Dress Like in the 80s Inspired by 80s Most Popular Male Celebs

The 1980s marked a transformative era in men’s fashion, characterised by striking colours, oversized garments, and a daring mix of casual with formal patterns.

The 80s saw the rise of power dressing, influenced by the economic boom and the increasing presence of men in corporate settings.

At the same time, rejecting uniformity gave rise to diverse street styles, a stark contrast to the corporate power dressing, yet equally influential in shaping today’s fashion landscape.

In this article, we’ll delve into 14 iconic looks from some of the most influential male celebrities of the 1980s.

Each outfit embodies a distinct aspect of the decade’s fashion zeitgeist, from the sharp-shouldered power suits of Wall Street to the neon-infused leisurewear of Miami Vice.

If you want to recreate these classic styles for themed events or to incorporate 80s fashion into your contemporary wardrobe, we have 14 outfit ideas inspired by the decade’s most popular celebs.

Whether you’re attending an 80s-themed party, seeking inspiration for a retro-inspired wardrobe, or simply curious about the fashion history of this vibrant decade, we’ll show you how to channel the timeless boldness of 1980s men’s fashion.

1. Michael Douglas’ Wall Street Office Look

Michael Douglas’s portrayal of Gordon Gekko in ‘Wall Street’ epitomised the 1980s power-dressing phenomenon.

The look centred on a crisp, white dress shirt with contrasting collar and cuffs, paired with a bold, pinstriped suit.

The ensemble was completed with a wide, patterned tie and suspenders, projecting an image of financial success and corporate dominance.

To recreate this look today, opt for a slim-fit pinstripe suit in navy or charcoal.

Choose a white shirt with a spread collar and pair it with a silk tie featuring a bold geometric pattern. For authenticity, add a pair of button-on suspenders.

Modern alternatives to the exaggerated 80s silhouette include suits with a more tailored fit while maintaining a powerful impression through quality fabrics and sharp accessories.

2. Don Johnson’s Miami Vibe Linen Suit

Don Johnson’s character in ‘Miami Vice’ revolutionised men’s casual wear with his iconic pastel linen suits.

The look typically featured a t-shirt or casual button-down shirt worn under an unstructured linen blazer paired with matching trousers.

The relaxed fit and light colours captured the laid-back yet stylish essence of 1980s Miami.

To achieve this look in a contemporary setting, choose a lightweight linen or linen-blend suit in pale blue, pink, or cream.

Pair it with a plain white t-shirt or a pastel-coloured dress shirt worn open at the collar and Penny loafers without socks.

Modern interpretations of this style might include slimmer-fit suits and more structured shoulders while maintaining the casual, warm-weather appeal of the original.

3. Tom Cruise 80s Aviator Jacket Style

Tom Cruise’s iconic look in ‘Top Gun’ popularised the military-inspired aviator jacket.

The ensemble typically featured a brown leather bomber jacket with a sheepskin collar, worn over a plain white t-shirt and paired with blue jeans.

This look embodied the 1980s fascination with military aesthetics and rugged masculinity.

To recreate this style, choose a brown leather bomber jacket with a shearling collar.

Pair it with a white crew-neck t-shirt and medium-wash jeans. Complete the look with aviator sunglasses and black leather boots.

Modern interpretations might include slimmer-fit jackets and jeans while maintaining the original outfit’s classic silhouette and colour palette.

4. Emilio Estevez’s Oversized Suit & White T-shirt

Emilio Estevez exemplified the 1980s trend of combining formal and casual elements with his oversized suit and t-shirt combination.

This look typically featured a large, boxy suit jacket and high-waisted trousers over a simple white t-shirt.

The style represented a rebellious approach to formal wear, blending street fashion with traditional tailoring.

To achieve this look today, opt for an oversized blazer in a neutral colour like grey or beige paired with matching high-waisted trousers.

Wear a crisp white t-shirt underneath and complete the outfit with leather dress shoes.

Contemporary versions might feature a slightly more fitted suit to balance the oversized trend with modern tailoring preferences while still maintaining the casual-formal juxtaposition.

5. Bruce Springsteen’s Double Denim Look

Bruce Springsteen’s iconic double denim ensemble epitomised the rugged, all-American style of the 1980s.

This look typically consisted of a light-wash denim jacket worn over a plain white t-shirt paired with darker blue jeans.

