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.
GCDS
asymmetrical zig-zag pailette dress - Black
$587.00
Farfetch
Christopher Kane
glitter velvet mini dress - Black
$1,264.00
Farfetch
Liu Jo
pleated glitter dress - Black
$186.00
Farfetch
Marchesa
tiered glitter cocktail dress - Black
$694.00
Farfetch
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.
Frankie Shop
Baxter plaid oversized blouson jacket Grey
$575.00
Mytheresa
-37%
Barbour
Womens Bedale tartan underside relaxed jacket Blue
$349.95
$555.00
Simons
The North Face
Coats Black
$546.00
Balardi
-50%
Twik
Womens Waxed-finish ribbed-collar jacket Brown
$99.95
$199.00
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.
Frankie Shop
Hope faux fur jacket Brown
$460.00
Mytheresa
Alo
| Socialite Shacket Jacket in Bone, Size: Medium White
$198.00
Alo Yoga
-40%
Frankie Shop
Hester jacket Brown
$237.00
$395.00
Mytheresa
Twik
Womens Buttoned flap faux-suede jacket Brown
$185.00
Simons
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.
Chloé
Chloé Scalloped cropped cotton velvet jacket Black
$3,230.00
Mytheresa
-23%
Barbour
Barbour X Ganni Jacket Green
$834.00
$1,082.00
Balardi
-82%
Alice Archer
Jackets Red
$305.00
$1,732.00
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.
-20%
A Gold E
Ren cropped high-rise wide-leg jeans Beige
$456.00
$570.00
Mytheresa
-60%
Momoni
Jeans Blue
$112.00
$278.00
Yoox
Frame Denim
Le High skinny jeans White
$450.00
Mytheresa
-14%
Shaft
Flaire Smocking Wide Leg Jeans Blue
$343.00
$399.00
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.
The Sei
Oversized silk blazer White
$1,830.00
Mytheresa
-50%
Andamane
Oversized ivory jacket in wool blend White
$650.00
$1,300.00
TheDoubleF
-30%
Stella McCartney
Oversized blazer White
$1,922.00
$2,745.00
Mytheresa
-45%
Dries Van Noten
Écru oversized double-breasted jacket by Dries Van Noten White
$1,155.00
$2,100.00
TheDoubleF
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.
-30%
Goldbergh
Marna fringed down ski jacket Beige
$854.00
$1,220.00
Mytheresa
Twik
Womens Cropped faux-suede jacket Brown
$59.00
Simons
-20%
Zimmermann
Rhiannon fringed denim shirt Blue
$600.00
$750.00
Mytheresa
-25%
Toteme
Attached-scarf Jacket Grey
$801.00
$1,068.00
Eraldo
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.
-30%
Joseph
Congo oversized cotton poplin shirt White
$329.00
$470.00
Mytheresa
Toteme
Logo-embroidered silk shirt White
$1,130.00
Mytheresa
-20%
Max Mara
Adorni oversized cotton poplin shirt White
$896.00
$1,120.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Dries Van Noten
Oversized denim shirt White
$473.00
$675.00
Mytheresa
