Binged It’s A Sin? Re-live The ‘80s Fashion Here…

By Jenny Brownlees

Everyone is talking about Russell T Davies’ It’s A Sin right now. The powerful five-part series follows a group of young men as they leave their homes for the bright lights of London in the early ‘80s. Finally able to embrace their sexuality, they arrive just as the HIV/AIDS epidemic hits the country. We watch as the characters’ lives – and the lives of their friends and families – are turned upside-down by the then-unknown and widely misunderstood virus; witnessing the effects and accompanying fear, stigma, prejudice and, ultimately, death that surrounds them and the entire LGBTQ+ community.

Here at HLN we laughed and cried in equal measure as we watched – as it seems did countless others. Critics across the board have praised the show and viewers have taken to social media in their droves to share the impact the series has had on them.

There’s no doubt It’s A Sin is influencing our wardrobe choices right now, according to fashion search engine Lyst. Requests for acid-wash jeans are up 60%, sleeveless T-shirts have increased by 29% and chokers by 32%. We’re calling this “The Roscoe Effect”.

Roscoe’s eclectic wardrobe choices are shown in stark contrast to now universally-loved character Colin Morris-Jones (Callum Scott Howells): a timid young man who arrives in London from Wales to train as a tailor on Savile Row. In both his clothing and his life, he shrinks into the background – not yet confident in his identity as a gay man. As well as becoming a part of the Pink Palace’s friendship group, he is taken under the wing of tailor Henry Coltrane (Neil Patrick Harris), whose own queerness is showcased in flashes of sharp style throughout his own outfits.

Further demonstrating the power fashion can have for a cause, after the airing of It’s A Sin, Lambeth Mayor Philip Normal – the first openly HIV+ person in the UK to hold the office of Mayor – partnered with HIV charity The Terrence Higgins Trust to create a series-inspired La! T-shirt, with proceeds from sales going to the charity.  After just three days, the tees had helped raise over £40,000.

Alongside the many political, economic and social changes seen in the ‘80s, the era truly broke the mould when it came to fashion. The fearless style mavericks that would have influenced around the time of It’s A Sin include icons Madonna, Grace Jones, Princess Diana, David Bowie, George Michael, Prince and Blondie. So if you’d like to bring some of their bold ‘80’s style into your wardrobe today, lean towards flashy prints and oversized silhouettes, hints of neon and pieces with statement shoulders. Since there was a whole host of style tribes in the defining decade – from leisurewear lovers to fans of puff-ball dresses and pastel power suits – there’s a part of the era that’s right for everyone.