8 iconic 1980s celebrity outfits we would totally wear now
Ah, ’80s fashion. If you’re anything like us, you grew up with a mild case of second-hand embarrassment whenever your parents would show you photos of the oversized styles, neon prints, and dramatic shoulder pads of their youths. But alas, as the adage goes, everything old is new again, and the new again happens to be ’80s fashion.
Between Molly Ringwald’s LBD and Princess Diana’s tartan trench, these eight iconic 1980s celebrity outfits are still inspiring our wardrobes today. And who knows? One day you might be telling your kids, “I swear, this was really cool at the time.”
1. Molly Ringwald, 1987
What would an ‘80s appreciation post be without an appearance from Molly Ringwald? Between Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink, Molly’s Chanel dress has been inspiring our LBD’s since the first time Don’t You (Forget About Me) got stuck in our heads.
-25%
Nissa
backless maxi dress - Black
£406.00
£541.00
FARFETCH
Red Valentino
DRESSES - Mini dresses on YOOX.COM Black
£679.00
Yoox.com
-50%
Ludovic de Saint Sernin
velvet tank maxi dress - Black
£235.00
£470.00
FARFETCH
Patrizia Pepe
DRESSES - Midi dresses on YOOX.COM Black
£269.00
Yoox.com
2. Princess Diana, 1981
Then 20-year-old Princess Diana and her 32-year-old husband Prince Charles on their honeymoon at Balmore, Scotland in 1981. Update the look by pairing Di’s tartan jacket with jeans and knee-high boots.
-15%
Barbour
Catton Wax Jacket Green
£421.00
£497.00
Balardi
Burberry
Check Label Cotton Zip Hoodie Black
£575.00
Burberry
-33%
Fay
3 Hooks In Technical Checkered Fabric Brown
£648.00
£972.00
Balardi
Burberry
Check Trim Cotton Zip Hoodie Black
£625.00
Burberry
3. Meg Ryan, 1989
No. 3 on this list but no.1 in our hearts, Meg Ryan, the ultimate rom-com queen, and then-boyfriend Dennis Quaid at the Los Angeles premiere of Great Balls of Fire! in 1989 in a cooler-than-cool leather jacket and circular sunnies.
Fat Face
FatFace Leanna Black Leather Jacket
£199.00
FatFace
-30%
AllSaints
Womens Cactus Leather Dalby Desserto Biker Jacket, Size: UK 14/US 10 Black
£223.30
£319.00
AllSaints
-28%
Stand Studio
Zaylee Jacket Brown
£246.00
£340.00
Balardi
-30%
AllSaints
Leather Clay Funnel Neck Suede Cropped Jacket, Size: XS Brown
£335.30
£479.00
AllSaints
Who says ’80s fashion automatically means neon colours and oversized fits? The Cosby Show’s Lisa Bonet is a boho bombshell in an embroidered velvet jacket, layered jewelry, and feminine blouse.
-26%
Barbour
Classic Beadnell Wax Jacket Brown
£330.00
£448.00
Balardi
Rixo
Rixo Denver Embroidered Velvet Jacket - Black - 16 (UK 16 / XL)
£350.00
Harvey Nichols
-16%
Barbour
Milda Jacket Green
£483.00
£578.00
Balardi
Burberry
Quilted Nylon Jacket Black
£990.00
Burberry
5. Tina Turner, 1989
The one, the only, the Tina. An ode to the woman who makes us believe in the power of high-waisted jeans and with enough liquid confidence, who we aspire to be at any and every karaoke event.
Levi's
Jeans Blue
£143.00
Balardi
-33%
Mother
The Mid Rise Maven Sneak Jeans Blue
£209.00
£310.00
Balardi
-19%
Diesel
1993 D Vyl Jeans Grey
£164.00
£202.00
Balardi
Levi's
Jeans Blue
£135.00
Balardi
6. Brooke Shields, 1982
What could possibly be more emblematic of the decade than Brooke Shields with her infamous curls in an oversized blazer? The Blue Lagoon actress was beyond her time in a bra top, matching separates, and a funky gold bag.
-29%
Gucci
Double Breasted Technical Panama Blazer White
£1,393.00
£1,970.00
Balardi
The Sei
Oversized silk blazer White
£995.00
Mytheresa
Anine Bing
Sara Pinstriped Woven Blazer - Cream - S (UK8-10 / S) White
£470.00
Harvey Nichols
-20%
Stella McCartney
Oversized blazer White
£1,160.00
£1,450.00
Mytheresa
7. Sarah Jessica Parker, 1986
Honestly, what we would give to raid the closet of Sarah Jessica Parker. Pre-Sex and the City, SJP swapped her iconic naked dress for an oversized fringe jacket and her Manolo stilettos for cowboy boots. BTW – who else is thinking about the SATC episode where Carrie ventures to Aidan’s cabin for some R&R and Samantha hits on the hot neighbor farmer? No? You should be.
-42%
Frankie Morello
Frankie Morello Denim Jacket Blue
£302.00
£517.00
Balardi
Toteme
Scarf-effect Wool-blend Jacket - Brown - 44 (UK16 / XL)
£810.00
Harvey Nichols
-35%
Golden Goose
Suede Jacket With Bangs Brown
£955.00
£1,477.00
Balardi
-50%
Ganni
Black Fringed Tweed Blazer
£237.50
£475.00
GANNI
We want to be everything Winona Ryder is in this photo. A girl with the ability to pull off an oversized white shirt, classic jeans, and a cooler-than-thou stare. Team ’80s Winona Ryder forever.
SOEUR
Bermudes Shirt White
£166.00
Balardi
Serena Bute
Cotton Oversized Shirt - White
£150.00
Serena Bute
-15%
Max Mara
Rolf Shirt White
£176.00
£206.00
Balardi
Burberry
Oversized Cotton Poplin Shirt White
£425.00
Burberry
