80's party tonight - costume help!

[WarKitty]

I have an 80's blacklight dance coming up tonight. Here's the items I have:

One fairly short red-purple skirt.
One sheer white sleeveless blouse with a ruffle down the front
One sheer white stripe long-sleeve T.
Tank tops in black and white
black sport or bandeau bra
white bandeau bra
white tights
white sandals
black high heels
black sandals

Of this list, the following items may be altered, cut up, or otherwise mutilated:
the skirt
the long-sleeve T
the bandeau bras
the tights

If desired paint may be obtained.

I am unfortunately not that good at 80's stuff. Any ideas on how to make this look good for tonight? I have about 2 hours.

Edit: there might also be some fishnet around, and I know I have some fishnet short gloves.

[Zen Monkey]

For the female costume:
Neon or Pastel t-shirt, preferably a Hypercolor sort (maybe with one of those little round shirt clips that cinch it up on the side, I forget what they were called)
Leg warmers
Multiple colors of socks, layered, mismatched, etc
Brightly colored plastic (bracelets, hair clip, jelly shoes, etc)
Side or top ponytail

Male costume is easier. Just two words: miami vice

[WarKitty]

For the female costume:
Neon or Pastel t-shirt, preferably a Hypercolor sort (maybe with one of those little round shirt clips that cinch it up on the side, I forget what they were called)
Leg warmers
Multiple colors of socks, layered, mismatched, etc
Brightly colored plastic (bracelets, hair clip, jelly shoes, etc)
Side or top ponytail

Male costume is easier. Just two words: miami vice

I don't own any of that stuff. And I don't have enough hair to put into a ponytail.

[Zen Monkey]

Maybe a quick google image of 80's icons search could help; some early Madonna or Cindy Lauper (maybe Punky Brewster for a more kiddy look) photos may be inspiring.

[WarKitty]

Maybe a quick google image search could help; some early Madonna or Cindy Lauper photos may be inspiring (other other iconic 80's performers).

I've done that, but everything I find would require me taking a trip into Harrisburg in order to go shopping. Presuming I even had a car, harrisburg is an hour away. That's why I put the "things I have" list in the first post.

[wxdruid]

One fairly short red-purple skirt.
One sheer white sleeveless blouse with a ruffle down the front
One sheer white stripe long-sleeve T.
Tank tops in black and white
black sport or bandeau bra
white bandeau bra
white tights
white sandals
black high heels
black sandals

Just go with outrageous? Perhaps wear the black bra, the white tank top over it (or the black), with the white sleeveless blouse on top with the red-purple skirt. I personally would prefer black tights, but wear the white tights with the high heels. Or wear the white tights, find some long socks and cut the feet off so they more resemble leg warmers, wear those with the sandals or tennis shoes. You could always paint weird things on the tights after you put them on.

As for hair? How long is it? If it's really short or medium length, just spike it...

Like this (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hairstylesall.com/collection/80s_hairstyles/80s_hairstyles19.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hairstylesall.com/collection/80s_hairstyles/80s_hairstyles19.html&usg=__NnDJ4mIu0iUhRzbkyp36FP7WIus=&h=1313&w=1212&sz=1183&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=j25kvUphrQUNtM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=117&ei=X9g5TdvWB8P98Ab0w5TQCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3D80%2527s%2Bhairstyles%26hl%3Den%26cli ent%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D2O2%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D583%26tbs%3Disch: 1%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=437&vpy=90&dur=2746&hovh=234&hovw=216&tx=92&ty=260&oei=X9g5TdvWB8P98Ab0w5TQCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0), or this (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2424964186_7880233e00.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/25152449%40N06/2424964186/&usg=__g5e3YOdkxHFCtkoMV0RnukxOD6I=&h=469&w=400&sz=133&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=LaMC4CKpF6UbTM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=118&ei=X9g5TdvWB8P98Ab0w5TQCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3D80%2527s%2Bhairstyles%26hl%3Den%26cli ent%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D2O2%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D583%26tbs%3Disch: 1%26prmd%3Divns0%2C114&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=240&vpy=233&dur=860&hovh=243&hovw=207&tx=101&ty=153&oei=X9g5TdvWB8P98Ab0w5TQCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0&biw=1024&bih=583), or this (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://newfashion.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/82675898.jpg&imgrefurl=http://newfashion.in/men-hairstyle/80s-hairstyle-for-man&usg=__llzVIr4qAMY0fp_KYiDXjAGraRs=&h=373&w=300&sz=50&hl=en&start=21&zoom=1&tbnid=mmMocSgEn18ESM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=101&ei=bdg5TdaiBYOglAfBkoDqBQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3D80%2527s%2Bhairstyles%26hl%3Den%26cli ent%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D2O2%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D583%26tbs%3Disch: 1%26prmd%3Divns0%2C342&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=476&vpy=236&dur=786&hovh=186&hovw=150&tx=82&ty=113&oei=X9g5TdvWB8P98Ab0w5TQCg&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:21&biw=1024&bih=583), or this (http://www.zimbio.com/1980%27s+Hairstyles)

My brother once used soap to make his hair stand up in a mohawk.

