What to wear to my 80s dance party? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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What to wear to my 80s dance party?

catgirl

Veteran

I found this destroyed black denim vest at H&M yesterday - I had to size up to a 12 because it is miniscule (I actually thought it might be a little girl's item) but it is very Joan Jett. So what to wear with it? Leather leggings, black tee, combat boots? I actually bought this tank top too, just in case.

I would never wear today what I actually wore in the 80s, when I was much more about conforming to the norms of my peers. So what 80s styles would you suggest for me today? Or is punk rocker the way to go?

Outfit picture ideas welcome!

http://www.hm.com/us/product/3....._vc=SEARCH

http://www.hm.com/us/product/4....._vc=SEARCH

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Bonnie

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Don't dress too black and '90s! Sacrilege.

Perhaps my '80s pin board will inspire you:

https://www.pinterest.com/youl.....80s-style/

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

And this blog post:

http://youlookfab.com/2014/08/.....s-fashion/

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Mochi

Veteran

Something that's neon yellow, a cutoff sweatshirt, lots of industrial rubber bracelets a la Madonna? Can't wait to read all the responses here.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think the two pieces you found so far are great - perfect for the theme. Are leather leggings comfy enough for the whole night? Have to think on it a bit more...

catgirl

Veteran

Well, if I add some neon that should eighties it right up! And Manic Panic. Oooh, Annie Lennox! Or my Equipment cartoon shirt has that A-ha/comic print vibe. I also have a short tulle skirt and could do a Madonna look easily.

Love your pins, Angie!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/18577417188357101/

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Oooo - I like some of the ones on Angie's board. Madonna's jeans with the lace used as "patches" were pretty fun. Especially with the spiky jewelry.

Anonymous

I think Angie may have you sorted with ideas. Those pins of hers are fab!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Those pins are all aunthentically '80s, Una. Not people today trying to look '80s, if you know what I mean.

Thumbs up on the neon!

rachylou

Veteran

A blue and black buffalo check skirt...ultimate 80s

catgirl

Veteran

Angie, that's why I like them. Could probably find some of these styles at our local Value Village - or still worn today. When people ask about the time difference here, I often say "three decades".

K. Period.

Veteran

I vote for straight leg jeans that you've roll-pegged. Do you remember doing that? Gah. What a flashback. Super oversized white shirt, roll-pegged faded Levis and Doc Martins. Maybe a men's waistcoat/vest for drama.

catgirl

Veteran

Flashback/Flashdance? Yes, I do remember that - also with baggy tapered engineer-stripe denim! I worry about anything rolled and pegged being high-maintenance when dancing to Thriller, though.

Mochi

Veteran

Una, I think you should consider (to the point that it's doable, of course) which 80's persona you want to be. There's about a hundred versions of Madonna, not to even mention all the other 80's icons and looks.

(Disclaimer that even *during* the 80s, I was an 80's fashion fail. I look back on old pics and I know I was trying, to a degree, but I was NOT getting it. Where was YLF to help me then?)

Attaching pic of me in college, having impulsively just chopped off my hair, in an attempt to look like David Byrne. Don't even ask. Note XTC poster on wall behind me. Editing to add: Plan well, and don't let this happen to you!

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catgirl

Veteran

OMG, I think we all went through that hair chop phase. I permed mine too! Here's me in a thrifted men's shirt, doing our hallway Olympics in college!

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Mochi

Veteran

Oh yeah. I was the thrifted version of the 80s. I remember these long, oversized tweed coats that all the cool UMass students wore. All these thrift stores in Greenwich Village where I tried to score finds. I didn't need a perm. Una, you were adorable, whatever you were up to!

catgirl

Veteran

I had one of those coats! We had such great vintage stores in Cambridge (is Oona's still there?). In this picture I was climbing the doorframe... It was part of this stupid thing we did in my dorm.
I think I had black fingernails and white toenails.

Sal

Veteran

This one could be good Una, it was on Angie's board?

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Sal

Veteran

More seriously, this is how I dressed in the 80s, also from Angie's board.

I always go to town for costume parties. There has to be scope with your hair for teasing, or colour, or scrunchies??

I would go to town with the eyeshadow too. And the rouge, and the lips. You can't have too much:)

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catgirl

Veteran

Ha! Yeah, no.

Oh, I can do big hair and Madonna makeup. Legwarmers? Fishnet stockings? Lace? I did dress a bit like this...

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/387802217883082527/

I bet I could thrift a pair of Girbaud or Z. Cavaracci pants...

K. Period.

Veteran

Ahh Girbaud and Cavaricci, the labels of my youth...and Guess! with ankle zips, of course. Actually, I have to confess that I like your rocker chick vibe with your existing choices. I'd just wear them with skinny black jeans that have faded to gray. You definitely need to line the inner rims of your eyes in electric blue, though. Now, if only you could get your hands on a hair crimper....

ETA: OMG Una, I love it! Who else would own a crimper? You are my idol.

catgirl

Veteran

K.P., I OWN a hair crimper! I sometimes crimp my hair under the surface for volume. I have electric blue liner, and neon nail polish.

I need to go and hide now.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I loved Girbaud with the mid zip placed label. And those fabsy Norma Kamali grey sweatshirt minis ( I got mine at the original Filene's Basement in Boston). Also, This whole thread is reminding me of my favorite college shop, Commander Salamander, on Wisconsin Ave in DC.

Bonnie

Veteran

I think you should copy Madonna's look. The pinterest inspiration photo you posted is perfect.