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If you love the bright and bold style of the 80s, you’ve come to the right place. You can have a blast dressing yourself or your little ones up in loud patterns and neon colors reminiscent of an era when fashion was at its best. In this article, we’ll take you through some pretty easy-to-make costumes that will bring a smile to anyone’s face. Whether you’re looking for something spooky or just fun, we’ve got it covered with these cute and fun outfits.
The Generic 80’s Costume
The 80s was a decade known for its experimental and colorful style. For example, a man’s outfit in the 80s could consist of graphic t-shirts, ripped jeans, and a leather jacket. He would complete the look with sunglasses and sneakers. A woman’s outfit can include an oversized blazer paired with a cropped top and mom jeans. She could accessorize it with big earrings and neon-colored lipstick or eye shadow.
As you can see, there were many options when it came to fashion in the 1980s. Whether you choose to go all out or just add one small detail that represents this decade is up to you!
80’s Girl
You will be the envy of all your friends when you rock this look.
- Hair: Put your hair into a high ponytail and tie with a brightly colored scrunchie.
- Feet: Grab your favorite pair of high-top Reebok sneakers and go for it!
- Top: To top off this look, put on a bright pink or blue sweatshirt.
80’s Boy
The 80s are back, and so are the looks, clothing, and music that inspired them. The 80s were a decade with high style and low budgets. Now, you don’t have to be rich or have access to Yves Saint Laurent’s runway shows to channel that look: You can easily achieve it at home by following some simple directions.
This is your sample guide for an outfit stage of 80s Boy: What You Need:
- Long Sleeved T-Shirt (Red shirt for Evil Dead 2) – $5 (or if you’re cheap like me, just buy a jersey from Goodwill)
- Red Sweater – $3 (or if you’re cheap like me again, buy one from Goodwill)
- Black Chucks – $3 (or if you’re still cheap like me, find some on sale at Target)
- Scarf to tie around collar—$1
How To Wear It: 1) Put on sweater and chucks 2) Tie scarf around neck 3) Put on red shirt 4) Put on black shoes 5) Add sunglasses 6) Repeat until you work up a sweat
The Jock
- Champion hoodie (white and blue.
- White socks
- blue basketball shorts
- basketball jersey (look for one with your name and number on it!)
The Emo Kid
You can rock this look even if you haven’t made a trip to Hot Topic lately. It’s just a few simple pieces that are easy to find at secondhand stores or your own closet: black jeans, a black band shirt, and facial piercings (real or drawn on with marker). Add the classic 80s touch of black nail polish and black eyeliner, and then slump your shoulders like you’ve got the weight of the world on them. Bonus points for some real tears or an anguished expression—this was an emotional time!
80s New Wave
New Wave is a time period that’s hard to define, but it’s characterized by a combination of music and fashion that emerged in the early eighties. Like the punk rock genre that influenced it, New Wave is known for its edgier, rebellious attitude. It was an artistic movement, not just a fad! One thing I love about New Wave style is its ease of access: as long as you have some neon colors and bold prints lying around, you can create your own retro-inspired look. With these 80s outfits you can easily go from a casual day at work to a night out on the town in under an hour!
The Yuppie
For the quintessential ’80s look, you’ll want to go for a yuppie ensemble. What does that mean? The yuppie was a common stereotype in the 1980s. A young and successful person who worked in a fast-paced job, the yuppie was often seen as being self-centered. Yuppies were driven by ambition and career advancement, but also had an interest in fashion and material goods. They especially loved to shop at places like Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren Polo, Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor and The Limited.
Yuppies also favored brands like Calvin Klein, Donna Karan New York (also known as DKNY) and Jones New York. In their free time they liked spending it at luxury hotels or playing golf at country clubs.
For your attire you can go for something classic like a button down shirt with a collar paired with khaki pants or tweed blazers of various colors paired with some jeans rolled up at the cuff. Pair these outfits with some leather loafers or oxford shoes to complete your yuppie outfit!
Conclusion
You can use the clothes you have to create a fun 80s costume and make it your own! You might not think at first that you have what it takes, but if you just look in your closet and let your imagination run wild, you’ll be wearing an awesome outfit to impress all of your friends.
Ready? Go for it!
FAQ
Q: What 80s outfits can you make at home?
A: You can create any number of DIY 80s costumes from your closet. With a little ingenuity and creativity, you can create perfect replicas of iconic 80s characters like Marty McFly and Michael Jackson.
Q: How do you make an 80s outfit from your closet?
A: If you have a pair of blue jeans, some Doc Martens, a white t-shirt, and a denim jacket in your closet, you have the makings for an accurate Marty McFly costume. Grab a trucker hat with the name “Calvin Klein” on it and roll the sleeves up on your denim jacket to re-create Michael Jackson’s look in “Thriller.” All it takes is some thoughtfulness and willingness to experiment to pull off these DIY looks.
Q: What are some 80s costume ideas for men?
A: The men’s costumes are actually easier to replicate than many women’s costumes because they rely less on accessories and more on basic items like jeans or tuxedos that most people already own. All you need is the right hair style and attitude to bring them back to life!
Q: How can I make a 80s outfit for a girl?
A: The best way to make an authentic 80s costume for girls is by shopping in thrift stores for unique finds that will truly set your outfit apart from others. From leg warmers to big earrings to big hair bows, there are plenty of ways girls can easily express their love of the 1980!
