--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You couldn't define the '80s when the…" description: "\"You couldn't define the '80s when the '80s were happening. We kept changing. We had shoulder pads, then we didn't. It was revealing, and then it was de..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/donatella-versace-3687_changing_you-couldn-t-define-the-80s-when-the-80s_2736635.jpg" --- # You couldn't define the '80s when the '80s were happening… ![“You couldn't define the '80s when the '80s were happening. We kept changing. We had shoulder pads, then we didn't. It was revealing, and then it was decoration. It was a lot of things at once. It was defined when it was over.” quote by Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/donatella-versace-3687_changing_you-couldn-t-define-the-80s-when-the-80s_2736635.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/donatella-versace-3687_changing_you-couldn-t-define-the-80s-when-the-80s_2736635.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/donatella-versace-3687_changing_you-couldn-t-define-the-80s-when-the-80s_2736635.jpg) > “You couldn't define the '80s when the '80s were happening. We kept changing. We had shoulder pads, then we didn't. It was revealing, and then it was decoration. It was a lot of things at once. It was defined when it was over.” [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The 1980s defied definition, constantly shifting trends and styles that were both functional and decorative, only becoming identifiable in hindsight. **In simple terms:** The 80s were ever‑changing, defined only after they ended. Key Takeaway Recognize that cultural periods may only be clear in retrospect. Themes culture fashion history identity Mood nostalgic critical Type historical observational When to use this quote - fashion design - historical analysis - media studies - personal style development Key Concepts postmodernism consumerism social change Questions to Reflect On - How do we avoid oversimplifying past eras? - What current trends might be misunderstood later? A Different Perspective Retrospective definitions can oversimplify complex, overlapping trends. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [My role models have kept on changing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kapil-dev/my-role-models-have-kept-on-changing/) [Kapil Dev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kapil-dev/) > [If you kept changing the way people saw the world, you ended up changing the way you saw yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/if-you-kept-changing-the-way-people-saw-the-world-you-ended-up/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [When I was a teenager, I was trying to please people. I kept changing who I was to please the people I was with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-graham-lotz/when-i-was-a-teenager-i-was-trying-to-please-people-i-kept-changing/) [Anne Graham Lotz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-graham-lotz/) > [Things have kept changing and developing. I don't think it can ever be exactly how you imagine it will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-mckenna/things-have-kept-changing-and-developing-i-don-t-think-it-can-ever-be/) [Declan McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-mckenna/) > [I still wear minis and cardigans, but I think I'll steer away from shoulder pads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-hoffs/i-still-wear-minis-and-cardigans-but-i-think-i-ll-steer-away-from/) [Susanna Hoffs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-hoffs/) > [It's not about having a plethora of suits, but having a few good ones. It's all about fit. The contour of your body. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-songz/it-s-not-about-having-a-plethora-of-suits-but-having-a-few-good-ones/) [Trey Songz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-songz/) > [The way my mom dressed was one of my earliest inspirations, in those '80s suits with shoulder pads and things like that. For years,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-wu/the-way-my-mom-dressed-was-one-of-my-earliest-inspirations-in-those/) [Jason Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-wu/) > [It's very hard for me to be myself when I'm not in shoulder pads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-kittle/it-s-very-hard-for-me-to-be-myself-when-i-m-not-in-shoulder-pads/) [George Kittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-kittle/) > [Before Under Armour, the only choices you had were to wear a short-sleeved cotton T-shirt in the summer or a long-sleeved cotton T-shirt in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-plank/before-under-armour-the-only-choices-you-had-were-to-wear-a-short/) [Kevin Plank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-plank/) > [Certainly, when you have shoulder pads on that go up to your ears, you hold yourself a certain way. You speak with authority when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendi-mclendon-covey/certainly-when-you-have-shoulder-pads-on-that-go-up-to-your-ears-you/) [Wendi McLendon-Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendi-mclendon-covey/) > [If I don't have shoulder pads, I don't feel I can protect myself, whether it's my shoulders or my teammates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-kittle/if-i-don-t-have-shoulder-pads-i-don-t-feel-i-can-protect-myself/) [George Kittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-kittle/) > [I'm back in my helmet, cleats, and shoulder pads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-chesney/i-m-back-in-my-helmet-cleats-and-shoulder-pads/) [Kenny Chesney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-chesney/) > [Most of the hits I take come on top of the shoulder pads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-dickerson/most-of-the-hits-i-take-come-on-top-of-the-shoulder-pads/) [Eric Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-dickerson/) > [I don't have to put on shoulder pads and run out there and let somebody hit on me a little bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmitt-smith/i-don-t-have-to-put-on-shoulder-pads-and-run-out-there-and-let/) [Emmitt Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmitt-smith/) > [I've always treated my city like some shoulder pads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/i-ve-always-treated-my-city-like-some-shoulder-pads/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) ## More by Donatella Versace > [I have to say, I grew up with fashion because my mother was a seamstress, and she had an atelier. She would cut the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-have-to-say-i-grew-up-with-fashion-because-my-mother-was-a/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [Fashion is all about happiness. It's fun. It's important. But it's not medicine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/fashion-is-all-about-happiness-it-s-fun-it-s-important-but-it-s-not/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [To define the era we live in is very difficult. How do we define it? We define it by music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/to-define-the-era-we-live-in-is-very-difficult-how-do-we-define-it-we/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [Some say the economy means that you have to persuade people to invest in clothes - to buy less things but more expensive things.