Underrated Awards Show Looks From The '80s

The '80s were an era full of fun fashion, with folks veering away from the boho looks of the prior decade and opting for more opulent glam. The aesthetic of the time was definitely larger than life, and celebs were all about wearing daring outfits we can't stop talking about to this day. In 1986, Cher turned heads when she showed up at the Oscars wearing a black triangular bra top with a caged neck and a super low-waisted skirt. Her outfit didn't just stop there. Perched on the "Moonstruck" star's head was a giant, feathered headdress.

While Cher's 1986 'fit will go down in history, there were several other '80s awards show moments that were worthy of their time in the spotlight. Perhaps they didn't make waves quite like the Bob Mackie ensemble, but they were still jaw-dropping in their own way. Certain celebs know how to shine on the red carpet, and we're taking these looks out of the archives and giving them the nod they deserve.

Before Daryl Hannah was known as the one-eyed villain Elle Driver in the "Kill Bill" franchise, she played loveable characters in various '80s films such as "Splash" and "Steel Magnolias." Despite her shy nature, Hannah always exuded Hollywood glam, which she totally nailed at the 1988 Academy Awards with a sparkly silver knee-length dress. Stars are usually clad in black-tie wear for this annual event, but she created her own rules that day. Hannah embraced the dramatic opera glove trend and styled her hair with finger waves, which complemented her timeless Oscars look.

Whitney Houston always had a timeless aesthetic, and the rhinestone-studded black dress she wore to the 1988 Grammy Awards made her look like the star that she was. The skinny spaghetti straps and clamshell neckline gave the sheath flirty vibes, and this was one celeb outfit from the '80s that looks even cooler today. We could totally picture a current pop star like Olivia Rodrigo or Sabrina Carpenter reimagining this 'fit, so if the dress is archived somewhere, it needs to be brought out immediately.

As a prominent actor in the '80s, Goldie Hawn attended countless awards shows, and even though she wasn't nominated for an Oscar in 1989, her sparkly gold gown won that night. The strapless bodice hugged her figure perfectly, while the peekaboo front slit showed off just a hint of the "Overboard" star's long legs. Hawn kept the rest of her look simple with minimal jewelry and a pair of gold closed-toe pumps, allowing her dress to take the spotlight. We're jealous of Hawn's incredibly lavish lifestyle, and that includes all the designer duds she gets to wear.

Model and actor Grace Jones is known for her fearless, often androgynous style, and she didn't disappoint in her head-to-toe structural ensemble at the 1983 Grammy Awards. Attired in a leather Issey Miyake creation with oversized mesh shoulders and a draped, layered skirt, Jones looked like a futuristic warrior. Her 'fit didn't just stop there, either. She also rocked a large leather mesh hat with an ultra-wide brim, adding to her avant-garde awards show look. It's safe to say that this was one of Jones' most iconic fashion moments to date.

Madonna's white bridal-inspired outfit, worn during the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, will go down in history as one of the most talked-about looks of the time. However, fans can't forget the black Jean Paul Gaultier corset top that she wore a year later at the American Music Awards. The conical bra became Madonna's signature look, as well as the layers of necklaces and fingerless gloves. Her entire 'fit was giving 1980s punk rocker, and the "Material Girl" singer's fashion of the decade was emulated by fans everywhere.

"What a Feeling" Irene Cara's 1986 Oscars dress gave us! It had all the elements that made the decade — oversized shoulders, tons of sequins and pearls everywhere, and a subtle cowl neck in a satin finish. While this classic look may not be considered timeless, Cara wore the dress gorgeously, with her hair in an updo to complement the high neckline. The silvery white shade glowed against her bronze skin tone, with the flared cuffs giving some flirty vibes. This Oscar Award-winning singer definitely dressed like a star that night.

Nobody is putting Jennifer Grey in the corner with that dress. The "Dirty Dancing" star showed up at the 1988 Golden Globes fresh off her hit film the year prior with Patrick Swayze, which skyrocketed her fame. Grey definitely looked red-carpet ready in a flapper-esque beaded dress with a sheer bodice and a scalloped calf-length hem. As the dress code for the Golden Globes is a bit looser than the Oscars, some celebs have fun with their look — with her sparkly LBD, we bet she had the time of her life.