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.
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.
SIMKHAI
Colby Plaid Jacket Brown
$695.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Vince
Shadow Plaid Wool-Blend Bomber Jacket
$244.99
Rue La La
-30%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Belted Wool-Blend Plaid Tweed Jacket Red
$488.60
$698.00
Neiman Marcus
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.
Cole Haan
Womens Leather Racer Jacket - Black Size Medium
$498.00
Cole Haan
Avec Les Filles
Faux Fur Trucker Jacket Brown
$129.99
Rue La La
-54%
Cole Haan
Womens Wing Collar Leather Jacket - Beige Size Medium Brown
$229.97
$498.00
Cole Haan
Walter Baker
Bowie Suede Jacket
$278.99
Rue La La
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.
-28%
Pierre-Louis Mascia
Womens Coats Beige
$1,110.00
$1,536.00
LUX LAIR
-20%
Rixo
Denver embroidered cotton velvet jacket Brown
$508.00
$635.00
Mytheresa
-86%
Off-white
Jackets Green
$619.00
$4,525.00
Yoox.com
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.
-80%
Lee
Jeans
$24.00
$122.00
Yoox.com
Joe's
Zamara High-Rise Straight Ankle Jean Blue
$40.99
Rue La La
-30%
Mother
The High-Waisted Runaway Jeans Black
$173.60
$248.00
Neiman Marcus
DL1961
Patti Straight High-Rise Sand Vintage Ankle Jean Brown
$48.99
Rue La La
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.
Theory
Oversized Straight Linen-Blend Blazer White
$149.99
Rue La La
-50%
TWP
Boyfriend Blazer with Zip-Sleeves White
$446.98
$895.00
Neiman Marcus
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.
-40%
TWP
Midnight Cowboy Fringe-Trim Cashmere Jacket Blue
$1,497.00
$2,495.00
Neiman Marcus
Bogner
Nancie Wool-Blend Poncho Black
$168.99
Rue La La
-30%
Goldbergh
Marna fringed down ski jacket Beige
$686.00
$980.00
Mytheresa
Nic+Zoe
Iconic Cork Fringe Knit Jacket Beige
$79.99
Rue La La
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
$283.00
$405.00
Mytheresa
Cinq à Sept
Crushed Sequin Loveletter Blanche Button-Front Shirt White
$425.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Maeve
Oversized Buttondown Shirt White
$118.00
Anthropologie