[WarKitty]

Just go with outrageous? Perhaps wear the black bra, the white tank top over it (or the black), with the white sleeveless blouse on top with the red-purple skirt. I personally would prefer black tights, but wear the white tights with the high heels. Or wear the white tights, find some long socks and cut the feet off so they more resemble leg warmers, wear those with the sandals or tennis shoes. You could always paint weird things on the tights after you put them on.

As for hair? How long is it? If it's really short or medium length, just spike it...

Like this (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hairstylesall.com/collection/80s_hairstyles/80s_hairstyles19.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hairstylesall.com/collection/80s_hairstyles/80s_hairstyles19.html&usg=__NnDJ4mIu0iUhRzbkyp36FP7WIus=&h=1313&w=1212&sz=1183&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=j25kvUphrQUNtM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=117&ei=X9g5TdvWB8P98Ab0w5TQCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3D80%2527s%2Bhairstyles%26hl%3Den%26cli ent%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D2O2%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D583%26tbs%3Disch: 1%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=437&vpy=90&dur=2746&hovh=234&hovw=216&tx=92&ty=260&oei=X9g5TdvWB8P98Ab0w5TQCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0), or this (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2424964186_7880233e00.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/25152449%40N06/2424964186/&usg=__g5e3YOdkxHFCtkoMV0RnukxOD6I=&h=469&w=400&sz=133&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=LaMC4CKpF6UbTM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=118&ei=X9g5TdvWB8P98Ab0w5TQCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3D80%2527s%2Bhairstyles%26hl%3Den%26cli ent%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D2O2%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D583%26tbs%3Disch: 1%26prmd%3Divns0%2C114&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=240&vpy=233&dur=860&hovh=243&hovw=207&tx=101&ty=153&oei=X9g5TdvWB8P98Ab0w5TQCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0&biw=1024&bih=583), or this (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://newfashion.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/82675898.jpg&imgrefurl=http://newfashion.in/men-hairstyle/80s-hairstyle-for-man&usg=__llzVIr4qAMY0fp_KYiDXjAGraRs=&h=373&w=300&sz=50&hl=en&start=21&zoom=1&tbnid=mmMocSgEn18ESM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=101&ei=bdg5TdaiBYOglAfBkoDqBQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3D80%2527s%2Bhairstyles%26hl%3Den%26cli ent%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3D2O2%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D583%26tbs%3Disch: 1%26prmd%3Divns0%2C342&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=476&vpy=236&dur=786&hovh=186&hovw=150&tx=82&ty=113&oei=X9g5TdvWB8P98Ab0w5TQCg&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:21&biw=1024&bih=583), or this (http://www.zimbio.com/1980%27s+Hairstyles)

My brother once used soap to make his hair stand up in a mohawk.

Ooo nice on the hairstyles. I'm debating between mohawk and just spikes. What I have is an approximately chin-length pixie cut.

Also, confirmed the availability of fishnets. Think I've managed black leg warmers as well (aka old sweatshirt sleeves). Maybe buy some black ink and splash the tights?

[wxdruid]

For the tights, just as long as you don't mind the possibility of the ink coming through and staining your skin for a while. :smalltongue:

As for the hair, maybe have it come down over your face and then up into a mohawk?

Yeah, I could see old sweatshirt sleeves working for the leg warmer part, but to me, if you wear leg warmers, then you should wear flat shoes. It just seems more normal to me that way (and then they wouldn't be trying to slip down past your ankles and falling off).

Yes, oddly enough, I did grow up in the 80's and looking at those old hairstyles just made me laugh so hard. The craziness! :smallbiggrin:

[rayne_dragon]

Just go with outrageous? Perhaps wear the black bra, the white tank top over it (or the black), with the white sleeveless blouse on top with the red-purple skirt. I personally would prefer black tights, but wear the white tights with the high heels. Or wear the white tights, find some long socks and cut the feet off so they more resemble leg warmers, wear those with the sandals or tennis shoes. You could always paint weird things on the tights after you put them on.


This is pretty close to what I was going to suggest. Get neon paint and decorate the tights and the T-shirt to your heart's content and you should be able to manage. The biggest problem with the stuff you have is that it is mostly white and black, while the 80's is perhaps best known for neons and eyewatering colour combinations... I'm so embaressed thinking back to what I used to wear as a kid - it used to look like a rainbow threw up on me (and that was perfectly normal).

Also, if you can find a slap bracelet or something that at least looks like one, wear it. If you accessorize well the clothes don't matter as much.

[wxdruid]

Or wear lots of cheap fake metal bracelets? I just found a pic of someone with two armfuls of those. Or take a long string of mardi gras beads, put them on and then tie a knot near the bottom?

[WarKitty]

Or wear lots of cheap fake metal bracelets? I just found a pic of someone with two armfuls of those. Or take a long string of mardi gras beads, put them on and then tie a knot near the bottom?

