth it. Credit: Reddit.

Key Takeaways

• BIG W, a division of Woolworths, has been around since 1964 and offers an extensive range of fashion clothing, health and beauty products, outdoor wares, toys and books, and a small selection of electronics and appliances all at discounted prices.
• An old BIG W catalogue from 1981 has resurfaced, showcasing classic 80s fashion items such as polyester skivvies, corduroy overdresses, front-pleated corduroy skirts, western cord jeans, men’s drill sports shorts, and much more.
• This catalogue also revealed deals on a range of products such as a clock radio, a 6-piece HI-FI system, and screen doors.

Did this bring you back to the 80s? What are some other fashion items from your past that you’d like to have back? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

 

[Ashmenou]

Wish I could find skivves for my size as well as corduroy trousers for kids

 

[Yee]

Ah, the 1980s - a decade full of big hair, flashy clothes and lots of colour! Not to mention noteworthy advances in technology like VCRs, cassette tapes and Walkmans. It was certainly an exciting time for everyone involved in the fashion world.

While fashion tends to be cyclical and ‘old’ styles eventually come back, it’s hard to argue that there’s something special about the nostalgic fashion trends of the 1980s.

If you’re missing this wonderful decade, then we invite you to take a look at these photographs from a 1981 edition of BIG W - a promotional catalogue showcasing some of the apparel products available back then.

Posting on the popular forum site Reddit, one user said that they found some old department store catalogues while cleaning out the apartment of their partner's grandmother.

'These were just lying around,' they added.

So, if you're looking to take a trip down memory lane, take a look at these photos!

Those ribbed polyester skivvies and corduroy overdresses with pockets look quite comfortable. Credit: Reddit.

Ribbed polyester skivvies and corduroy overdresses with pockets

These pieces are classic! At $4.27 and $12 respectively, you can't really get a better deal on skivvies and corduroy.

The western cord jeans were high-quality clothing despite their low price tag of $9 at the time. Credit: Reddit.

Front-pleated corduroy skirts and western cord jeans

The front-pleated skirts as well as the western cord jeans came in varying lengths: long, mid and short. Pretty sure that middle outfit is still in fashion today!

The drill sports shorts were only available in brown. Credit: Reddit

Men's drill sports shorts

These clothes are no joke! For $2.98, it’s basically a steal.

The Police had achieved enormous popularity throughout this decade, so it's no surprise that many Australians were eager to get their hands on their record. Credit: Reddit.

Miscellaneous Items

According to the person posting the images on Reddit, there were also a few miscellaneous items that were included in the catalogue —among them was an album available on both cassette and vinyl, featuring The Police's hits.

Customers who purchased this clock radio back then can save roughly $4 on it and wake up to music or an alarm! What an exciting moment to be alive. Credit: Reddit.

While it’s not the cheapest item in the catalogue, an ad for the 6-piece HI-FI system proved that big-ticket items with advanced technology were always a hit among shoppers.

The 6-piece AWA HI-FI system includes an ‘attractive furniture stand’, so listening to your collection of Air Supply and Mondo Rock LPs was definitely well worth it. Credit: Reddit.

Key Takeaways

• BIG W, a division of Woolworths, has been around since 1964 and offers an extensive range of fashion clothing, health and beauty products, outdoor wares, toys and books, and a small selection of electronics and appliances all at discounted prices.
• An old BIG W catalogue from 1981 has resurfaced, showcasing classic 80s fashion items such as polyester skivvies, corduroy overdresses, front-pleated corduroy skirts, western cord jeans, men’s drill sports shorts, and much more.
• This catalogue also revealed deals on a range of products such as a clock radio, a 6-piece HI-FI system, and screen doors.

