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Original poster

People of S&B, I need your help on 80s style!

48 replies

BadDoGooder · 30/04/2016 19:43

I would never normally frequent this board, I have no style (except my own!) or beauty!! Grin I'm sort of embarrassed to be posting here tbh. Blush
But......
I have been invited to the birthday party of a vv dear friend of mine. For various reasons we haven't spent any time together really for about 4 years, and I am incredibly excited about being able to go.
It's an 80s night at a club, and I really want to get into the swing of things and join in with the dressing up, but I have several things I can't get my head around.
1)I would like to go 80s, but still keep elements of my own style, which is crusty/punk/hippy.
2)I can't do anything with my hair, I have nearly skinhead type sides and dreadlocks in the middle, so it is totally un-stylable.
3) I have a limited budget
4) I only have a week!

So not to drip feed, I have looked online, but all I can find is full on Cyndi Lauper type looks, and that is really not going to work!

Any ideas?
Was thinking New Romantic look, but everything I have found that would work is so expensive!

Please help me find a look/anything that would work.
I wouldn't normally care this much, but everyone else will be v dressed up for the theme, and she's such a good mate, I really want to join in, but not lose "me" IYSWIM? Blush

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
member · 30/04/2016 21:06

Mrs Lettuce is right that there was a lot of bagginess/layers around & the hair & make up is more important than individual clothing items

Cocolepew · 30/04/2016 21:10
Grin
LucyLocketLostHerPocket · 30/04/2016 21:11

What about the lead singer of Bow Wow Wow? Very 1980s and if I remember right she had skin head sides and dreadlocks hair too.

AllPowerfulLizardPerson · 30/04/2016 21:17

Bow Wow Wow lead singer was Annabella Lwin, and she was my first thought too.

Original poster
BadDoGooder · 30/04/2016 21:20

Make up is easy, what I don't have I can borrow, and I am confident about doing massive 80s eye make up, so that's sorted. I love dramatic eye make up!

Hair, I might do the Boy George bandana/hat thing, there's already shiny things/beads/ribbons in my hair Grin
Or DP just suggested getting a wig, but the fancy dress ones always look a bit naff imo.

Army boots....check.
Leather biker jacket....check.
Just looked at my black dress and it seems to have developed a bleach mark ffs!

OP posts:
MrsLettuce · 30/04/2016 21:22

a bleach mark as a problem for a goth. Fnar. Grin

colour it in with sharpie if it bothers you

MrsLettuce · 30/04/2016 21:25

you could also do maybe something with wrapping (some of?) your dreads in wool /ribbon / lace / combination of.

Original poster
BadDoGooder · 30/04/2016 21:26

Oh.My.God.
I have made it to 31 without being aware of Annabella Lwin or Bow Wow Wow, except in passing Shock
I'm not a huge fan of New Wave, admittedly, but bloody fucking hell......
She looks like me!! I think I might be v belatedly in love!!

This is nearly my exact hair!! Grin

Everydays a school day on MN

OP posts:
Original poster
BadDoGooder · 30/04/2016 21:27

Ooops, meant to add pic....this is nearly my hair!!

People of S&B, I need your help on 80s style!
OP posts:
Original poster
BadDoGooder · 30/04/2016 21:29

Mrs in my defense, it's on the front of the skirt, its huge, and it looks like I tried to bleach out a period stain! Grin
Fuck knows where it came from!

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 30/04/2016 21:35

As a teenager in the 80s I was Grin at 80s and style in the same sentence - IMO it was the best era.

I would do the Human League look myself (the dark haired girl not Phil Oakey)
But the trashy Madonna look (lace, beads,crucifixes, lace lights and messy hair, those bloody awful rubber bangles, lace gloves) is cheap and easy.

80s make up is bold- enjoy Smile

MrsLettuce · 30/04/2016 21:35

oh, alright then. You're excusedGrin. You'll have other stuff that'll work?

MrsLettuce · 30/04/2016 21:39

Is it this sort of dress? Just in case it's a suitable replacement.

Original poster
BadDoGooder · 30/04/2016 21:41

Actually since I gave up goth and decided I liked colours/harem pants (even if they are mainly green and brown!) I haven't bought another black dress/skirt. That was my last black thing!

I suspect a night of solid ebaying is in order!

OP posts:
MrsLettuce · 30/04/2016 21:41

(or this one if you don't mind the back. probably better quality)

MrsLettuce · 30/04/2016 21:43

x post. Do have fun!

Original poster
BadDoGooder · 30/04/2016 22:15

Mrs those are both v similar to the dress I have just ruined somehow

I will indeed have fun! Grin This night out has been a long time coming, and I'm looking forward to making it special.

Have appreciated all ideas so far, you guys have really given me some good ideas.
If I think I pulled it off, I shall come back and post some photos!

If you come up with more ideas in the meantime, please do share, this thread has been incredibly helpful.

To make it clear, I normally couldn't give a tiny shite about what people think/ what I wear, I usually wear mens clothes! But to me, this is a special occasion, and I really want to make it fun/get into the spirit of it, and sorting out a decent outfit is a huge part of it! Smile

OP posts:
ShmooBooMoo · 01/05/2016 00:21

I know you're female but I would go as Boy George... Make some material-type dreads out of rags and colourful ribbons, glue into a hat at the sides, and bring your own dreads over at the front like this:

static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Media/Pix/pictures/2010/2/5/1265373070187/Boy-George-1982-001.jpg

You could do his dramatic, distinctive makeup...

cdni.condenast.co.uk/592x888/a_c/boy-george_glamour_1jul13_rex_b_592x888.jpg

Oufit ideas (basically a load of eclectic crap thrown together):

rokpool.com/files/artist/boy-g2.jpg?1365380546

www.sueclowes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Culture-Club-3.jpg

i.ytimg.com/vi/99eKUENRHoI/hqdefault.jpg (usually a long white top with some kind of print, leggings, Doc Martins, colourful pushed down socks, fingerless gloves etc

Not sure what your budget is but:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pop-Star-Boy-George-Mens-Costume-1980s-Celebrity-Adults-80s-Fancy-Dress-Outfit-/111937172883?var=&hash=item1a0ff9b593:m:mXscn9W6emsRNVZLDyr-hCA

Watch some old youtube vis of Culte Club eg karma Chameleon, Do you really want to hurt me?

Smile
ShmooBooMoo · 01/05/2016 00:22

That should read 'vids of Culture Club', sorry!

ShmooBooMoo · 01/05/2016 00:30

I only just saw you already mentioned Boy George Smile That fancy dress link I sent was pretty good for fancy dress, but you could probably replicate it yourself. Hit the charity shops (good for hats) and try places like Primark for those long sleeveless jackets around right now...you should get one in black pretty cheaply.

AlwaysBeYourself · 01/05/2016 02:45

Look at the video for Stay with me by Shakespears Sister. Gothy look there.

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