The 1980s themed party is back in a big way. We’re not just talking about big 80s hair, we’re talking all 80s fashion that was loud, flashy, excessive and over the top fun. There are some great 1980s clothing styles that are perfect for an 80s party.
Wearing these clothes in everyday life might be too costume-y yet that is what makes them perfect for Halloween, birthday parties, school Spirit week, and murder mystery events. So grad your brightest clothes and make these totally awesome 80s outfits in a flash.
All of these outfits are for fabulous girls but suggestion of guys are included too. 1980s couples outfits (or group outfits) are easy to coordinate. Follow the links to buy 1980s clothes.
1980s Prom Outfits
80s prom dresses are perfect for parties
The 1980s prom dress is so wrong it is good. The 1980s high school prom and school dance outfits were layers of lace, taffeta, metallic, and sequins materials topped with big bows, puffy sleeves, and bubble skirts. Pink was the best color (could be pale to hot pink) but there was also teal blue, black, purple, gold, and cobalt blue to consider as well.
Shop 80s prom and party dresses. So much pink!
Get the ugliest 80s prom dress you can find and accessorize with high heels, sheer black or white nylons, rhinestone or pearl jewelry, and top it off with a matching hair flower or fascinator hat.
Have your prom date wear a tuxedo, either classic black, powder blue or a white jacket over black pants and a matching brightly colored cummerbund and bowtie.
1986 men prom tuxedos
1980s Power Suits
One 80s fashion trend to cross over in the mainstream are oversize blazer jackets. Bulked up with shoulder pads and made up in bright colors (blue, pink, yellow, green) they can be an easy 80s outfit, you might wear again.
1989 bright colors for the office
For the most 80s impact, wear a long blazer with a black knee length pencil skirt or pleated slacks or jeans and added wide shiny black belt.
High heels are again a must for any professional office worker. Accessorize with bulky jewelry such as wrist bangles and hoop earrings.
For a coordinated couple outfit, your partner could also wear black or white trousers with a bright button down shirt and blazer jacket. This is a gender neutral outfit everyone wore in the 80s.
1987 sportcoats/blazers outfit
1980s Denim, Denim and More Denim Outfits
Denim fringe jacket and jeans with really big hair
The 1980s were a decade that loved denim. And I mean LOVED denim. Denim on denim on denim on denim. You couldn’t wear too much denim all at once. Like the above outfit, an acid washed, white washed or pink denim jacket blinged out in fringe, sequins, rhinestones, lace or sewn on random patches paired with matching jeans is quintessentially 80s.
Shop 80s Denim Jackets and jeans
A flashy denim vest is an acceptable substitute for a jacket. A basic white T shirt or men’s style button down shirt is good as your base layer.
Pair your denim on denim duds with white tennis shoes, lace up booties, or western boots. Add flashy big earrings and a western style belt.
Denim on denim
Your partner in the denim on denim crime should be equally dressed in head to toe denim jeans, vest or jacket. Wear a white or blue plain button down shirt and flip up the collar on the jacket. Don’t bother buttoning up the vest or jacket nor the top buttons of the shirt but do tuck the shirt into the jeans.
1980s Colorblock Outfits
Mix up primary colors and bold patterns
The 80s got really creative with color combinations. There was a wave of pastel colors, black and white sets, and then primary colors. By primary colors I mean a true red, sunshine yellow, cobalt blue, hunter green, and violet purple.
All of these colors were worn all at once in a big mix up of geometric prints and solids. Primary colors were largely a teen or youth trend and boy did they have fun with it.
A bold print shirt is a great start to an 80s outfit
For your own look there are no rules. Combine any primary color item with about 10 other primary color items and you have yourself a unique 80s outfit.
Consider solid leggings, two or more scrunchy socks, knit skirts, color rich jeans, cotton shorts, button down shirts, T shirts, ugly sweaters, vests, bomber jackets, gloves, suspenders, hats (beret, police/yacht caps, bowler, baseball, visor), belt, scarf, hair scrunchie, plastic jewelry, and shoes (Converse, Keds, Vans come in a lot of primary colors.)
I recommend raiding the dollar store or the local shopping mall stores (Claire’s, Icing) for a lot of cheap accessories. Currently Target has a lot of 80s accessories too.
1987 red clip on suspenders with jeans and a winter sweater
Needless to say, guys did wear primary colors too. They especially like to mix solid colors shirts with suspenders and acid wash denim jeans. An ugly sweater or cardigan layered under suspenders was another way the 80s did men’s fashion an injustice.
