Classical ideas for what outfits you could wear to an 80s party

Invited to an 80s fashion party and want to know what outfits you could wear to an 80s party – Then read on with more about 80s style and the perfect way to pull it off!

It’s not everyday that you’ll want to know what outfits you could wear to an 80s party. But when you get that invite for a fancy dress event, you’ll want some advice about a party costume with 80s theme. Don’t worry – We’ve got you covered!

By Alan Light (CostumesUploaded by SunOfErat) [CC BY 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons

80s costume ideas that rock!

So, you’ve finally got that invite that everyone else in your friend’s circle received – one that focuses on 80s style costumes. You had politely declined last time because you had no clue about outfits for 1980s events. Obviously – that was a mistake! Your best friend (who invited you!) never spoke with you for months after that!

Don’t worry – we won’t let you make that same mistake again! If you are looking for an 80s costume idea that’ll make you rock – then you’ve come to the right place. Read on and get inspired!

80s Green Party Dress

What outfits you could wear to an 80s party for a Party Girl

To pull this look off, you’ll need an old tank top that you might have thought about giving away. Here’s what you need to do to get your 80s fancy dress costume ready:

• Measure and cut, or stitch, your tank top just a few inches above your belly button

• If the outfit has sleeves, consider chopping them off just above the elbows

• …You’re almost done transforming it into your 80s fashion party outfit!

So, if you had a top like that, what outfits you could wear to an 80s party? Now all you need is a faded pair of jeans – preferably frayed – and an old pair of sneakers. This top-jeans and sneakers look is the perfect costume for 80s theme outfit events!

Accessorise with any old pair of gloves, or a necklace of coloured beads – and you’re all set!

Coy and Vance Dukes 1982.
Warner Bros. Television / CBS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What outfits you could wear to an 80s party – Raunchy Girl

So, what outfits you could wear to an 80s party with a “raunchy girl” theme? That’s easy too…and you’re guaranteed to be a hit – if not be hit upon all night!

We should warn you though: This next DIY 80s fashion party idea may expose some skin – a lot, actually! But if you’re going for an eighties fancy dress party, then you might as well go all the way.

Creating an 80s style raunchy look needs a pair of old jeans that might be a size too tight for you. If it’s white…all the better for this next look. You were planning to give it away – but something made you hold on to it. And now, aren’t you glad you did! Next, you’ll need a white shirt – perhaps something your boyfriend doesn’t mind lending you?

Now, what outfits you could wear to an 80s party if all you had was an old pair of jeans and your boyfriends shirt? Well, the Dukes Of Hazzard (Catherine Bach) look comes to mind. To pull off this costume idea, simply chop those white, tight jeans – way up…just below thigh-level.

Next, tie that white shirt around your waist – just high enough so you flash some tummy (we warned you it would be raunchy, didn’t we?). For the Duke of Hazzard look, you’ll need a cowboy hat, worn under 80s hairstyles to go – which usually meant wearing hair lose and flowing.

Worn with a pair of 6-inch heels, you’ll be the centre of the 80s fashion party – guaranteed!

Mayor’s Office Halloween Party at Daisy Buchanan’s. City of Boston Archives from West Roxbury, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Other 80s fashion party ideas

So, what other outfits you could wear to an 80s party other than our top-2 DIY ideas? While the above will give you a good start on getting you prepared for your eighties fancy dress party, you may also want to try the 80s prom dress look.

Just ask your mom, or her friend, for an 80s style dress they wore for their prom. Or, you could go to a thrift store near you and pick one up. You may need to tuck and hem a bit – but that’s the whole idea behind creating a costume with an 80s theme outfit!

• 1980s
• high waist