Get the look: Madonna

There are few women with a history of fashion moments as iconoclastic as Madonna. Daring, bold and always defying expectation of what a woman “should’” be wearing, Madonna’s playfulness with clothing and the emotion it ignites is something all of us can learn a little from.

Forever a fan of a military silhouette, Madonna’s 2014 Met Gala look caused quite the stir in all its studded glory. 

Luckily, a similar look can be achieved without any need for fishnet tights— simply look to Very.com for an office-appropriate checked dress (£35), with figure-flattering pencil skirt and power shoulders. 

Simple black tights (Scholl, £14.99), lipstick (Yves Saint Laurent in “Tropical Pink”, £29) and heels (Zalando, £64) will more than suffice, but if you’re looking for some extra edge, toughen things up with leather gloves (Jasmine Silk, £28), studded belt (River Island, £23) and a lapel pin chain (ASOS, £8).

A more pared-back look for the star, this red-carpet gown is the perfect colour for blondes, the silk fabric creating a sleek silhouette. Get your own similar style for £189 at Nancy Mac, teaming with a metallic clutch bag (Debenhams, £22) and chunky heels (Ravel, £85). 

For a modern update, layer delicate jewellery upon your wrists, fingers and neck—we love the starry necklace from Joshua James (£89), bracelet from Ted Baker (£47.99) and rings from Carat London (£69) and John Greed (£20). 

Although Madonna’s classic red lip is a must for an evening arrangement (Lime Crime Wet Cherry Gloss, £16), the rest of make-up should be kept soft, with a simple primer and a champagne eyeshadow to even out any darkness around the eye. 

Revlon’s Cream Shadow in shade “Crème Brulee” (£6.99) is easy to apply and blend, and can even double-up as a highlighter if you’re feeling in need of some extra glow. Finish the look with some gentle hair waves courtesy of the Babyliss Vintage Glamour Wave Maker (£19.99)—part hair firmly, curl tightly and then brush out with fingers to achieve screen-siren volume. 

Perhaps on of Madonna’s most iconic 80s looks, the “Desperately Seeking Susan” has been imitated many times throughout the years. 

Lurex cropped jackets may be best left in the 80s, but a glittery cardigan has the same effect (New Look, £7) with much more versatility, updated to fit 2019 trends with a lace-trim top (Pretty Little Thing, £15) and slouchy dungarees (Komodo, £65).

A huge part of the look revolves around the hair, thrown back in devil-may-care curls. 

Achieve the look by washing hair with Only Curls Hydrating Crème (£16) and braid tightly overnight. The next morning, simply untie your plaits and tousle with fingers to encourage a natural wave, finishing off with a velvet headband from Dorothy Perkins (£6)—a much more wearable alternative to the giant hair bow.  

Pastels for Spring? Ground-breaking no, but an easy way to introduce some colour into your closet. To channel Madonna’s 1985 outfit from her Live Aid performance, team a floral trouser (H&M, £19) with a minty blazer (Marks And Spencer, £35), layering over one the season’s very-popular broderie anglaise blouses (Topshop, £29).

80s style means lots of gold accessories—a John Lewis necklace (£22), Monki earrings (£5) and Rich Fashion Bracelet (£7) all fit the bill. Tie everything together with matchy-matchy eyeshadow from the Lancôme five-collection palette (£40) and a deep-red lip for a touch of danger; Nyx’s butter lipstick in “Liquorice” is the perfect shade and costs just £6.

On set of the 80s movie, her rock and roll look can be updated for 2019 by experimenting with hemlines. Opt for an oversized leather jacket (Superdry, £95) with a cropped jumper (Topshop, £15), and then balance the silhouette with a floaty midi skirt (Matalan, £18) for a touch of femininity against tough biker boots (Nubikk, £199). 

With so much going on in the outfit, accessories can kept fairly simple—a baker boy cap (Dune, £15), gold earrings (The fine Jeweller Company, £55) and a black liquid eyeliner (Rimmel, £5.29) will never go out of style.