1980s Memphis Shirts
In the mid 80s there was a wave of pop print shirts called Memphis shirts. These men’s style button down shirts were big, bold and very brightly colors. They were mostly a guys look, often layered unbutton over a solid T-shirt.
For girls, the oversized Memphis shirt was worn over leggings or pencil skirts with a loose belt hanging off the hips. In the early 80s years tropical print Hawaiian shirts were worn tucked into high waisted pants.
1986 girls Memphis shirt
An oversize button down shirt with flippy shorts and crop top. Yes, very 80s!
For guys, layer a Memphis shirt over a colored t-shirt, polo or Henley shirt. Flip up the collar and roll the sleeves. Wear matching Memphis print pants or shorts or a plain color pant with belt.
Penny loafers were just as cool as canvas sneakers. Plastic sunglasses are required.
1987 men’s Memphis shirts
There are man great 80s shirt out in store now or online. What’s your 80 style?
1980s Nostalgia Outfits
If you grew up in the 80s and 90s you may have nostalgic memories of your favorite cartoons, candy, cereal, movies, Tv shows and sayings. In the 80 spotting these images on T-shirts and especially sweatshirts was something most kids bought.
1987 nostalgic 80s cartoons
Today, there are tons of T-shirts and sweatshirts with 80s icons on them. Wearing one to a party is great conversation starter. I would something more creative than the “I love 80s shirts” such as Mario Bros, a cassette tape, CareBears, My Little Pony, Ghostbusters, Never Ending Story, Princess Bride, Goonies, California Raisins, Muppets, Garfield, Pop Rocks or a gumball machine candy. I wore some of theme sweatshirts in the 80s.
Find 80s themed T shirts on Amazon or Esty or Teepublic or RedBubble
Complete your outfit with colored leggings or stirrup pants, double layer socks, plastic sunglasses, a high ponytail scrunchie, a fanny pack and white or brightly colored sneakers. Your other half can wear the same or similar shirt/sweatshirt with black sweatpants, colored socks, a retro baseball cap and Converse high tops sneakers.
1987 Converse shoes with logo sweatshirt
1980s Overalls
I LOVE overalls. Wearing them brings out the 80s and 90s kid in me. Once again the 80s wore overalls and jumpsuits in bright primary colors but also light pastels and acid wash denim.
Overalls were paired with the same primary color such as blue overalls with a blue shirt or red overalls with red and white shirt. Of course, all accessories needed to match too or at least create a semi coordinated effort.
80s red overalls and striped shirt
Make a basic pair of denim overalls more 80s by wearing them under a boxy button down shirt, adding a belt around the waist, rolling the cuffs and exposing pattern socks, choosing casual 80s shoes and maybe add a denim jacket. The same look could apply to men however overalls were more of a 90s thing.
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- 80s pink overalls
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- 90s baggy overalls
Instead consider pairing a red, white and blue outfit together. This was very trendy in the summer months / sailing outfit. Blue drawstring cropped pants, red t-shirt, stripe button down shirt and white canvas shoes. Other color combos were yellow and white or blue, green and black.
1987 red, white and blue was a common color combo in summer for girls and guys
1980s Rocker
The 1980s were not only bright colors and happy thoughts. The Rocker look embraced black, black and more black. Black mixed with animal prints and textured tights, reptile skin boots, metal stud belts. They also tossed in one bright color item for rockers that were more Pop singers (red, pink, or orange).
Like most fashion in the 80s there were no rules for the Rocker look- mix whatever you like, and mix a lot of it, as long as its mostly black. Try animal print tops or leggings, leather skirts, pants and fringe jackets, ripped denim jeans, corsets, lace gloves, fishnet tights, tutus, big hair bows with really big stringy hair, tons of bracelets and bangles, big metal belts, and western-ish boots.
1983 leather, fishnet and leopard print rocker
For 80s rocker men’s costumes some of the same pieces apply such as leather pants and jackets but they had more manly elements- sleeveless T-shirts, mesh over shirts, black denim vests, long animal print scarves, bandana headbands, fingerless gloves, tall boots, cuff bracelets, flashy belts, heavy metal jewelry, and really big hair. The rocker look can be a lot of fun for couples but because of all the leather (or faux leather) it can add up quickly. Luckily there are a lot of cheap costumes for the 80s rocker look.
