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.
Nissa
glitter-dots flared midi dress - Black
£565.00
FARFETCH
-30%
Nissa
backless maxi dress - Black
£353.00
£505.00
FARFETCH
-53%
Red Valentino
DRESSES - Midi dresses on YOOX.COM Black
£274.00
£584.00
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.
-60%
AllSaints
Polyester/Wool Ormond Checked Sherpa Jacket, Size: XS Brown
£48.00
£119.00
AllSaints
-21%
Marc O'Polo
check-pattern wool jacket - Grey
£299.00
£379.00
FARFETCH
-60%
Woolrich
Quilted Lightweight ALBA Down Jacket with Wool Sleeve size Xxs
£156.16
£390.39
GLAMOOD
-12%
Izzue
check-pattern jacket - Pink
£178.00
£203.00
FARFETCH
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.
-32%
Infinity Leather
Womens Classic Brando Biker Jacket-Loughton - Green Lamb Leather - Size 10 UK
£84.99
£124.99
Secret Sales
AllSaints
Leather Clay Funnel Neck Suede Cropped Jacket, Size: L Brown
£479.00
AllSaints
-15%
Infinity Leather
Womens Black Shearling Sheepskin Aviator Jacket-Kiev - Size 22 UK
£304.99
£359.99
Secret Sales
adidas
Three-Stripe zip jacket - Brown
£104.00
FARFETCH
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.
-13%
Filson
corduroy-collar jacket - Brown
£375.00
£432.00
FARFETCH
-31%
Roman
Floral Embroidered Velvet Trophy Jacket Black
£48.00
£70.00
Roman
Twin-Set
embroidered velvet jacket - Black
£471.00
FARFETCH
-20%
Rixo
Denver embroidered cotton velvet jacket Brown
£352.00
£440.00
Mytheresa
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.
-10%
Polo Ralph Lauren
wide-leg distressed jeans - Blue
£222.00
£247.00
FARFETCH
Saint Laurent
V-Waist wide-leg jeans Black
£790.00
Mytheresa
Levi's
502 Taper jeans - Blue
£107.00
FARFETCH
Loewe
Anagram high-rise wide-leg jeans Blue
£875.00
Mytheresa
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.
The Sei
Oversized silk blazer White
£995.00
Mytheresa
-60%
Anine Bing
Sara Pinstriped Woven Blazer - Cream - S (UK8-10 / S) White
£188.00
£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.
-13%
Infinity Leather
Womens Black FRINGE TASSELED Biker Jacket - Seville - Size 10 UK
£104.99
£119.99
Secret Sales
-25%
Twin-Set
fringed faux-fur jacket - Brown
£205.00
£274.00
FARFETCH
-30%
Zimmermann
Rhiannon fringed denim shirt Blue
£276.00
£395.00
Mytheresa
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.
Comme Des Garçons
Peter Pan collar oversized shirt - White
£370.00
FARFETCH
-40%
Joseph
Congo oversized cotton poplin shirt White
£165.00
£275.00
Mytheresa
Burberry
Oversized Cotton Poplin Shirt White
£425.00
Burberry
Serena Bute
Cotton Oversized Shirt - White
£150.00
Serena Bute
