6 Throwback Pictures Of Jami Gertz That Scream '80s

Although it can often feel like the 1980s belonged mostly to Molly Ringwald, she wasn't the only actor with roles in unforgettable teen and young adult movies. On the flip side of John Hughes' films and Molly Ringwald's best hair looks of the '80s, was Jami Gertz, an actor who was about the same age, but was navigating Hollywood in a vastly different way. While Ringwald's characters were often relatable, Gertz's were a bit darker. After all, very few people can relate to being a partially formed vampire, as was the case with Gertz's character Star in 1987's "The Lost Boys." But despite Gertz playing more offbeat roles, she embraced the '80s aesthetic just as much as her hugely famous counterparts. 

While Gertz doesn't act much anymore — she and her husband Tony Ressler are billionaires and owners of the Atlanta Hawks, among other investment ventures — in the 1980s, she was memorable for both her performances and her style. Not only was Gertz quintessential '80s in her approach to fashion, but she had an interesting take: one she called a "postmodern Annie Hall look," that leaned heavily on menswear as the decade evolved. "I like dressing like a guy," Gertz told Entertainment Weekly in September 1992. "I feel tough."

As much as Gertz may be into the practical minimalism trend we saw return with menswear in 2023, she always gave it her own personal twist that was representative of the decade. From big hair to boxy blazers, it's hard to find a throwback photo of Gertz that doesn't simply scream 1980s. When it comes to '80s fashion inspo, that's a good thing. 

In December 1988, Jami Gertz, who had just had two major hits with her performances in "The Lost Boys" and "Less Than Zero" in 1987, did a photoshoot for Vogue. Among the photos, was this one where Gertz is wearing a black-and-white striped dress by Moschino while using a pair of sunglasses to apply red lipstick. Rocking this bold print with her hair perfectly tousled, Gertz is the epitome of what the 1980s looked like: maximalist and chic at the same time. This is also your friendly reminder that red lipstick is always a good idea in any decade.

What's so strange about the 1980s' fashion trends was how all over the place they could be. A perfect example of this is Jami Gertz's look when she attended the opening night for "How I Got That Story" in March 1983. While it may look at bit stuffy, in the early 1980s, high-neck plaid blouses with puffed sleeves like this were actually popular. Perhaps, it's because 1983 was still relatively close to the 1970s and designers had yet to find their footing, but this outfit and the half-up, half-down hairstyle, were totally all the rage.

Despite all the trends of the 1980s, the one that will forever be synonymous with the decade is the hairstyle that everyone had in the '80s: big, teased hair. As we can see, that's exactly what Jami Gertz is rocking here in a photo that looks like it was plucked from her yearbook. Although big hair was always enough to solidify your aesthetic as belonging to the '80s, Gertz took things a step further by completing her look with a loud sweater that would only be worn to an ugly sweater party today.

If ever there were a photo of just how strange, fashionably speaking, the 1980s could be for everyone, this is it. In March 1986, Jami Gertz attended the premiere of her movie "Crossroads," with her co-star from "The Lost Boys," Jason Patric. Although everything that's happening here is very much on brand for the decade — big hair, long earrings, and a bizarrely patterned red-and-black ensemble on Gertz, while Patric dons a bright outfit that couldn't possibly be from any other decade — it doesn't mean it looks good. It all just screams '80s instead.

In 1986, Jami Gertz sat for a portrait session and brought her mall bangs, a hip '80s look, with her. Because Gertz's hair is pretty tame here, it makes sense she'd introduce major mall bangs to the equation, including a classic red handkerchief as a headband. Although we can't see what Gertz is wearing exactly, the bangles and watch, along with the slightly frosted lipstick definitely led to '80s vibes. As much as bangs were a big part of the 1980s, it basically goes without saying that no style of fringe captured the essence of the time like mall bangs.

In May 2013, Jami Gertz told Haute Living, "I'm a boy — I've become a boy! I actually believe that my husband married me because I could be dressed and ready in 10 minutes." The actor was already showing signs of this fashion philosophy in November 1989, when she attended the LA premiere of "Back to the Future Part II" with her husband Tony Ressler. Very similar to her character Blair Kennedy, in 1987's "Less Than Zero," and in true '80s fashion, Gertz wore a boxy black suit with a patterned shirt underneath that was buttoned all the way up to the neck. Gertz completed the masculine look with a pair of black Oxford-style flats.