On the left: Guitarist Joan Jett & Singer Cherie Currie of the rock band The Runaways (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

I spent a lot of time during my 8^th grade year either staring at the cover of Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock N Roll” album or awkwardly strumming along to it with my Fender 12-string guitar. Jett was captivating because she was both pretty and tough. The mysterious combination of black eyeliner, shaggy black hair and blue bandana (the tough stuff) with her almond eyes, high cheekbones and fuchsia tuxedo jacket (the pretty parts) kept me mesmerized.

Years later, pre-internet, a friend’s much hipper older sister clued me in to Joan’s first band, The Runaways. The name alone said rebellion. Not only were The Runaways an all-girl band, but they were also teenagers who rocked just as hard as men twice their age. The Runaways were the reason that two girlfriends and I started our band Big Donnies, a name that sounds like cheeky innuendo, but was innocently taken from a comment I made about how all the older Osmond brothers looked like big versions of Donny. And we weren’t the only budding musicians influenced by the band.

Although they released less than 10 records and sold better in Japan and most European countries than in the U.S., even today, over 20 years later, countless female musicians, from the Go-Gos to The Donnas, as well as many male musicians, refer to The Runaways' hard rocking, infectious pop punk when describing the roots of their own music.

Joan Jett, now 51, started the band in California in late 1975 with drummer Sandy West. They played mostly in and around Los Angeles with a roving cast of bass players but an otherwise solid line-up of Jett on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, West on drums, Cherie Currie on vocals and Lita Ford on lead guitar.

Stylistically, the band embodied every 70’s fashion influence imaginable. Jett, with her dark black hair, contrasted with Currie and her platinum shag. The two front women both favored the fashions of male musicians, with Currie leaning towards the psychedelic gender-bending David Bowie in platforms, space-y pantsuits and lingerie and Jett with a tougher, darker look like that of Keith Richards and his shrunken leather separates, skinny scarves and studded jewelry. The remaining members looked a bit more 70’s California with their long, sun streaked hair, flared jeans, touches of satin and sequins and tiny t-shirts.  All members shared an affinity for tomboy style that, of course, had a tight and shiny, rock-n-roll edge to it: bomber jackets, athletic jerseys, sneakers, hoodies and blue-collar jumpsuits. It seems entirely possible that American Apparel has based a large part of its aesthetic solely on the wardrobes of The Runways.

At their height, the Runaways were touring with more established acts such as Cheap Trick, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Ramones and Van Halen.  The band played its lastconcert on New years Eve Day in 1978 and was dissolved by the following April.  Most of the band members hadn’t even seen their 25^th birthdays yet. To find out the full story, check out the film The Runaways, executive produced by Joan Jett. Starring Dakota Fanning as Currie and Kristen Stewart as Jett, the film debuted last month at the Sundance film festival and will be arriving in theaters soon.

1. The Runaways First LP (buy it now price, $ 9.99) Typically hard to find on vinyl, this debut Runaways record is in near mint condition.

2. David Bowie T-Shirt (buy it now price, $17.99) Neon orange really pops against the dusty gray. This tee will look great under a dressier jacket and jeans.

3. Acne Blue Jeans (buy it now price, $38.00) Although there were lots of skinny pants in the Runaways fashion camp, there were lots of flares, too. It was the 70’s, after all.

4. Mike and Chris leather Bomber jacket (buy it now price $400.00) This leather bomber is a little bit sporty and a little bit tough making it a perfect Runaway must-have.

5. Sass and Bide Black Leggings (buy it now price $84.99) To this day, Joan Jett is still sporting tight black skinny pants. These have a little stretch and go well with tunics or minis.

6. Denim and Leather Jacket (buy it now price $799.99) Straight from the runway, your look is complete with this all-in-one jacket and vest from the always-cool Alexander Wang.

7. Studded Wrist Cuff (buy it now price $4.95) Pyramid studs are certainly more mainstream than they used to be, but they remain a quick fix for adding attitude to your wardrobe.

8. Topshop Sequin Bodysuit (buy it now price, $59) The Runaways liked a lot of girly glitz mixed in with tougher pieces. A bodysuit is perfect for a clean tuck with your high-waisted pants.

9. White Ankle Boots (buy it now price, $166.00) If Rachel Comey existed back in the day, Cherie Currie would have been all over these ankle boots.

10. Burberry Zipper Belt (buy it now price, $129.00) Wide or skinny, stretch or chain, sequin or studded, the Runaways loved belts. This one strays form being too simple thanks to zipper details.

A freelance editor who recently relocated to Austin from New York, Chris Frey previously served as the Fashion Market Director at Cookie and the Accessories Director at Lucky.