Decade-defining 1980s fashion moments we still love today

Constant reinvention is Madonna's superpower. Throughout the course of her remarkable career, the Queen of Pop has harnessed the power of clothes and makeup to give her look a new edge. When she took the music scene by storm in the 1980s, she favoured lace gloves, layered necklaces and, of course, her signature larger-than-life headbands. Textural heaven – colour us obsessed. 

Power dressing was all the rage in the 1980s, and actress Joan Collins was the poster girl with her Dynasty character Nolan Miller's wardrobe. Think boxy shapes, killer lapels and peplum blazers that meant business.

Princess Diana is a fashion icon for more reasons than we can list. As one of the world's most photographed women at the time, her looks had to be polished and elegant with an air of regality. Her style had a certain girlish charm - think frilly trims, pussy bow ties and scalloped edge collars. However, her evening wear, especially in the latter half of the decade, was powerful. The Princess indulged in the shoulder pad trend on more than one occasion to give her outfit a strong silhouette.

Bona fide free spirit Kate Bush racked up an impressive roster of hits in the late 1970s and early 1980s. But beyond her catchy discography, she also made an impact in the style department. Her favoured relaxed-fit, flowy silhouettes echoed the spirit of her music and in particular, we adore her peasant dresses and oversized shirts.

Smooth Operator singer Sade was one of the incomparable beauties of the 1980s. Choosing a single defining fashion moment of hers is nothing short of agonising, but her Live Aid outfit is totally up there. A high-neckline, giving way to the drama of a backless design feels achingly chic. The crisp white hue against the warm radiance of her skin, topped off with her trademark sleek braid, red lip and chunky gold hoop combo? Perfection.

A fresh-faced Cindy Crawford looked utterly ravishing at The Love Ball in 1989, repping an extremely glossy vinyl jacket ahead of her stratospheric supermodel era. Arguably her voluminous mane steals the show, but we would totally wear this outerwear now. (PS: Kaia, is that you? Talk about spitting image.)

What Grace Jones, aka the ultimate Alaïa muse, doesn't know about rocking a hood, frankly, isn't worth knowing. A true pioneer and artiste, Grace was best known for her striking androgynous aesthetic and outré approach.

A riot of colour, mismatched prints, neon makeup, and thrift-store layers, Lauper’s look celebrated punk, pop, and maximalism all at once - and gave '80s girls permission to dress loud and proud.

Think chunky plastic earrings, wide belts, stacks of bangles, and oversized sunglasses. Accessories in the '80s were loud and exaggerated - the more, the better. Studio 54 glamazon Jerry Hall brought her style A-game into the next decade and beyond. At Ascot in 1982, she made a watertight case for OTT jewellery - and we can't help but lust after her XXL lapels.

Thanks to the aerobics craze and films like Flashdance, sporty-chic took off. Think high-cut leotards layered over tights, with chunky leg warmers and off-the-shoulder sweatshirts - gym-ready or not. 

Multi-hyphenate Jane Fonda captured the zeitgeist and looked totally incredible in a leotard. Her aerobic workouts revolutionised the athleisure game in the 1980s. (If only we looked this good working up a sweat.)

A timeless staple got an '80s edge. Denim jackets weren’t just outerwear — they were a statement. Oversized, acid-washed, and often covered in pins, patches, or even bedazzled elements, these jackets were worn by everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Madonna. Cropped versions gave a punk or pop twist, while shearling-lined styles added rugged Americana vibes. Tina Turner was adored for her effervescent stage presence. With her energetic spirit and jazzy mini dresses, she was a true performing legend. But the piece from her wardrobe that sticks in our mind above all else is her lived-in, customised denim jacket.

The late '80s saw the emergence of supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington, who ruled runways and campaigns - shifting focus from clothes to the women wearing them, and setting the stage for their '90s fashion celebrity. 

Thanks to the nature of her profession, Naomi  had more killer fashion moments than we've had style crushes. However, hands down, her most memorable look of this particular decade was when she wore a feathered cocktail dress by Yves Saint Laurent from the maison's 1987-88 Haute Couture collection.

Thanks to Miami Vice and the rise of casual luxury, the relaxed white blazer became an unexpected icon of '80s fashion. It redefined suiting as effortlessly cool and less buttoned-up, trading boardroom stiffness for beachside swagger. Women adopted it too, styling it over minidresses or pleated trousers for that sleek, summer-y power look.

Inimitable beauty Brooke Shields has a face that would launch a thousand ships. But beyond her signature rich brows and graceful features, she also excels on the style front. This slouchy white co-ord, layered over a cut-out bodysuit for a hint of skin, is going straight in our outfit arsenal.

The 80s beaded dress was all about maximum impact. Dripping in sequins, crystals, and intricate embellishments, these dresses caught the light - and attention - at every angle. Often featuring dramatic silhouettes (padded shoulders, batwing sleeves, body-hugging cuts), they were a fixture at cocktail parties, nightclubs, and red carpets. 80s icons like Joan Collins, Tina Turner, and Cher were all fans.

