Need help with 80s costume

V

valleygirl

Cathlete
Hi! For those of you who lived it up in the 1980s, I would love some
help with my costume for a Halloween party. I want to dress as we
did in the 80s; I'm thinking of wearing a short denim skirt with
leg warmers. Would I wear leggings or tights under the leg warmers?
Should I wear flats? I can't believe flats are actually back in
style!! I just can't get a good visual to go on. I keep remembering
"Flashdance" and the Madonna wanna-be from "The Wedding Singer." If
I wear leg warmers, should I wear workout-type shorts or a skirt?
I was in high school and college in the 80s, but I can't quite get
my costume together!! Or, do you have any other ideas for an easy
(cheap) costume? Thanks so much for the advice!:)
Valleygirl
 
Thanks so much, Melody!! I am up late, too, knowing I need to get
to bed, but enjoying the quiet time!! Thanks again.
Valleygirl:)
 
Eh-hem. Speaking from personal experience, you will want to wear tights under your skirt (preferably something lycra and shiny), then you would wear combat boots. Your shirt should be something really loud like turquoise and I do think we used to loop it on the hip with a rubber band to tighten it up. Please do not forget the ENORMOUS hair! And the purple eye-shadow.

Ah, those were the days.... *shudder*

Great idea for a costume, though!!
Marie
 
Neon. You must included something neon pink, orange or green in your outfit. (=My dad hated when I used to wear this neon orange jersy knit dresss. If I still had it and could still wear it, I'd show up on his birthday wearing it just to get under his skin ;)
 
Oh, don't forget the black plastic bracelets! Heck if you can get your hands on a plastic swatch watch w/the guard, that would be priceless! Ah, memories of big bangs, and puffed out hair on the sides, so I looked like I had wings....LOL!!!! I remember getting compliments on my bangs, yes, my BANGS!! LOL!!! Oh, my side hurts from too much laughing. Oh, remember those shirts that changed color with your body temp? I don't remember the name brand of those any more, but everyone had one in my school. They were so cool! LOL!
Ok, that's what I can remember of the 80's style. Oh, and pinning your jeans at the bottom and those HUGE socks to go over them?! Too much!
Have fun dressing up!

Kathy
 
Hi Valleygirl,


Actually I lived in the Valley during the 80s (well, until 1982 when I was forced to move to Maryland)... Anyway, you HAVE to wear big hair. The bigger, the better. You may want to rent Valley Girl to get some great ideas. Lots of blue makeup and mini skirts. I personally would forego the leg warmers as they didn't last as long as the free flowing mini skirts. Don't forget the puffy sleeves, either... I also remember the wide belts that were worn in addition to big hoop earrings and those thin rubber bracelets. Gosh, I just loved the 80s.

Have fun and let us know what costume you end up wearing.

Lorrayne
 
OMG!!!!!! It is my birthday tomorrow and I am having an 80s themed birthday party and I was trying to explain Hyperwear shirts to my husband (I think Generra made them). Anyway - he swears I made them up. HAH! Kathy knows they exist as well!!!

I am wearing a cropped white leather jacket with studs, an acid washed jean skirt with denim ruffle trim, and white slouch boots. Now if I could ONLY find a white lace shirt to wear under the jacket!! I've also purchased two cans of Aquanet.

It's gonna be, like, totally rad!!!
 
Jillybean, LOL! I forgot about those cropped white leather jackets - did you find one with a fringe on it??? hehehe
 
Immediately I thought..."You gotta have the big hair and have to use Aqua Net hairspray to keep it in place".

Did anyone mention huge shoulder pads? If you get TV LAND on cable, try watching Miami Vice and other programs from the 80's.
 
You could also get some inspiration from the ladies of Dynasty!

I just loved those HUGE earrings to go with the big hair!!
 
If you go with the "Flashdance" theme don't forget the oversized off the shoulder sweatshirt, tights and leg warmers. Remember scrunchies were also totally in. I have fine hair so they always fell out of mine but I remember everyone colour co-ordinating their scrunchies with their outfits.

The other thing to remember in the 80s was the super wide belts. Shirt dresses were also popular...I remember my partying one was gold lame (very "in" at the time but scary in hindsight). You can improvise with a guys dress shirt and a super wide belt.

Have lots of fun...I love dressing up for Halloween.
 
What I remember from the 80's dicso scene is: tight, tight lurex pants, very high heels, and boob tubes. This would go down a bundle at a party!!! Pretty much as Sandy dresses up to kill at the end of Grease. That was not a 50's costume, but very 80's in fact. All my friends had this gear and I was never allowed it! What a sensible mother I had! Send her child out looking like a hooker!!?!?!?!?!!?

Clare :7 :7 :7 :7
 
Hey, thanks, ladies! I knew I could get some great advice from
this forum!! I hope I can get my costume together tomorrow because
the party is on Friday night! I'll report back to you. And thanks
again!

Valleygirl
 
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