80s fashion is back on trend, here's all the OG inspo you need to get in on the look (2024)

Eighties fashion is all about the idea that there is no such thing as "OTT" – which is why we love it so darn much. It was the era that put the "power" into "power-dressing", when hair had to be so large that you’d have to walk instead of getting a cab, and when it was fully expected that you’d turn up to your exercise class wearing a thong on the outside of your clothes... What a time to be alive.

It was also one of those unique decades in which, style-wise, pretty much anything went: punk, new romanticism, athleisure, glam-rock, or all of them at once. Forget about today's obsession with minimalism and the ubiquitous "quiet luxury", this era is all about "more is more"!

So imagine our delight when we spotted 80s-inspired looks walking down the SS24 *and* AW23 runways. At Alexander McQueen it was all about sharp suiting, while Balmain raised the bar – or rather, shoulders – with extreme padding. Alessandra Rich's hourglass leather two-piece oozed nostalgia, and Isabel Marant paired billowing batwing sleeves with slouchy mid-calf boots.

But there's no denying the ultimate 80s inspo comes from the OG looks of the decade. Ready to feel *seriously* inspired? Scroll through to see the outfits that defined the 80s, worn by celebrities like Madonna to supermodels Cindy Crawford and Pat Cleveland, as well as iconic on-screen moments from The Heathers, Footloose and Top Gun... You might be surprised by how many still feel so relevant today.

So, will the Eighties be your next fashion-era obsession? Only time will tell...

YES, SJP! One of the Cosmo-approved qweens of 80s style, she's ticking off so many trends that we can hardly keep count. Scrunched big hair, knotted hair scarf, oversized blazer, classic blue jeans, slouchy ankle warmer-style socks, plimsolls, fancy AF sunglasses and a nonchalant pose. Perfection.

How about Michelle Pfeiffer putting all of our mismatched pyjamas to shame? Her grooming in Scarface is on point: the flawless claw-like nails, her bob blow-dried within an inch of its life... and can we take a moment to appreciate that her entire nightwear ensemble is perfectly colour coordinated with her boudoir? She couldn't possibly be any cooler, TBH.

Hello Christy Turlington and hello P.O.W.E.R D.R.E.S.S.I.N.G. Can you imagine going to a job interview in this and not getting the job? Yeah, that's because it wouldn't happen. You can probably request a corner office, chauffeur and personal chef too while you're at it. This look will literally never get old.

You can't talk about 80s fashion without mentioning the certified QUEEN of extremity and self-expression: Grace Jones. This particular lewk is one of our faves, because, quite simply, it's proof that the "take one thing off before you leave the house" maxim simply did not exist back then. If anything, 80s fashionistas ascribed to the total opposite. A giant hat, statement earrings, gloves, naked cage dress, exposed pants and a red lip? Why the hell not!

Brooke Shields with her BIG HAIR DON'T CARE is a whole Eighties mood. Top-to-toe white was often seen in the 80s, to offset all the colour exploding across everyone else's wardrobes (scroll further to see what we mean). This navy sweater vest adds a hint of nautical vibes – another much-loved style of the decade, even for people without boats...

Cher did naked dressing before it was even *called* naked dressing – and she remains the one who did it best, in our opinion. Per the era's maximalist style, the singer attended the Met Gala in a most iconic of ensembles: a see-through, crystal and bead-covered bodysuit paired with a low-cut black maxi-skirt, some seriously major ear cuffs AND a typically Eighties purple eyeshadow look.

It's the workout that defined a decade (and beyond) – and a whole generation's idea of what constitutes gymwear. The rules? The higher-cut the leg on your skintight leotard the better, always ensure your legwarmers and sweatband match perfectly, and pop a belt on top just 'cos.

The lead singer of The Runaways, Joan Jett is showing *exactly* how people in the 80s weren't afraid of wearing multiple trends at once. Clashing prints, extreme haircut, full-glam makeup, accessorising until she couldn't fit anything else on... It's so fabulously extra. And the metallic belt is just the cherry on top, to tie it all together. Mind. Blown.

Hello, Demi? Is that you? It looks like someone took our favourite Charlie's Angel and put her in an '80s Instagram filter, TBH. Crimping a fringe is a bold move because – as this photo proves – it just won't sit down, giving a kind of "glamorous but windswept" (and slightly crazed) vibe. Demi's soft makeup is also hella flattering, finished with a sequin blazer, bow earrings and glitzy beads.

Three massive 80s trends on Elle 'The Bod' Macpherson: a velvet jacket with HUGE shoulder pads, a harlequin print mini skirt, and sheer black tights. Spare a thought for those 80s gals having to be majorly on top of their leg hair situ... Sadly for them 50 denier tights were yet to become a wardrobe staple of busy women everywhere.

Debbie Harry is giving us all a masterclass in pre-'90s makeup by pairing a colourful smoky eye with super strong blusher. Forget about contouring – this is another level. The popularity of Jane Fonda and aerobics meant that leisure-wear from the likes of Pineapple became super popular, and velour tracksuits like Debbie's were absolutely EVERYWHERE (and cosy AF, too). Sign us up!

The Breakfast Club has all the classic teen movie characters: the jock, popular princess, awkward goth, geek and the rule breaker. In this cult film, they each have lust-worthy wardrobes too. Classic sweats, varsity jackets, double denim, parkas, all black everything, throwback grunge... *Adds to watch list immediately*

If we had abs as rock hard as SJP's we'd we wearing our bras out, too. Anything beaded just screams 80s – and would often be super heavy and found in vintage or charity shops from all over. This exact style of jacket is called a Bolero and was appropriated from Spanish matadors and dancers. SJP's bull is just out of shot (lol jk).

The question is, how many bracelets is too many bracelets? Madonna's answer is... "You can never have too many bracelets". This is NOT an outfit you'd want to wear to the airport though. Just imagine the hold up at the metal detector! Madge's hair scarf is an accessory that was seen a lot during this decade. Perfect for post-workout hair, or if you just can't be bothered to wash it.

Working Girl is a movie about a hard-working secretary (played by Melanie Griffith) being screwed over by her boss – before she becomes an absolute baller and gets her revenge. And in amongst the epic storyline are some seriously retro lewks. Shoulder pads taller than the Empire State Building, trench coats tied tighter than a Kardashian waist trainer and hair so large that any kind of hat would be a physical impossibility.

Double denim? Pah. The 1980s were all about triple denim. Because, well, why do things by halves, right? Iman, supermodel and wife of David Bowie, shows how to accessorise this denim trifecta, by popping her collar to show off her enormous hoops, chunky men's bracelet and belt. And to top it off? A pair of tinted glasses.

Joan Collins has always been an icon, but we're willing to claim that the Eighties might just have been her most fabulous years. Here, she makes a case for pairing leather and lace with what looks like a mildly problematic Native American-inspired jacket – as well as a big bouffant hairstyle, tonnes of jewellery and a bold red lip ofc.