Movie Inspiration: Fashion Inspired by The Breakfast Club
School is on everyone’s mind as we approach the final weeks of August. One of my favorite school-themed movies is The Breakfast Club, and it’s the perfect source of fashion inspiration for back-to-school. In case you’ve been living under a rock, here’s the basic plot: five high schoolers are held captive in detention one Saturday, and throughout the course of the day, their struggles and similarities are revealed. This film is as iconic to the eighties as Madonna and hair bands, and is today’s go-to source for back to school fashion ideas.
The Breakfast Club takes place during the winter, so I tweaked the outfits a bit to work for a college campus during the fall. Ready for some fresh inspiration? Read on!
Brian – The Brain
Anthony Michael Hall plays Brian Johnson, the studious nerd of the group. His style reflects his less-than-hip persona — throughout the day, he wears a simple knit sweater and a basic pair of khakis. This isn’t to say that you can’t turn his ensemble into something stylish for you to wear!
Cardigan, Blouse, Khakis, Loafers, Necklace
Steal Brian’s look by sprucing up your basics. Rock a pair of wide-leg khaki chinos with a Peter Pan-collared blouse. Layer on a forest green cardigan for those chilly college classrooms, and slide on your favorite pair of penny loafers. Finish the look with a necklace — this apple one reflects Brian’s “teacher’s pet” nature.
Andrew – The Athlete
Emilio Estevez plays Andrew Clarke, a varsity wrestler and the “cool guy” of the group. He wears comfortable, athletic clothes throughout the day. To steal his style, avoid the track pants and sloppy hoodie — instead, look for vintage athletic-inspired pieces and pair them with preppy accessories.
Cardigan, Shorts, Sneakers, Ring, Bow
This varsity-inspired cardigan gives you the perfect jock-ette look, and it’s extra adorable when worn with a cute pair of red shorts. Make the outfit special by adding retro sneakers, a signet ring, and a girly bow to the mix.
Allison – The Basket Case
Allison Reynolds, played by Allie Sheedy, is living in her own little world for the better part of the movie. She’s the, um, eccentric one in the group, and we find out at the end of the movie that she simply came to detention because she had nothing better to do. She hides behind a huge black winter jacket throughout the film, but you can still build an outfit based on her dark style.
Jeans, Shirt, Boots, Necklace, Ring
To get Allison’s look, start with basic pieces like black skinny jeans and a loose gray shirt. Toughen up the look by adding a badass pair of high-heeled combat boots, a chain necklace, and a skull ring.
Claire – The Princess
Claire Standish is played by Molly Ringwald, the queen of eighties teen movies. Claire, the most popular girl in school, is actually sent to detention for cutting class — to shop! Her pink and brown Ralph Lauren ensemble is girly and sophisticated, perfect for any occasion.
Skirt, Shirt, Scarf, Boots, Charm Bracelet, Pearl Studs
Snag Claire’s pretty style by tucking a patterned pink shirt into a calf-length brown corduroy skirt. Add plenty of girly accessories, like a fancy scarf, charm bracelet, and pearl studs, just like the ones Claire wears in the film. Finish with a pair of brown boots.
Bender – The Criminal
Judd Nelson plays John Bender, the rebel of the group. Bender has the best one-liners throughout the film, and makes most of the movie’s most poignant statements. His grungy style is fun to imitate and easy to girl up.
Shirt, Shorts, Boots, Sunglasses, Necklace
Start with a red flannel shirt and pair it with denim shorts for a perfect Bender-inspired base look. Up the style factor with a pair of combat boots, wayfarers, and a tough necklace. See? Grunge can be cute!
What Do You Think?
How many times have you seen the Breakfast Club? What are your favorite parts? Who is your favorite character? What are your favorite back to school films? Whose style inspired you the most? Let us know what you think by leaving us a comment!
