Soviet Fashion: Styles and Colors of the 1980s Soviet Union

In the Cold War era, we, like other Americans, thought that all Soviet women wore plain clothes and that their lives were difficult because of their challenging circumstances.

We imagined them in simple, practical clothes. But these fashion photos tell a different story, especially in the years before the end of the Soviet Union.

Although these photos are actually scanned from Burda Moden magazine, a Western-based publication published in Moscow, they show that Soviet women's fashion was much more diverse and colorful than we thought.

The Burda Moden company was founded in 1949 by Anne Burda in Offenburg, Germany.

The company initially focused on women's sewing patterns and fashion publications. The magazine was first published in the Soviet Union in 1987.

During the Soviet era, Burda Moden magazine played an important role in shaping fashion trends and providing patterns and ideas to sewing enthusiasts.

Despite the relative isolation of the Soviet Union from the Western world, "Burda Moden" managed to find its way into the hands of Soviet citizens and fashion enthusiasts.

The magazine's sewing patterns, instructions, and fashion articles offered a window into global fashion trends, allowing individuals in the Soviet Union to create stylish clothing aligned with international styles.

In those days, obtaining the magazine was quite challenging, leading to its resale at a price ten times that of the official publishing house.

Almost every skilled private tailor in the Soviet Union had dozens of them. After all, the magazine contained sewing patterns, which allowed subscribers to select any clothing model and recreate something similar.

In the 1980s, fashion in the Soviet Union was influenced by a mixture of domestic trends, global pop culture, and limited Western influences.

While the Soviet regime still emphasized uniformity and practicality, many different styles emerged that reflected the changing times.

A prevalent style was the classic Soviet look, characterized by modest and functional clothing.

Women often wear knee-length dresses or skirts with blouses or sweaters, while men choose matching suits or slacks with button-up shirts.

Sportswear also began to make its mark, reflecting the growing interest in physical activities.

In line with the era's increasing focus on fitness, tracksuits, windbreakers and sneakers became popular casual choices.

Denim grew in popularity, pointing to a subtle defiance of the status quo. Despite restrictions on Western fashion, jeans gained popularity, often paired with leather jackets or band T-shirts influenced by Western pop culture.

Ethnic and folk-inspired elements found their way into fashion choices as part of the renewed interest in cultural heritage.

Traditional embroidered blouses, sarafans, and scarves with indigenous motifs were sometimes incorporated into everyday attire.

Accessories played an important role in elevating the outfit. Scarves, hats and statement pieces were used to add individuality to otherwise plain outfits.

Prints, colors and patterns emerged, providing a burst of vibrancy against the otherwise muted palette.