Whitney Houston's music career flourished in the 1980s, as did her wardrobe. From voluminous headbands to foolproof leather-jacket-and-jeans combos, her looks captured the playful spirit of the age. Her embellished little black dress worn to the 1988 Grammys had a touch of glitz, but simultaneously felt quietly elegant.

If the '80s had a fashion fairy godfather, it was Bob Mackie - the mastermind behind some of the decade’s most dazzling, over-the-top looks. Known for his glittering, feathered, and body-skimming creations, Mackie dressed Cher, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, and Whitney Houston, turning them into walking works of art. His designs were unapologetically theatrical - sheer fabrics, plunging necklines, rhinestones for days - all made with couture-level craftsmanship.

Throughout the decade, Cher wore a plethora of striking Bob Mackie ensembles, but her penchant for sheer fabrics is forever etched on our minds. From bodystockings to mini dresses, the performer adored glitz-infused pieces, and her 1985 Met Gala look, she attended on the arm of the designer himself, was one of her very best. 

Once a workwear staple, denim-on-denim became a full-fledged fashion flex in the 1980s. Think stonewashed jeans paired with matching jackets, often oversized, distressed, or customized with pins, patches, or paint splatters. Pop stars like Bruce Springsteen, Debbie Harry, and George Michael helped make it a wardrobe staple.

While the glamorous 1990s images of model Iman and her husband David Bowie are pored over among fashion circles, Iman certainly knew how to dress in the preceding decade. Often donning double denim, she made the divisive fashion trend look categorically chic.

While Aviators and Wayfarers dominated the mainstream, round Ray-Bans became the underground icon of 1980s eyewear. With their minimalist metal frames and circular lenses, they carried serious retro appeal - a nod to ‘60s rock legends like John Lennon, reimagined for a new wave generation. Worn by creatives, musicians, and the effortlessly cool, round specs gave off an artsy, intellectual, almost rebellious vibe. Whether tinted, mirrored, or classic black, they were the anti-establishment accessory in a decade obsessed with flash. 

Is there a cooler 1980s look than Lisa Bonet's (aka Zoë Kravitz's mother) 1987 VMAs outfit? It's a hard no. From round shades and wild curls to her cool-girl croc shoulder bag, we are utterly obsessed.

In the 1980s, lingerie stepped out of the bedroom and onto the streets. Madonna led the charge, pairing lace corsets, satin bustiers, and bra tops with layered crucifixes, tulle skirts, and leather jackets. Designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood followed, turning slips, garters, and sheer camisoles into fashion statements.

Kim Basinger hopped on the visible lingerie trend way before it was even a thing at the 1989 Batman premiere. Featuring a sheer dress overlay, a waist-cinching belt, a black bra and lace high-waisted knickers, the actress' look is still relevant today.

From punk rockers to power dressers, leather boots were a defining accessory of 1980s fashion. Whether it was knee-high stiletto boots, lace-up combat styles, or slouchy suede mid-calf pairs, they added instant attitude to any outfit. Worn with mini skirts, oversized blazers, acid-wash jeans, or bodycon dresses, they grounded the era’s most iconic looks in something tough, confident, and just a little dangerous.

Achingly cool rock star Debbie Harry repped some killer thigh-high boots during a 1983 photoshoot, and we have major footwear envy to this day.

The pixie cut in the '80s was more than a haircut - it was a declaration of bold, feminine rebellion. Cropped close, often with sharp edges or soft feathering, it stood out in a sea of big hair and teased curls. Worn by icons like Annie Lennox, Linda Evangelista, and Molly Ringwald, the pixie had range: androgynous, romantic, punk, or ultra-polished depending on the wearer. 

Aussie star Kylie Minogue looked almost unrecognisable at the premiere of The Delinquents in an audaciously short 'XO' motif sequin dress and pixie cut. Her cropped hair and liner-rimmed eyes worked perfectly with the cool-girl ensemble.

Distressed, bleached-out denim look took over jeans, jackets, and even skirts. It was rebellious, rocker-inspired, and quintessentially cool.

Salt-N-Pepa (photographed with and DJ Spinderella) wore acid-wash with lashings of attitude.

Ski fashion in the 1980s was all about flash and function. On the slopes, skiers wore colour-blocked or neon one-piece snowsuits, often in shades of hot pink, turquoise, or lime green. It was athletic, luxurious, and unapologetically extra. 

Take Didi Fenton's neon one-piece and fluffy footwear; Après-ski never looked this fabulously fierce.

Electric pinks, acid greens, and highlighter yellows lit up wardrobes across the globe. From leg warmers to windbreakers, neon was all about being loud, proud, and totally 80s.

Wearing highlighter hues, teased hair, and zebra socks, Leslie Ash's '80s night-out look lit up the dancefloor.