80s clothing
July 19, 2009 5:30 PM   Subscribe

80s party costume suggestions

Just like vegetableagony I’ve been invited to an 80s party. It’s my other half’s 40th so I’m going to have to look the part. My ideas thus far are Robert Smith from The Cure, an 80s rapper or full Top Gun flight-suit but before I hit the charity shops, I wondered if AskMe had any inspired suggestions.
posted by dmt to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (30 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Cyndi Lauper.
posted by fire&wings at 5:36 PM on July 19, 2009


Ru Paul.

The Noid.

Pac Man.

Mr. T.

A California Raisin.

Rubik's Cube.

Madonna a la "Lucky Star".

Crockett.

Tubbs.

Marty McFly.

George McFly.

Doc Brown.
posted by Flunkie at 5:46 PM on July 19, 2009


Whoops - Ru Paul hit the big time in '93. Never mind.
posted by Flunkie at 5:49 PM on July 19, 2009


Boy George
posted by YoBananaBoy at 5:53 PM on July 19, 2009


New Romantic ('a la Adam Ant, Duran Duran, et. al.)
posted by contessa at 5:55 PM on July 19, 2009


80s era Andre Agassi?

Someone has to do it.
posted by The Deej at 5:56 PM on July 19, 2009


80s era Andre Agassi brings to mind: 80s era David Lee Roth.

never expected to say that
posted by Flunkie at 5:58 PM on July 19, 2009


Just say, "no"

The pencil-drawn guy from the Ah-ha video

Pac-Man

Gorbachev
posted by B-squared at 6:04 PM on July 19, 2009


Gordon Gekko.

Boy George.

Ronald Reagan.

Margaret Thatcher.

80's era Sting.

80's era Bono.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:12 PM on July 19, 2009


80s era Andre Agassi brings to mind:

John McEnroe.

Also from the sports world, if you can find a way to do it without being tasteless, Terry Fox.

There's also Punky Breswter, any of the Cosbys, and of the Keatons from Family Ties, Vickie from Small Wonder (look it up if you don't know what I mean, I dare you). the Bangles, the Smurfs, the boys from Miami Vice, and I'll probably think of more later.
posted by orange swan at 6:24 PM on July 19, 2009


Vanilla Ice.
posted by Flunkie at 6:28 PM on July 19, 2009


Ferris Bueller -- though Cameron's Gordie Howe jersey would probably be easier to source, and harder for people to place.

I did halloween as Martin Degville once. It's kind of an '80s version of Diane Keaton's "Annie Hall" look: find a closet, wear everything in it. The tricky part is finding the right closet.

If you've got a willing partner, Dieter and Boris from Yello is a pretty classy look with opportunities for extreme goofiness.
posted by Lazlo at 6:32 PM on July 19, 2009


Dress like it's the 1780s (e.g., John Adams). Nobody said it had to be the 1980s, right? A friend of mine did this at a party I went to 15 years ago and it was a hoot.
posted by scblackman at 6:39 PM on July 19, 2009 [4 favorites]


Go as Bell Biv DeVoe from this video. the guy with the BUM equipment tank top and white gloves takes the cake. It's 1990 technically but the outfits are a time warp.
posted by benzenedream at 6:45 PM on July 19, 2009


Previously, more than once
posted by rhizome at 6:47 PM on July 19, 2009


the guy with the BUM equipment tank top and white gloves takes the cake

And if you go as that guy, make sure you stuff your crotch as he seems to have done.
posted by orange swan at 6:53 PM on July 19, 2009


You and your significant other could dress as Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
posted by iviken at 7:34 PM on July 19, 2009


I went to an 80s party dressed as a "Heather" once. Bright blue blazer with the sleeves rolled, matching heels, and tapered/zippered jeans from the Salvation Army. Add a few bangles, tease your hair, and you're done.
posted by brina at 7:53 PM on July 19, 2009


Oh. Except you're a guy. Sorry about that; nevermind.
posted by brina at 7:54 PM on July 19, 2009


Sorry brother - having been through this, I can say that 80's is easy for women, much harder for men.

Suggestions:
Run DMC

Kirk Cameron (look at pics #1 and #2)

Michael Jackson

Also check out Google images for:
flock of seagulls
kevin bacon footloose
huey lewis and the news
posted by ctmf at 8:31 PM on July 19, 2009


Everyone else will do the Miami Vice thing. Do/Don't do that as you feel necessary.
posted by ctmf at 8:32 PM on July 19, 2009


Also, rent The Wedding Singer for ideas. It's a fairly accurate 80s parody.
posted by ctmf at 8:35 PM on July 19, 2009


Wear some snug white pants an a Choose Life t-shirt.
posted by vespabelle at 8:58 PM on July 19, 2009


Max Headroom.
posted by BiffSlamkovich at 9:10 PM on July 19, 2009


Knit pullover alligator shirt with a popped collar, Levi's tucked into unlaced yellow work boots. That's how the 'jocks' at my high school dressed, also carry a few school books in a pillowcase over your shoulder.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 10:13 PM on July 19, 2009


One word my friend.

Oates.
posted by markjamesmurphy at 11:47 PM on July 19, 2009 [1 favorite]


And if you go as that guy, make sure you stuff your crotch as he seems to have done.

The kneepads may have some functional significance.
posted by benzenedream at 12:13 AM on July 20, 2009


MC Hammer. My brother did that last year - a skinny, white MC Hammer. It was awesome, and people on the streets recognized the costume and took pictures. I went as Annie Lennox/David Bowie, which is basically the same costume.
posted by 8dot3 at 6:20 AM on July 20, 2009


Prince!
posted by kryptondog at 7:49 AM on July 20, 2009


For the 80's party I went to I went dressed as Tom Cruise from Risky Business. Two main options for that: 1 or b both of which are pretty easy and recognizable.

I'll look through the photos of the massive 80's party I went to and see if I can remember any other really good ideas.
posted by vegetableagony at 10:17 PM on July 29, 2009


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