Every time I watch Grease, I just want to throw on a poodle skirt, do the hand-jive and sing vaguely dirty songs about a car. It’s such a great musical with a fabulous score and enviable costumes.

The fashion in Grease draws on the styles of the 1950’s. This was a time where prim prettiness was beginning to mingle with rebelliousness and sexiness. The 60’s hadn’t yet exploded onto the scene, but sexual liberation was starting to come to the boil.

The Pink Ladies give us an interesting glimpse at the spectrum of styles for young women in the 1950’s.  They run the gamut from prim and proper to downright sizzling.  Whether you’re feeling more reserved or are ready to unleash your inner sex kitten, there’s a Pink Lady style to suit every mood.

Rizzo

Rizzo is spunky, sexy and a little crass. Her harsh exterior is really just a front for her vulnerable inner self. Plus, Rizzo has Kenikie, who is rather delicious. Rizzo’s clothes are always tight and sexy. She favours shades of  black and red. Rizzo’s sexiness is different from Marty’s feminine style. She never wears bows or flowers, and her clothing is quite severe. She gives the impression that she is just one of the boys, with her short curls and flat shoes. Rizzo doesn’t wear a lot of makeup, save for a little blusher strategically applied to bring out her perfect cheekbones.

To channel Rizzo, squeeze yourself into a skin-tight black pencil skirt and add a figure-hugging red blouse. Accentuate your waist with a wide belt and wear red flats. Leave your hair tousled and messy and get ready to party with the guys.

Jan

Jan is the most child-like of the Pink Ladies. She is quite self-conscious, and rather sweet. She isn’t afraid to laugh at herself.

To get Jan’s look, pull your hair into a pair of messy pigtails. Then, wear an oversized jumper or tee shirt with a short, flared skirt. Always wear sneakers, never heels. Jan’s makeup is practically non-existent. When she does wear makeup, it is soft and natural. The look is cute, sweet and innocent, not sloppy.

Frenchy

Frenchy has always been my favourite Pink Lady. She is sophisticated and tough, but she’s not as bitchy as Marty and Rizzo. She is quite a kind soul, with no qualms about helping out a friend in need.

Frenchy is a lot more adventurous with makeup and hairstyles than the other pink ladies. Throw on a pair of false eyelashes, sweep on some brightly coloured eye shadow or sport a highly teased coiffure. It might also pay to grab a wig in a colour vastly different to your natural hue. Frenchy’s style is quite feminine, but not prim. She wears a lot of neck-kerchiefs and floral corsages. She likes full, flowing skirts and tight pencil skirts. Cute sweaters are also a winner for Frenchy. She mainly wears shades of yellow, peach and pink. She prefers heels and flats with pointed toes.

Sandy

Sandy is almost “too pure to be Pink”. Her clothes are prim and proper and in muted pastels. Her hair is always perfectly styled and her makeup consists of little more than a healthy flush of blusher and a swipe of lip gloss. Sandy prefers full skirts, sweet blouses and flat shoes. Her clothes are neither skin tight nor baggy, but perfectly fitted to her frame.

Marty

Marty dresses years ahead of her age. She is siren-sexy and has the boys chasing after her at every turn. Marty favours tight pedal pushers, figure hugging dresses and low cut sweaters in rich jewel tones. She often accessorises with a well-placed scarf, brooch or corsage. Marty’s makeup is rich and sexy, with fluttering eyelashes and pouty pink lips. Her hair is always curled under at the ends and smoothed with a little pomade. Mary wears flats to school, but at night time she breaks out a pair of silver heels to complement a slinky cocktail dress.