The Breakfast Club was the movie that taught us that whether you're rich or poor, popular or a loser – your family is probably a nightmare. It also taught us that jocks, princesses, brains, criminals and basket cases each have their own look, and they're not afraid to work it. Here are the essential style lessons to treasure from Molly Ringwald and the gang.

1. When you're heading to the library, make sure you're wearing something you can dance in, because it's important to be prepared for any eventuality. A wrap skirt with flat boots says 'I'm too sophisticated for detention'... but it can also say 'What the hell! Let's party'.

2. Never underestimate the power of a makeover. One of these girls is about to get off with Emilio Estevez. Can you guess which one?

Clue: men love lace hairbands.

Bad luck, original Ally Sheedy.

3. When you want to get stoned and rock out, perhaps incorporating some air-punching moves and a cartwheel or two, a hoodie is really only going to hold you back. Unzip that bad boy right now and free yourself, à la Emilio. 

4. Just because you're a terrifying bad-ass, doesn't mean you can't get creative with fashion. Why not experiment with accessorising? Try a waist-cinching belt, perhaps, or a printed scarf tied inexplicably around your shoe.

Oh, ok. You went with the scarf thing.

5. Wearing sunglasses indoors instantly makes you feel cool. Even if, as Bender says to Brian, 'You're a neo-maxi-zoom-dweebie.'

Side note: Anthony Michael Hall's jumper, which in 1985 marked him out as a huge nerd, is probably what you gave your boyfriend for Christmas.

6. Before you get together with someone, put your hands next to their hands and cast a critical eye over them. If you have diamond rings and an immaculate, pearlised pink manicure, and they have the gnarled paws and fingerless gloves of a homeless former roadie, consider whether giving them one of your earrings might look a bit patronising.

Also, with those impractical talons, it's no wonder Molly Ringwald had to apply her make-up by wedging it into her cleavage. God knows which body part she used to put in her contact lenses.

7. Only squares wear suits on Saturdays, and there is certainly no excuse to be wearing a 1970s flared suit with a giant-lapelled shirt in 1985. Mr Vernon, maybe you should take a few hours to do some serious thinking.

Also, does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe? 

8. Redheads really do look great in pink, a fact that was obviously very important to John Hughes, because he drove it home to us again the following year with Pretty in Pink.

But taking a posh wooden sushi set as your school packed lunch is just unspeakably pretentious.

9. Fashion can be stylish and functional. Get the most out of your jumper by buying one that doubles up as a training tool for razor-sharp reflexes.

I think that one on the left is trying to catch you out.

10. Hoodies and varsity jackets are all very well, but to make an impact, you need a full-length coat. Would this air-punch be such a glorious, triumphant gesture if his coat weren't billowing behind him like a superhero's cape? 

Of course it wouldn't. And thus concludes our seminar. See you back in the library same time next week.