6 Pics Of Bonnie Tyler That Showcase Her Peak '80s Style

Bonnie Tyler might be one of those famous '80s musicians who are practically unrecognizable today, but just a few decades ago, she was known for her unique, husky voice and iconic sense of style. Maximalism was huge in the '80s, and stars like Tyler were fully in their element in this decade. "It was massive, big shoulders, the massive big curly hair. Everybody thought I had a perm, and that I caused the ozone layer with the lacquer," she joked during an interview with BBC One Wales. "But my hair was never permed, it was always kept shaggy, and then it was loads of stiff gel, and I used to scrunch it, and I used to make it as big as possible."

It wasn't just her hair that cemented her iconic style; it was also her clothes. "I used to love wearing the big padded leather jackets," she added. "They make you feel powerful, and you felt you can compete with the boys." Although she'd later reveal in another interview that some of her old looks now make her cringe, she was fully committed to the era's aesthetic while it was happening, and now we're taking a look back at her '80s outfits to see how well she really nailed the decade's trends.

Although Bonnie Tyler's discography spans a pretty decent amount of genres, she was mostly known for pop and rock, and she dressed the part. In the above pic taken at the Diamond Awards Festival in 1987, her outfit nails all the '80s glam-rock points. From her big hair to her thick eyeliner, shiny oversized blazer with leather lapels, and black leather pants — not to mention her chunky bracelets — Tyler made the style all her own.

Considering that Bonnie Tyler's hair was the work of gel and styling alone, her head of curls was extremely impressive and very '80s. In this pic taken at the British Record Industry Awards in 1986, she paired the big-hair-don't-care look with blue-gray eyeshadow and frosted lipstick, which were also staples of the era. While her clothes are very much a time capsule of the '80s, her hair and makeup seal the deal with a romantic glam aesthetic.

In the '80s, MTV was as much about fashion as it was about music, and stars like Bonnie Tyler dominated the scene with bold, out-there outfits like this dress she wore while performing at the 1984 Grammys. Outfits like this weren't designed to fit in; it had asymmetry, strong shoulders, fishnet stockings, and of course, studs and embellishments, which were an extremely en vogue during this era. This outfit embodied the '80s pop-star aura in the best way.

Nothing gives '80s vibes more than sequin-overloaded blouses like the one Bonnie Tyler had on in this pic, taken during her performance at a live concert in 1986. The light-catching sequins paired with the slight bat-wing shape of the gown give that vibe that retro stylists today are forever trying to capture. While she kept it pretty light on the accessories besides her earrings, it still gives major stage queen energy.

While many of Bonnie Tyler's outfits wouldn't translate well today given what trends are currently popular, the leather crop top and skirt she wore to the premiere of "Metropolis" in 1984 is one of those celeb outfits from the '80s that would look even cooler today. While it does have strong '80s style markers, like the leather-everything vibe, the wide studded belt with gold hardware, and the edgy cutouts on the top, enough of these trends have circled back, making this the perfect retro outfit to channel the '80s. 

In the '80s, denim was seen as a symbol of rebellion against uppity or stiff clothes, which is why they leaned into baggy territory more often than not. This denim-on-denim outfit Bonnie Tyler wore at the Montreux Rock Festival in 1986 was a perfect fusion of '80s country rock. It had yoke details on the top and skirt, huge studs, rhinestones, and buttons all over, plus a studded belt to tie the look together. If Tyler's style moments have you feeling a bit nostalgic, it might be time to try something new with our tips for incorporating the best 1980s dress trends into your outfits.