Eighties Costume Ideas

The In The 80s website has a huge collection of tips on how to dress 80s for halloween (and no, this is NOT a halloween party...).

Some highlights are below, but click here to read them all.

80s Aerobic instructor

Stretchy leotard over tight, bright spandex pants. Big shirt over leotard with the shoulders cut off. The over-sized shirt should be tied to one side. The shirt should say something like TIGER!

Hair should be up in a high side ponytail. An 80s aerobic instructor is nothing without her sweatbands and hair bands!



Cyndi Lauper

This one's pretty easy- Cyn had a mismatched style during the 80s, so you basically just throw together anything and it'll look great! Big, long, vintage skirts with crinolines, strapless dresses, high heels or two different high top shoes, and a bustier, or patterned top. She pretty much wore everything at once, so do layers if you have to.

BIG, teased, crazy, tricoloured hair. You can pretty much do anything when it comes down to this; she's had it every colour of the rainbow. Red and yellow's a good combo to try (red hair, yellow bangs and a few streaks here and there).

Big earrings, cheesy bangle bracelets. Eye makeup... like the hair, pretty much everything goes. A couple of vibrant colours, up to and even past the eyebrows... Brush it out towards the temple. Red or pink lipstick, or even gloss is a good thing to pair it with. Happy Halloween, and don't forget to "tawk" with a "Noo Yawk aksent"! ;)

Don Johnson - Miami Vice

Brightly colored pastel suits and stubble. You could even chose Philip Michael Thomas as a role model, just don't buy his album.

As with the new wave look, loafers without socks help round out the image.


Freddy Krueger

Dirty brown hat, dirty red and green sweater, dirty brown pants, glove with knives, old work boots, and don't wash your face for a week.

Michael Jackson (Billie Jean Style)

A rhinestone glove, penny loafers, white socks, black pants that come to just above your ankle, you might want to get a black curly wig, a fedora (thats the hat he wears), and a lot of attitude!

Mr. T

Blue jean vest, tons of gold chains, ripped blue jeans, hair shaved in T-top style, tons of gold knuckle rings, and use a deep growl when speaking (fool!).

Prince & the Revolution

Curly black hair over one eye, all in black, with lots of lace, lace gloves without fingers, high heel black boots with chain around it. Think Apollonia (or Prince if you don't have a black bustier!) "Purple Rain" style!

Punky Brewster

Wear a denim jacket with the arms cut off, with a bright colored shirt underneath. Put a few kid-type pins on it, such as rainbows. Wear a thick string necklace with a key around your neck, and do your hair in pigtails with sunshine rubberbands.

Make sure to wear different colored socks (probably slouch), and definitely different colored shoes- a good choice would probably be the Converse high tops.

Robert Palmer Girl (Addicted To Love)

This is a great costume idea for one guy and three girls!

Wear a black minidress, black pantyhose, and black pumps. Slick hair back in a low bun....If hair is not dark enough..make it dark! Load on the dark eyemakeup and red glossy lips are a necessity!