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/some-say-the-economy-means-that-you-have-to-persuade-people-to-invest/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [I believe it is the responsibility and duty of those in high-profile positions to give a voice to people whose voices cannot be heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-believe-it-is-the-responsibility-and-duty-of-those-in-high-profile/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [When I meet celebrities, I have to know what they are like and only then can I design. The clothes have to fit their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/when-i-meet-celebrities-i-have-to-know-what-they-are-like-and-only/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [I've learned how to appreciate what I have. And it's a lot. I'm very lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-ve-learned-how-to-appreciate-what-i-have-and-it-s-a-lot-i-m-very/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [I don't think about making sexy clothes. It's just my instinct to make them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-don-t-think-about-making-sexy-clothes-it-s-just-my-instinct-to-make/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [I always wear high heels - I simply feel naked without them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-always-wear-high-heels-i-simply-feel-naked-without-them/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [How do I keep young? Haven't you heard? I sleep every night in the deep freezer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/how-do-i-keep-young-haven-t-you-heard-i-sleep-every-night-in-the-deep/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [I like perfume and flowers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-like-perfume-and-flowers/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [I think I asphyxiated my children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-think-i-asphyxiated-my-children/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [Some men look great unshaven; others just look like they forgot to shave. Beards and mustaches can be really distinctive if you go for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/some-men-look-great-unshaven-others-just-look-like-they-forgot-to/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [I find older men more attractive than boys. I need a man who can teach me a thing or two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-find-older-men-more-attractive-than-boys-i-need-a-man-who-can-teach/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [The man of the millennium is much more liberated than the man of the '90s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/the-man-of-the-millennium-is-much-more-liberated-than-the-man-of-the/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) [Explore all 124 Donatella Versace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) ## More Changing quotes > [“The game is changing' .. :The game is the same, the stakes are rising.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-f-hamilton/the-game-is-changing-the-game-is-the-same-the-stakes-are-rising/) [Peter F. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-f-hamilton/) > [“No one ever changed the world waking up at noon.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connor-chalfant/no-one-ever-changed-the-world-waking-up-at-noon/) [Connor Chalfant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/connor-chalfant/) > [Progress should mean that we are always changing the world to fit the vision, instead we are always changing the vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/progress-should-mean-that-we-are-always-changing-the-world-to-fit-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Changing is not just changing the things outside of us. First of all we need the right view that transcends all notions including of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/changing-is-not-just-changing-the-things-outside-of-us-first-of-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not changing because I'm part of a hit. People around me have changed in their attitude toward me, but I haven't changed. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-penny/i-m-not-changing-because-i-m-part-of-a-hit-people-around-me-have/) [Joe Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-penny/) > [I approach fashion as an evolution. It's always changing. As you know, sometimes it changes in three months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolina-herrera/i-approach-fashion-as-an-evolution-it-s-always-changing-as-you-know/) [Carolina Herrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolina-herrera/) > [I'm not sure whether it is me changing my mind, or whether I lie a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-m-not-sure-whether-it-is-me-changing-my-mind-or-whether-i-lie-a-lot/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [When I come home from work, if I just played a really good game and I'm on top of the world, I think changing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-cousins/when-i-come-home-from-work-if-i-just-played-a-really-good-game-and-i/) [Kirk Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-cousins/) > [It's not about changing--it's about growing, together," he said, like the wise soul that he was. "I wanted to let you know--that I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-schreiber/it-s-not-about-changing-it-s-about-growing-together-he-said-like-the/) [Ellen Schreiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-schreiber/) > [“Maybe that is what growing up was all about. It was about changing your mind. Opening it right up. Admitting to yourself that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-haig/maybe-that-is-what-growing-up-was-all-about-it-was-about-changing/) [Matt Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-haig/) > [There's more to Gareth's game than scoring goals, he's brought a lot to the changing room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-page/there-s-more-to-gareth-s-game-than-scoring-goals-he-s-brought-a-lot/) [Rob Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-page/) > [“A shift was taking place in my life - the beach house, Kyle, Tristan; the tides were changing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adriane-leigh/a-shift-was-taking-place-in-my-life-the-beach-house-kyle-tristan-the/) [Adriane Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adriane-leigh/) > [If the team keeps changing then everything has to keep changing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-chhetri/if-the-team-keeps-changing-then-everything-has-to-keep-changing/) [Sunil Chhetri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-chhetri/) > [As I feel this life growing and moving inside of me, all of a sudden everything else is not as important. There's a level…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-reyes/as-i-feel-this-life-growing-and-moving-inside-of-me-all-of-a-sudden/) [Judy Reyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-reyes/) > [Truthfully, being pregnant is changing me as a person. Each day is part of this amazing journey that has completely shifted the focus of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-madison/truthfully-being-pregnant-is-changing-me-as-a-person-each-day-is-part/) [Holly Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-madison/) Browse all 1,835 Changing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You couldn't define the '80s when the '80s were happening. We kept changing. We had shoulder pads, then we didn't. It was revealing, and then it was decoration. It was a lot of things at once. 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