There’s a great choice in 80’s fancy dress costumes; Charlie’s Angels, sexy pop stars, punk, rock or soap stars. If you’re looking for fancy dress ideas for an 80’s costume, check out some of our tips.
Ladies 80’s fancy dress
Trousers and top –Charlie’s Angels started this look in the 70’s, and it was carried through to the early 80’s. Wear a pair of high waisted trousers and a soft knitted sweater with high heeled shoes, and team with a set of pearl earrings and necklace. You can buy new, high waisted trousers, or have a look at charity shops for the real 80’s clothes. It’s getting popular to search for retro clothing in the charity shops, so ask what day they put the new stock out on display, so you’ll have a good chance of finding something suitable.
Knitwear should be soft and fitted. Wear it over the top of your trousers, so that it just sits on your waistband. Someone in your family should have some pearls you can borrow, or buy some cheap beads to finish off your costume.
Sexy pop star fancy dress - Wear a black short skirt, teamed with a lacey black corset to create a sexy pop star look. Leather or shiny fabric works well, in black, white or gold. Madonna was a great influence on the eighties fashion with her ‘Material girl’, so you can mix and match harsh fabrics with soft laces and satins. Wear a pair of black fishnet tights and black high heeled shoes, or knee high boots. Wear your hair long and loose, or tied up in a pony tail.
Men’s 80’s fancy dress
Punk costume – Team a black leather jacket and a white T shirt, with black leather or tartan trousers, for an 80’s punk costume. If you haven’t got any leather trousers, wear plain black straight leg trousers. You can rip the pockets and attach a few safety pins to the outside leg.
T shirts can be white or black, and have slogans on the front and back. Make your own slogan T-shirt by writing on an old white t-shirt with a black marker pen.
Some slogans from the Sex Pistols, you can use are:
- No Future
- Pretty Vacant
- Anarchy in the UK
- God Save the Queen
Finish the costume off with a pair of black boots, a Mohawk wig and wear some heavy chain jewellery or wristbands.
Home made wristband - You can make a wristband by cutting a long strip of black fabric, from an old shirt. Cut it to the length of your wrist, plus enough for the overlap. Fray the edges and use different sizes of safety pins to decorate the wristband, or one giant safety pin. Pin into place with a couple more safety pins. Alternatively, make a white wristband out of an old cotton handkerchief. Write some slogans on the handkerchief with a black marker pen, and pin into place with safety pins. You can fray the edges or leave them neat, whichever you prefer.
