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Original poster

80s outfit help!!

101 replies

MsMarvel · 27/08/2017 14:09

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??

OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
clary · 27/08/2017 17:18

I did Wham for a party - Choose life t shirt (eBay), net gloves, leg warmers, stonewashed jeans but need to be peg shaped. Crazy hair. The kids roared but I used to go out like that all the time!

Original poster
MsMarvel · 27/08/2017 17:20

Is there any way to style the top into an 80s look? What would I pair it with?

(I really love it, and want to wear it!)

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PuppyMonkey · 27/08/2017 17:24

I'm from the 80s Grin - as in, I was young in the 80s. I wore black leggings, DMs and ra ra skirts.
Or actually a lot of black dresses a bit like in the Robert Palmer Addicted to Love video (Blush).

If you had a jump suit you could always be Sheena Easton.

PuppyMonkey · 27/08/2017 17:28

That top isn't an 80s style at all. You'd be better with a normal top and shove some pads in to make it really square shape.

Have you got any bat wing tops - they were in again recently weren't they?

Original poster
MsMarvel · 27/08/2017 17:41

I was looking in town for a rara skirt, but other than really cheap looking ones in a costume shop, there wasn't anything at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
MsMarvel · 27/08/2017 18:04

If I rolled the trousers up a bit it would look kinda like this...? I know I'm clutching at straws here but I really love the outfit haha

80s outfit help!!
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CountFosco · 27/08/2017 18:36

I wore cropped tops in the 80s (teenager). The top could work but the trousers don't say 80s at all. My drainpipes were so tight I needed help pulling them over my ankles (less lycra back then). Add faded light blue skinnies to make it look more 80s.

DD1 had to dress in an 80s costume for school (history!), about 90% of the girls wore neon. I'd go Madonna if I was going to an 80s party, to make myself feel cool!

Original poster
MsMarvel · 27/08/2017 18:37

I have some high waisted black skinny jeans somewhere that I could maybe wear instead?

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MumBod · 27/08/2017 18:39

Go Dexy's in dungarees and a bandana?

StarHeartDiamond · 27/08/2017 18:54

mumbod - that's a great idea!

If you really want to wear the top I'd put it with high waisted skinny stonewash jeans turned up at the ankle, pointy bright stilettos, loads of beads and bangles and rainbow makeup. And the crimped hair, in a side ponytail Smile It's a bit of a mishmash but it will do the job.

StarHeartDiamond · 27/08/2017 18:55

You can't roll wide leg trousers up. Skinny jeans will go better. You can roll those up though Smile

IJustLostTheGame · 27/08/2017 19:02

On the strength of this thread I've just bought some kitten heel pixie boots and a balloon jumper.

I'm one gin away from ordering hair crimpers.

The 80s were greaties and I was too young to do it properly the first time around.

Original poster
MsMarvel · 27/08/2017 19:58

The issue with some of the trends is that I still want to look nice and dressy for an occasion. I don't really want to rock up in dungarees...

I was thinking about doing the whole Madonna look but therell be loads of other people like that. I want to be a bit different.

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Original poster
MsMarvel · 31/08/2017 21:53

Right....

I've gone back to the drawing board and bought an oversize black blazer. Rolled up sleeves etc.

If I were to buy a white t shirt m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0515937001.genericdevice.html

And some shorts
m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0508009001.genericdevice.html

Would this be 80s ?

Would tie it with bright shoes and jewelry.

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Original poster
MsMarvel · 01/09/2017 08:17

Bumping for the morning crowd!

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AuntieStella · 01/09/2017 08:48

Yes, I think that could work, provided that blazer has shoulder pads, you won't find genuine 80s huge these days, so you do need to oomph them out a bit (try pinning in the sort of pads you can find in haberdashery departments)

What are you going to wear on your feet?

Original poster
MsMarvel · 01/09/2017 09:16

I was hoping I could still wear the pointy red stilletos I bought at my last attempt at shopping, would they still work with the outfit?

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Original poster
MsMarvel · 01/09/2017 11:39

Also, what sort of hair style would go with this? I was planning on a side ponytail with lots of curls and volume, but don't know if that's the wrong 80s to go with this outfit.

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AuntieStella · 01/09/2017 11:51

Bright red stilettos sound fine, and perhaps you could find some nice bright red garish (probably plastic) earrings?

I'm not sure about the pony tail. Could you crimp your hair, or scrunch-dry the curls? Then put on either a red or a black (ideally padded, velvet) Alice band? Or if you can't find one, then red fabric twisted into a band? Could be tied round (like early Bananarama) or worn like a sweatband (feel the burn!)

Gingernaut · 01/09/2017 11:56

There are a good deal of sad looking 80s 'power suits' complete with gold brass buttons and shoulder pads in charity shops.

Add black tights, black pointy toed shoes and go for an old-fashioned wash and set at the hairdressers. Grin

Original poster
MsMarvel · 01/09/2017 12:08

I like the idea of getting a padded hairband! Will need to hunt for one somewhere. My hair is frizzy naturally curly anyway so I'll get hairspray and scrunch dry it.

I've got big hoop red and gold earrings to wear as well.

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Original poster
MsMarvel · 01/09/2017 12:31

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0509644002.genericdevice.html

I've just seen this skirt, would that work better? It would bring a nice colour clash to the outfit 😂

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CountFosco · 01/09/2017 12:51

I like the blue skirt.

If you want to be authentic your makeup needs to be right as well. Red nail polish on your fingers, matching red lipstick (and both should probably match the shoes) not much foundation, no contouring, maybe some blue mascara (no idea if you could find that these days!). Looking much more natural and flawed than you young thing probably thinks is acceptable! With the outfit you're you're thinking about I'd not crimp your hair, especially if you have naturally curly hair think more along the lines of Baby in Dirty Dancing and crunch it with some mousse and dry it with a diffuser on your hairdryer.

AuntieStella · 01/09/2017 12:51

No, I don't think it would work, the shape is wrong.

Do look out for a red bead necklace (huge beads) and/or huge fake pearls (shortish strand), plus red plastic bangles.

And either a CND or Free Nelson Mandela badge for jacket's lapel

InvisibleKittenAttack · 01/09/2017 12:53

I think the problem with half arsed attempt at doing the theme - you go all out for a theme or just decide you aren't doing it - you will look a bit silly, but then fancy dress parties are all about being a bit silly.

Go on the Oxfam website, you can filter by decade and dress size (remember you might want to size up for genuine 80s clothing), get something proper vintage (and you can probably resell later)

Or don't bother and do your clothes, hair and make up for a non-themed party.