Entertainment

12 Vintage Music Video Outfits We'd Consider Wearing Today

Before Robin Thicke decided that the girls in his videos had to be completely naked, music videos were all about the clothes — the costume changes, the artful rips and tears, the thrift-store grunge, and the myriad crop tops. From Madonna to Britney, here are some of our favorite music video looks from the past few decades. Even though the song might feel overplayed, the fashion still holds its own.

by Tori Telfer

Aerosmith - "Cryin'"

If you haven't seen this video yet, I'm not going to tell you how it ends (or why Ms. Silverstone is flipping the bird), but the lesson here is that in times of great emotional duress or romantic revenge, you're going to need an oversized plaid button-down.

Guns N' Roses - "November Rain"

The wedding dress that made a million guys decide that yes, they do want to get married.

Madonna - "Papa Don't Preach"

Despite her penchant for '80s glitz and '00s leotards, Madonna has been known to occasionally class it up, and every outfit in "Papa Don't Preach" is spot on, especially this gamine Jean Seberg-esque look.

Michael Jackson - "The Way You Make Me Feel"

Despite the terrifying concept of this video (MJ and a group of leering dudes follow a woman down a dark street), this is the simplest, sexiest LBD ever to grace the music video screen.

Britney Spears - "Lucky"

Never has existential despair been so successfully channeled by a marabou-trimmed robe, a doppelgänger, and a crop top.

Rick James - "Super Freak"

How many times does a guy get to wear something more sparkly, daring, and revealing than every other girl in the club?

No Doubt - "Just a Girl"

With blonde hair, a white crop top, and an aggressive attitude, Gwen Stefani was the ultimate Orange County cool girl of the late '90s.

Björk, "Mutual Core"

As with all things Björk, you'd probably never wear it, but you like looking at it.

Eurythmics - "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"

This strikingly androgynous look is part Tilda Swinton, part The Son of Man. The orange hair and heavy eyeliner definitely look weird together, but it's a confident, intentional weird.

Hole - "Doll Parts"

Classic kinderwhore style on Courtney Love and co. here, but the biggest takeaway from this screenshot is the amazing DIY quality of her hacked-off hair.

Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot - "Bonnie and Clyde"

In which two beautiful people embody one of the most electrifying couples in history. The rolled-up sleeves, the beret, the attitude — it's French ennui meets American grit.

David Bowie - "Life On Mars"

Matching your eyeshadow to your shoulderpads has never looked like such a good idea before. And it never will again.

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