Throwback Pics Of '80s Grammys Red Carpets That Highlight Fun Fashion

The fashion of the '80s gets a lot of hate. To be sure, it's easy to side-eye some of the style choices of the era, from the massive shoulder pads and copious amounts of ruffles, to the wild neon colors. The '80s was decidedly not the decade of quiet luxury. But, you know, now that pajamas at the airport and compression leggings at nice restaurants are regular sights, we'll take the opulence and maximalism of '80s fashion any day. 

The music from back then was a vibe, too. This was the decade when MTV became a thing (and way before it was inundated with reality TV shows), and Cyndi Lauper released her mega hit "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" in 1983. It's no wonder then that the Grammy Awards of the '80s was where fashion obsessives and music lovers came together to turn up the volume on red-carpet looks. Play it safe? Never heard of her. Minimalist-minded folks might be tempted to add these getups to their list of the most inappropriate outfits in Grammys history, but, for the period and for what it's worth, we think they were totally rad. 

Those who know Paula Abdul from her "American Idol" days might not know that she was also a big-time choreographer and dancer, working closely with the Jacksons and others. Abdul is also a Grammy winner, picking up a trophy in 1991 for Best Music Video. But, before that, in 1989, Abdul attended the 31st annual Grammy Awards rocking a floor-length gown that hit a couple of the major notes of the '80s: bright, multi-colored sequins and dramatic cascading ruffles. Shoutout to the piece-y updo which was also oh-so-'80s.

When "Looking for a New Love" singer Jody Watley won the coveted Best New Artist award at the 30th annual Grammys in 1988, she took her victory lap donning a 'fit that could've also worked in the greaser '50s. Watley paired a robin egg blue poodle skirt with a patch-adorned black leather jacket for a hard-meets-soft vibe that remains a familiar favorite today. But the satin gold slingback pumps, matte makeup, and voluminous curls all decidedly delivered '80s energy. 

Befitting a supermodel that disrupted the status quo around beauty standards and defined an era, the icon Grace Jones brought the fashion to the 25th annual Grammy Awards in 1983. Donning a sculptural Issey Miyake leather dress and matching hat, this red carpet 'fit was heavy on the texture and futuristic warrior vibes. Jones' look was definitely one of those celeb outfits from the '80s that look even cooler today — a true testament of timelessness.

Karyn White had other hit songs like "Superwoman," but it was "The Way You Love Me" that earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Vocal R&B Performance in 1989. She walked the red carpet for the 31st annual ceremony in a darling little minidress featuring a colorfully sequined bodice, adorned with a double-layered ruffled skirt. White's look would've been completely at home in the prom night crescendo scene of any '80s coming-of-age movie. Totally pretty in purple.

When you think of who helped pioneer the sound — and the fashion — of the '80s, no doubt Cyndi Lauper makes the list. The "Time After Time" singer stepped out for the 26th Grammy Awards in 1984 in a look that refused to leave anything out. From the printed and bedazzled maxi skirt, to the gold tank, to the tulle headband, to the fruit necklace — it's a ride. And if that wasn't enough, red stockings and matching red pumps? It's a wild look, but Cyndi has always been a wild girl who just wants to have fun.

Best known for leading a girl group and starring alongside Prince in the 1984 movie "Purple Rain," Apollonia popped out for the 27th annual Grammys in 1985 draped in a look that encapsulates everything that made '80s fashion so much fun. There was no such thing as too many rhinestones or too much lace. And count super-pointy shoulder pads among the things people actually found attractive in the '80s. Apollonia gave us over-the-top saucy glamour and we're so here for it.