The 80s may have been the decade that taste forgot, but that hasn't stopped nostalgic lovers of all things retro from embracing the distinctive style of those years. There's an 80s revival taking place everywhere you look, with big screen remakes of The A-Team and The Karate Kid uniting generations in cinemas this summer, and nowhere did the 80s make its mark more memorably than in the world of fashion.
The term '80s fashion' may be considered an oxymoron by those who loathed the decade's garish colours, fish nets and big hair, but there are many retro lovers who would disagree. Many of the most recognisable pop icons in music history made their mark on 80s fashion in a big way, from Madonna's chic gloves and chiffon to Olivia Newton John's sweatband and Duran Duran's popularisation of the New Romantic style. So it's no wonder these figures and more are so widely imitated by those choosing an 80s theme for fancy dress parties.
Your rat tail is all the fashion now. I prefer a bushy plume, carried straight up. You are Siamese and your ancestors lived in trees. Mine lived in palaces. It has been suggested to me that I am a bit of a snob. How true! I prefer to be.
—Raymond Chandler (1888–1959)
While people under 20 will only be familiar with the 1980s as a bizarre, technicolour period in history, those who are a little older may have very fond memories of the years, making 80s nostalgia a major trend among people in their late 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond. One of the great things about 80s fancy dress is that it doesn't have to be taken too seriously, and even if pop stars thought they were at the cutting edge of fashion in their heyday - indeed, many of them were - the often ludicrous designs of the 80s can now be appreciated in retrospect by a new audience.
But once you've settled on an 80s theme for your fancy dress event, what 80s costume do you choose? There's a great deal of variety, stemming from the worlds of fashion, music and cinema in particular, so it's ultimately a personal decision - but there are many popular choices that could help point you in the right direction.
Just because you live in LA it doesn’t mean you have to dress that way.
—Advertising billboard campaign in Los Angeles, mounted by New York fashion house Charivari.
Going for the look of a generic disco-lover from the 70s or 80s can involve Lycra trousers, funky shoes and patterned shirts - preferably with as many buttons undone as possible. If you aren't fortunate enough to be blessed with the trademark 80s mane of chest hair, you should be able to find fake chest hair wigs in plentiful supply from fancy dress stockists. As for women, if you aren't looking to emulate one pop star in particular, going for hairspray, leg warmers and lots and lots of jewellery should convince people they've stepped back in time when you walk in through the door.
Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.