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80s costume ideas

aniquaaniqua Registered User regular
edited October 2011 in Help / Advice Forum
I have an 80s theme costume party in 2 weeks. I have a very tight budget so I don't want to spend more than $30 for the costume, but the cheaper the better. I don't have anything 80s and while I have looked at TONS of costume websites, can't find anything that I could put together easily. I'm 5'8", on the heavier side (like XL or 1X). HELP!!

aniqua on

Posts

  • Skoal CatSkoal Cat Registered User regular
    A Goodwill suit with a bright neon t-shirt under the jacket.

  • MushroomStickMushroomStick Registered User regular
    back_to_the_future_marty.jpg

  • aniquaaniqua Registered User regular
    Hm, well, I was trying to go a little bit more flashy. I'm single and want to look good but not over do it. The party is at my cousin's house so it's their friends and our family.

  • aniquaaniqua Registered User regular
    Oh and I probably should mention that I'm a female lol. Couldn't pull off a Michael Fox look :)

  • MushroomStickMushroomStick Registered User regular
    jennifer.jpg

  • Skoal CatSkoal Cat Registered User regular
    edited October 2011
    Oh man, even easier.
    80s-chick.jpg
    Cut up band-ish shirt (neon color prefered), gaudy street walker makeup, and chunky plastic jewelry. The more ripped your jeans, the better.

    edit: Also, bigger hair than that picture

    Skoal Cat on
  • SkeithSkeith Registered User regular
    Yeah, if it's 80s and you're female, you have no excuse to not make your hair as wide as your shoulders.

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  • LewieP's MummyLewieP's Mummy Registered User regular
    Nah, you need shoulder pads to get it right - as wide as silly american "football" players wear!

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    Big white wig, white tights, stick a sock down your pants, and go as David Bowie from Labyrinth.

    every person who doesn't like an acquired taste always seems to think everyone who likes it is faking it. it should be an official fallacy.

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  • MushroomStickMushroomStick Registered User regular
    Feral wrote:
    Big white wig, white tights, stick a sock down your pants, and go as David Bowie from Labyrinth.

    Also, get one of those floating crystal ball things.

  • CadeCade Eppur si muove.Registered User regular
    Could do Doc Brown.

    Just get a white jacket, mess up your hair, add goggles and something like some crazy mad scientist like gloves and bingo.

  • Skoal CatSkoal Cat Registered User regular
    MushroomStick wrote:
    Feral wrote:
    Big white wig, white tights, stick a sock down your pants, and go as David Bowie from Labyrinth.

    Also, get one of those floating crystal ball things.
    Contact juggling ball, which, coincidently, is a fun skill to pick up

  • BeckBeck Registered User regular
    LewieP's Mummy wrote:
    Nah, you need shoulder pads to get it right - as wide as silly american "football" players wear!

    Yes.

    Also, shoulder pads (or pad, you may only want one!) are really hot. In that confident kind of way.

    High rise pants may work pretty well, too, and you can find them at places like Value Village for pretty cheap for some reason.

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  • Pure DinPure Din Boston-areaRegistered User regular
    You could also be the 80s business woman from Hark a Vagrant! http://harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=297

    It would be especially fun if you have a teacher/parent/aunt/whatever who wore clothes like that back in the 80s, and you spend an afternoon raiding their closet. :)

  • TavTav Irish Minister for DefenceRegistered User regular
    neon legwarmers

  • aniquaaniqua Registered User regular
    Hmmm, yea I'm going to ask my aunts if they have anything I could use! You never know! :)

  • SiskaSiska Shorty Registered User regular
    Ask if they have an old hair crimping iron laying around! And then, you know, take care not to set fire to your head using it.

  • mtsmts Dr. Robot King Registered User regular
    Siska wrote:
    Ask if they have an old hair crimping iron laying around! And then, you know, take care not to set fire to your head using it.

    or even better set your hair on fire and totally commit to the look

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  • SwashbucklerXXSwashbucklerXX Swashbucklin' Canuck Registered User regular
    Other possibilities not yet mentioned:

    Side ponytail, two different colours of scrunchies, same two different colours of scrunched down socks. Jean skirt/jacket if you've got 'em. Badical.

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  • FetzenfischFetzenfisch Help i'm forced to GM NRW/GermanyRegistered User regular
    edited October 2011
    backcomb/tease your hair wildly, makeup with heavy contrasts, put accent on your cheekbones and eyes. wide tops, one shoulder free. leggins or ripped jeans. Excessive artificial jewelry, huge earings,lotsa wristbands, and several but not too much long necklaces,prefareably plasticbeads.

    Fetzenfisch on
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  • mtsmts Dr. Robot King Registered User regular
    probably can't go wrong with some Hammer pants, spandex unitard off the shoulder sweatshirt and some scrunchies

    camo_sig.png
  • BartholamueBartholamue Registered User regular
    Umm, why not Jem? That seems appropriate.

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  • XerlithXerlith Registered User regular
    Fetzenfisch wrote:
    backcomb/tease your hair wildly, makeup with heavy contrasts, put accent on your cheekbones and eyes. wide tops, one shoulder free. leggins or ripped jeans. Excessive artificial jewelry, huge earings,lotsa wristbands, and several but not too much long necklaces,prefareably plasticbeads.

    And then chew and loudly pop bubble gum all night.

    You vant to cross, maybe?
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  • SilverEternitySilverEternity Registered User regular
    Bartholamue wrote:
    Umm, why not Jem? That seems appropriate.

    A Jem costume is pretty easy to make if you have mediocre sewing skills. You can buy enough tissue lame to make a decent costume for far less than $30. Alternatively, find a bright pink dress & big silver belt at goodwill, then buy a cheap pink wig & microphone and you should be set.

  • aniquaaniqua Registered User regular
    I'd really like to pull off an 80s Madonna look, but I can't find anything in my size!! Party is Saturday night so hopefully I put together something good soon. Is Jem a pop star too? lol

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