How to Recreate Your Favourite Style Icons’ Best Looks
We all get our style inspo from somewhere. Why not take it a step further and recreate your favourite style icons’ best looks? Here’s a list of the most famous style icons and their signature styles to help you get started.
By Monique Courtney
1. OTT Glamour
Style icon: Cher
The 1970s and 80s saw some of the most over-the-top, hippie-meets-Hollywood glam, delivered by none other than Cher. Her long, dark, mermaid-esque hair was always complemented by dramatic makeup and eye-catching, one-of-a-kind outfits. She was often seen sporting sheer dresses, figure-hugging jumpsuits, midriff-baring skirt-and-top combos, and outfits covered in glitter, diamonds, feathers, or sequins.
Image Source: billboard.com
Image Source: Harper’s Bazaar
Image Source: billboard.com
2. Uniformed Chaos
Style Icon: Kanye West
In 2015 Kanye launched Yeezy Season 1, the first collection in his self-named clothing line. This collection, and every collection since, have become known for having a vaguely militaristic vibe with elements of streetwear, utilising only neutral and earthy colours. The clothes are largely unpretentious and are suitable for day-to-day wear, yet still carry unique and creative elements. Kanye and his wife, Kim Kardashian West, are seen wearing Yeezy almost exclusively, and have become icons of simplistic, uniform, casual wear.
Image Source: Marie Claire
Image Source: The Hollywood Unlocked
3. Underwear as Outerwear
Style Icon: Madonna
Madonna has made famous a countless number of underwear-as-clothes looks. She wears them in photoshoots, music videos, onstage, and to parties, revelling in the shock factor of them all. Among the most iconic of her looks are the Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra, a jewelled bustier, and a black corset bodysuit.
Image Source: Pinterest
Image Source: billboard.com
Image Source: billboard.com
4. Preppy Elegance
Style Icon: Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly is known for her feminine, chic style; she always knew how to make a statement without looking gaudy or over-the-top. Some of her most iconic looks are a sheer, baby blue dress, her classic full skirt and off-the-shoulder top combo, and of course her gorgeous wedding dress.
Image Source: Good Housekeeping
Image Source: Pinterest
Image Source: Town & Country Magazine
5. Clean-Cut and Classy
Style Icon: Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn has one of the most emulated styles of any celebrity in history. Her use of simple styles, clean-cut tailoring, and muted colours (mostly black and white) result in a smart, polished look.
Image Source: DelightFULL
Image Source: martacarriedo.com
6. Bending Boundaries
Style Icon: David Bowie
In the 70s and 80s, Bowie gained tons of attention for bending the rules on men’s fashion. He played around with makeup, glitter, jumpsuits, and skirts—all things that society at that time wasn’t used to seeing on a man. And, of course, he looked amazing. Don’t be afraid to disregard what you’re expected to look like; be you, no matter what that looks like!
Image Source: Art-Sheep
Image Source: Chrysanthemum
7. Street Style
Style Icon: Bella Hadid
Supermodel Bella Hadid is constantly upping the ante and setting the bar high when it comes to street style. From Matrix-esque looks to simple jeans-and-tee combos, her style is always hot and fashion-forward.
Image Source: Harper’s Bazaar
Image Source: InStyle
Image Source: Refinery29
Image Source: Pinterest
8. Effortless Heartthrob
Style Icon: James Dean
James Dean is everyone’s favourite Hollywood heartthrob. Though he died tragically young, he left his mark on not just the film industry, but also the fashion world. His effortless, pretty boy style is still emulated even today, nearly 70 years past his time. He’s known for dark sunglasses, neutral colours, round reading glasses, simple white tees, and flipped-up collars.
Image Source: CORTIGIANI Magazine
Image Source: SelectSpecs
Image Source: Harper’s Bazaar
9. Suit Up
Style Icon: Kourtney Kardashian
If anyone knows how to rock a suit, it’s the oldest Kardashian sister. She’s been known to throw on a pants-and-jacket combo for parties and events, as well as for casual streetwear, often swapping out a shirt for a simple bra, a lacy bralette, or even nothing at all.
Image Source: Style Bistro
Image Source: instagram.com/kourtneykardash
Image Source: Glamour Magazine South Africa
10. Sports Luxe
Style Icon: Melanie C, a.k.a. Sporty Spice
In the 90s and early 2000s, Melanie C cemented sporty style as a staple in the fashion world. She’s most famous for sporting (pun intended) bright, colourful track pants, sports bras and crop tops, and sneakers. While sports luxe style has become a little more refined over the years (we now see more subtle colours and figure-hugging fits), it was Sporty Spice who paved the way for athleisure-loving girls and guys everywhere.
Image Source: dailymail.co.uk
Image Source: Pinterest
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