Annie Lennox: The Most Underrated Fashion Icon of the '80s

During the 1980s, Annie Lennox's style could have easily been shadowed by louder, more attention-grabbing pop-star ensembles, but I'm urging you to take a step back in time and revisit the underrated looks of the Eurythmics lead singer. Lennox was by no means shy and retiring in the fashion stakes, and her more masculine lilt on the decade's top trends means that today her style seems less costume and more realistic—to the point, in fact, where I'm convinced some current street style moves could be charted back to her.

Where much of the '80s was extravagant (Dynasty, diamonds, silk-satin), mumsy (Princess Di) or overtly charged with sexuality (Madonna's underwear-as-outerwear ruled) Annie walked a groundbreaking line in a different way. She would appropriate suits from the boys, take them off the rack and choose to style them big, baggy and with bravado. Her hair was cut to the shortest shock of interchangeable bleach blonde or orange. The makeup? Reminiscent of Ziggy Stardust. As for her skills in the accessorising department, any woman who can flourish a giant trench coat with a single red carnation and not look like a clown or wear a matching leopard-print stole with a pillbox hat and still seem entirely chilled is a hero in my books.

When I was young, I viewed Lennox's wardrobe as something alien, and I couldn't help singing "Walking on Broken Glass" on repeat, but looking back now, there's a wealth of fashion gold to be mined. Whether for reference points and inspiration as fashion continues to dip into the 1980s archive or for how to wear a trouser suit like a total boss.

Keep reading to see the best Annie Lennox style moments—and note the 2017 trends she ticked off along the way.

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Bra + Leather Jacket
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes: So this was way ahead of the current penchant Bella, Gigi, Kendall and co. have for wearing their bras with trousers and jackets.

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The Pastel Power Suit
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes: Now on our shopping list? A lemon-yellow suit to add to the collection of red tailoring we've already bought for A/W 17.

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Red Gloves Are a Thing
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes: Could Balenciaga's Demna Gvasalia have been inspired by Annie Lennox as well as Princess Diana from the same period? It's just that he had short, bright gloves worn with many of spring 2017's looks…

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Versace Prints
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes: Even Versace is revisiting its classic prints—but we like how Annie wore hers big, boxy and to the airport.

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The Big Mac
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes: The oversized trench coat is back in business, thanks to Vetements, but why not opt for a vintage style and flourish it with a red flower á la Annie?

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Triple Leopard Print
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes: What's the best way to wear leopard print this season? Well, just to choose a lot of it, which Annie did so well at this gig. Look and learn.

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Pearly Queen
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes: Almost no piece of autumn clothing is left unadorned by some variety of embellishment. We appreciate Lennox's sassy take on London's Pearly King and Queen classics.

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Band Jackets Still Rule
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes: When in doubt, opt for a military-style jacket. It worked in the 1980s, and it works now.

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Revisiting Round Sunglasses
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes: Much of today's A-list crowd is keen on wearing teeny tiny specs again—but you can trace that eyewear trend back to the '80s.

Next up, the best winter coats to buy this season.

Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the editor in chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits.

Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.