When we featured Denise Huxtable in our “Retro Inspo” column in the summer issue of Pretty, we highlighted some of the elements that made her style so unforgettable: oversized silhouettes, bold color combinations, statement accessories, and a willingness to wear whatever felt right rather than whatever happened to be trending. We also rounded up a few modern pieces inspired by her look—but once we started revisiting old episodes and digging through vintage photos, we realized we weren’t quite finished.
The daughter of Cliff and Clair Huxtable may have lived in the 1980s, but Denise’s creative approach to fashion still feels surprisingly fresh today. Her outfits were playful, artistic, and often just a little unexpected. She mixed menswear-inspired pieces with pearls, layered oversized clothing in interesting ways, and somehow made combinations that could have looked ridiculous seem completely cool.
Because it’s summer, when nobody wants to think about wearing a chunky turtleneck sweater that hits mid-thigh (or anywhere else, for that matter)—we adapted several of Denise’s cooler-weather looks using lighter fabrics, shorter sleeves, and warm-weather silhouettes. These aren’t exact recreations. They’re summer-friendly interpretations designed to capture the spirit of Denise while remaining wearable in current temperatures.
Think of these looks as a way to channel Denise’s free-spirited style—without hunting down a vintage wardrobe or attempting neon lime-green eyeshadow. (Some things are best left to Denise.)
Look 1: Bold Color, Denise Style
Denise was never one to shy away from color. In one episode, she somehow successfully matched orange, navy, and neon lime green. What’s more, she carried those colors into the eyeshadow behind her lime-rimmed sunglasses—and it totally worked. Here, we opted for a more contemporary shade of green for the shirt because neon lime didn’t do anyone any favors…except, of course, Denise. Paired with bright orange accessories and oversized sunglasses, the look still captures her fearless approach to color.
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Look 2: Lavender from Head to Toe
When Cliff Huxtable is named “Physician of the Year,” Denise arrives in head-to-toe lavender and somehow makes it look effortless. She even coordinated her makeup to match. Our summer-friendly version keeps the monochromatic palette but swaps in an airy open-knit top and flowing satin skirt. We also skipped the lace elbow gloves and chose shoes with feminine bow detailing instead—because nobody wants to wear elbow-length gloves in July.
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Look 3: Unexpected Details
Denise knew how to make an outfit memorable. Long, oversized sweaters paired with wide belts were everywhere in the mid-1980s, but Denise put her own spin on the trend with a triangular brooch featuring actual feathers—rendering it roughly the size of a small woodland creature. We borrowed the color palette and belt detail while nodding to Denise’s unforgettable brooch with a rhinestone version that’s a bit easier to pull off in everyday life.
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Look 4: The Layered Jumpsuit
Denise often borrowed from the boys and made the look entirely her own. Jumpsuits were popular in the 1980s, just as they are today, but modern versions are often paired with a tank or sports bra underneath. Layering one over a classic white T-shirt gives the outfit a more retro feel while nodding to Denise’s gift for mixing menswear influences with feminine accessories. A crochet bucket hat and pearl bracelet complete the look.
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Look 5: Pearls, Pink, and a Pop of Red
This may be Denise’s most memorable outfit of all. She wears it in the episode where she and her friends roll away the living room rug and turn the Huxtable family room into a dance floor. (Seriously, go back and watch it. Totally worth it.) The camera eventually pans away from Denise and focuses on a breakdancer with much more impressive moves. I suspect this was a necessary precaution, given that Denise had the uncanny ability to remain the most interesting person on screen while doing almost nothing at all. We paired a bold red blazer with a black satin midi skirt, layered pearls, and a blush pink top to capture the spirit of the look while sparing ourselves the fresh hell of trying to find a skirt in the exact same shade of red.
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Look 6: Creative but Comfortable
Not every Denise-inspired outfit has to involve bold colors or dramatic accessories. This look captures her relaxed, creative energy through easy layers, oversized sunglasses, and a vintage-inspired graphic tee. A lightweight linen jacket and relaxed black pants keep the look comfortable and approachable while maintaining that effortlessly artistic vibe Denise made famous.
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- Vintage-inspired camera graphic tee
- Linen hooded jacket
- Black linen pants
- Oversized sunglasses
- Summer hat
Look 7: Dress for the Mood You’re In
One reason Denise’s style still feels fresh today is that it never seemed tied to trends. She mixed colors, patterns, and accessories according to her own instincts, creating looks that were playful, creative, and uniquely her own. Neutral tones keep this look grounded while the blue headband adds a playful burst of color. Denise loved mixing casual pieces with elevated accessories, so we finished the look with a pair of 18K gold earrings from Bonheur. They come in yellow gold or silver. With the outfit’s warm neutral palette, gold would have been the obvious choice, which is precisely why we went for silver instead. Denise always had a knack for making the unexpected choice work.
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Denise Huxtable is still inspiring fashion lovers forty years later because she wasn’t afraid to experiment. Oversized silhouettes, menswear influences, creative layering, and eclectic accessories all found a place in her wardrobe long before many of those ideas cycled back into fashion. While plenty of television characters are remembered for a signature look, Denise is remembered for something more interesting: her willingness to try something unexpected. That’s what makes her style feel just as fresh today as it did in the 1980s.
Which look is your favorite? Let us know in the comments—and if you’re looking for even more Denise-inspired fashion, be sure to check out our Retro Inspo: Denise Huxtable feature in the summer issue of Pretty.
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