By Wonderwall.com Editors
5:10am PST, Feb 19, 2022
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We're wishing the happiest of birthdays to the ultimate screen queen of the 1980s, Molly Ringwald! The actress turns 54 on Feb. 18, 2022, but she'll forever be 16 — as in "Sixteen Candles" — in our minds. To applaud her eternal style, Wonderwall.com has rounded up some of the wildest and wackiest fashion moments of the decade on everyone from Michael Jackson to Princess Diana. First up, though, we're celebrating our fave "Breakfast Club" b-day girl… Molly rocked an ensemble inspired by her on-screen alter ego while promoting her iconic 1986 romantic-comedy-drama "Pretty in Pink."
Keep reading for more…
RELATED: See Paris Hilton's most delightfully 2000s fashion moments
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It was a corset top and biker shorts for Demi Moore at the 61st Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles in 1989! With a gold lamé train resembling oh-so-decadent bedroom curtains, signature '80s pumps and biker shorts, girlfriend had it going on!
RELATED: 2002 fashion flashback
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Of all the famous men of the '80s, Elton John probably nailed the vibe of the decade best in the wardrobe department! He's seen here exiting his 1984 Valentine's Day wedding in Sydney, Australia — he married recording engineer Renate Blauel when he was an openly bisexual star years before coming out as a gay man — looking casually wacky in short-shorts and (of course!) a hat and glasses.
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Richard Gere and Debbie Harry were quite the pair at the Art Against AIDS benefit in New York City in 1987. He looked effortless and hot in a blazer and polo shirt while she went for a technicolor three-piece suit in a trippy print.
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This roundup wouldn't be complete without Michael Jackson and his single glove! He's seen here at a Martell Foundation dinner in 1984 rocking it with a gold sequined suit, a red sequined tie and his signature aviator shades.
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Who could forget the singing Jackson siblings including sisters Janet Jackson and La Toya Jackson?! The beautiful duo attended the 1983 R&B Awards looking about as indicative of the 1980s as humanly possible. Janet wore a menswear-inspired suit and a white blouse with a cherry red collar (and a matching lip!) while La Toya wore a white-and-silver sequined gown replete with a matching rhinestone headband.
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Cyndi Lauper's clothing archives most certainly give Molly Ringwald a run for her money! The "Girls Just Wanna have Fun" singer pulled off the weirdest of weird like no other! She's seen here in London in 1983 in a hodgepodge of prints, accessories, wild eyeshadow shades and, of course, giant flame-hued hair.
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Looking like a complete babyface at the "Dragnet" premiere in Los Angeles in 1987, Alyssa Milano rocked a signature pink '80s harem pantsuit with a floral bodysuit and flats. Even though she could pull anything off, we pray this trend never returns.
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Grace Jones came in hot to the 25th Annual Grammy Awards in 1983! She looked fierce in skin-tight purple leggings with a matching vest with red accents but her headpiece was the real scene-stealer of this show.
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Grace Jones kept to the same color scheme at a Grammys afterparty in '83, but just when you thought it couldn't be possible, she turned up the volume on her makeup and headwear game with some seriously creative moves.
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With perhaps the highest, curliest ponytail of all time, fashion star Sarah Jessica Parker was a quintessential '80s girl in an oversized blazer, baggy jeans and scrunch socks while out and about in Los Angeles in 1980. Even a modern-day Carrie Bradshaw would be so proud!
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No one mixes prints like Madonna in the '80s! She's seen here performing for an Oakland, California, crowd in a smattering of colors, prints, textures and accessories. She's a true piece of art!
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Cher is another fashion icon of this decade who is absolutely, positively unrivaled. She's seen here at the 1986 Oscars in one of her most legendary looks — full noir regalia with sequins, feathers, silk and chains included. Please tell us someone saved this Bob Mackie look in a warehouse somewhere!
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In 1985, "Miami Vice" star Don Johnson was Mr. Cool in a head-to-toe linen look with a dapper fedora. So suave!
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If anyone could pull off this decade's fashion with panache, it was royal style icon Princess Diana. The late Princess of Wales looked stunning in an emerald sequined gown with a plunging neckline and oversized sleeves at a charity performance of "High Society" in 1987.
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Looking wacky as ever, Boy George attended an AIDS benefit in Los Angeles in the '80s wearing overalls and a smiley-face shirt with suede work boots and a scarf. Hopefully, someone later burned this look!
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It was a Roy G. Biv moment for Melanie Griffith at the 44th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles in 1987! This strapless sequin stunner might actually pass as cool vintage now? We definitely approve of the pixie cut though!
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What was better — Prince's moves, music or epic wardrobe? He's seen here performing in 1984 in a paisley-print suit with a ruffled jabot looking much more like a king.
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In 1989, Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz stepped out on the town looking quite gorgeous and artsy. The thing about this former couple is that they've always dressed for themselves and it's its own sort of timeless.
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Olivia Newton-John shimmy-shimmy-shaked in a hot pink onesie with beaded fringe at the taping of her ABC Television special "Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights" in 1980. Now this look definitely makes us want to boogie!
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Looking gorgeous and statuesque, music icon Whitney Houston wore a skin-tight zig-zag-embellished cocktail dress to the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988. We think this was what they called "'80s chic."
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DJ Jazzy Jeff and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star Will Smith were hands-down the best dressed duo of the decade! They're seen here in 1989 chillin' out, maxin', relaxin' all cool in primo outerwear.
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Joan Jett is another rocker who will forever be remembered not only for her music but her crazy '80s style. She rocked a giant black studded blazer atop red python pants paired with embellished cowboy boots at the "Light of Day" movie premiere afterparty in New York City in May 1986 — and she didn't forget to pile on the jewelry, baby!
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Howie Mandel was a dapper '80s dude and his look at the premiere of his music video "A Fine Mess" in 1986 was certainly no exception! The comedian looked so handsome that we can forgive him for his dusty-blue grosgrain suit and metallic shirt.
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Couldn't you guess the decade in an instant when glancing at this supermodel shot? Iman and Cindy Crawford cuddled up in their oversized clothes at the Love Ball AIDS benefit in 1989.
