Over half of British adults still enjoy 80s' culture
From food to fashion, the 1980s still influences more than 50% of British adults according to a new study by M&S Money, commissioned to mark the company's 25th anniversary.
Favourites from the ‘Yuppie' decade are lasting the test of time, with people enjoying music and films from 1985 - the year that M&S launched into financial services - and household gadgets such as food processors and video recorders still being used 20 or more years on.
Colin Kersley, M&S Money Chief Executive, said; "So much has changed since M&S made the decision to launch into financial services a quarter of a century ago, but our research shows that many elements of 1980s' culture have lasted the test of time. Some values from 1985 are as relevant today as they were back then. For example, the first real mass-market fundraising event was Live Aid and this really set the standard for multi-media fundraising projects such as Children in Need and Sport Relief that are now commonplace.
"People are keeping the 80s alive and holding onto fashions, entertainment and household favourites, with three-quarters saying they keep things because they're good quality and have lasted the test of time, which we believe is true of M&S Money and our track-record of growth and success".
1985 teenagers today
Those who were teenagers in 1985 - now aged between 38 and 44 - may be in a different lifestage today but haven't quite left it all behind, with over a third of women keeping the fashion for skinny jeans alive. The ‘Class of 85' are likely to have Feargal Sharkey's "A Good Heart" and Madonna's "Get into the Groove" on their iPod, and films such as Rocky IV, St Elmo's Fire and The Breakfast Club in their movie collection. The films may even be watched on video as one in 10 of this group admit to still having their video recorders from the 1980s.
80s' fashion
More than three in four women (76%) still wear classic fashion items from the 80s, from tight stone washed jeans, to leg warmers. Accessories such as hoop earrings and Alice bands have also staged a comeback, with the latter particularly popular among the under 30s, with 29% wearing them today.
Lasting the test of time
Despite a vast number of new gadgets hitting the market over the last 25 years, four in 10 households (40%) have at least one item that they bought in the 1980s that they still use, the most popular being a stereo or radio (16%). Fourteen per cent are still using their original food processors or blenders, and one in 10 Brits still watch a TV bought in the 80s.
Top of the Pops
Eurythmics and Foreigner's songs make the top five for all ages, but today's under 30s (who would have missed out on 80s discos first time round) are still influenced by the 80s. Their best pick from 1985 is Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)", while Madonna's "Get Into The Groove" and Wham's "I'm Your Man" also make their top five.
Entertainment for all the ages
The enduring popularity of Marty McFly is clear as Back To The Future topped the poll as the best film for all ages, with 42% of votes. The female vote alone would also have seen The Color Purple and Out of Africa make it into the top five, whereas only one in 20 of today's under 30s watch them today. The top pick for today's over 60s is Jewel of the Nile, and they also favoured The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission.
Asked which 80s' TV shows the nation would bring back in their original format, clear favourites were Blackadder (24%) and Only Fools and Horses (23%). Only 6% of those aged 30+ today would bring back Cilla back to host her Saturday night matchmaking, although 15% per cent of those who missed it first time around would like to see it back on our screens.
Reminiscent food
It's not just 80s' music and fashion that have made an impact - so called ‘retro-food' is still eaten by over 46 million adults today. According to the study, 80s' staples such as Viennetta (51%), prawn cocktail (44%) and arctic roll (38%) all still feature in people's diets today.
Colin Kersley, continued; "While life has moved on over the last 25 years, people are obviously still attached to the things that mean something to them - whether that's a favourite jacket or a record player that still works perfectly. My personal favourite from the 80s is the first series of Blackadder, which I have on video and will keep forever - even though I no longer own a video player!"