Did this bring you back to the 80s? What are some other fashion items from your past that you’d like to have back? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

I actually wore this pinafore and polerneck

 

[Yee]

I wore a skivvies and pinafore like these for my school uniform back in the day. In the UK. Brings back memories marie

 

[OperaticZeus]

Funny how some of the electrical items are now cheaper

 

[Judy_mcloughlin15]

Ah, the 1980s - a decade full of big hair, flashy clothes and lots of colour! Not to mention noteworthy advances in technology like VCRs, cassette tapes and Walkmans. It was certainly an exciting time for everyone involved in the fashion world.

While fashion tends to be cyclical and ‘old’ styles eventually come back, it’s hard to argue that there’s something special about the nostalgic fashion trends of the 1980s.

If you’re missing this wonderful decade, then we invite you to take a look at these photographs from a 1981 edition of BIG W - a promotional catalogue showcasing some of the apparel products available back then.

Posting on the popular forum site Reddit, one user said that they found some old department store catalogues while cleaning out the apartment of their partner's grandmother.

'These were just lying around,' they added.

So, if you're looking to take a trip down memory lane, take a look at these photos!

Those ribbed polyester skivvies and corduroy overdresses with pockets look quite comfortable. Credit: Reddit.

Ribbed polyester skivvies and corduroy overdresses with pockets

These pieces are classic! At $4.27 and $12 respectively, you can't really get a better deal on skivvies and corduroy.

The western cord jeans were high-quality clothing despite their low price tag of $9 at the time. Credit: Reddit.

Front-pleated corduroy skirts and western cord jeans

The front-pleated skirts as well as the western cord jeans came in varying lengths: long, mid and short. Pretty sure that middle outfit is still in fashion today!

The drill sports shorts were only available in brown. Credit: Reddit

Men's drill sports shorts

These clothes are no joke! For $2.98, it’s basically a steal.

The Police had achieved enormous popularity throughout this decade, so it's no surprise that many Australians were eager to get their hands on their record. Credit: Reddit.

Miscellaneous Items

According to the person posting the images on Reddit, there were also a few miscellaneous items that were included in the catalogue —among them was an album available on both cassette and vinyl, featuring The Police's hits.

Customers who purchased this clock radio back then can save roughly $4 on it and wake up to music or an alarm! What an exciting moment to be alive. Credit: Reddit.

While it’s not the cheapest item in the catalogue, an ad for the 6-piece HI-FI system proved that big-ticket items with advanced technology were always a hit among shoppers.

The 6-piece AWA HI-FI system includes an ‘attractive furniture stand’, so listening to your collection of Air Supply and Mondo Rock LPs was definitely well worth it. Credit: Reddit.

Key Takeaways

• BIG W, a division of Woolworths, has been around since 1964 and offers an extensive range of fashion clothing, health and beauty products, outdoor wares, toys and books, and a small selection of electronics and appliances all at discounted prices.
• An old BIG W catalogue from 1981 has resurfaced, showcasing classic 80s fashion items such as polyester skivvies, corduroy overdresses, front-pleated corduroy skirts, western cord jeans, men’s drill sports shorts, and much more.
• This catalogue also revealed deals on a range of products such as a clock radio, a 6-piece HI-FI system, and screen doors.

Did this bring you back to the 80s? What are some other fashion items from your past that you’d like to have back? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

 

[Judy_mcloughlin15]

I would like to see the hot pants we wore back in the 80s to come back in Fashion and the halter neck dresses as they were the fashion then as I lived in them.

 

[RTS]

Rent for a flat was $28 per week in 1981.
Prices are relative, so much dearer then.

 

[Possum Lover]

In 1970 we paid three weeks wages of a qualified cabinet makers wages for a record player. So much money compared with what we could buy a record player today.
Our first home, a flat at Highgate Hill was $10 a week in 1966. That was a quarter of my husbands take home pay. One bedroom, tiny 2 chair lounge and an eat in kitchen just big enough for two, not three. Shared toilet, laundry and bathroom and you had to put a penny in the heater to obtain hot water, which was a problem as that was the year of the money changeover to decimal currency and pennies became scarce.
We were very happy there as we could always see each other! Ah young love and we are still going strong.