As style evolves with the changing times, certain icons in the fashion and beauty world have remained timeless throughout all the decades. Today’s youth often look to these influential and trendsetting forces to inspire their own style, and with that in mind, this article will take a look at the quintessential style icons that have set the tone through the decades. From iconic icons of the Golden Age of Hollywood to the powerhouse female icons of today, we’ll be diving into how we can draw inspiration from these timeless trendsetters.
1. Classic Style Icons of the 1950s
The 1950s were a revolutionary decade that saw the birth of classic style icons whose styles forever changed what it meant to be fashionable. From groundbreaking actresses to Hollywood heartthrobs, these fashion trendsetters of the 1950s created iconic looks that continue to inspire today:
Grace Kelly: Grace Kelly’s style is forever immortalized in the films of Alfred Hitchcock. Her classic demure style combined timeless elegance with a bit of edge. Her signature look of coats, cardigans, pearls, trousers and ballet flats has inspired generations of fashionistas since.
Marilyn Monroe: Marilyn Monroe had a unique mix of girly glamour and sporty chic. Her style was a mix of flirty Dior dress with mink furs, fitted sweaters, tight jeans and massive sunglasses. While often seen as a symbol of glamour, her style was equally defined by her presence and attitude on-screen.
Marlon Brando: Marlon Brando is renowned for his casual street style, inspiring everyone from James Dean to punk rockers. His signature look of white T-shirts, jeans and leather jackets was truly revolutionary and reflects his iconic anti-hero persona.
Along with some of the biggest Hollywood stars of the 1950s, other fashion icons of the decade included Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn. These influenced a generation of fashionistas who still try to recreate their looks today.
2. Subversive Style Icons from the 1960s and 70s
The ’60s and ’70s ushered in an era of progressive fashion and revolutionary style. Gunne Sax dresses, bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye clothing, and flower power fashion all became iconic items throughout the era. During this time, a number of subversive style icons surfaced who challenged societal constructs.
Mick Jagger was a symbol of punk rebellion and a pioneer of rock and roll fashion. He pushed gender norms with his androgynous style, frequently wearing items typically associated with women’s fashion like high heels, leather skirts, and eyeliner.
David Bowie was also heavily involved in pushing gender fluid fashion. He is remembered for his memorable Ziggy Stardust costume, blurring the lines between genders with his mixture of high-heeled shoes and body glitter.
Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin both had very distinct fashion styles that emphasized their personalities. Jimi was known for his flamboyant outfits and brightly colored clothing, while Janis was known for her heavily accessorized and distressed clothing.
These subversive style icons helped to revolutionize fashion trends in the ’60s and ’70s and their influence can still be seen today. From Bowie’s out-of-this-world costumes to Jagger’s androgynous ensembles, they will always be remembered as fashion innovators.
3. The Iconic Style of the 1980s
The 1980s is widely known for its iconic fashion trends. From Madonna to Cyndi Lauper, the influence of the decade can still be seen in today’s fashion. Here are some of the key clothing items from the time period:
- Leather, denim and spandex: Black leather jackets, denim jeans and spandex leggings were all staples of 80s fashion. Layered with chunky jewelry, brightly coloured belts and to cover up on those chilly evenings, bold prints.
- Big shoulder pads: Widely popularised by TV shows, such as Dynasty, shoulder pads were everywhere in the 80s. Although initially worn larger to fill out silhouettes, by the end of the decade they had become so small as to be almost non-existent.
- Chunky sneakers: Although we wear chunky trainers today as a fashion statement, in the 1980s, they were worn mainly for sport. Brands like Reebok, Adidas, and Nike took off, as people sought out the height and comfort of chunky boots.
- Crop tops: Crop tops were a must in the 80s, from sporty numbers to lace or floral affairs. Torso’s were barely covered up by this trend, because the more skin that was on show the better!
As with any other decade, the fashion of the 1980s was eclectic and wild. However, the main thing was that there were no rules! Anything and everything went, which is why the apparels of fashion in the 80s are still remembered today.
Overall, the 1980s showed that fashion was more than just an item of clothing. It was about attitude and having fun; which is something that continues to mark the influential eras of the past.
4. Style Inspiration from the 1990s
When it comes to bold and daring fashion, there’s no decade more inspiring than the 90s! That era was all about experimentation, breaking rules, and expressing individuality. Here are four iconic style trends that have come back into fashion:
- Slip dresses. These silken camisoles were originally popular in the 1920s, then brought back to prominence in the 90s, and now they are a staple for any fashion-forward wardrobe.
- Doc Martens. This classic British boot has been injected into every style imaginable – from a glam evening look to a punk rock chic street style. Wear them with jeans, skirts, and even party dresses!
- T-Shirt dresses. This timeless style looks chic and effortless, and is a great way to dress up a casual look. Wear it with a pair of boots or sneakers for a stylish yet simple look.
- Overalls. A classic style, overalls were reinvented in the 90s and elevated into a fashion phenomenon. Pair yours with a basic t-shirt and a pair of sneakers for effortless cool.
Whatever you decide to wear, embrace a little 90s inspiration this season and have fun playing around with fashion!
5. Modern Style Icons of the New Millennium
- Kendall Jenner: With over 130 million Instagram followers, Kendall Jenner stands as one of the most important young style icons of the new millennium. Known for her daring fashion choices, Kendall has been the muse of many high-profile luxury brands over the last few years. Whether gracing the magazine covers of prominent fashion publications, walking the most important catwalks or attending exclusive events, her unique fashion style has set the tone for many of the latest fashion trends of this particular era.
- Jaden Smith: Not a lot of people saw the fashion star that Jaden Smith could become in his teenage years. But over the past two years, he has managed to build an impressive following for his style decisions. Whether it’s his interesting outfit choices at the Met Gala, his experimental collaborations with key luxury brands or his love of genderless fashion, Jaden has influenced many of the most contemporary style trends.
- A$AP Rocky: The American rapper is not just one of the most successful music artists of the new millennium but also one of its biggest fashion icons. Making a statement both on and offstage, A$AP Rocky has shown his love for statement coats, an array of hats and an overall gothic and hip-hop inspired style. His trailblazing look has made him a style chameleon that other celebrities and fashion lovers look up to.
- Rihanna: It’s impossible to talk about modern style icons without mentioning the awards Rihanna has earned in the last decade. With her unique fashion sense and bold approach to life, she has created many iconic looks that will be remembered for years to come. From high-waisted jeans to an array of risqué dresses and eye-catching caps, Rihanna has left an undeniable mark in the world of modern fashion.
The fashion choices of these four celebrities have been a major influence in the current fashion landscape. They all come from different backgrounds but have had a similar transformative effect on the world of fashion. Whether it’s a daring outfit choice or an experimental collaboration, their influence has become indispensable in the way people dress all over the world.
It’s impossible to talk about the most important style icons of the new millennium without including these four celebrities. Their unique sense of style has earned them massive respect and admiration from fashion lovers all over the world. Whether it’s Kendall Jenner’s daring fashion choices, Jaden Smith’s experimental collaborations, A$AP Rocky’s gothic-inspired look or Rihanna’s iconic looks, they have all left an undeniable mark on the world of modern fashion.
As we have seen, fashion beacons have always been around, from the moment fashion exploded into popularity. Some names may come and go, but their style will always stand tall in the annals of history – and continue to inspire and excite us in the years to come.
