17 Photos Of What Life Looked Like In 1985
The year 1985 was a whirlwind of culture, music, fashion, and innovation.
MTV ruled the airwaves, Metallica shook the music scene, and fashion trends defied everything that came before. Whether you were marveling at your first microwave or blasting Madonna and Prince on your cassette player, this was an era that left a lasting mark.
If you lived it, you know the magic. If you didn’t, buckle up—because the energy, the attitude, and the unapologetic spirit of ’85 are still alive, and you’re about to feel it.
1. MTV, 1985
MTV wasn’t just a music channel—it was a revolution. Imagine a teenager, dressed in neon, hair stiff with hairspray, glued to the screen as Madonna, Prince, and Duran Duran dominated the airwaves.
Music videos weren’t just promotional tools—they became mini-movies, visual spectacles that turned artists into overnight icons. This was the golden age of the VJ, when faces like Martha Quinn and Mark Goodman introduced you to the hottest new songs.
If you weren’t watching MTV in 1985, can you even say you were part of the culture?
2. At the Gym, 1985
Do you know the place everyone wanted to be? It was the gym. In the ‘80s wasn’t just about exercise—it was a whole vibe.
Picture a gym full of people in neon leg warmers, spandex, and sweatbands, all moving to energetic beats.
Whether you were lifting weights, learning new steps, or just enjoying the atmosphere, the gym in 1985 was more than a place to get fit.
3. Couples, 1985
Romance in 1985 had its own special feel. Forget dating apps—this was the time of mixtapes, love notes in lockers, and meeting at the mall just to hold hands and grab an Orange Julius.
First dates were all about cruising to the arcade, watching a movie (Back to the Future, anyone?), or dancing at a club with neon lights. And when Whitney Houston or Lionel Richie played on the radio? You knew it was time for a slow dance.
Love in 1985 was spontaneous, exciting, and a little dramatic—just the way it should be.
4. Metallica, 1985
Imagine the lights fading. The crowd erupts. The first guitar riff of For Whom the Bell Tolls shreds through the speakers.
Metallica in 1985 wasn’t just a band — they were a revolution. Their Ride the Lightning album didn’t just redefine metal. And their live shows? Pure, electrifying chaos.
Headbanging, fist-pumping, and a sea of black leather jackets—it was raw, it was rebellious, and it was loud. An experience like no other.
5. The Fashion, 1985
In 1985, subtlety didn’t exist. Fashion was big, bold, and fearless.
Think oversized blazers with shoulder pads that could knock someone over. Think neon everything—hot pink, electric blue, lime green, all at once. Think ripped denim, animal prints, and accessories so big they practically had their own zip codes.
You didn’t just wear clothes in the ‘80s. You made a statement.
One of the most iconic fashion items of the ’80s was the Members Only jacket, which was a must-have! Have you ever worn one?
6. What Christmas Looked Like, 1985
Christmas in 1985 was pure, unfiltered magic.
The tree sparkled with tinsel and big colored bulbs. Wham!’s Last Christmas played from the cassette deck. Kids ripped open gifts like Teddy Ruxpin, Transformers, and Care Bears while parents filmed everything on big camcorders.
It wasn’t about extravagant gifts—it was about the feeling. The warmth. The traditions. And of course, fighting over the last piece of grandma’s famous holiday pie.
7. Going to the Mall, 1985
Walking into a mall in 1985 felt like entering a wonderland. The smell of buttery pretzels mixed with department store perfume. The latest pop hits blared over the speakers.
You’d stop by Spencer’s for something weird, check out the cassette section at Sam Goody, and then head to the arcade to claim your spot at the Pac-Man machine.
The mall wasn’t just a place to shop—it was the social hotspot. If you weren’t at the mall on a Friday night, where were you?
8. Ozzy Osbourne, 1985
Ozzy Osbourne on stage in 1985 was pure mayhem.
Fog machines, wild theatrics, and a crowd screaming every word to Crazy Train—his shows felt like stepping into another world.
Love him or fear him, Ozzy was the ultimate rockstar, blending chaos, controversy, and killer vocals into one unforgettable package.
Have you ever experienced a concert that felt like that?
9. High Schoolers in 1985
High school in 1985? A chaotic, wonderful mix of oversized letterman jackets, Trapper Keepers bursting with doodles, and lockers covered in band stickers. The high school experience was about more than just academics.
There was no texting—just handwritten notes, folded like origami and passed in the hallways. No Spotify playlists—just carefully curated mixtapes, traded like prized possessions.
It was a defining year in many lives.
10. Their First Microwave, 1985
Before 1985, heating up leftovers took forever. Then—boom! The microwave arrived, and suddenly, life changed.
Popcorn in minutes. TV dinners in seconds. Instant hot chocolate.
The first microwave oven, the “Radarange,” was introduced in 1947, but it wasn’t until the ‘80s that they became affordable and popular in most homes. It cost around $5,000 at the time, which would be about $60,000 in today’s money!
That was really a lot of money!
11. Freddie Mercury and David Bowie, 1985
Freddie Mercury. David Bowie. One song.
When these two legends teamed up for Under Pressure, they didn’t just create music—they created pure magic.
The collaboration was a perfect storm of talent, blending Freddie’s powerful vocals with David’s unique style, producing a track that became an anthem. It wasn’t just a song—it was a cultural milestone, one that would echo through the years as a timeless classic.
12. Thanksgiving, 1985
Thanksgiving in 1985 was all about family, food, and tradition. Picture a table filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, everyone gathered around in their brightest sweaters, laughing and sharing stories.
Classic family moments were captured on Polaroids, while the smell of homemade pie filled the house, making it feel like the holidays were right at your fingertips.
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving memory? Do you remember any of those iconic family moments from the ‘85s?
13. This 1985 Bedroom
A teenager’s bedroom in 1985 was a reflection of their personality. Posters of Madonna, The Smiths, and Top Gun lined the walls. Cassette tapes and a chunky TV sat on the desk.
A Rubik’s Cube was probably on the nightstand, half-solved. This was a space where creativity and self-expression thrived.
Did you know that the Rubik’s Cube became a worldwide craze in the ‘80s? It was so popular that nearly 350 million cubes were sold by the end of the decade!
14. The Smoking Area at a High School in 1985
Believe it or not, smoking areas in high schools were a thing. Students gathered outside between classes, sharing cigarettes and stories.
It was a different time, and these spots became places to hang out and chat. Students would relax, take a break from class, and catch up on the latest gossip.
It’s hard to imagine now, but for many, it was a normal part of high school life in the ‘80s.
15. Toys R Us in 1985
Walking into Toys ‘R’ Us in 1985 felt like stepping into a dream. Shelves were packed with action figures, board games, and the latest must-have toys.
Kids ran from aisle to aisle, eyes wide with excitement, hoping to take home their next favorite thing.
Do you remember your favorite toy from back then? What was the one thing you always wanted to get your hands on?
16. Middle School Trip to DC, 1985
Do you remember your trip to Washington? Do you remember how you felt?
For many kids, a school trip to Washington D.C. in 1985 was their first taste of adventure. Seeing the Lincoln Memorial, standing on the steps of the Capitol, and exploring museums made history come alive.
And of course, there were disposable cameras capturing every moment.
17. That Hair, Though
‘80s hair was big, and 1985 was peak volume. Mullets, perms, feathered bangs—everyone had a signature look. The higher the hair, the closer to rockstar status.
From teased-up styles to wild perms, 1985 hair wasn’t just about fashion—it was a statement of confidence, individuality, and fun.
The bigger, the better!