The outfit was often completed with brown leather boots, reflecting Springsteen’s working-class roots and rock ‘n’ roll persona.

To recreate this style, choose a light-wash denim jacket with a slightly oversized fit. Pair it with straight-leg dark-wash jeans and a white crew-neck t-shirt.

For footwear, opt for brown leather work boots, as modern interpretations include fitted denim jackets and slimmer jeans while maintaining the contrasting washes that define the double denim look.

6. Emilio Estevez’s Broken Suit & Nike Sneakers

Emilio Estevez showcased another popular 1980s trend with his ‘broken suit’ look, which combined tailored pieces with casual elements.

This style typically featured suit trousers and blazers in contrasting colours or patterns, worn with a casual shirt or t-shirt and Nike sneakers.

The look embodied the decade’s penchant for mixing formal and sportswear elements.

To emulate this style, pair grey suit trousers with a navy blazer, or vice versa. Wear a white T-shirt or a casual button-down shirt underneath.

Complete the look with white Nike Air Force 1 or similar retro-style sneakers.

Contemporary versions might feature slimmer-fit suit pieces and low-profile sneakers, maintaining the smart-casual balance while updating the silhouette.

7. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Leather Jacket Look

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1980s style showcased his muscular physique through fitted leather jackets.

The look comprised a black leather biker jacket worn over a simple white or black t-shirt paired with straight-leg blue jeans.

This ensemble epitomised the decade’s fascination with rebellious, masculine aesthetics influenced by action films and rock culture.

To recreate this look, invest in a high-quality black leather biker jacket with asymmetrical zips and snap-button lapels.

Pair it with a plain white crew-neck t-shirt and dark-wash jeans. For footwear, choose black leather boots or chunky sneakers.

Modern interpretations might include slimmer-fit jeans and more tailored leather jackets while maintaining the rugged appeal of the original look.

8. Al Pacino’s Hawaiian Shirt Style

Al Pacino’s casual style in the 1980s often featured bold Hawaiian shirts, reflecting the era’s penchant for vivid prints and relaxed silhouettes.

These shirts were typically paired with light-coloured trousers or jeans, creating a laid-back yet eye-catching ensemble that captured the decade’s adventurous approach to casual wear.

To emulate this look, select a Hawaiian shirt with a vibrant floral or tropical print in red, blue, or green colours.

Pair it with light-wash jeans or khaki trousers. For footwear, opt for loafers or boat shoes.

Contemporary versions of this style might feature Hawaiian shirts in more subdued prints or colours paired with slim-fit trousers for a more refined silhouette while retaining the relaxed 80s spirit.

9. Philip Michael Thomas Mismatched Suit Look

Philip Michael Thomas, known for his role in ‘Miami Vice’, popularised the mismatched suit trend of the 1980s.

This bold style paired suit jackets and trousers in contrasting colours or patterns, often in pastel shades.

The look was completed with a t-shirt or casual shirt, reflecting the show’s fusion of formal wear with Miami’s vibrant, tropical aesthetic.

To recreate this look, combine a pastel-coloured suit jacket (e.g., light blue or pink) with white or cream trousers.

Wear a plain white T-shirt or a patterned short-sleeve shirt underneath and white leather slip-on shoes.

Modern interpretations might feature more subdued colour combinations, and slimmer fits while retaining the playful mismatch of the original style.

10. Tom Cruise’s Patterned Suit Style

Tom Cruise’s red carpet appearances in the 1980s often showcased bold, patterned suits that epitomised the decade’s adventurous approach to formal wear.

These suits featured strong patterns like pinstripes or checks in unconventional colours, paired with wide-shouldered jackets and pleated trousers.

To achieve this look, opt for a suit with a distinctive pattern such as a bold pinstripe or windowpane check-in colour like navy or charcoal, a white dress shirt, and a solid-coloured tie that complements the suit.

For a modern twist, select a slimmer-fit suit with subtle shoulder padding, maintaining the boldness of the pattern while updating the silhouette for contemporary tastes.

11. Rob Lowe’s Leather Bomber and Jeans

Rob Lowe’s casual style in the 1980s often featured a leather bomber jacket paired with jeans, embodying the decade’s blend of rugged masculinity and youthful rebellion.

This look typically comprised a black leather bomber jacket worn over a simple t-shirt or sweater and straight-leg blue jeans.

