Fashion in cinema oftentimes serves as a time capsule of the era, reflecting the styles and trends that audiences couldn’t get enough of. Whether showcasing curve-hugging pencil or circle skirts of the ‘50s, bouffants and knee-high gogo boots in the ‘60s, or bell-bottoms and jumpsuits for the groovy 1970s, films have truly captured the style essence of each diversified decades, with ’80s outfits being the most instantly recognizable. The 1980s were undeniably an over-the-top and innovative period in style history, with much of ’80s fashion and fads being circulated and embraced.
The era was packed with bold colors and patterns, and saw the rise of big and bouncy teased hair, massive shoulder pads, leg warmers and off-the-shoulder sweaters. Scrunchies were a hot commodity and boxy blazers were rocked by both men and women. Some of Hollywood’s most beloved films were released during this daring decade, with the movie stars and characters’ style being immortalized in the adored pictures. From the reigning ‘80s queen Molly Ringwald to Kevin Bacon’s rock ‘n’ roll persona in Footloose, with Melanie Griffith’s epic Working Girl makeover along the way, the time featured a colorful assortment of trends. These movies had the boldest ‘80s fashion.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
9 Weird Science
Universal Pictures
The beloved John Hughes’ 1985 science fantasy comedy flick Weird Science stars Anthony Michael Hall and IIan Mitchell-Smith as two nerdy social outcasts who use a computer program to create their idealized perfect woman, and naturally hilarious hijinks ensue. Kelly LeBrock portrays the beautiful and intelligent Lisa, who has unlimited magical powers the best friends then use to gain confidence and self-respect. The actress was considered one of the sexiest women in Hollywood during the 1980s, and Weird Science showcased LeBrock in a wide array of styles and fads that completely captured the decade in fashion. Paired with her voluminous and teased curls, the star wore an iconic cropped white sweater, workout gear featuring a high-cut leotard and tights, and glamorous date-night looks full of studs, dazzling beads and oversized sweater dresses that were peak 80s fashion.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Amy Heckerling’s 1982 coming-of-age comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High chronicles a year in the lives of a group of sophomores, depicting the satirized high school stereotype clichés such as the perpetually stoned surfer, girl-next-door, prep and skater. Fashion was front and center in the iconic film, with Sean Penn’s Spicoli rocking Hawaiian floral shirts, Robert Romanus’ Damone in polo shirts and popped collar coats, and the leading ladies in denim jackets, baggy sweaters, and flowing blouses. Undeniably the most notorious and talked about ensemble from the comedy was when Phoebe Cates emerged from the swimming pool in an infamous red bikini, instantly becoming the ultimate crush for teenagers across the world and cementing the outfit’s place in cinema history.
7 Footloose
Paramount Pictures Studios
In the 1984 musical drama that helped launch his career, Kevin Bacon portrays Ren McCormack, a teenager from Chicago who relocates to the small town of Beaumont and attempts to overturn a ban on dancing set in motion by the local minister. Throughout Footloose, Bacon is every bit the swoon-worthy rebel in his classic blue jeans and rolled-up white t-shirt, giving audiences major James Dean (or Bruce Springsteen) vibes. The epic prom that closes out the musical features some quintessential 80s fashion in all its glory: Bacon’s Ren memorably sports a maroon jacket and bowtie while his love interest Ariel is a vision in pink in a romantic chiffon prom dress that any girl of the decade would have coveted.
6 Working Girl
20th Century Fox
Melanie Griffith went from an over-the-top Staten Island girl to a très chic powerhouse businesswoman in the 1988 romantic dramedy Working Girl. The actress stars, alongside Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver, as Tess McGill, an ambitious secretary who takes over her new boss’ role when they are laid up with a broken leg. She undergoes a dazzling working-woman makeover, swapping out her bold, teased hair for a more sophisticated shorter ‘do and trades in her chunky turtlenecks and sweaters for elegant Manhattan office-style. Working Girl celebrated women in the workplace and their dominating aesthetic; audiences can witness first-hand the power suit (r)evolution as Tess goes from big shoulder pads and heavy jackets to minimal, slimmed down suits that would gain popularity in the 1990s.
