1980's party outfit HELP

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

Inna couple of weeks I am going to a friends 40th birthday

I need to dress up I don't know what to wear. I hate 80's clothes
I am size 18 and fat birds in the 80's wore sacks
help me please

You could go all Dynasty if you don't fancy the more pop looks.

Glam satin dress with giant shoulder pads

I was going to say glam power dressing is the way to go! Don't dress like you are a teenager in the 80s, wear something that someone of your age would wear to a party in the 80s IYSWIM.

you know you want to

something like this?

bit more reasonably priced

another cheap one - put it with a fake fur if you can track one down and some cheap bling...

Strangely I have been googling Linda Carrington as I share her broad shoulders - which look ridiculous in shoulder pads imo.

All good suggestions - Thank you Mary Westmacott I wouldn't mind going for sophisticated older woman if it was a 50/60/70's party but the 80's? I just feel depressed and revolted by the fashions of the time - I hated 80's clothes when I was a child in the 80's and have not changed my mind. It puts me in mind of Diana and Fergie (who I have been told I look like ugh!) and I just cannot get enthusiastic about that... wish I could as it would be better than going mutton which I am in danger of if I go down the early '80's Madonna route. i will not be wearing neon though!

I have a long black slightly sheer fitted stretchy crepe dress from sisley that I have owned for over a decade - if I pair that with cropped black leggings, fish nets (twenties style mesh), DM's and lots of bangles/ crimped hair etc. I could probably look ok (I will cut off a few inches from the dress and pair it with a wide belt). Understated Madonna - esque and no shoulder pads

Thank you - again all the suggestions have been amazing and helped me sort my head out about this party that I have been dreading a bit though it is meant to be fun! Cheers!!

oh btw MrsFionaCharming the dress is from Get Cutie

What about Boy George?

You could have great fun with the hair and make-up!

Clothing-wise, you could either go for something outrageous or just stick to the simple black or white (black waistcoat or jacket over baggy white t-shirt, long floaty white tunic etc)

Oh God, my teenage years reduced to fancy dress fodder

Hair crimpers, big baggy pirate shirt, Dms, holey fishnets and lashings of eyeliner! Fishnet gloves obvs..

If you are really bored right now help me choose between these options!

I did a Sloane Ranger look - v easy to do and quite flattering

Any good?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Frankie-Says-Relax-T-Shirt-NEW-Unwanted-Gift-Size-Medium-40-chest-/121584366337?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c4efe3301

Or a Frankie Goes to Hollywood tee in lots of colours, the hot pink is good:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRANKIE-SAYS-COME-80s-music-NEW-Men-Women-T-SHIRTS-TOP-size-8-10-12-s-m-l-xl-xxL/231118285499?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D29316%26meid%3Df69ae5f5f92146f99e653678eda266cb%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D321683580510&rt=nc

OR one of these!!
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ladies-Pink-I-Love-The-80s-Sexy-Retro-Pop-Star-T-Shirt-Top-Fancy-Dress-Costume-/130997961996?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item1e8016450c
or if it's indoors and you don't mind sleeveless, this:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/I-LOVE-THE-80s-Ladies-Vest-Free-Bracelets-Outfit-Fancy-Dress-Costume-Neon-/121477749010?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item1c48a35912

Wear it with a tight black mini, tights (leggings) that reach three quarters to a few inches above your ankle, neon heels, bad makeup with an emphasis on bright colours that preferably clash, loads of neon bangles, neon nail polish, maybe crimp your hair,
lace mittens like this:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lady-Women-Goth-Party-Sexy-Dressy-Lace-Gloves-Mittens-Fingerless-Style-RED-/151604886740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item234c5afcd4

I JUST FOUND THIS FULL OUTFIT!
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/I-LOVE-THE-80s-Ladies-Outfit-Fancy-Dress-Costume-Neon-Vest-Tutu-Gloves-Set-/371257749546?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item5670afb02a

If you have an old Walkman, wear the headphones around your neck and clip the player to your skirt :) Or if you don't mind spending a few bob, this:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KASSETTE-Halskette-Kette-Tape-Mixtape-Oldschool-Necklace-Gold-80s-80er-Walkman-/200916697233?pt=DE_Uhren_Schmuck_Modeschmuck&hash=item2ec7918091

Finish with a spritz of Ysatis or another 80s fragrance, Impulse Temptation is still around, I think, and loads of girls I knew wore that in the 80s!

