80s outfit help!!

[MsMarvel]

Going to an 80s themed party next weekend, and have been shopping today to try and find something.

I don't want to look too 'costume-y' and want to look nice, but still be in keeping with the theme.

I'm really struggling! I'm blaming not being alive in the 80s...

I have bought a black and white polka dot top, which I can wear with high waisted wide leg white trousers that I already own. I have got bright red heels and massive red hoop earrings.

But I have no idea if this is actually 80s??

Yes, scrunch dried hair with a scarf tying it back, like Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan.

Of course, this will only work if you have long hair!

I don't think I ever wore wide leg trousers in the 80s.

The problem with saying 80s theme is fashions change a lot over a ten year period, so you need to narrow it down. Two pieces of clothing can both be 80s style but may never have been put together IYSWIM.

Possibly roll up the ends of the trousers?

My thoughts (warning-this may be too US-y for you)
*Brightly-colored leg warmers on top of jeans
*Sweatshirt with the neck cut out
*Polo shirt with the collar "popped" (flipped up) with an unbuttoned oxford shirt worn on top
*Big-ass hair

Shoulder pads!

Hair. Mahoooooosive amounts thereof. Preferrably curled.

Also, I second the Madonna suggestion. Most of what she wore back then could still be reasonably stylish.

Curly crunchy with hairspray hair with big bow in it
Lots of coloured plastic beads as necklaces
Blue mascara and eye shadow
Twilight Teaser lipstick.
A spritz of Impulse and you're good to go.

Sigh... takes me back, good times.

Buy some skinny jeans in a charity shop and 'stone wash' them with bleach.
Blow dry your hair upside down and scrunch dry it with mousse. If you look like an electrocuted poodle you're onto a winner.
Your only eyemake up colour is blue. No other colours exist.
Stilettos or kitten heels are good.

White Lacey fingerless gloves too will complete your outfit 👍

I'm planning on crimping my hair, putting it into a high or side ponytail, with a scrunchie. Also looking for some bright makeup, although had a look today and struggled to find anywhere that has coloured mascara.

Are the white trousers a complete no then? Really struggled to find anything that I like today :(

You didn't see wide leg trousers in the eighties. The two shapes were skinnies and peg (latter could be rolled up)

What shape is the polka dot top?

"Your only eyemake up colour is blue. No other colours exist"

That's 70s.....

But you do need a really bright fuchsia (blue toned strong) pink lipstick, heavily contoured eyes (iridescent highlights)

Does this look 80s?

But imagine with the side ponytail a lot bigger, bright makeup? Can't see from the photo but I also have massive big red hoop earrings on as well.

No
Nobody showed their midriff and nobody wore those shaped trousers
You need skinny legs or cigar shaped

I thought pointy stilettoes were 80s?? I'm going to give up and just dress normally haha

Oh and our trousers never made it down to our ankles 😀

Can you roll the trousers over strong elastic bands until they are just below knee length? They really aren't an 80s shape like that, sorry.

For typical trouser shapes, think Bananarama, or Kylie in her Charlene the garage mechanic days. Or I'd younwant a looser leg, then you need a higher waist and fullness/pleats immediately under the waistband (most trousers/jeans had high waists, and and midriff showing typically came from short tops showing flesh above narrowest point of waist)

"Oh and our trousers never made it down to our ankles"

They did if you wore skinny jeans - or drainpipes as we called them - which could be worn with red, fuchsia, electric blue, black or white stilettos, or pointy toe flats with bows on the front.

Black leggings.

Pointy black shoes

Ballet tu tu under skirt.

Loads of cheap pearls and a gaudy jacket with shoulder pads.

Wide leg trousers come on at the end of the 80s, (89-90) with permed, crisply scrunched, triangular shaped shortish hair, with a big curly still fringe; a silky blouse, penny loafers and little round sunglasses. It's not a classic 89s look though (too late in the era).

You need to choose an 80s era look you like.

There is: desperately seeking Susan look, punk rock meets Bananarama

The 59s revival with mini circle skirts, crop tops, beads and bangles

The pencil mini skirt and tucker boot look with early 80s flicked hair and frosted pink lipstick

Day-glo 80s

Stonewash denim skinny jeans and pointed white stilettos with a white blazer and a lot of gold jewellery

The baggy bananarama look - baggy trousers, braces, crop tops underneath

You could get a choose life white slogan t shirt like "wake me up before you go-go" vid

There's also the keep fit look with shiny Lycra leggings, leotard, headband, ankle warmers

So many looks! Pick one and build your look around it!

Msmarvel - that does not look 80s, maybe a watered down version of 1989 office worker dressing from the new trendy store that was Next

I'd be going Bananarama. Cropped denim jacket, rara skirt, fishnet tights, Tshirt/vest with band logo on, loads of bangles, beads, massive hoop earrings, crimped high ponytail and blue eyeshadow.

Crimped hair went with the 50s revival - beads, mini circle Skirt, leggings, pointed shoes and lots of tragic makeup

It was either black-based clothing like desperately Susan in which case a tutu would work best, or all white and day-glo/strong primary colours. White leggings, electric blue shoes, white circle skirt, neon pink shell top or vest top, loadsa beads, crimped hair styled to the side! a side ponytail would do it, or those plastic hair combs - sweep all your curly crispy or crimped hair to one side and out plastic combs in to hold in place.

Reference the friend of the main girl in Working Girl for makeup inspiration rainbow coloured eyeshadow etc. Huge stripes of blusher not even pretending to be blended in.

You could go for the Princess Diana/Sloane Ranger look. Pearls, short flicked hair, high neck collar bloudr or rugby shirt with collar turned up, gathered skirt.