THE LOOK

Acid House & Air Jordans

The fashion that made 1988 unforgettable

The Air Jordan III: Tinker's Masterpiece

In February 1988, Tinker Hatfield changed sneaker culture forever with the Air Jordan III. Michael Jordan was ready to leave Nike until he saw Hatfield's revolutionary design featuring the iconic elephant print, visible Air unit, and the now-legendary Jumpman logo.

The Black Cement colorway became an instant grail. MJ wore them during his famous free-throw line dunk at the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest, cementing their place in basketball and fashion history.

The same bold style that defined the AJ3 also fueled the Acid House movement - where bright colors and fearless fashion ruled the warehouse raves of the Second Summer of Love.

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1988 Style Essentials

RAVE

Smiley Face T-Shirts

The symbol of the Second Summer of Love. Yellow smiley faces were everywhere - on t-shirts, flyers, and warehouse walls. The ultimate Acid House uniform.

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NEON

Shell Suits

Bright, rustling nylon tracksuits in every color imaginable. Whether at the rave or the corner shop, the shell suit said "I'm ready for anything."

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CLASSIC

Ray-Ban Wayfarers

Still riding the Top Gun and Risky Business wave, Wayfarers were the sunglasses of choice for anyone who wanted to look effortlessly cool.

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DENIM

Acid Wash Denim

Bleached, faded, and absolutely everywhere. From jackets to jeans, acid wash was the ultimate expression of 80s excess and rebellion.

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HEADWEAR

Bucket Hats

The rave essential. Bucket hats became synonymous with the Acid House scene, often worn with smiley face pins and neon accessories.

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Related from 1988

The Acid House fashion scene was powered by the music revolution of 1988 - from warehouse raves to N.W.A's bold street style. And those Air Jordans? They were worn while playing NES games and collecting TMNT figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the biggest fashion trend of 1988?

The 'Acid House' look was the biggest fashion trend of 1988, characterized by baggy clothing, bucket hats, and neon smiley faces. The Second Summer of Love brought rave culture from underground warehouses to mainstream fashion, with the yellow smiley face becoming the defining symbol of the era.

When did the Air Jordan 3 first release?

The Air Jordan 3 first released in February 1988 in the iconic Black Cement colorway. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, it introduced the elephant print, visible Air unit, and the Jumpman logo that became Nike's most recognizable symbol worldwide.

Why was the smiley face symbol so popular in 1988?

The yellow smiley face became the symbol of the Acid House movement and the Second Summer of Love. It represented the euphoric, loved-up atmosphere of warehouse raves and became a fashion statement on t-shirts, flyers, and accessories across the UK.

What colors were popular in 1988 fashion?

Neon colors dominated 1988 fashion, including hot pink, electric blue, and bright yellow. Shell suits came in every color combination imaginable, while acid wash denim added texture to the bold color palette that defined the era.

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