The Guardian

‘Ahead of its time’: how Olivia Newton-John’s final Grease outfit became a cultural phenomenon

The death of Olivia Newton-John this week was followed by an avalanche of tributes from celebrities and fans on social media. And the image accompanying most of the posts of was Newton-John as Sandy Olsson in the last scene of her signature 1978 film, Grease. Wearing tight black trousers, an off-the-shoulder black top, red mules and biker jacket, with her hair teased and a cigarette in hand, she gazes into the eyes of co-star John Travolta as Danny Zuko.

Released nearly 45 years ago and set in the 1950s, Grease remains part of

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