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Posted on on August 18, 2011 / Filed Under: Inspiration / Tags: 1980s, Movie Inspiration, Movies, the Breakfast Club
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Shelby
I’d love to see this become a series of posts inspired by high school films: Dead Poets Society, Clueless, Juno, Easy A, Ferris Bueller, Fame, High School Musical, Grease…
Kelly
You nailed this right on the head! The only one I was kind of iffy about was the jock look, but the rest are absolutely perfect. :)
Kate T.
These are so cute! I love how it captures the character’s personality, but doesn’t get too costume-y! :)
Kate T.
These are so cute! I love how it captures the character’s personality, but doesn’t get too costume-y! :)
Arianna
OMG I love them! And this is my fav movie! Good job!!!
Lizzy
I love the outfits you picked!
Mariam
WOW this is the first thing i saw when i woke up and it made my day thanks! I really love The basket case outfit.
Danielle
LOVE this movie. so glad it was featured :) the outfits are really cute!
Hannah
I’m obsessed with the breakfast club!!! This is such a great post :) I love the outfits.
Casey
I just watched this movie last night, so perfect timing with the post. Love the outfits!
catalina
that was the most inspired and interesting fashion post I’ve read this summer. great idea.
and I subscribe to Shelby’s idea: it would be awesome to develop this into a series of posts
Chelsea - University of Oklahoma
I’m so happy to hear you all love this movie too!
@Shelby: CF has posts on Clueless and Grease already (check the archives!) but I love the idea of doing post based on Easy A, HSM, Dead Poets Society, etc…stay tuned!!
Tori
I love it!!! I would really love to see a Sixteen Candles post.
Ariane
Awesome post, I love this movie too ! I would LOVE to see a post on Dead Poets Society. And Pirates of the Caribbean, and Sweeney Todd :D They’ve both got beautiful costumes.
Chinea
The Breakfast Club is one of my favorite movies! I love the outfits!
Nicole
Awe yay! I`m so happy to see this! The Breakfast Club is such an amazing movie and I love it! I especially adore Bender and Claire`s outfits. Awesome job!
Kathy
i love the breakfast club. i’ve always loved claire’s shoes in the film, haha. but i agree, i would absolutely LOVE a post inspired by dead poet’s society
Rachel - Butler University
Great movie and nice post, Chelsea! I especially like the Bender-inspired look :)
Beth
Loved all the looks you did. Bender’s and Claire’s and Allison’s especially. Although Claire was wearing diamond studs, not pearls.
I watch that movie probably 5x a year. That and 16 candles are my favorite Brat pack movies.
Jess
Love Brian and Allison’s looks! It’s funny because they’re so different from each other, but I can see myself in both. I guess that says a lot about how diverse personal styles can be!
Kayla
Awesome x5! This was a great post.
Cara
Any particular reason why the signet ring has the Scottish thistle, their national flower and universal emblem, on it? It’s very cute, but it seems rather random in the theme of the outfit.
Nikki
Omg this is one of my fav movies I love alll the outfits
maxine
I love Claire’s style.. so girly and feminine.. I sometimes dress like that.
Re
I cannot tell you how much I lovey our right now. I LOVE this movie! And Andrew’s, Allison’s, and Bender’s looks are all to die for! :) ~This is definitely an awesome post.
Lizzie
This is awesome love that movie!! The outfits fit the characters very well I laughed when I saw all of these they fit so well! I love the nerd one:)
Caitlin
I love this movie! I like the way you emulated the characters’ outfits. My favourites are Claire’s and especially Bender’s – I’m really still feeling all the grunge that’s been around lately!
Chrissie
I really like the oufit for Claire !
Jackie
My favorite movie of all time!! But I’m almost 23 and I really didnt think the CF writers were old enough to know about this one! I have friends who are incoming freshman and don’t know about this movie, so this is a wonderful surprise for those of us who aren’t 18 yrs old-keep it up!!
Mini
oh my gosh, I would LOVE to see 80′s movies inspired posts. Especially, Ferris Bueller, my favourite movie of all time. Also, a cute pair of fingerless black leather gloves would make the Bender look even better.