X

Apple fashions from the '80s (photos)

Flash back to the decade of popped collars and leg warmers with a collection of fashion atrocities from the 1986 Apple catalog.

Amanda Kooser
Freelance writer Amanda C. Kooser covers gadgets and tech news with a twist for CNET. When not wallowing in weird gear and iPad apps for cats, she can be found tinkering with her 1956 DeSoto.
Amanda Kooser
cover.jpg
1 of 10 Apple Collection

Apple Collection catalog cover

Fashion blog The Trad unearthed a 1986 Apple Collection clothing catalog that looks like a collision between "The Breakfast Club" and an Apple II. The minimalist brown cover of the catalog belies the bright colors and rainbow logos of the clothing within.
applecrop1.jpg
2 of 10 Apple Collection

1986 Apple catalog logo sweatshirts

The adult Apple sweatshirt cost $14 in the 1986 catalog and came in red or royal blue. These swanky models look destined for an appearance at the local country club, as soon as they are done waiting for their Macintosh to power down.
applecrop3_1.jpg
3 of 10 Apple Collection

1986 Apple catalog sweatshirts

Those black and white shorts look like an early Google logo. The giant sweatshirt is pure '80s. "This thing is big. Our white oversized sweatshirt looks great over jeans."
applecrop2.jpg
4 of 10 Apple Collection

1980s Apple shorts and hats

"Tennis anyone? The Apple sun visor is made of cotton twill, with adjustable band, terry lining, and embroidered logo." The catalog describes the shorts as "rugged."
applecrop5.jpg
5 of 10 Apple Collection

Sweatpants and rugby shirts

The Apple catalog from 1986 features plenty of active wear. The $47 hooded rugby sweater comes with explicit instructions. "Put it on and get rambunctious."
applecrop7.jpg
6 of 10 Apple Collection

Belts and vests

The $5 cotton web Apple belts were made by Patagonia while the $70 lined poly/cotton vest was made by North Face. All three brands are still thriving today.
applecrop10.jpg
7 of 10 Apple Collection

Shirts for kids

These iPhone users of the future model Apple t-shirts for kids. Note the rainbow Macintosh design on the sweatshirt. You're never too young to be a product evangelist.
applecrop8.jpg
8 of 10 Apple Collection

Pop-collar polos

Move over, Tom Cruise. These suave guys sport bright Apple polo shirts with popped collars and sunglasses that whisper, "mysterious." It looks like Apple's target audience owned tennis rackets and watched "Miami Vice."
applecrop9.jpg
9 of 10 Apple Collection

Forgotten '80s Apple logo

Just about every company in the 1980s had an MTV-inspired crazy letter version of its logo. Apple was no exception. The letters look like they were cut out of an issue of "Teen Beat" and then pasted back together. Totally tubular.
applecrop11.jpg
10 of 10 Apple Collection

Apple catalog sailboard

In 1986, an Apple Macintosh Plus cost $2,600. For less than half of that, you could have bought an Apple-branded F2 America 360 sailboard.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos