The ’80s Miami Vice Style Is Gearing Up for a Comeback
With the film on the way, pastel suits and open collars are set for a revival, proving that ’80s power dressing never needed a tie to close the deal
- Miami Vice ’85, starring Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan, is set to arrive in May 2028, already stirring interest in the original series’ iconic ’80s aesthetic.
- With relaxed tailoring still shaping modern menswear, the film could spark a new revival of Miami Vice style. Consider this your cue to loosen the tie or ditch it altogether.
A little Miami Vice goes a long way
Somewhere in Miami, a pastel blazerBlazerA tailored jacket that is less formal than a suit coat and often worn with contrasting trousers, in single- or double-breasted styles. The blazer is a versatile wardrobe cornerstone, movingGo to Blazer Glossary is getting its second wind. The T-shirt’s back under the suit jacket, and the loafers are losing their socks. Blame Miami Vice, or, more accurately, its upcoming big-screen revival.
Universal Pictures’ Miami Vice ’85, scheduled to hit cinemas in May 2028, will see Austin Butler take on the role of Sonny Crockett, with Michael B. Jordan as Ricardo Tubbs. Set photos have already begun circulating, offering an early glimpse of the film’s mid-1980s world of sun-drenched glamour.
And if the original series is anything to go by, the wardrobe could prove just as influential as the men wearing it.
When Miami Vice premiered in 1984, it did more than bring Miami’s criminal underworld to television. It gave men an entirely new way to dress for power.
At a time when the business suit was still busy making its shoulders look bigger, and its wearer look more important, Sonny offered a more interesting alternative: a lightweight blazer, a plain T-shirt, tailored trousers, and sunglasses that suggested he’d better things to do than attend a board meeting.
Soft tailoring and pastel shades
His wardrobe was a lesson in dressing well without looking terribly bothered about it. Soft-shouldered Italian tailoring replaced the rigid corporate uniform, while pastel shades of pink, mint, powder blue, lavender, and cream brought a little South Beach sunshine to menswear.
Shirts were left unbuttoned, ties were largely dismissed, and loafers were worn without socks. The five-o’clock shadow, meanwhile, didn’t become an unfortunate consequence of a late night but a grooming strategy in its own right.
The appeal’s in the contradiction. These were men dressed for serious business, but their clothes suggested they were perfectly capable of taking the afternoon off. The tailoring was sharp without being stiff, the colors bold without being garish, and the overall effect somewhere between Italian Riviera sophistication and a man who had just stepped out of a convertible.
The influence of Miami Vice reached well beyond the television screen, helping popularize a more relaxed approach to masculine style throughout the 1980s. Suddenly, looking put together didn’t require a tie or a starched collar.
The art of borrowing from the ’80s
Four decades later, that proposition feels relevant. Menswear has spent years loosening up, with relaxed tailoring and pops of color becoming familiar territory. The modern wardrobe has made peace with the idea that a blazerBlazerA tailored jacket that is less formal than a suit coat and often worn with contrasting trousers, in single- or double-breasted styles. The blazer is a versatile wardrobe cornerstone, movingGo to Blazer Glossary can work just as well over a T-shirt as it does over a dress shirt. Miami Vice simply got there first, preferably in pastel pink.
Of course, there’s a fine line between channeling Sonny Crockett and looking like an extra who has wandered off the set of an 80s music video. The trick isn’t to recreate the entire look from head to toe.
Instead, take the best bits: a colored jacket, breathable linen trousers, and a clean white T-shirt. Add a pair of classic sunglasses, and the job is largely done. A yacht remains optional.
It’s what makes the forthcoming film an interesting prospect for fashionFashionThe art and industry of designing, producing, and styling clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty trends. It reflects cultural influences, personal expression, and evolving styles across seasons and markets.Go to Fashion Glossary. Austin and MBJ are stepping into roles with an established visual identity, one that has influenced generations of menswear enthusiasts and continues to circulate through fashion.
Their interpretation of Sonny and Ricardo will inevitably invite comparisons with Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, but the clothes may prove just as important as the performances in shaping the revival’s cultural footprint.
Can Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan bring it back?
With the film still some time away, the circulating set photos are already doing their part to bring the aesthetic back into conversation. Whether Miami Vice ’85 can recreate the original series’ influence remains to be seen.
Nostalgia is one thing; getting an entire generation to reconsider its style is another. But the ingredients are there, and the return of the pastel blazerBlazerA tailored jacket that is less formal than a suit coat and often worn with contrasting trousers, in single- or double-breasted styles. The blazer is a versatile wardrobe cornerstone, movingGo to Blazer Glossary would be a welcome change from the endless procession of dark suits and sensible separates.
Come May 2028, menswear may find itself looking to Miami once again. The forecast calls for lightweight tailoring, questionable amounts of sunshine, and a renewed appreciation for the sockless loaferLoaferA slip-on leather shoe with no laces, available in styles such as penny, tassel, and horsebit. Combining comfort and polish, the loafer moves easily between formal and casual outfits, andGo to Loafer Glossary.
Best get the linenLinenA breathable fabric made from flax fibers, prized for keeping the wearer cool in hot, humid weather. Linen wrinkles naturally, which is part of its relaxed charm, and appears inGo to Linen Glossary trousers pressed. The detectives are back on the beat, and they appear to have excellent taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Miami Vice style is an iconic 1980s menswear aesthetic popularized by the television series Miami Vice. It features pastel suits, relaxed Italian tailoring, T-shirts under blazers, sockless loafers, and classic sunglasses.
Miami Vice ’85 is scheduled for release in May 2028. The upcoming film aims to revisit the glamour, crime, and distinctive fashion of the original series’ mid-1980s setting.
Austin Butler stars as Sonny Crockett, while Michael B. Jordan plays Ricardo Tubbs in Miami Vice ’85. Their roles revisit the iconic detective duo first portrayed by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas in the original television series.
Miami Vice helped popularize relaxed power dressing, replacing rigid corporate suits with lightweight blazers, pastel colors, and casual T-shirt combinations.
To recreate the Miami Vice look, pair a pastel blazer with a plain T-shirt, lightweight tailored trousers, and loafers. Finish with classic sunglasses and keep the styling relaxed to capture the aesthetic without looking like you’re wearing an ’80s costume.
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