scorecard15 of the most daring celebrity looks of the '80s
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15 of the most daring celebrity looks of the '80s

Elana Klein   

15 of the most daring celebrity looks of the '80s
Grace Jones; Audrey Hepburn; Cher.Dave Hogan/Getty Images; Ron Galella/Getty Images; Barry King/Getty Images
  • In the 1980s, extravagant, out-there outfits were worn on the red carpet and at other events.
  • Flashy trends like sequins and feathers were popular among celebrities throughout the decade.

From Cher to Prince, some of the biggest icons of the 1980s paved the way for today's bold red-carpet looks.

Photos taken throughout the decade show stars wearing daring fashion, from the revealing to the unexpected.

Liberace wore a sparkly, detailed white suit to the 1982 Oscars.

Liberace wore a sparkly, detailed white suit to the 1982 Oscars.
Liberace in 1982.      Ron Galella/Getty Images

Liberace, who was known for his extravagant, costume-like style, paired the daring suit with oversized statement rings when he performed at the Academy Awards in 1982.

Brooke Shields wore an open blazer over a revealing blue bodysuit in 1983.

Brooke Shields wore an open blazer over a revealing blue bodysuit in 1983.
Brooke Shields in 1983.      Ron Galella/Getty Images

Shields wore this look, which i-D magazine referred to as "thoroughly modern" and "eccentric" in 2021, to the premiere of "Staying Alive" in 1983.

In 1983, actress Genie Francis wore a layered, flowy pink dress on the red carpet.

In 1983, actress Genie Francis wore a layered, flowy pink dress on the red carpet.
Genie Francis in 1983.      Michael Ochs Archives / Getty

Francis attended the 1983 Oscars with actor Steve Guttenberg as her date. Her off-the-shoulder, ruffled dress was the event's "most daring look of the year," according to Insider's Gabbi Shaw and Frank Olito.

Prince wore a sparkly purple cape with a hood to the 1985 Oscars.

Prince wore a sparkly purple cape with a hood to the 1985 Oscars.
Prince in 1985.      ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images

The year he won an Oscar for "Purple Rain," Prince wore a bedazzled cape to the Academy Awards.

Cher's feathery headpiece and exposed torso made her 1986 Oscars outfit an especially daring look.

Cher
Cher in 1986.      Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Cher's strappy bra-top and exposed midsection is arguably the least daring part of this look — the accompanying oversized fluffy headpiece turned heads on the red carpet at the 1986 Oscars. In 2021, CNN refered to Cher's 1986 Oscars look as "a bat-crazy mash-up of witchy showgirl and Halloween Big Bird."

In a 2019 interview with Vogue she said that, to this day, this look is one of her "favorite, favorite outfits."

Heather Locklear showed up to the 1987 People's Choice Awards in a lacy, see-through white gown full of ruffles.

Heather Locklear showed up to the 1987 People
Heather Locklear in 1987.      Ron Galella/Getty Images

This oufit isn't Locklear's only daring see-through red-carpet look.

Annie Lennox wore a bright red bra to a music festival in Belgium in 1987.

Annie Lennox wore a bright red bra to a music festival in Belgium in 1987.
Annie Lennox in 1987.      Gie Knaeps/Getty Images

In 1987, at the Torhout/Werchter Festival, Lennox wore a red bra with black suspenders covered in large sequins.

Paula Abdul wore a blue, three-piece set to the MTV Music Awards in 1987.

Paula Abdul wore a blue, three-piece set to the MTV Music Awards in 1987.
Paula Abdul in 1987.      George Rose/Getty Images

Abdul, who released her debut album, "Forever Your Girl," the following year, wore a coordinating bra top, jacket, and skirt.

Helena Bonham Carter wore a black dress with a variety of textures and fabrics to the 1987 Oscars.

Helena Bonham Carter wore a black dress with a variety of textures and fabrics to the 1987 Oscars.
Helena Bonham Carter in 1987.      Ron Galella

PopSugar put Bonham Carter's outfit on its list of outrageous Oscars looks.

In 1988, Kim Cattrall put a colorful twist on a classic look.

In 1988, Kim Cattrall put a colorful twist on a classic look.
Kim Cattrall in 1988.      Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images

At a benefit for Alzheimer's disease in Canada, the actress' black dress with a sweetheart neckline featured a brightly colored, floral bottom.

At the 1988 Oscars, Cher wore a see-through dress with a plunging neckline.

At the 1988 Oscars, Cher wore a see-through dress with a plunging neckline.
Cher in 1988.      Barry King/Getty

The year Cher accepted an Academy Award for "Moonstruck," she wore a sheer, bedazzled dress designed by Bob Mackie.

Harper's Bazaar referred to this revealing look as "iconic."

In 1989, Angie Dickinson showed up to the Oscar after-party wearing an all-white, feathery dress.

In 1989, Angie Dickinson showed up to the Oscar after-party wearing an all-white, feathery dress.
Angie Dickinson in 1989.      Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images

Dickinson, who, at the time, had recently been featured in "Dressed to Kill" and "Once Upon a Texas Train," paired the feathery dress with matching white gloves.

Grace Jones wore black cutout dress that resembled strappy lingerie to the International Rock Awards in 1989.

Grace Jones wore black cutout dress that resembled strappy lingerie to the International Rock Awards in 1989.
Grace Jones in 1989.      Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Jones paired the barely-there dress with a black straw hat. Billboard called this look one of the model's "fiercest fashion statements."

In 1989, on "The Tonight Show," Dolly Parton wore a white dress with a cutout at her chest.

In 1989, on "The Tonight Show," Dolly Parton wore a white dress with a cutout at her chest.
Dolly Parton in 1989.      Ron Davis/Getty Images

The singer-songwriter, who has not shied away from daring looks throughout her career, paired the high-neck dress — which featured tassels, lace, and a corset piece — with matching chunky white earrings.

At the CFDA Awards in 1989, Audrey Hepburn wore an over-the-top dress featuring a boa of red feathers.

At the CFDA Awards in 1989, Audrey Hepburn wore an over-the-top dress featuring a boa of red feathers.
Audrey Hepburn in 1989.      Ron Galella/Getty Images

In addition to being covered in feathers, the bright-red dress featured a sparkly corset. Hepburn paired the gown with heels and a purse of the same color.

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