1980s-1990s

Something important to note when it comes to the 1980s to 1990s in the Archie comics is the huge variety of fashion development. This leads to there not being one consistent factor in any two shots, so for the sake of these two decades, the clothing will be discussed on an individual basis. 

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Shot of Veronica Lodge from BETTY & VERONICA #310, "Fleeting Meeting" (1981).

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Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge from the cover of BETTY & VERONICA #311 (1981).

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Betty Cooper from the cover of ARCHIE'S PALS & GALS #174 (1985).

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Betty Cooper from the cover of BETTY & ME #160 (1987).

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Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge from EVERYTHING'S ARCHIE #143, "Shlock Rock" (1989).

#1: It's unclear what exactly Veronica is wearing on top, but it's a strapped top that's tied in the back and vaguely emulates some swimsuits from the decade, which makes sense given the story taking place on a beach. She wears high-waisted short-shorts. 

#2: Betty is shown wearing a printed graphic t-shirt, something that was rarer in this time period. In the 70s and 80s, graphic tees were tighter, only becoming looser as time went on. This is an example of the former. 

#3: Betty wears a vest atop a button-up shirt. 

#4: A good example of female fashion showing more casual dress and skin throughout the decades. Betty has a loose graphic crop-top, something that both men and women wore in the 80s. She has short-shorts on the bottom. 

#5: Veronica is shown in a loose tanktop with a half-done belt as well as patterened leggings (very common in fashion). Betty, on the other hand, wears a loose sweater and tapered, cropped pants. 

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Betty Cooper from BETTY & VERONICA #69, "Generation Gasp" (1993).

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Betty Cooper from BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #7, "Jersey City 07303" (1994).

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Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge from JUGHEAD #61, "Fat Free Fervor!" (1994). 

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Betty Cooper from BETTY #56, "Novel Job" (1997). 

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Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge from BETTY & VERONICA #126, "Group Therapy" (1998). 

Please keep in mind that part of the reason why 90s fashion is more varied is due to "decade" casual clothing at this point being more nondescript and suits being the norm for people to wear day-to-day. 

#1: The entirety of this story focuses on grunge fashion, which Betty deliberately dresses in in this shot. This was a major fashion movement in the 1990s. 

#2: Veronica is dressed in a more masculine style, wearing a blazer paired with a patterened tie. Betty wears a thick, open vest paired with a sweater underneath. 

#3: Betty's clothing and positioning could also be considered a more masculine or androgynous styling, with the two key identifiers of the 90s being the baseball cap and slouch socks. 

#4: Betty wears a vest with a pencil skirt. 

#5: Veronica's outfit has three main components: a crop top, sandals, and patterned flare pants.

1980s-1990s