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.
-48%
Patrizia Pepe
Maxi dresses Black
$254.00
$489.00
Yoox
-60%
Comme Des Garçons
Midi dresses Black
$321.00
$803.00
Yoox
-80%
Dsquared2
Mini dresses Black
$293.00
$1,491.00
Yoox
-62%
N°21
Mini dresses Black
$308.00
$810.00
Yoox
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
Beadnell Waxed Jacket Green
$570.00
$673.00
Balardi
Barbour
Womens Elishaw casual plaid flannel shirt Blue
$160.00
Simons
The North Face
Coats Black
$538.00
Balardi
Twik
Womens Reversible check and fleece vest White
$69.00
Simons
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.
Alo
| Socialite Shacket Jacket in Black, Size: Medium
$198.00
Alo Yoga
-43%
Emporio Armani
Zipped Blouson Jacket Grey
$515.00
$903.00
Balardi
Alo
| Socialite Shacket Jacket in Bone Beige, Size: Medium White
$198.00
Alo Yoga
-29%
Pinko
Pinko Capperi Jacket White
$381.00
$534.00
Balardi
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.
-16%
Barbour
Milda Jacket Green
$886.00
$1,059.00
Balardi
-53%
Pierre-Louis Mascia
Printed Silk Blend Bomber Jacket-Donna
$691.00
$1,458.00
Wanan Luxury
-26%
Barbour
Classic Beadnell Wax Jacket Brown
$605.00
$821.00
Balardi
-37%
Pinko
Jackets Brown
$437.00
$696.00
Yoox
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 White
$268.00
Balardi
-7%
Self Portrait
Black Barrel Leg Jeans
$419.00
$452.00
Balardi
-17%
Self Portrait
Wide Leg Jeans Black
$377.00
$452.00
Balardi
Carhartt Work in Progress
Carhartt Wip W Jens Black Jeans
$218.00
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
$2,553.00
$3,611.00
Balardi
Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini
oversized tailored blazer - White
$434.00
Farfetch
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.
-31%
Fabiana Filippi
Bouclé Fringed Cardigan Brown
$1,332.00
$1,937.00
Balardi
-73%
Manuel Ritz
Jackets Black
$143.00
$534.00
Yoox
-42%
Frankie Morello
Frankie Morello Denim Jacket Blue
$552.00
$947.00
Balardi
-15%
Diesel
Grey Cotton De-Graffy Jacket-Donna
$296.00
$350.00
Wanan Luxury
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.
-15%
Max Mara
Rolf Shirt White
$322.00
$377.00
Balardi
-24%
Closed
Closed Oversized Cotton Shirt White
$249.00
$329.00
Balardi
Sportmax
Shirts White
$441.00
Balardi
-33%
Alexander Wang
Boyfriend Shirt White
$485.00
$723.00
Balardi
