Madonna 1987 American Music Awards   (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage)
Cover Madonna in 1987 (Photo: Chris Walter/WireImage)

To celebrate Madonna's birthday on August 16, we take a trip down memory lane to revisit looks she sported that were ahead of their time

There’s no denying that Madonna is a trendsetter. At the height of her music career from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s, whatever she wore, the public followed.

She's inspired major fashion movements over the years, adding bows, pearls and tutus to the grunge lexicon and combining high glamour with gay culture in her stage outfits.

See more: Beyoncé Released ‘Renaissance’ and She Looked Stunning in Schiaparelli

Many of these looks are still popular today, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say she had been instrumental behind many of today’s trends—years before they were embraced by the fashion world.

To celebrate this pop legend’s 64th birthday on August 16, we look at seven trends popular today that she followed first.

1. Indie Sleaze

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Madonna in March 1984 in München / Munich. (Photo by Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Above (Photo: Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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American singer Madonna in New York, 1984.
 (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Above (Photo: Michael Putland/Getty Images)

These images of Madonna from the 1980s reveal that she could have been at the core of the "indie sleaze" movement—a key look in the recent revival of the early 2000s aesthetic. She has all elements of the look covered: think leggings, long and layered tank tops, excessive bracelets and oversized sunglasses, plus messy, side-parted hair, lived-in make-up—and with plenty of attitude to boot.

See more: 6 Style Lessons From ‘Mean Girls’ That Are Still Relevant Today

2. Instagram Baddie

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NEW YORK CITY - OCTOBER 12:   Freddy Demann (L) and singer Madonna attend the Wedding Reception for Allen Grubman and Deborah Haimoff on October12, 1991 at the New York Public Library in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Above (Photo: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
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Madonna at the Spagos in Hollywood, California (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Above (Photo: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

We've all seen an "Instagram Baddie" on our feeds at some point—perfectly done hair and make-up, as well as a slim-fitting outfit that emphasises curves. Madonna does this kind of look well—though with an ultra-glam old Hollywood touch.

3. Instagram Girlie

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PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 15: Madonna and Steven Meisel attend a Gianni Versace Show during A Paris Fashion Weeks in the 1990s in Paris, France. (Photo by Foc Kan/WireImage)
Above (Photo: Foc Kan/WireImage)
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Madonna (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Above (Photo: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

We can't forget about the "Instagram Girlie"—she's aware of the trending brands and always gets her hands on pieces before they sell out. Madonna is serving that Saks Potts furry vinyl coat and the effortlessly cool Paloma Wool vibe in these photos (L-R), and from the number of trends she had set during the height of her fame, it's safe to say she was the original Girlie. 

See more: Think Pink: 6 Ways to Embrace the Barbiecore Trend in 2022

4. Athleisure

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Madonna Leaves Her London Home After A Work Out.. (Photo by Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images)
Above (Photo: Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images)
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Madonna during Press Conference for The Race Against Time Charity Run - August 8, 1988 at Hemsley Hotel in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Above (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Madonna is an avid runner, so she'd been seen in sportswear. Though she also rocks an athleisure look, which is more put together than your average sportswear—and not always worn with the intention of doing exercise. An oversized tracksuit is a cool and casual way to do it, but the matching black crop top and bike short set is the more traditional route. 

5. Bridgerton-Chic

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Madonna (Photo by Ke.Mazur/WireImage)
Above (Photo: Ke.Mazur/WireImage)
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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 9:   Singer Madonna on May 9, 1990 dines at The Grill on the Valley Restaurant in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Above (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Before Netflix's Bridgerton, there was Madonna's live performance of her 1990 hit Vogue at the VMAs in the same year.

Madonna may have drawn inspiration from Marie Antoinette and the Rococo period of the mid- to late-18th century—Bridgerton was set in the Regency era of the early 1800s—but she was rocking opulent fabrics, fabulous accessories and tailcoats before serious vintage fashion was, shall we say, in vogue. 

See more: 10 ‘Bridgerton’-Inspired Fashion Pieces to Wear Now

6. Normcore

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American singer Madonna, circa 1990. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Above (Photo: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
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WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 2:   Singer Madonna on November 2, 1991 dined at Chianti Cucina in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Above (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Normcore made it into everyone's vocabulary in 2014, but the effects of the minimal style live on. Although Madonna was best known for her over-the-top outfits and costumes, she definitely had days when she played it cooler—and the monochrome looks in oversized cuts suited her too.  

 

7. Lingerie as Outerwear

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NETHERLANDS - JULY 24:  ROTTERDAM  Photo of MADONNA, Madonna Kuip 24-07-1990  (Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns)
Above (Photo: Rob Verhorst/Redferns)
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UNITED KINGDOM - CIRCA 1991:  Madonna, Hcir  (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Above (Photo: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Madonna has never shied away from a risqué stage costume, and we'd be remiss if we didn't mention her iconic cone bra, designed by the legendary Jean-Paul Gaultier. She's often incorporated unique lingerie designs into her looks; today, corsets, bustiers and bras are frequently worn outside the bedroom sans outerwear.

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