80s new romantic fashion??

[MrsFionaCharming]

Very short notice, but I’m going to an event on Saturday where I need to dress to a ‘new romantic’ theme.

Does anyone remember that fashion period? What did you wear? And how can I replicate it in a very short space of time?

Velvet.
Peddle pushers-below knee length trousers in velvet.
white blouses with frills of lace spilling down the front, failing that a pie crust collar.
Waistcoats.
Thin black ribbon round neck.

Think pirate or highwayman.

Tight black jeans, black leather boots, sew some lace to the cuffs of an oversized shirt, colourful waistcoat, spray starch in your hair, glossy lips, big eye make-up.
(Three diagonal stripes across your cheeks if you want to go full on Adam!)

If you’ve got a kimono dressing gown wear that!

Or a massive t shirt made into a dress with a scarf at the waist for a sash. Cut the neck of the t shirt into a boatneck and wear it off the shoulder. Get some Fancy tights with lace or spots. Court shoes.

New Romantics was post punk and Blitz Kid all the way to Duran. A blot to choose from. you could probably wear black harem or any dark trousers and a blue and white striped top and get the look.

Thank you, these are great! Though sadly I own none of the things suggested.

early Madonna. Crucifixes and pearls, lace. Back combed hair with a black bow innit.
Greenham common protestor. Grungy jeans, tie dye t-shirts, anti nuclear slogans.
Yuppie. Power dressed jacket with shoulder pads and a pencil skirt. High heels and a matching clutch bag. Alice band in your hair.

Go to New Look. I went in there today with my 14yo DD and all the fashions are back with a vengeance, frilly blouses, leather trousers, pearls. They’re all there.

Boohoo have a ton of organza pieces (tops and dresses) on at the moment. I bought a polka dot, puffy sleeved, pussybow top earlier this week from them. GL!

Ha, I think I'm going to the same event tomorrow, and am also in the New Romantics group. I'm not doing NR exactly, but I'm doing early Madonna style with a tulle skirt, lace top and fingerless gloves, beads and a crucifix, lace in my hair, faux leather jacket etc. I got the lace gloves on eBay for under £2.50 and they posted first class, just make sure you have a UK based seller Enjoy!

There was a lot of this stuff in river island yesterday :)

I’ve had a quick look at the H&M website before going into town this evening, am I on the right lines with any of these?

The first two pictures as burgundy was an in colour. Style them up and you’ll be good to go. Have fun.

I’ve spotted a few good frilly white shirts, but what would I need on the bottom half? I’m a dress person generally, so only own one pair of blue skinny jeans, and one pair of high waisted wide leg black work trousers. Not sure either of them would work?

Like Joanne or Suzanne from the Human League? Midi dress with vibrant make up.

Amazon. Search 80s fancy dress. Loads of stuff

Watch a few episodes of Ashes to Ashes. Alex is your inspiration.

Think Boy George, Japan, Spandeau Ballet, Adam Ant, Duran Duran (all on google)

Massive hair. And lots of different colours on your eyes. The hair is essential! (Source: I was there).

One of my favourite outfit was a high necked white blouse which had a chiffon v necked insert which had a frill around it and around the wrists, blue skinny jeans, although straight legged as pre lycra. Worn with either ankle boots (cowboy boot style) or stilettoes. The one thing you need is eyeliner, lots of it and coloured mascara. If you can find it lipstick that's an unusual colour that would be great (I had yellow and green)

Hair wasn't that big compared with later in the 80s it was more curls in various (for want of a better word) designs

This is all really helpful, thank you!

I found some high waisted straight leg burgundy trousers left over from a different costume, so them plus the frilly shirt I got in primark earlier, I think I’m set clothes wise.

My mum mentioned the coloured hair, and I have some pink and blue sprays from another event, and some face paints I can use as a brightly coloured lipstick!

I wanted to do this without giving Amazon a load of money for things I’d wear once, so I’m pretty pleased to have only bought one thing, and it’s something I can wear to work afterwards!