Adopt a cool attitude and carry off with typical 80s aplomb and style!

:)

Awwww...come on! You have to embrace neon! :)

I agree that anyone over 30 looked elderly in the 80s...the fashions for women were atrocious... If however, you were under 25 or so, the fashion was a lot of fun :)

I would just go for it!

Black trousers that go in at the ankle, rolled up, large white,over shirt with a long black cardigan over it, pointy flat shoes or brothel creepers. Very pale face, black( ish?) lipstick, castellated eyebrows, and massive backcombed hair that is ala Robert Smith, or gelled at the sides and back combed up everywhere else. A can of Elnet and you'll be fine. A pair of men's braces hanging down from your trou and oh oh the 80's touch, a brooch at the neck of your buttoned up shirt. Check out the charity shop for 80s tat ( gems).

Nice jugs!

so excited to be the first to say it

Wow Leo - those links are great thank you - I have had a look for inspiration in my own wardrobe - I have found two possibilities... both in need of 80's accessorising natch but they could work - I hope

QOD - congrats!

I am also amazed no one made that comment before! fnarr fnarr etc.

the cropped leggings have lace trim and I have fine fishnets underneath. I was thinking converse footwear as stilettos do nowt for my size 8 plates of meat. I may consider neon socks and tons of bracelets/ beads/ crucifix/ cropped suit jacket and crimped hair to add to the look. ott much.

I like the floral dress! That would work. Why don't you get those neon lace gloves I linked you to, they were pretty cheap and would add the finishing touch! :) I think black pumps could work, the neon socks sound great or you could skip the socks and puts some hot pink or lime laces in your pumps, and the neon bangles! Something like this in your hair would be good too:
wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/starcrush.com/files/2013/06/Madonna-by-Orion-.jpg
www.glamour.com/images/fashion/2014/08/madonna-80s-outfit-bangles-w724.jpg

Video:

or for big hair: Video on 80s makeup:

You should be able to get good cheap makeup from Barry M or Collection 2000 :)

Have fun!

Ace thank you Leo ?? I will make use of your links I will look 80's this weekend. Now I just have to deal with the party coinciding with first day of period. Arse.

YW! :)
I think it's always better to throw yourself into these things and look fabulous! :) Hope the period doesn't get in the way too much, make sure you have something substantial to eat and maybe take a Feminax or two... I'm beginning to sound like my mother!
Have fun... We'd love to see pics!

Speaking of the 80s, this hairstyle still makes me laugh:
bestofthe80s.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/flock.jpg
They were great, though!

Flock of seagulls?

I still recall the time a couple of wasps attacked my hair at a bus stop ... I had used at least one can? of ellnett on my head and my fringe was defying gravity the French plait stayed in place though... I was about 13 so it was 1987. Good times

Ha ha! I remembering getting told off in school for spraying about half a bottle of fake Poison on myself... The class I sprayed it in stank for about 3 days!
Elnett? You must have been posh! I used this:
img.dooyoo.co.uk/GB_EN/315/fashion-beauty/hair-care/insette-extra-hold-hairspray.jpg
Insette!The most toxic thing known to humankind! I remember spending ages on my fringe, blowing, backcombing, spraying! I used to use about a quarter of a can on my fringe alone every day; my fringe was rock hard! I swear, if anyone had tried to headbutt me (not unknown in my school! Ha ha!) they'd have come off much worse than me...unless we were both using Insette...then it could lead to permanent brain injuries for both parties!
I hope they'll be playing 80s music at this party and you've been practising your 80s moves!
Have a good time! :)

I must start an 80s thread! I just remembered getting back from the hairdresser's after a perm to make me look like Carol Decker (T'Pau) aged about 14 and sobbing because it was a mess! After pissing about with it for an hour or two with one of these:
tesco.scene7.com/is/image/tesco/215-3199_PI_TPS1511332?wid=493&ht=538
I gave in and did what we did before there was hair straighteners...got the iron board, an iron and a brown bag out and ironed my head!
Life was much more fun then!