Vintage Fashion Outfit Inspiration: 1970s, 1980s, 1990s Hollywood Classics

I’ve had a vintage fashion awakening — and it’s arrived thanks to the beauty of online databases like IMDB and Google image search!

OK, so maybe I shouldn’t praise the Internet TOO much for my latest inspiration … but you can’t beat the images below showcasing some of the sweetest cinema style that not only left fashion influence then, but influence that rippled through today and surely into the future.

2011 is fast approaching and I’m looking to amp up my daily vintage style. I’ve been rocking leggings, tees and boots like it’s my uniform almost everyday since the weather turned cold! So not only am I adding these flicks below to my Netflix for winter break watching, but I’m adding these shots to my vintage fashion lookbook for future thrift store & vintage boutique shopping!

What’s your favorite cinematic blast-from-the-past? I’d love to hear what vintage movie fashion inspiration drives your style! Leave a comment or shout me a holler on Facebook, Twitter or via email!

Happy Hollywood Inspiration!

xx,

SD

1970s

TAXI DRIVER — 1976

STORY: A mentally unstable Vietnam war veteran works as nighttime taxi driver in a city whose perceived decadence and sleaze feeds his urge to violently lash out, attempting to save a teenage prostitute in the process.

STYLE: 70s boho chic. Jodie Foster wears a floppy beach hat with bright shorts and a midriff exposing top that ties at the chest. Duplicate her style with cut-off denim and crop tops with a pair of chunky platform shoes. Wear your surf & turf straw hat and shades with a floppy, handwoven bag that hangs to your hips and you’re set to walk the streets in style. Don’t own a crop top? Make your own by grabbing a form-fitting tee [even an old gym shirt works!] and cutting about half an inch above your naval.

ANNIE HALL — 1977

STORY: Neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer falls in love with the ditsy Annie Hall.

STYLE: Annie Hall, played by a young and beautiful Diane Keaton, set the stage for androgynous style then and now. You too can dress like the opposite sex while still maintaining feminine touches through brights, patterns and heels. Use a head scarf as a neck tie, or grab a tie from your Dad’s closet that screams bright, fun print and wear with a solid black dress and loud fishnet stockings. Or, pair a form-fitting onesie or silk top with high-waisted 80s workwear and a structured blazer. Here’s your chance to wear those hats and vests that have been sitting in your closet … wear a vest over a dress like you would a cardigan, or with fitted pants and heels. Dress vests look great toned down with dark denim, too.

General rule of thumb: For every masculine touch, balance with a feminine one — that way, your style will resemble the best of BOTH worlds!

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER — 1977

STORY: A Brooklyn youth feels his only chance to get somewhere is as the king of the disco floor.

STYLE: Fun, fashion flair! I wish I could do the Hustle … but at least I can dress like I can! The 70s made dressing in ruffles and layers look good … and for the more daring, sequins are always the perfect dance floor default option. While girls pushed the limits of short length in the mod 60s, the 70s returned to conservative sexiness — pleated dresses with embellished tops that fell past the knee. 70s dresses are still very easy to find in a thrift store for less. Look for anything marked with a union tag and made with polyester, one of the most popular fabrics of the era.

1980s

DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN — 1985

STORY: A bored suburban housewife, seeking adventure to her life, accidentally gets hit on the head, wakes up with amnesia, and is mistaken for a free-spirited New York City drifter named Susan.

STYLE: 1980s style is synonymous with Madonna … and all of her crazy layers of leather, lace and leggings! Mix and match black with studs, bows and leather. Coat your body with multiple accessories — you don’t need just ONE necklace, you need three! Madonna’s character rocked bangles, cross necklaces and earrings, and hair bows. Look for all of the above in your local accessories store or in the jewelry case of your local thrift store. Round out your outfit of blacks with one standout piece — like my glowing pink leather jacket below!

PRETTY IN PINK — 1986

STORY: A poor girl must choose between the affections of her doting childhood sweetheart and a rich but sensitive playboy.

STYLE: Andie [played by Molly Ringwalk] is a fashion-designer in the making … so of course her styles are forward-thinking and wearable more than 20 years later. If you want to channel Pretty in Pink, then wear … PINK! I love 80s prom dresses dressed down with hip-length blazers, or an oversize t-shirt belted with bright pink leggings and ankle boots. The 80s is in now, so what you see in the movie you’ll be sure to find in mainstream stores, too.

Andie’s style simplified the 80s, versus Madonna, who just layered for the sake of layering whatever she could find in her closet. Andie matched her look as one with single layer dresses and tops in pretty florals and delicate designs.

1990s

THELMA & LOUISE — 1991

STORY: An Arkansas waitress and a housewife shoot a rapist and take off in a ’66 Thunderbird.

STYLE: Frustrated-housewives escape for a weekend away and find themselves caught in crime … and some seriously tough-girl chick style! Thelma & Louise rock darling denim, serious shades and rock-inspired tees. Grab your nearest pair of jeans and bleach ’em for the washed out look. Cut up your nearest rock T-shirt [vintage or not] by cutting out the collar so it hangs lose off your shoulder. Add a black or brown belt and shades that make you look like you “mean it,” whatever that meaning may be!

Oh, hairspray for poofy bangs not included — but certainly recommended!

MORE FROM THE ’70s, ’80s & ’90s!

STYLE: Four Ways to Wear an ’80s Edwardian Blouse
CELEBRITY INSPIRATION: Fashion Influences from the 1970s on Today’s Runway Styles
TRENDS: Why the ’90s Are Hot for Spring 2012