Metal bracelets we can do! I have a string of cheap blue-green wooden beads and matching feather earrings. Not much else that comes in not black - although if I'm really lucky I might score a string of those candy beads.

Ink on skin doesn't matter, it's winter I'll have pants on for a while.

[wxdruid]

And oh yeah, plenty of eyeshadow and mascara! *laugh*

After this, please post a pic of you all dressed up so we can see this amazing 80's look! :smallcool:

[Coidzor]

And oh yeah, plenty of eyeshadow and mascara! *laugh*

After this, please post a pic of you all dressed up so we can see this amazing 80's look! :smallcool:

Oh, yes, please. :smallbiggrin:

*cough* yeah, I got nothing.

Hope ya have/had fun.

[Dr.Epic]

Go as a character from Watchmen.

[WarKitty]

Part of the difficulty is that I was never allowed any of: comic books, non-disney movies, or non-classical music until I hit college. So my experience of pop culture is extremely limited. But anyways, pulled the outfit off apparently. Will post pics in the you thread when I can.

[Serpentine]

Too bad you don't have any snap-bracelets... Or ridiculous oversized bright coloured plastic jewellery.
If you need any more ideas, here's just a bunch of people that I know from the 80s, if you can scab off them:
http://www.popeighties.com/storage/heathers1.jpg
http://digitalpolyphony.webs.com/Kahn_Goonies9.JPG
http://hagiblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/lost_boys_001.jpg?w=500&h=332
http://collider.com/wp-content/image-base/People/C/Corey_Haim/Corey%20Haim%20Lost%20Boys%20%20(1).jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JvaoyCwbcLI/TOGM1QsVU1I/AAAAAAAAArw/KIY5BzR_bsU/s1600/michael_j_fox_back_to_the_future.jpg
http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/3600000/Michael-Jackson-80s-music-3642503-400-260.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-Ep-IyPfGEE/S8tWZoJpu4I/AAAAAAAAAy8/1WUv-W6gkrQ/s1600/madonna2.jpg
http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Madonna--Into-The-Groove-the-80s-583772_240_240.jpg
http://www.movieforum.com/movies/titles/labyrinth/images/sarah.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2568106367_99eb77a2da.jpg


By the way, probably won't matter if you're going the tanktop route, but one option is wearing a (bad) jacket and stuffing the shoulders way oversized. Seriously, what was with those shoulderpads...

edit: Aw, too late... :smallfrown:

[Coidzor]

Part of the difficulty is that I was never allowed any of: comic books, non-disney movies, or non-classical music until I hit college. So my experience of pop culture is extremely limited. But anyways, pulled the outfit off apparently. Will post pics in the you thread when I can.

...wugga?! That's the oddest combination of parental factors I've run into.

[AsteriskAmp]

...wugga?! That's the oddest combination of parental factors I've run into.
Not really, I had a friend who's parents took that exact same route... well until he aged 14 and everything went to heck, including himself...

[Coidzor]

Not really, I had a friend who's parents took that exact same route... well until he aged 14 and everything went to heck, including himself...

Well, classical music is going in the one direction of wanting some sophistication. Whereas Disney movies... Not so much.

[AsteriskAmp]

Well, classical music is going in the one direction of wanting some sophistication. Whereas Disney movies... Not so much.

I believe it's more of a Old Timer's thing, Classical Music and Disney are rather conservative on a first glance (they are not if one is to look past the stereotypes that make up the surface).

[Asta Kask]

80's? Go with Lita Ford.

http://joanneroxx.blogg.se/images/2010/gqnal2i7j8oh_m_102227613.jpg

Or Joey Tempest.

http://mliljengren.blogg.se/images/2010/joey-tempest_95900642.jpg


I believe it's more of a Old Timer's thing, Classical Music and Disney are rather conservative on a first glance (they are not if one is to look past the stereotypes that make up the surface).

Although if you want the really, really weird stuff then the classics is the way to go... Oedipus, Lot and his daughters, Die Walküre...

[Coidzor]

That definitely would've garnered some attention, yes, but then, rhinestone-studded brassieres usually do.

[Asta Kask]

It was just for inspiration... to me, those two picture say it all about the 80's. You just have to look at them and let your imagination run wild, and everything flows from there.

[Coidzor]

It was just for inspiration... to me, those two picture say it all about the 80's. You just have to look at them and let your imagination run wild, and everything flows from there.

Really? I only found a couple of directions to go for each of them, myself...

[Asta Kask]

You have to ask the antithesis question as well.

[WarKitty]

Well, classical music is going in the one direction of wanting some sophistication. Whereas Disney movies... Not so much.

Honestly I think it's as much a result of being in an extremely small community and being the only one with nerd tendencies. I wasn't particularly aware that comic books existed because no one I knew read them. Movies it was more of that we only watched what mom wanted to bring home, and we didn't own a video game system.

[Coidzor]

You have to ask the antithesis question as well.

You've lost me there.

[Asta Kask]

Not only - where can this go? But also - what is the likely counter-reaction?