5 Sixteen Candles
John Hughes’ muse and ultimate 80s queen Molly Ringwald stars in the famed director’s 1984 coming-of-age comedy Sixteen Candles, appearing as Chicago sophomore Sam Baker who finds that her “sweet” sixteen is anything but special. Her monumental birthday is overshadowed by her older sister’s upcoming nuptials, and audiences were witness to some seriously stunning ‘80s outfits and bridal looks. Throughout the film, Ringwald rocks some popular looks of the decade, like off-the-shoulder t-shirts, pleated skater skirts, floral print slip dresses and chunky bracelets. However, it’s her grand finale ensemble that truly takes the ’80s fashion cake: Sam gets the guy and her birthday happy ending while wearing a poufy lavender bridesmaid gown that Ringwald looks every bit lovely in.
4 Flashdance
Paramount Pictures
The 1983 romantic drama dance flick Flashdance features Jennifer Beals as a steel mill worker who is also a passionate dancer with big dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. The welder Alex Owens has no formal dance training, but aspires to become a professional dancer and practices by working as a nightly cabaret performer. Two of the decade’s most famous fads, the 80s fashion of exercise and dance, are prominently showcased in the movie as Alex sports an impressive collection of both dance and streetwear. From colorful leotards to leg warmers, cutoff sweatshirts and off-the-shoulder tops, Flashdance was peak ‘80s fashion. The promotional poster for the dance drama features Beals wearing a sweatshirt with a large neckhole, and the legendary look was achieved by accident when the actress mistakenly shrunk her garment in the wash and had to cut a large hole to fit her head through.
3 Heathers
New World Pictures
In Michael Lehmann’s 1989 black comedy teen film Heathers, Winona Ryder, Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, and Kim Walker star as high school Queen Bees who rule the school and instill fear in fellow students. The cult classic is famous for not only its dark satire but also for epitomizing ’80s fashion: colorful scrunchies, boxy blazers, chunky shoulder pads, and big and voluminous hair. Heathers served as style inspiration for women across the country and helped further launch the careers of its young and talented leads, most notably Ryder and Doherty. Though not a financial success, the comedy serves as a time capsule for the many styles of the decade and is now regarded as one of the greatest coming-of-age films of all time.
2 St. Elmo’s Fire
Columbia Pictures
Brat Pack members like Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore and Judd Nelson appear in the 1985 coming-of-age drama St. Elmo’s Fire, which centers on a group of recent graduates who must adjust to post-university life while embracing the responsibilities of adulthood. The Joel Schumacher picture showcases the attractive cast as they rock big and bouncy hair, berets, oversized blazers and a plethora of preppy cardigans and sweaters. St. Elmo’s Fire is jam-packed full of colorful and dynamic characters with diverse aesthetics, like Estevez’s white-colar law student Kirbo and Moore’s party girl banker Jules, who loves tousled hair, flashy patterns and statement-making accessories. The ‘80s classic is not only a prominent movie of the Brat Pack genre, but also illustrates the differing ’80s fashion trends.
1 The Breakfast Club
Undeniably one of the most beloved and iconic films of the 1980s, John Hughes’ 1985 teen dramedy The Breakfast Club focuses on teenagers from different high school cliques as they gather to spend a Saturday in detention. The typecasting of high school stereotypes is initially evident, as the film centers on a self-proclaimed athlete, brain, outsider, princess, and a bad boy. The characters later prove that you can’t judge a book by its cover, and that looks and style can in fact be deceiving. The aesthetic of the iconic group highlights how assorted style was at the time: the popular Claire looked chic in a loose fitting pink top and curve-hugging long brown skit, while the eccentric Allison preferred dark eyeliner and oversized dark sweaters. Bender is the epitome of an outcast rebel, rocking a denim jacket and flannel with fingerless gloves. The film and fashion remains one of the greatest in cinema history.
