The 1980s police drama Miami Vice is widely recognized for its bold fashion choices and its influence on popular culture. The show’s main characters, Detectives Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs, revolutionized fashion with ground-breaking styles that where so typical for the series.
Crocket and Tubbs were often seen sporting a variety of trendy and stylish clothing that helped to set the tone for the series. The iconic drama was ahead of its time for introducing bold ensembles to TV viewers around the world – creating a trendsetter culture we still admire today!
The popular TV series not only made a bold fashion statement but also left an indelible mark on the culture of Miami, forever transforming it! From fashionable colors to electrifying visual effects – the show brought cool vibes so good they felt tangible!
Through its 5-season run, Miami Vice turned the spotlight on South Florida’s home turf and boldly transformed its tarnished reputation from a previously dull retirement destination into an exciting hub for sexy shenanigans.
From rough cops to glamorous nightlife, audiences got a vivid glimpse of how it felt to live in downtown Miami during that era – not just from what was said or done but also with colorful visuals so often attributed to 80s television!
Sony Crocket look
Sonny Crockett, played by Don Johnson, was often seen wearing pastel-colored suits and jackets with loafers and no socks. He frequently paired these outfits with a t-shirt or a light-colored button-up shirt, and he always wore his iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarers sunglasses. Crockett’s style was a reflection of the laid-back Miami lifestyle, and it became a cultural phenomenon during the show’s run.
When it comes to iconic looks, Sonny really takes the cake! We’re talking about a white linen suit with shoulder pads, paired with an aqua pastel-colored t-shirt that just screams “Miami Vice.” And let’s not forget the pièce de résistance – a pair of espadrilles that complete the look with a laid-back vibe. This outfit was so cool, you could practically feel the ocean breeze and hear the sound of the seagulls as soon as Crockett stepped onto the scene.
Ricardo Tubbs look “The Tubbs Looks”
Ricardo Tubbs, played by Philip Michael Thomas, had a more sophisticated fashion sense than Crockett. He often wore tailored suits and jackets, usually in dark colors like black or navy blue. Tubbs also frequently wore turtlenecks or collared shirts with his suits, and he completed his look with a pair of aviator sunglasses.
Tubbs’ style was seen as more formal and polished compared to Crockett’s, but it was still a reflection of the show’s Miami setting and the fashion trends of the era.
The Miami Fashion Scene of the 1980s
Miami Vice burst onto television screens in the 80s with its daring pastels and eclectic prints, embracing Miami’s exuberant fashion scene. The show not only tapped into this explosion of vivid colors but also drew inspiration from some unlikely sources: namely the art deco architecture which lined the city streets in sunny Miami Beach- a flair that could be felt even as early as those famous opening credits!
The clothing worn by the Miami Vice’s crime-fighting characters was not only stylish but also functional. The characters often wore clothes that would not stand out while they were undercover. For example, they wore plain t-shirts, jeans, and sneakers while they were doing undercover police work and taking down the bad guys and still looking cool doing it!
Stylish Supporting Characters
In addition to the main characters, the show also featured a number of stylish supporting characters. From the drug dealers and smugglers to nightclub regulars, stylish supporting characters filled out the show’s landscape.
Each of these individuals brought their own unique flair in matching fashion that suited the glamorous style and overall aesthetic it had become known for.
Iconic Cars and Music
The style of Miami Vice was not only limited to the clothing worn by the characters, but also extended to the cars and the music featured in the show. The Ferrari Testarossa and the DeLorean DMC-12 were two of the most iconic cars featured on the show and helped to cement the show’s reputation for being flashy and stylish.
And while fans were donning threads inspired by Crockett & Tubbs, the show’s use of contemporary music helped to establish its reputation as a trendsetter.
Every ’80s kid dreamed of being as cool and tough as Sonny Crockett, especially with his trusty sidekick, an alligator living aboard the Miami Vice boat! This unusual exotic companion added a touch of wildness to Crocket’s character that made him even more unforgettable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Miami Vice was a trailblazer in terms of fashion on television. The wardrobe and the overall aesthetic of the show were heavily influenced by the Miami fashion scene of the 1980s, and helped to establish the show’s reputation as a stylish and trendsetting series.
From the iconic pastel-colored suits worn by the main characters to the bold and colorful clothing worn by the supporting characters, Miami Vice helped to define the fashion of the 1980s and continues to be an inspiration for designers and fashion enthusiasts to this day.
