Help me think of a (female) costume for a 1986 theme party

October 15, 2011 11:18 AM

I'm attending a friend's birthday party who was born in 1986, hence the party's theme. I'm female, but I've only been able to think of a lot of male costumes that don't get me anywhere (karate kid, tom cruise in top gun, etc). The costume has to be someone/something specific from that year. Help me think of a female costume (preferably quickly since the party is .. tonight)!
posted by madscientist01 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (26 answers total)

Best answer: Sigourney Weaver from Aliens.
posted by roofus at 11:20 AM on October 15, 2011 [5 favorites]

Cyndi Lauper? True Colors came out in 1986.
posted by jabes at 11:21 AM on October 15, 2011

Molly Ringwald from Pretty in Pink.
posted by brujita at 11:27 AM on October 15, 2011 [1 favorite]

TONS of other music ideas from 1986. Whitney, Dionne, Madonna, a "West End Girl" - whatever that entails... Top movies of 1986 doesn't give too many good ideas, maybe one of the girls in Ferris Bueller's Day Off?
posted by jabes at 11:27 AM on October 15, 2011

Imelda Marcos. Newly renovated Statue of Liberty. Fawn Hall.
posted by Scoo at 11:35 AM on October 15, 2011

Ha! Just coming in to say Imelda Marcos. You could tie shoes together and trail them behind you.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 11:36 AM on October 15, 2011

there might not be enough time to get the Molly Ringwald Pretty in Pink costume together-- but I second Brujita's suggestion.

Other ideas:
Kelly McGillis in Top Gun...
find a friend and go as Wham!
...a few more and dress as Duran Duran...

here are other pop culture markers that might help you.
posted by calgirl at 11:36 AM on October 15, 2011

Hailey's Comet.
posted by jeb at 11:36 AM on October 15, 2011 [6 favorites]

The Designing Women show was circa 1986. But I think you'd need a group.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 11:39 AM on October 15, 2011

Sue Charlton, from Crocodile Dundee - all you'd need is a black bodysuit, khaki shorts, and non-digital camera on a strap.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:40 AM on October 15, 2011

Julia Sugarbaker from Designing Women. It premiered in 1986. Plus it would be awesome to rant at everyone all night.
posted by ephemerista at 11:40 AM on October 15, 2011 [1 favorite]

If there were a way to get her golden junk together in one afternoon I would say She-Ra, but given the time constraints: Dorothy from the Golden Girls. All you need is a caftan and a wig.
posted by Adventurer at 11:42 AM on October 15, 2011

The Duchess of Windsor's corpse.
posted by brujita at 11:46 AM on October 15, 2011

Um, it's a tiny bit before 1986, but you could do some leg warmers and a headband a la FlashDance.
posted by Mooski at 11:46 AM on October 15, 2011 [1 favorite]

Got a jumpsuit? Kelly Preston or Kate Capshaw in Spacecamp.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:47 AM on October 15, 2011

Madonna was HUGE in 1986 - short blond hair, bright red lips, dark eyebrows, mole, lots of junk jewelry.
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 11:58 AM on October 15, 2011

Jem
posted by inigo2 at 11:59 AM on October 15, 2011 [1 favorite]

Donna Rice. Rig up a lifebuoy that reads "Monkey Business."
posted by jgirl at 12:06 PM on October 15, 2011

Annie Lennox
Kerri Green or Martha Plimpton from The Goonies.
The B-52s
posted by Sys Rq at 12:12 PM on October 15, 2011

If you go for a Spacecamp or Ripley reference, you run the risk of being mistaken for Christa McAuliffe. While not inherently a bad thing, could be a bummer.

Find a red skirt and jacket, and a DARE sticker, Nancy Reagan.

I was going to say be Freddie Mercury from Live Aid (totally reasonable for a woman imho) but that was in '85.

Hands Across America was in 86. Lindsay Lohan wan born in 86, too. There must be a joke in there some where.
posted by ApathyGirl at 12:27 PM on October 15, 2011

The Legend of Zelda video game debuted in 1986.
posted by ljesse at 12:50 PM on October 15, 2011

Response by poster: I really like the Sigourney Weaver idea... I guess this is the iconic outfit from Aliens (not Alien - 1979)? Anyone know what she is wearing on her back (assuming those are not suspenders)?
posted by madscientist01 at 1:13 PM on October 15, 2011

Oprah premiered in 1986. Can't go wrong with Oprah.
posted by bolognius maximus at 2:21 PM on October 15, 2011

The Bangles "Walk Like an Egyptian" came out in "86". A Halloween store would probably have what you need for a costume. You could make everyone dance to the song if you wanted to be campy.
The GoGos were also big back then. I think Madonna or Cyndi Lauper would be the most easily recognizable though.
posted by stray thoughts at 2:26 PM on October 15, 2011

The original Alanis Morrissette, from when she was just Alanis.
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 3:22 PM on October 15, 2011

> Anyone know what she is wearing on her back (assuming those are not suspenders)?

Here's a view from behind. It doesn't look like much: suspenders and/or ammunition belt?
posted by hot soup girl at 2:43 AM on October 16, 2011