There’s a real timelessness in John Hughes’ films that
center on teenagers that belies the sometimes terribly dated fashions and
soundtracks that accompany his stories. The opening montage of Pretty in Pink (written by Hughes, but
directed by Howard Deutch) screams 80’s. The blaring saxophone of The
Psychedelic Furs’ title song screeches over a scene of Andie (Molly Ringwald)
getting ready for school in the morning. She crafts her own clothes, which look
a lot like a blend of New Wave and post-punk. Later there’s James Spader as the
wealthy yuppie Steff with his linen trousers and blazer, collared shirt
unbuttoned halfway down, and his flowing blonde locks. Andie’s childhood friend
Duckie Dale (Jon Cryer), who is not so secretly crazy for her, is a pure
original fashion statement, but distinctly dated to the period.