To recreate this style, select a black leather bomber jacket with ribbed cuffs and waistband. Pair it with a grey or white crew-neck t-shirt, medium-wash straight-leg jeans, and black leather boots or white sneakers.

Modern interpretations might include a slimmer-fit bomber jacket and tapered jeans while maintaining the classic colour palette and overall silhouette.

It’s worth noting that Rob Lowe was also associated with Members Only jackets during this era.

These distinctive zip-up jackets, characterised by their narrow collars and shoulder epaulettes, became a staple of 1980s casual wear.

To incorporate this element, choose a Members Only style jacket in a neutral colour like beige or navy, pairing it with jeans and a simple t-shirt for an authentic 80s casual look.

12. Schwarzenegger’s Business Casual Preppy Look

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s off-duty style in the 1980s often embraced a preppy, business-casual aesthetic.

The look featured elements like polo shirts, sweaters draped over the shoulders, and khaki trousers, reflecting the era’s interpretation of casual elegance.

To emulate this style, start with a solid-coloured polo shirt in a bold hue like red or navy and khaki or stone-coloured chino trousers.

Drape a cable-knit sweater over your shoulders for the quintessential preppy touch, and complete the look with leather loafers or boat shoes.

For a modern adaptation, opt for a slim-fit polo and tapered chinos, maintaining the refined casual aesthetic while updating the silhouette.

13. Run DMC 80s Leather Suit & Adidas Originals

Run DMC revolutionised hip-hop fashion in the 1980s with their distinctive style, which merged streetwear with high fashion.

Their iconic look typically consisted of black leather trousers and jackets, worn with white Adidas Superstar trainers without laces and accessorised with thick gold chains.

To recreate this influential style, pair black leather trousers with a matching black leather jacket. Underneath, wear a simple white T-shirt or a black turtleneck.

The key elements are the Adidas Superstar trainers in white, worn without laces, and chunky gold chains as accessories.

For a contemporary twist, consider slim-fit leather trousers and a more tailored leather jacket while keeping the iconic Adidas Superstars and gold accessories as focal points.

14. Tom Cruise’s Leather Jacket Over Hoodie

Tom Cruise’s casual style in the 1980s often showcased a mix of rugged and comfortable elements.

A prime example was his combination of a leather jacket worn over a hoodie paired with jeans.

This look epitomised the decade’s approach to layering and its fusion of streetwear with more traditional masculine pieces.

To achieve this look, start with a grey or navy hoodie as the base layer. Over this, wear a black or brown leather jacket — preferably one with a worn-in appearance for authenticity.

Pair these with blue jeans in a straight or slightly tapered fit. For footwear, opt for white high-top sneakers or brown leather boots.

A modern interpretation might feature a slimmer-fit hoodie, jacket, and tapered jeans while maintaining the original colour palette and layered aesthetic.

Conclusion

The 1980s marked a pivotal era in men’s fashion, characterised by a bold fusion of formal and casual elements, vibrant colours, and distinctive silhouettes.

This examination of 14 iconic celebrity looks from the decade reveals the multifaceted nature of 1980s men’s style, from the power suits of Wall Street to the rebellious leather jackets of Hollywood and the groundbreaking streetwear of hip-hop culture.

These celebrity-inspired outfits encapsulate key trends that defined the era: oversized tailoring, pastel hues, bold patterns, and the integration of sportswear into everyday attire.

The influence of these styles extends beyond mere nostalgia, continuing to shape contemporary fashion through cyclical trends and reinterpretations.

For those seeking to incorporate 1980s men’s fashion elements into their modern wardrobe, the key lies in balancing authentic period details with updated fits and proportions.

This approach allows for a nuanced homage to the era’s distinctive aesthetic without appearing costume-like.

Whether opting for a power suit with modified shoulders, a leather jacket with a slimmer cut, or a mixed-media outfit that blends tailoring with casual pieces, the essence of the 1980s style can be effectively translated into contemporary contexts.

Ultimately, the enduring appeal of 1980s men’s fashion lies in its boldness, creativity, and willingness to challenge established norms.

Modern fashion enthusiasts can draw inspiration from this dynamic decade by understanding the cultural significance and styling principles behind these iconic looks, adapting its most compelling elements to suit current tastes and occasions.

As fashion continues to evolve, the innovative spirit of 1980s men’s style remains a rich source of inspiration for those who appreciate its unique blend of power, rebellion, and unabashed self-expression.

Style Like a True Gentleman

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