Whether you’re having a 50th Birthday party because you lived and survived the ultimate decade of decadence, or you just love the movies and TV shows of that era, an 80s theme dress-up party is a great idea. The ultimate feeling about the 1980s is fun - just like the Cyndi Lauper song, ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ sums up the decade.
Check out these ideas for inspiration to ensure your 80s dress up party goes off with a bang.
Check out 80s movie costumes
Famous 80s movies are a great place to get inspiration for 80s dress up ideas. The 1980s spawned some memorable movies with distinct 80s costumes, even if you want to use them for any type of fancy dress event such as Halloween. Some of the great movies include ET, Back to the Future, Valley Girl, Dirty Dancing, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off or 16 Candles.
Costumes for women and girls include 80s prom dresses where you and your fellow could be dressed in 80s couples costumes like in 16 Candles or Valley Girl. Dance movies of the 80s are also a great inspiration. Think of Alex from Flashdance in lycra tights, leg warmers and loose sweatshirts and messy hair.
For men, jeans and a T-shirt with a letterman jacket or leather jacket and you can be Ferris Bueller. Movie references and music pretty much are your go-to for 80s dress up ideas for both men, women and children. 80s mens fashion as depicted in these movies includes pastel coloured, loose-fitting, double-breasted suits.
80s rocker and music references
When we think of the 80s we think of great music, stadium rock bands, big hair, loud make-up and mesh t-shirts. Men and women were wearing lingerie as a statement and wearing it, like Madonna in Like a Virgin, showing off undergarments as a fashion statement.
80s fancy dress costumes are easy to dress up or dress down. For instance, a spiky long hair wig plus a black band T-shirt, some tattoo sleeves and a dog collar and you are an 80s rocker. This is fine for both men and women as the 80s was an androgynous time with men and women wearing make-up and lacy clothes, for example like Prince.
If you’d like to be an 80s rocker chick or pull off an 80s rocker look, make sure you add a denim vest with patches or a leather jacket.
Apart from 80s rock fashion, the 80s was also a time that disco was still popular with adults. Colourful lycra leggings with strapless tops and a wide belt are popular choices for women’s 80s disco fashion.
80s Aerobics costumes
Before the 1980s, there was not much in popular culture about gym wear, but thanks to the fitness revolution, aerobics became a craze with high cut leotards and tights being worn outside after gym as well. As a dress-up option, an 80s fitness costume for men or women is a very comfortable choice.
