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Return of the Jedi
Raiders of the lost ark
Ghostbusters
Back to the future
Batman
Rain man
Fatal attraction
The shining
The karate kid
The terminator
Miami vice
Madonna
Duran Duran
Michael Jackson
Live aid
MTV and music videos
Great films, sexy musicians and elegant fashion divas abound in the eighties. 80s fancy dress include outfits worn by Madonna, Michael Jackson and Princess Diana. Character 80s fancy dress would include a Harrison Ford ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ outfit and a host of star wars characters. A costume for four would be the ghostbusting team of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Rick Moranis. You get to wear a beige jumpsuit with a Ghostbusters logo and a proton pack and gun. Great fun to slime the guests with some green goo!
Eighties fashion statements:
Shoulder pads
Ladies dresses, sweaters, tops and T shirts had large shoulder pads that had survived the seventies and were carried through to the eighties. Dallas and Dynasty’ glamorous looks helped define the eighties power women, along with the more moderate Margaret Thatcher’s suits.
Knitwear
Eighties women loved knitwear. Soft and fluffy cardigans completed an outfit. Ornately decorated sweaters were worn with skirts or trousers. Colours were bright and bold: Purples, blacks, fuchsia pinks, emerald greens and winter whites. Large fluffy mohair sweaters and cardigans were decorated with sequins, beads and appliqué. Motifs ranged from large elegant satin designs to small funky cotton motifs. Batwing sleeves were easy to wear and they made a comeback. Beads and appliqué were prolific on evening dresses and also on T shirts and knitwear.
Underwear
Camisoles became popular underwear for the Ladies and Calvin Klein briefs were popular for the men. Underwear and lingerie took a more important role in the wardrobe. Tights and stockings were coloured and patterned.
Accessories
Large plastic sunglasses came in a range of colours. Madonna wore fishnet tights and fingerless gloves and tight laced corsets. This sparked a market for corsets for eveningwear and lingerie.
Fluorescent beads, glitter mousse, Dr Martens, one earring and plum coloured hair was often worn together.
Make-up
Bold pink cheek bones and painted eyes were the hallmark of the eighties. The eighties’ Ladies spent hours in front of the mirror perfecting their make-up. Eyeshadow came in any colour with bright blues and greens being favourite. Plenty of eyeliner and a shiny red lipstick to finish off.
The 80s Fancy Dress can take in any length of dress or skirt and most colours of make-up and accessories. Carry on the bold bright theme of the 1970s and perhaps add some fishnet stockings and fingerless gloves and you can’t go far wrong.
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