Los Angeles: In a reflective exploration of her career, Molly Ringwald discusses her journey through 1980s fashion, highlighting personal comfort over trends, collaborations with costume designers, and her memorable looks in classic films like Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club.
Molly Ringwald, a defining figure in 1980s cinema, has maintained her status as a fashion icon owing to her memorable styles in films such as Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles. Continually reflecting on her evolving sense of style, Ringwald has openly acknowledged that not every outfit she wore during that iconic era met her personal expectations.
In a 2009 interview with WWD, Ringwald remarked, “Style is very individual… you have to feel comfortable. That’s how I always judge something. Even if it’s, like, this great skin-tight dress, you know, if I don’t feel comfortable in it, it’s not stylish.” This sentiment highlights her focus on personal comfort as a measure of fashion rather than solely adhering to trends or external approval.
Her fashion journey began in earnest with her role in The Facts of Life, where Ringwald played Molly Parker. Reflecting on her character, she described her as a “spunky little feminist,” which she conveyed through her distinctive attire that included suspenders and ties.
Ringwald’s first appearance on the red carpet came during the premiere of Tempest in 1982, for which she selected a white dress herself, spending around $200—an amount she recalled as significant at the time. She expressed her satisfaction with the dress, stating, “I like the pleating, I like the sleeves, I like the color… I would totally wear that today.”
The costumes in Sixteen Candles were particularly noteworthy as they mirrored Ringwald’s personal style. In an interview with Who What Wear in February 2024, she explained the collaborative process with the costume designer, citing how they went shopping together to curate outfits that resonated with her personality, barring the iconic bridesmaid dress. She humorously acknowledged the dress’s unexpected aesthetic appeal, noting it was not her preferred style.
When discussing Pretty in Pink, Ringwald revealed a stark disapproval of her signature prom dress designed by Molly Vance. “When the dress showed up, I thought, ‘What is this? How could anyone look good in that?’” she told Vogue in March 2021, attributing her emotional response at the time to the gown’s “brutal” colour and graphical silhouette, albeit recognising its lasting impact as an iconic piece.
Her wardrobe in The Breakfast Club also reflects her fashion journey. The original costume did not align with her vision, prompting director John Hughes to accompany her on a shopping trip to select new clothing. As she recounted to Who What Wear, “I picked out everything that I’m wearing [in the movie], pretty much. Most of it came from Ralph Lauren.”
Ringwald’s fashion prowess extended to her appearance at the 1987 Oscars, where she donned a black gown from Chanel. She expressed her admiration for the style, stating, “I love the dress… it’s very chic and very simple.”
In more recent discussions, she pointed out the singular look for The Pick-Up Artist, designed by her friend Colleen Atwood, which reflects the collaborative nature that has characterised much of her iconic look throughout her career.
Source: Noah Wire Services
