People Magazine Best & Worst Dressed: A Look Back

As we mentioned earlier this week People magazine’s annual “Best & Worst Dressed” issue hits stands today. This year’s arrival of the list prompted us to wonder how celebrities had fared fashion-wise in years past.  Just like this year’s list, it hasn’t always been pretty. Below we take a look back at a few “Best & Worst Dressed” issues starting with the debut in 1980.

Oh, 1980.  Fashion designers Oscar de la Renta, Betsey Johnson and Perry Ellis gave kudos to 26-year-old “Urban Cowboy” John Travolta for ushering in Western-chic; Jacqueline Bisset for sheaths and um, sequined jump suits. Not surprisingly, Cher is panned for her leopard stretch pants and wacky hair don’ts.

We wondered if anyone made it on the “Best Dressed” list of 1985…apparently Bruce Springsteen scored big with his “unbeatable truck-stop panache” while Madonna and Prince were berated for their now iconic styles.

1991’s panel of judges seems just as wacky as the fashion faux pas: talk show host Jenny Jones, (Whatever happened to?) Pauly Shore and “Beverly Hills 90210’s” Jenny Garth lamented bizarre ensembles donned by LaToya Jackson and Mariah Carey while they crushed on “Best Dressed” studs Jason Priestley and John F. Kennedy Jr.

2000 was the year of the best nearly undressed. Jennifer Lopez showed up at the Grammy’s in “The Dress,” a barely-there chiffon Versace gown that sparked a worldwide discussion on double-sided tape, in case you’ve forgotten.  Elle Macpherson, Hilary Swank, and Halle Berry also jumped on this barely-dressed bandwagon among others.