60’s Kennedy – Jackie Kennedy
70’s Kirra – Stevie Nicks
80’s Kennedy – Madonna
90’s Kirra – Pamela Anderson
2000’s Kennedy – Britney Spears
2010’s Kirra – Lady Gaga
Over time, fashion trends come and go. As decades pass, we see changes in what becomes trendy and what goes out of style. This article will take you through five separate decades of fashion, highlighting one particularly influential figure during each period. From the vibrant style of Lady Gaga to the elegance of Jackie Kennedy this article goes into a deep dive of some of the most ground-breaking outfits of five very iconic women.
1960’s – Jackie Kennedy
After an era of mainly housewife attire, First Lady Jackie Kennedy played a big role in mixing both sensibility and style. While performing her duties as first lady, Kennedy was consistently seen wearing her favorite designer, Oleg Cassini. During a White House event, Kennedy was seen sporting an elegant strapless evening gown by Cassani. The lavender piece was made of chiffon and adorned with porcelain beads, and the hemline of the dress was decorated with patterned rhinestones. Debuted at The National Gallery of Art ceremony, the dress quickly became noted as one to remember, though it was too delicate to be on display. The gown is now secured in the archives of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.
Known for finding a balance between personal style and business casual looks, Kennedy’s most iconic look is somberly known as her “Death Suit.” A timeless pink Chanel skirt and blazer set, which she wore during the assassination of her husband, John F. Kennedy. Paired with her classy white gloves and pillbox hat, Jackie’s outfit was nothing short of classic.
However, after the death of her husband, Kennedy’s outfit became blood-spattered and her hat was lost. As of today, the hat has not been located, and the rest of her outfit is kept at the National Archives Building in College Park, Maryland, in a windowless room with set temperature and humidity. The outfit is under intensive care in order to preserve it, and the set is not currently on display to the public and will not be seen until at least 2103 due to a deed signed by one of Jackie’s heirs.
1970’s – Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks, also known as the “Queen of Rock n’ Roll,” has had a profound influence on both music and fashion. As hit band Fleetwood Mac’s, her boho-chic aesthetic captured the essence of the ’70s, combining mystical and ethereal elements with a unique sense of style. Her flowing skirts, layered fabrics and rich textures became synonymous with her persona, and her voice remains iconic in rock music. Nicks was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame twice. This consisted of her work in 1998 as part of Fleetwood Mac and again in 2019 as a solo artist, making her the first woman to achieve this distinction.
Her fashion choices were just as legendary as her musical talent. One of the most iconic looks came from a 1977 photoshoot, where she wore a velvet top cinched at the center, paired with a black chiffon shawl that draped gracefully to the floor. The maxi skirt she wore featured whimsical white and reddish-orange patterns. She completed the look with wooden platform clogs and her signature top hat, which was typically worn as part of her stage costume during Fleetwood Mac’s performances of “Go Your Own Way.”
Nicks’s style was more than just a fashion statement: it was an extension of her artistry and individuality. Her timeless aesthetic and strong presence continue to influence musicians and the fashion world alike, serving as a source of inspiration for generations to come. Her bold choices of blending bohemian and rock created a look that was unique and remains a symbol of self-expression today.
1980’s – Madonna
In the midst of major technological advances and blockbuster movies, chart-topping artist Madonna had a blossoming career with several hit songs. Whether on or off stage, Madonna was seen rocking eccentric outfits, with excessive jewelry and aspects of layering. Madonna’s outfits were eye-catching and unforgettable.
During a VMA red-carpet event, Madonna showed up wearing a lace white camisole as a top, paired with a patterned tulle skirt to match. The all white outfit was paired with an excess of silver jewelry, including a statement belt that read “BOY TOY”. The scandalous outfit sparked controversy due to the suggestive message of the attire.
As well as the dispute, the outfit played a role in inspiring the nature of pop-star fashion as we know it today. Her striking outfit choice fueled the idea that women wearing provocative clothing isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
During a 1990 performance at the MTV music awards, Madonna arrived dressed as Marie Anoinette to match the energy of her hit song “Vogue”. In true Madonna fashion, she went all out with a full gown and bodice crafted with an array of lavish patterns. To complete the look, she donned a renaissance style wig topped with a head piece embellished with assorted pearls and feathers.
As Madonna enters her late 60’s, her sense of style continues to stay true to her, and she constantly implements the trends of today. Premiering in everything from latex body suits to high fashion trench coats, Madonna’s striking looks show no signs of stopping.
