Whether you’re throwing a milestone birthday because you survived the ultimate decade of decadence, or you simply love the movies, music and neon of the era, an 80s theme dress-up party is always a winner. The 1980s were loud, colourful and unapologetically fun — which makes them one of the easiest decades to dress up as. Below are our favourite 80s costume ideas for men, women, couples and groups, with tips on how to pull each look together.
Shop the full range of 1980s costumes, or browse all decades costumes for more inspiration across the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.
Famous 80s movie costumes
Famous 80s movies are a great place to start. The decade gave us instantly recognisable looks from films like E.T., Back to the Future, Valley Girl, Dirty Dancing, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Sixteen Candles — perfect for an 80s party or even Halloween. Women and girls can recreate an 80s prom-dress look straight out of Sixteen Candles or Valley Girl, while dance films are another easy reference:
