Brooke Shields Circa 1981 Is Our Biggest Inspiration Right Now

Rather than look to our favorite Instagram influencers for outfit inspiration, today we've decided to delve slightly further back into the fashion archives. If vintage Brooke Shields wasn't already on your style radar, well, you've been missing out. Our favorite glossy haired all-American model's outfits circa the '70s and '80s are suddenly looking very now. It helps that every flashback is accessorized with those brows and that beaming smile.

A quick peek at the model-actress's Instagram tells us the 52-year-old is still a fan of a fashionable ensemble. She often shares a throwback pic, which has us pining for her oversize blazers and acid-washed "mom" jeans. Brooke recently revealed she still has her original Calvin Klein Jeans from the "Nothing comes between me and my Calvins" ad campaign in her basement, along with many of her other most coveted looks. Oh, to be able to rummage through that fashion collection.

The Blue Lagoon actress wasn't afraid to try an experimental look, so there's a wonderful variety to her style file. She was the unofficial face of the '80s, so it's no surprise there are some OTT ruffled wonders in there. Whilst her famous Vogue cover made her the youngest model to ever appear on the front of the magazine, we've always been more interested in what she wore off-duty than in the pages of the fashion glossies.

Looking at Shields's wardrobe retrospective has given us a few styling ideas of our own. There's something for everyone—mixed-print polka dots (2018 much?), vacay-approved all-white, bold color-blocking and shiny sequins. This weekend, we're looking to this underrated style icon's wardrobe to inspire our outfits. Keep scrolling to see our favorite throwbacks—Brooke Shields style.

Brooke wore this ruffled dress to the taping of Bob Hope's Spring Fling of Glamour and Comedy in 1981. Minus the perm, we'd happily wear this look as is. If you told us this dotted and bowed wonder was this week's new-in dress, we'd totally believe you.

We're pining after anything rainbow striped this season. Brooke's two-piece, which she wore to the premiere of Endless Love in 1981, would do just nicely, thanks. We'd wear this on holiday with some stylish espadrilles and a straw bucket bag.

When Brooke wasn't walking in runway shows, she was watching them. She wore this tailored linen look to attend Yves Saint Laurent's F/W 80 collection. We're liking the relaxed summer vibe this timeless outfit gives off—evidence that great style doesn't date. Love the wavy hair too, Brooke.

This look is full-on flamboyant '80s, and we're here for it. Brooke opted for this glittery gold maxi dress to film NBC's Bob Hope's Bagful of Christmas Cheer in 1986. This look may be older than I am, but I'd snap it up for an evening occasion. Shine on, Shields.

Brooke's look at the 1983 Staying Alive premiere is true summer outfit goals. All white is all right here—especially when accessorised with a chic gold bag. And is that a bra top we spy? We like.

Here, Brooke gives us a lesson in effortless layering, looking chic as ever 1982. We can barely count how many trends she's managed to fit into one outfit. Tweed blazer? Check. Chic roll-neck? Check. An open checked shirt with a statement belt? Check and check. We'll be taking inspiration from this look ASAP.

This ruffled top is giving us serious Simone Rocha vibes. Whilst we'd style it with something simple, you can forgive Brooke the diamanté headwear and poofy skirt—it was 1981, after all. We'll take the pink sheer fabric and ruffles any day.

We could have sworn we saw this dress in the & Other Stories new-in section. A floral midi is just as chic now as it was here is 1986. Brooke's outfit to the Manhattan Theatre Club's annual spring gala would do us nicely for post-work drinks this week.

If you took Brooke from the set of Animals Are the Funniest People in 1983 and transported her into our 2018 holiday Instagram pic, she'd fit right in. We're obsessed with this all white utility look, complete with gold bangles and outfit-matching white loafers.

The tortoiseshell sunnies, the circle bag, the gold hoops, the crop top—it's all working here. Brooke wore this ensemble to the New York premiere of Death Becomes Her in 1992. Yes, you read that right—26 years ago. We applaud this seriously trendy outfit combo. 

The best accessory to every one of Brooke's stellar looks is definitely her big, bouncy locks. That said, we'd take this oversize blazer off her hands in a heartbeat.

Is this photo from 1983 or 2018? You decide. We want the pink coat Brooke wore to the opening night of a New York photography exhibition in our wardrobes immediately. 

Somebody got the Clueless yellow suit memo. We've seen a similar skirt suit in ASOS's new-in section this week, proving everything in fashion comes back. Brooke wore it first (she's pictured here at the 1992 Breakfast With Santa Celebration). Whilst we'd switch up the tights and black pumps for trending trainers, we can appreciate that they were all kinds of cool at the time.

Looking back through Brooke's style files, we recognize so many items that are on our wish lists right now. We're seriously coveting mixed-print polka dots at the moment. Flash back to Rita Hayworth's Gala for the Alzheimer's Association in 1992, where Shields shows us how to work the trend perfectly.

Brooke arrives at Los Angeles International Airport in 1992, looking every bit the leather-clad diva. We're fast learning Brooke is the queen of stylish sunglasses.

A lesson in color-blocking, courtesy of Miss Shields. On paper, yellow trousers, a red top and a blue jacket don't work together, but Brooke's air of effortlessness means she easily pulls this bold look off. Here, she was attending the launch party for Quincy Jones Entertainment here in 1990.

Of course, Brooke looked every inch the flawless goddess at her graduation from Princeton in 1987. We'd like this long-sleeve, printed number to be our summer party dress. We'll be keeping a watchful eye out for a similar style after seeing this.

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.