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Original poster

AIBU to think this random 80s fashion documentary is ace?

79 replies

MitheredNotDead · 14/08/2026 10:33

Surely I’m not being unreasonable to think this BBC 1986 Forty Minutes programme is bloody marvellous?

Feeling nostalgic I stumbled upon this YouTube video entitled The Englishwoman’s Wardrobe from the 80s. Interviewing women from a lady who gets designer items from jumble sales (I miss them) for 20p to Selina Scott having the Emmanuels tailor a silk suit.

After having a pretty shit time recently it really cheered me up! Even Thatcher is interviewed in front of a rail of her outfits whilst telling the interviewer how she keeps her pussy bows stiff 😂

OP posts:
Member984815 · 16/08/2026 12:32

SilverPink · 15/08/2026 17:55

Loved this, thank you!

Never thought I’d be listening to Margaret Thatcher telling us her husband prefers her pretty clothes! The 19 year old looked like she belonged on the cover of a Culture Club album. Also laughing at the Bognor Regis glamorous granny competition and the bored kids sat on the floor eating crisps! I love any programme about fashion back in the day.

Margaret thatcher came across as a really sensible lovely person , that surprised me . She's right about keeping your clothes stored properly and tailoring them .

JustGiveMeReason · 15/08/2026 23:23

Finally got round to watching. Thanks for the recommendation.

I think I could go down a very deep rabbit hole on the BBC Archive site Smile

JesseDavisGonnaHangOnInThereNSoul · 15/08/2026 18:00

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 14/08/2026 13:31

On my list, thank you. There a few 'Look at Life...' on TPTV worth viewing. I often find gems on BFI or YouTube and there's a few archive programmes on BBCi too, so worth checking.

Love watching the fashions of the day especially 60s for sharpness
70s for the wtaf factor .

SilverPink · 15/08/2026 17:55

Loved this, thank you!

Never thought I’d be listening to Margaret Thatcher telling us her husband prefers her pretty clothes! The 19 year old looked like she belonged on the cover of a Culture Club album. Also laughing at the Bognor Regis glamorous granny competition and the bored kids sat on the floor eating crisps! I love any programme about fashion back in the day.

LordFarquard · 15/08/2026 14:10

MidnightMeltdown · 14/08/2026 20:08

Really? Big shoulders are very masculine, so you have to be a very feminine looking woman to counter that, and pull off the look without looking like a bloke.

Show quote history

They seemed to work well on many of the androgynous women.

Velvetblackcat · 15/08/2026 12:37

Loved it when it came out and have watched it on YouTube. I've also got the book, "The Englishwoman's Wardrobe." I donated it once, regretted it and then bought it second hand online!

Shloopie · 15/08/2026 12:28

Thanks, OP, I'll put this on my list of things to watch.

ITVX has a 6 parter about Vogue in the 90s which is a fun watch too.

Original poster
MitheredNotDead · 15/08/2026 12:26

Madamblueshoes · 15/08/2026 12:17

A wonderful trip down memory lane. Seminar Scott was (is) beautiful. I loved the feisty teenager ... she was definitely ahead of her time. Saddest thing was the delusional size label sewn into Bubbles Rothermere's clothing.

Love the autocorrect of Selina to Seminar! 😂

Yeah, I can imagine Zandra having a ‘special’ tin of personalised size 10 labels that she gets out to whack on Bubbles’ frocks with much eye rolling.

OP posts:
Madamblueshoes · 15/08/2026 12:17

A wonderful trip down memory lane. Seminar Scott was (is) beautiful. I loved the feisty teenager ... she was definitely ahead of her time. Saddest thing was the delusional size label sewn into Bubbles Rothermere's clothing.

PigsyChibsy · 15/08/2026 08:36

Fantastic watch, made me really happy, thank you for recommending

Jellytotsburnmytongue · 14/08/2026 21:25

I've just watched this and absolutely loved it. Thank you so much for sharing 😊

MidnightMeltdown · 14/08/2026 20:08

LordFarquard · 14/08/2026 19:03

I can’t understand why shoulder pads went out of fashion. I was not around in the 80s but I think they look great.

Really? Big shoulders are very masculine, so you have to be a very feminine looking woman to counter that, and pull off the look without looking like a bloke.

PartialEclipseOfTheHeart · 14/08/2026 20:00

LordFarquard · 14/08/2026 19:03

I can’t understand why shoulder pads went out of fashion. I was not around in the 80s but I think they look great.

Like a lot of fashion, they looked great on a few people and rubbish on everyone else. If you naturally had square or broad shoulders, you looked like the Incredible Hulk's sister.

Gowlett · 14/08/2026 19:57

Thoroughly enjoyed this, thanks for sharing!

We grew up with mum buying Hello! for Princess Diana, loved her. It brought me back to those times. Mrs Thatcher was a highlight.

And the bored kids sitting on the floor in Butlins eating crisps. Good times! And the tracksuit wearing parents from Watford, class…

Pantsinthewash · 14/08/2026 19:11

Fabulous!

LordFarquard · 14/08/2026 19:03

I can’t understand why shoulder pads went out of fashion. I was not around in the 80s but I think they look great.

SpareVanKeys · 14/08/2026 18:49

Ooh thanks Mithered 😍 Just my thing x

thenightsky · 14/08/2026 18:45

Watched it now. Fabulous! I'd forgotten how wide the shoulder pads were in 1986. We all resembled American footballers.

WorthyOpalZebra · 14/08/2026 18:43

The YouTube algorithm showed this to me a couple of weeks ago - it is magnificent! I didn't get to appreciate 1980s fashion first time around as I was too young but it brought back memories of my mum and aunties, and my friend's' big sisters, who were so glamorous. I learnt how to spot a bargain at a jumble sale with mum, which has stood me in good stead for charity shopping many years later! We used to go to the posh villages.

Aiming4Optimistic · 14/08/2026 18:26

I love how articulate everyone was. And how even the 19 year old knew that it's the person who really matters, not the clothes! Such innate self respect and knowledge of her own worth, when discussing whether her 'look' would put off boyfriends.

Belladog1 · 14/08/2026 18:23

I'll be watching this later. I was a teenager in the 80s. I love Kim Wilde videos on YouTube. She really was a knock out.

Echobelly · 14/08/2026 18:21

MitheredNotDead · 14/08/2026 10:33

Surely I’m not being unreasonable to think this BBC 1986 Forty Minutes programme is bloody marvellous?

Feeling nostalgic I stumbled upon this YouTube video entitled The Englishwoman’s Wardrobe from the 80s. Interviewing women from a lady who gets designer items from jumble sales (I miss them) for 20p to Selina Scott having the Emmanuels tailor a silk suit.

After having a pretty shit time recently it really cheered me up! Even Thatcher is interviewed in front of a rail of her outfits whilst telling the interviewer how she keeps her pussy bows stiff 😂

Ooh, thanks for sharing, I'll save that to watch, sounds right up my street.

NowIsTheWinterOfOurDiscontent · 14/08/2026 18:14

I love a pussy bow

Gettingbysomehow · 14/08/2026 17:43

I'll watch the documentary but I was a young woman in the 80's and loathed all of the fashions and hair. I skulked through that decade dressed like one of the Ramones.
The 90's were much more fun 😅

DecisionTime123 · 14/08/2026 17:39

What a wonderful find OP! I wonder if there is money in bringing back jumbles sales, I'm interested in selling vintage stuff but that includes a lot of tat that could be shoved on a 50p table!