One of the most iconic movie looks of all time came from Olivia Newton-John’s portrayal of Sandy, the quintessential girl-next-door who wore bows in her hair (until she didn’t, of course) and shoulder-robed her cardigans.However, the singer-actor’s sense of style in real life was just as memorable as her shiny skin-tight leggings and black leather jacket.
When Grease was released in 1978, it was the age of flared pants, loud prints and Studio 54. Her style reflected this, with cool sheepskin coats and disco-inspired blouses that were unrecognisable from Rydell High. Let’s go back in time to find some of her most memorable outfits from the 1970s and 1980s, including the one that made her a style icon.
Captured in 1971, Newton- John’s apple belt buckle was quite ‘on-brand’ for Sandy.
For this photoshoot at her Hertfordshire home, Newton-John opted for a silk neck scarf, buckled ankle boots and a waistcoat-and-flared ensemble.
Sandy’s leather jacket and leggings ensemble was the style that inspired an entire fancy dress movement.
She wore many sweatshirts and sweatbands with studded accents and knee-high boots during her ‘Physical’ era.
Straight-laced Sandy was a world away from Olivia Newton-John in this 1970s photo with her mullet hairstyle, sheepskin coat and tinted sunglasses.
At the premiere of Grease, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, dressed like their fictional personas (spotted pink tulle for her; black leather for him).
Newton-John donned two of the decade’s biggest hits while performing in the 1970s (power collars and high-waisted jeans).
A ruffled shirt and striped waistcoat would have been a fashion disaster on anyone else. On Newton-John, it somehow looked like a precursor to Carrie Bradshaw.
In this photograph from the 1970s, Newton-John posed by a pond while wearing lipstick-red flares and black ankle boots.
In March 1980, she dazzled onstage while performing in LA, wearing a matching mini dress and spangled boots.
