Theme parties are trendy and fun. Have you been invited to an eighties-style party and you don't know what to wear for this occasion? The following tips will help you rediscover the styles, fun, and quirkiness of that decade. You will see that you will be able to create the perfect look, and maybe be on everyone's lips!
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Finding Vintage Clothes
Step 1. Visit a second hand shop
The best way to dress in true eighties style is to buy pieces that come directly from that era. The second-hand shops are full of treasures to be discovered. You will find tacky and old-fashioned clothing. In short, it should be a mandatory step to create a noteworthy outfit.
Step 2. Ask those relatives who were young in the 1980s to lend you clothes
You will be surprised at the pile of clothing and accessories stored in attics and cellars. Talk to family members or neighbors who were in their teens or just 20 at the time (they should have been born in the mid-1960s). They probably have old clothes to lend you.
Step 3. Look for certain items of clothing that were popular at the time
Here are some iconic Eighties pieces to find specifically: Members Only jackets, parachute trousers, acid wash or faded jeans, sweaters featuring flashy logos, miniskirts, leg warmers, tight stirrup pants, one-piece suits and denim jackets.
Step 4. Learn about the fabrics that were popular in the 1980s
Mixing various fabrics was quite in vogue at the time. Try to find clothes in leather, denim, velvet, or lace. Combine visibly contrasting textures.
- Also, go for bright colors and extravagant prints.
- If you run into older people at the thrift store, ask them to confirm the style of your clothes and make sure they are reminiscent of the 1980s.
Part 2 of 4: Styling the Hair
Step 1. Hair must be voluminous, otherwise it is better to stay at home
The eighties are famous for puffy hairstyles. Those with straight hair often got permed to get thick, full-bodied curls. However, it is possible to create a temporarily voluminous hairstyle with a comb, hairspray and a little patience. Learn to backcomb your hair.
Step 2. Curl your hair with a straightener or iron
If you have a straightener that allows you to achieve the frisé effect, take advantage of it now. This method takes some time, but gives you a well-defined, eighties look. Even flatter hair will become much more voluminous. Curling your hair with a special iron or curlers is another useful method for having a full-bodied hairstyle. Afterward, tousle them with your fingers and spray the hairspray.
Step 3. Try a mullet cut
While it is a hairstyle more suitable for men (the famous country singer Billy Ray Cyrus is an example), in the Eighties it was also common among women.
- If you don't want to do a mullet cut, you can look for a wig at a party supply store. You could also cut a long wig to create it.
- Make sure you tell everyone that your cut is "formal in the front and party in the back".
Step 4. Make a side ponytail
Whether your hair is straight or curly, this updo is an eighties classic. Creating a fluffy one is undoubtedly preferable, so you can curl or tease your hair before gathering it: the look will be even more authentic.
Part 3 of 4: Creating a Custom Outfit
Step 1. Shape the outfit
The 1980s were a decade of experimenting with different types of styles. Women's clothing tended to be fluffy in the bust area and tighter at the bottom. Oversized sweaters were often paired with skirts, pants or rather tight leggings.
- If you have an oversized sweatshirt, cutting the neckline to leave one shoulder uncovered immediately gives it an eighties look. Underneath, wear a sports top or bra, preferably a bright color.
- If you don't have oversized sweaters or tight pants, try looking for them in your parents' closet (they might even have clothes that come straight from the eighties). Your little sisters probably have tight clothes that are too small for you - borrow them to create the look.
Step 2. Find or make shoulder pads yourself
They were definitely inevitable in the women's wardrobe. The bigger they are, the better. If you don't have a shirt with straps, try making some cushions and tucking them into it.
Step 3. Mix and match colors
Many 80s fashionistas preferred bold and flamboyant combinations. Phosphorescent shades were particularly in vogue.
- Match the shirt and pants and add a contrasting touch. For example, combine a pair of trousers and an electric blue shirt; enrich the look with a bright canary yellow or pink belt or earrings.
- Contrast the bright colors. If you can't match the outfit, you can always mix different bright colors together. Try to mix three or four bold but different colors.
- Showy socks can be worn with a miniskirt and enriched with leg warmers of a different color.
Step 4. Try an eighties punk look
An alternative is to create a punk-style outfit. In that case, you should mostly use black and denim.
- Wear at least two different types of denim. Usually, men paired trousers and denim jackets. The women wore mini skirts and denim jackets. Under the jacket, both men and women wore a fitted shirt.
- Combine denim and lace. A classic 80s look: lace top paired with acid-washed jeans or a denim mini skirt. The contrast between radically different materials is a key factor in the styles of this decade.
Step 5. Wear sports clothing
Sportswear was equally popular in the 1980s. In particular, the combinations of the suits were much more rigid than those of today.
- Loose sweatpants with a matching sweatshirt and paired with a pair of sneakers for a perfect eighties-style look. It would be better to focus on suits of velvet or a similar fabric, even if it is difficult to find them.
- For sportswear, you can also try an iconic 1980s feminine pairing: bodysuits, socks and leg warmers. If possible, each garment should be an eccentric color and contrast with the others.
Part 4 of 4: Adding Accessories
Step 1. Cut the fingers of the gloves
Fingerless gloves were quite popular, especially for punk looks, made of denim and lace. Lace gloves are ideal, but any fabric will do.
Step 2. Wear chunky earrings
The pairs you wear don't have to be matched. Choosing two earrings of different sizes was quite popular with both men and women. If they are color-coordinated or in contrast with the outfit, even better! If you do not find colored or feathered earrings, those with a golden circle are fine.
Step 3. Buy chunky necklaces
Layering different types of flashy necklaces helps you achieve an eighties-style punk look. Chunky chains or beads were common, and it was also common to add a crucifix. The more necklaces you wear, the better. You could also create layers with various types of bangles and double bracelets of contrasting metals.
Step 4. Wear chunky sunglasses
Plastic and oversized frames were very popular at the time, even indoors or in the evening. Children's sunglasses with flashy temples are very similar to those in vogue in the 1980s, and they are inexpensive. Gold frames were equally popular, and can often be found in party supply stores.
Step 5. Do Eighties-style makeup
The classic make-up of the decade includes dark lipsticks (for punk women and men) and very flashy eyeshadows. The eyeshadow can be applied all over the mobile eyelid, up to the browbone. Some celebrities of the time experimented with multiple colors at a time, creating two or three color blocks.
Step 6. Bring a terry hair band
Choose a wide one (better if you have a mullet cut): it's immediately the eighties. This accessory is ideal with the gym outfits of the era: combine it with a coordinated velvet suit or a combination of body / stockings / leg warmers.
Advice
- If you are missing a piece to make the costume, try replacing it with something similar. For example, if you don't have leg warmers, you can use knee-high socks.
- The eighties look must be excessive. The point of going to a themed party is to have fun and be extravagant.