1990’s – Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson, a renowned actress, model and activist, is best known for her role as CJ Parker in the hit television series Baywatch. Throughout the 1990s, her fashion was bold, fearless and iconic, often featuring eccentric hats, mythical slip dresses and denim cut-offs. Anderson’s style exuded a “girl-next-door” charm, and in 1999, she attended the MTV Awards, changing the fashion game forever.
Anderson’s look at the awards show was a perfect fusion of glamour and daring originality. She wore a stunning white silk corset with off-the-shoulder straps paired with gold sequined pants that featured intricate pink and blue floral patterns. The pants were further enhanced by a strap adorned with cascading blue crystals and a black belt decorated with red, gold, blue and emerald crystals. The sparkling details continued with matching crystals along the cuffs of the pants, adding a touch of elegance to the bold ensemble. Black sandal pumps and a fluffy baby pink hat with a single white feather added a whimsical flair to the outfit.
Her makeup was equally striking, with dark blue eyeshadow that complemented the crystals in her necklace, paired with her signature overlined lips in brown liner and a nude shade. Anderson’s outfit at the MTV Awards was a daring, creative statement that solidified her status as a true 90s fashion icon.
2000’s – Brittney Spears
After the release of her debut album in 1999, Britney Spears began a successful music career after her first ever album began to top charts. Spear’s career reached its peak in the early 2000’s, meaning that Spears was naturally proclaimed as a fashion influence.
During the 2001 MTV awards, Spears’ performed, sharing the stage with a live python. Wearing a cropped green bikini-style top and a pair of blinged out low rise shorts, Spears achieved a very jungle-esque look. The shorts were jeweled with a butterfly pattern, with a long blue train flowing behind her. The reptile rested on her shoulders as Spears performed songs from her hit album titled “Britney.”
That same year, Spears attended the American Music Awards where she showed up in full denim, matching with her boyfriend at the time, Justin Timerlake. She wore an all-denim midi-dress paired with a denim bag adorned with silver accents. The classic denim-on-denim look gained traction in the fashion world and was a big role in the denim craze of the early 2000s. Spears jewelry was bold, with a chunky silver choker necklace, eye-catching bangles and a statement chain belt.
Spears has been credited for a large part of 2000’s fashion and has appeared in magazines including Vogue, Rolling Stone and MTV. Though running into challenges in her adulthood, Spears has kept some of her sense of style and has adapted to modern-day trends, recently rocking a more elegant style.
2010’s – Lady Gaga
Rising in the 2000s and gaining widespread fame in the 2010s, Lady Gaga is known for her versatility as a singer, songwriter and actress. She is best known for her breakthrough album “The Fame” and her standout performance in “A Star Is Born”. Often referred to as the Queen of Pop, Gaga is celebrated for her bold and unconventional looks with her style often described as having influences of futurism, sci-fi and cyberpunk.
During the 2019 Met Gala, themed Camp: Notes On Fashion, Lady Gaga pushed the boundaries of extravagance with an eccentric four-part ensemble. Each outfit alternated between vibrant pink and stark black. Her first look was a dramatic, flowing Barbie-pink dress that trailed behind her in a cascade of fabric, complete with large puffed sleeves to match the openness of the dress. She paired the gown with a matching bow headband, and her lips were painted a bold pink that matched the dress. Gaga’s makeup was equally grande, featuring long lashes, sharp eyeliner and gems beneath her eyes designed to resemble glistening tears, amplifying the campy drama of her appearance. As she made her entrance, a small entourage was seen, each holding a black umbrella, which offered a glimpse of the next outfit.
Her second look marked a stark contrast, being a sleek, black maxi dress that featured an asymmetrical puff on one side. Gaga held a black umbrella as a prop, which was likely a reference to the preview earlier in her entrance. Her platinum blonde bob was styled with a playful touch, covered with small bows arranged from one side of her head to the other, adding a touch of lightness to the otherwise bold look.
The third outfit held more playful theatrics as Gaga slipped into a form-fitting, Barbie-pink bodycon dress, accessorized with an oversized, vintage-style phone that she held as her prop. She completed the look with large, gem-encrusted sunglasses that hid her eye makeup.
Finally, her fourth look dazzled the audience with its glittering presence. She wore black glitter heels and sheer, black, stone-embellished tights, paired with sparkling shorts and a matching bra that added an element of glamour. Each carefully curated outfit highlighted Gaga’s ability to showcase remarkable fashion creations, delivering looks that continued her status of being bold and impactful in fashion.
As we grow into new eras in the fashion industry, we see new role models emerge to showcase their stylistic strengths and new trends. We continue to see these women bold and ahead of their time, implementing things that were “weird at the time” which are now casual attire choices. With this new time period stars are on the rise and we should be on the lookout for these new vibrant outfit choices.
