20 Photos Remembering What Life Felt Like In 1985

Carly Tennes Published 02/05/2025 in wow

Contrary to popular misconception, 1985 was a whole lot more than glam rock, hairspray, and neon-tinged trips to the mall. Just ask the Gen X-ers who not only lived through the iconic era, but took a whole lot of photos along the way.

From school photos to Canadian tuxedos as seen in the wild, here are 20 photos remembering what life felt like in 1985.

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1. Middle School Sweethearts
“My wife and I in 8th grade 1985. We're still together.”

Courtesy of That420Couple_ on Reddit
2. Edge of Seventeen
“Most likely going to see Motley Crue, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Ratt or Whitesnake!!!”

Courtesy of Sconniegrrrl68 on Reddit
3. Taking a Dip
“Swimming off the stern of the USS Enterprise 1985.”

Courtesy of SquishyLogic on Reddit
4. Smoke Sesh
“My mom smoking a cigar, 1985”

Courtesy of ridgegirl29 on Reddit
5. Dad Duty
“My dad, 1985.”

Courtesy of ForwardBack5370 on Reddit
6. “My 8th grade school photo 1985”
“I was 13 years old. We considered ourselves 'death rock' back then before the term 'goth' became a thing."

Courtesy of an unknown Redditor
7. He’s Lovin’ It
“Jason Alexander singing and dancing about the new McDonald's Mc D.L.T. burger in 1985."

Courtesy of BDWG4EVA on Reddit
8. Camp Out
“My dad and uncle camping in the Fall of 1985.”

Courtesy of Mallll4 on Reddit
9. School's In Session
“JCPenney’s Back to School Beauty Diary ‘85.”

Courtesy of an unknown Redditor
10. Canadian Tuxedos
“My dad would've been 67 yesterday - this is him and I in '85.”

Courtesy of chopstewy on Reddit
11. Stylin’ Dad
“My dad and I in ‘85. Wish he was still this cool.”

Courtesy of therealbigsteph on Reddit
12. London Calling
“Dad - Hackney, London (85-86).”

Courtesy of an unknown Redditor
13. Hay Girl
“My rural Manitoba cousins in 85.”

Courtesy of Perfect_Opposite2113 on Reddit
14. Staff Snaps
“Nelson, BC Central School 1984-85 school year.”

Courtesy of akf4evr on Reddit
15. Summer Vacation
“Summer 85’ trip to Paris.”

Courtesy of 8llllllllllllllD--- on Reddit
16. Mall Rats
“Ready to go to the mall 1985.”

Courtesy of steroidamoeba on Reddit
17. New Wave Sweethearts
“My parents when they started dating in 1985.”

Courtesy of Sollbrechwert on Reddit
18. Commodore 64
“Christmas 1985.”

Courtesy of AnhedonicOptimist on Reddit
19. Good Gifts
“My parents and their first microwave. 1985.”

Courtesy of bethevoid713 on Reddit
20. Well Suited
“My dad in ‘85 rockin’ the white suit in Chinatown, Vancouver.”

Courtesy of not2late2turnaround on Reddit

1. Middle School Sweethearts
Courtesy of That420Couple_ on Reddit

“My wife and I in 8th grade 1985. We're still together.”
2. Edge of Seventeen
Courtesy of Sconniegrrrl68 on Reddit

“Most likely going to see Motley Crue, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Ratt or Whitesnake!!!”
3. Taking a Dip
Courtesy of SquishyLogic on Reddit

“Swimming off the stern of the USS Enterprise 1985.”
4. Smoke Sesh
Courtesy of ridgegirl29 on Reddit

“My mom smoking a cigar, 1985”
5. Dad Duty
Courtesy of ForwardBack5370 on Reddit

“My dad, 1985.”
6. “My 8th grade school photo 1985”
Courtesy of an unknown Redditor

“I was 13 years old. We considered ourselves 'death rock' back then before the term 'goth' became a thing."
7. He’s Lovin’ It
Courtesy of BDWG4EVA on Reddit

“Jason Alexander singing and dancing about the new McDonald's Mc D.L.T. burger in 1985."
8. Camp Out
Courtesy of Mallll4 on Reddit

“My dad and uncle camping in the Fall of 1985.”
9. School's In Session
Courtesy of an unknown Redditor

“JCPenney’s Back to School Beauty Diary ‘85.”
10. Canadian Tuxedos
Courtesy of chopstewy on Reddit

“My dad would've been 67 yesterday - this is him and I in '85.”
11. Stylin’ Dad
Courtesy of therealbigsteph on Reddit

“My dad and I in ‘85. Wish he was still this cool.”
12. London Calling
Courtesy of an unknown Redditor

“Dad - Hackney, London (85-86).”
13. Hay Girl
Courtesy of Perfect_Opposite2113 on Reddit

“My rural Manitoba cousins in 85.”
14. Staff Snaps
Courtesy of akf4evr on Reddit

“Nelson, BC Central School 1984-85 school year.”
15. Summer Vacation
Courtesy of 8llllllllllllllD--- on Reddit

“Summer 85’ trip to Paris.”
16. Mall Rats
Courtesy of steroidamoeba on Reddit

“Ready to go to the mall 1985.”
17. New Wave Sweethearts
Courtesy of Sollbrechwert on Reddit

“My parents when they started dating in 1985.”
18. Commodore 64
Courtesy of AnhedonicOptimist on Reddit

“Christmas 1985.”
19. Good Gifts
Courtesy of bethevoid713 on Reddit

“My parents and their first microwave. 1985.”
20. Well Suited
Courtesy of not2late2turnaround on Reddit

“My dad in ‘85 rockin’ the white suit in Chinatown, Vancouver.”