Iconic Celeb Outfits From The '80s That Defined The Era

As much as we must bow down to the iconic '70s celebrity outfits that defined the era, we also have to admit that it wasn't until the 1980s that things got really fun. After all, the 1970s are often regarded as the decade that style forgot, because it didn't seem to have much of a direction. Sure, there was lots of glitz and glam, but the palette of burnt oranges, mustard yellow, and pea green left much to be desired, as did the geometric patterns of the time. All you have to do is flip through a vintage magazine or an older relative's photo album to find yourself utterly stunned by the things people actually found attractive in the '70s. But the '80s were different and, for lack of a better word, captivating. 

With the 1980s came more structured looks and less shapeless dresses made out of gold lamé and similar man-made fabrics (sorry, Halston!), as Gianni Versace introduced a completely different style that hugged curves instead of hiding them. Colors became bolder and more vibrant, as muted shades like that aforementioned pea green were forgotten. Even the punk fashion that Vivienne Westwood had helped bring into the mainstream in the 1970s shifted into more costume-like designs, adding necessary flare and a different type of anti-establishment energy to the fashion world. In other words, it was a great decade for iconic outfits, and while there's no shortage of them, these nine legendary looks are most memorable. 

One of the best parts about the 1980s was how celebrities pushed boundaries in regard to traditional gender norms, something that may have contributed to so many of us, who grew up in that era, being as open-minded about gender as we are today. At the forefront of that movement was Grace Jones rocking classic menswear in a chic androgynous way that hadn't been done before. While women wearing pantsuits is nothing new (Kate Middleton has proven many times they're powerful outfits), Jones' take on the look, like this gray suit with a daring deep-V, was rebellious and made people question gender as a concept.

After an entire decade of disco-inspired ensembles, when Cyndi Lauper's video for 1983's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" debuted, it was clear that the 1970s were over, and there wasn't just a new genre of music in town, but fashion trends to go with it. At the 1984 Grammys, Lauper donned this vibrant green and gold dress with statement makeup and a green scarf headband, and it was a sign of the times. She was the epitome of things people found attractive in the '80s: Bold-colored outfits, wild prints, big jewelry, and even bigger bright red hair, making Lauper impossible to ignore. After all, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" wasn't just a fun pop song, but an anthem we're still singing today.

Not only has Demi Moore had a stunning style transformation, but as one of the highest-paid actors of the 1980s, she was everywhere, giving her ample opportunity to rock an iconic outfit that defined the era. One of those moments was during the 1989 Oscars when she wore — gasp!— something she created herself. Moore combined biker shorts, a long-sleeved corseted top, and a half-skirt with metallic-print lining — and the outfit was quickly labeled an "Oscar Fright." However, it's certainly one of the most memorable looks of the 1980s.

On September 14, 1984, two things happened: Madonna wore this iconic 1980s outfit to the MTV Video Music Awards, and then she put on a performance that took her from star status to legend. Dressed in head-to-toe white, Madonna wore a bustier top, long fingerless lace gloves, and a heart-printed tulle skirt, completing her look with layered necklaces and the infamous "boy toy" belt — definitely one of Madonna's best-dressed moments in her most iconic style decade. When she stepped off the wedding cake, proceeding to slither across the stage while singing "Like A Virgin," Madonna became Madonna.

Although Pat Benatar's voice dominated the radio in the 1980s, she needed to cultivate a visual look as well. "I went up in this little leotard with black tights and short boots and big eye makeup," Benatar told Vulture in December 2022 about the first time she sang in what she calls her costume. "I sang the same songs that I'd performed for two years, and the audience went insane," said Benatar, adding that she'd finally cracked the code; she needed to embrace another persona. While those leotard-and-tights outfits, like the one above that she paired with a Phillies jersey, may have been costumes for Benatar, for fans, the look became a lifestyle.

Because the 1980s were delightfully all over the place, fashionably speaking, there was really something for everyone. For those who didn't want to experiment with gender-bending attire or take their style cues from pop stars, there was Princess Diana. Although Princess Diana had several iconic outfits, most notably her revenge dress, this photo of her at the Guards Polo Club in May 1988, strolling along in jeans, a sweatshirt, a navy blazer, brown boots, and a baseball cap, remains one of her best and most '80s looks. 

When Cher attended the 1986 Oscars in this iconic black two-piece outfit, she had a score to settle. Although she'd won Best Actress at Cannes for her performance in 1985's "Mask," the Academy didn't even nominate her that year. As Bob Mackie, who created the dress for Cher, told The New Yorker in December 2018, Cher was furious about being snubbed and wanted an outrageous look to wear to the awards ceremony. "There were a lot of people who said, 'That's not fashion!' And I said, 'Of course it's not fashion. It's a crazy getup for attention,'" Mackie recounted. The dress served its purpose and will certainly never be forgotten. 

If you needed another throwback photo of Dolly Parton that proves she's always been an icon, then just take a gander at this gloriously over-the-top rhinestone and pearl gown, with a matching bolero, that she wore to the New York City premiere of 1989's "Steel Magnolias." Between all the bedazzling and her huge blond curls that are almost making Julia Roberts invisible, the evening seemingly belonged to Parton and this dress. This is a friendly reminder that if Parton is attending anything, she's bringing her A-game — and then some.

When Janet Jackson released 1989's "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814," it wasn't just a new album, but a new direction — so much so that it demanded Jackson take on a completely new look, one that was ready to go into battle at any moment. Because the album was such a major departure from 1986's "Control," focusing on social issues and various injustices affecting youth at the time, the all-black military-style uniform, including combat boots, was the perfect choice. It also solidified Jackson as a fashion icon, and a socially conscious one at that.