See Remembering 80s Rocker fashion for more men’s outfit ideas.
1980s Biker Chic
Many rocker fashion trends borrowed pieces from the biker club. Riding motorcycles reached a new peak in the 1980s. Men and women rode in all leather chaps over black or blue denim jeans, classic leather biker jackets, bright turtleneck shirts, and heavy biker boots. It is the same clothes for guys and gals.
Since this retro biker outfit belongs to a lot of decades you need to make it 80s with big hair, hoop earrings, and black wayfarer sunglasses (guys too.)
1987 biker chic
1980s Gettin’ Sweaty
Back to outfits with color you might get out the sweats you lived in during the pandemic and cozy up with an 80s flair. Women wore sweatshirts and sweatpants all day long even if they never exercised. The comfy fleece sweat suits came in colorblocks of pastel and primary colors as well as solids. A pair of white sneakers or Keds classics and a terry cloth sweatband completed the look. Simple, easy, and comfy.
1988 sweats outfit
80s tie dye gym outfit
For guys, the 1980s sweatsuit had the same colorblocked stripes and raglan sleeves but veered towards neutral colors- navy blue, green, maroon, and heather grey. Guys also wore a pair of sweatshirts OVER the sweatpants. The double layer look is a must for an 80s outfit! Add white sneakers and a sweatband and you’re all set.
More 80s workout clothes history and outfit examples.
1986 men’s layered short or sweatpants
1980s Workout Outfits
Let’s get physical in these iconic 80s gym clothes inspired by ballet dancewear meets street fashion. Jazzercize was the latest exercise fad and women wore the craziest outfits to match the high energy music. Tights and leotards or lycra jumpsuits with a slouchy sweater came in bold, bright colors, stripes, colorblocks and animal prints.
Soft belts defined a waist and multiple leg warmers made sure your feet got in a good sweat. Sweatbands were a must wear accessory too. Shop retro workout outfits. Also look in 80s costumes for more party looks.
1986 metallic or jersey leotards and leggings
The retro workout outfit is a blast to wear to any 80s party. If you don’t think you have the body to pull off a leotard you can wear a cut-off or cropped sweatshirt over a tank top with leggings, leg warmers, and a short skirt too. That’s what I did for my outfit below. My daughter had fun picking out brightly colors plastic jewelry and a hair scrunchy for me.
My 80s workout outfit
For guys, matching outfits might be a little harder. There are some men’s unitard outfits in the 80s men’s costumes category. Otherwise retro workout clothes would be an easier match.
1980s Tracksuits Outfit
Another iconic 80s workout outfit for girls and guys is a windbreaker jacket and pants (aka 80s tracksuits.) The swishy nylon shell materials was lightweight yet with a baggy fit, not too hot.
Windbreaker jackets alone were also trendy in the 80s worn with leggings or pleated pants. They came in colorblock, chevron stripes, and wild pop art prints. Shop girls 80s windbreaker jackets and guys 80s windbreaker jackets.
80s windbreaker jacket and pant
For guys try one of those retro workout outfits. Many brands having matching couples costumes.
1980s / 1990s Neon
Neon color windbreakers were the next fashion wave hitting the early 90s yet they usually end up at 80s parties. My childhood winderbreaker was white with colorful confetti splatters and a hot pink collar.
Simple 80s neon outfit
Neon clothes were often baggy pants and shorts in nylon or light cotton and paired with a neon print shirt featuring some California beachy scene or pop art pattern.
The all neon look made in soft jersey replaced most 80s sweatpants. Neon orange T-shirts with a side knot worn over a hot pink tank top and lime green shorts was eye popping but totally cool. This look is back for summer 2023!
Shop neon shirts, neon shorts, and neon jelly flats.
1990 neon shorts or pants with beach theme t-shirts
For guys, neon swimsuits, cabana sets or casual shorts were also paired with white T-shirts and tank tops with beach themed prints. Adding a pair of neon sunglasses is the right thing to do.
Pop art print shirt and shorts (matching women too)
That wraps up some 80s party outfit ideas. Is there a look you need help with? Just ask!
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Debbie Sessions has been teaching fashion history and helping people dress for vintage themed events since 2009. She has turned a hobby into VintageDancer.com with hundreds of well researched articles and hand picked links to vintage inspired clothing online. She aims to make dressing accurately (or not) an affordable option for all. Oh, and she dances too.
