45 Best 80s Costumes Ideas for a Throwback Halloween Look

80s fashion was dynamite! There are so many fun 80s accessories that you can easily add to a party favor bag. Chunky neon bracelets, silly plastic sunglasses, pin-back buttons, and glow sticks are all great choices! You’re welcome to add popular 80s candy into the mix, too. Get some Airheads, Chupa Chups, Push Pops, and Nerds, and your party favors will be the envy of all.

Back to the 80s: The Best 80s Costumes

Do you ever wish you could go back to the 80s? If you said yes, then you’re in the right place. There’s no better way to relive the best times of your life than donning a totally radical 80s costume! At HalloweenCostumes.com, we believe that your costume is the best way to turn back time! Whether you’re at an 80s themed party, hitting the town on Halloween, or trick or treating with the family, these 80s themed costumes are a sure-fire eye-catcher anywhere you go!

1. Stranger Things Costumes

While the popular Netflix series Stranger Things was not made in the 80s, it is set in the 80s. Eleven is certainly a popular 80s costume for girls, but there are other great Stranger Things costumes for men as well. Choose from costumes like Jim Hopper’s, Lucas’s basketball uniform or even a scary Demogorgon costume. You can’t deny that Stranger Things is full of great characters, which gives it the opportunity that perfect college Halloween costume or 80s group costume!

2. The Princess Bride Costumes

It’s inconceivable that The Princess Bride costumes wouldn’t be included in a round-up of 80s costume ideas. (And that we would pass up that word!) The Princess Bride truly is a classic 80s movie—we all remember the heartbreak fearing Westley’s death and the empathy we felt for Buttercup for her loss. However, Westley had other plans and eventually found his way back to her heart. Even if your love story doesn’t involve loss and Miracle Max, you can still capture the passion of Princess Buttercup and Westley in our Westley and Princess Buttercup costume. Don’t let the fun end there either—you can add to your Princess Bride group costume with Halloween costumes for Inigo Montoya and Fezzik!

3. Beetlejuice Costumes

This classic 80s comedy horror movie is the perfect choice for an 80s costume duo. Dress like Beetlejuice and Lydia as a couples costume, or use kids’ costumes and make it a mommy and me or a daddy and me costume instead! There are also a few Beetlejuice masks with unusual faces for other characters. You’re sure to bump into other 80s movie fans when you wear these iconic Beetlejuice costumes!

4. KISS Costumes

They might have had their heyday in the mid to late 1970s, but KISS was operating in the 80s. (And they still perform today!) Dress like pre-unmasked-era KISS with these exclusive KISS Halloween costumes and makeup. KISS is one of the best men’s group costume ideas for four people, and you’re sure to be the hit of the party.

5. The Breakfast Club Costumes

Smack dab in the middle of the 80s was The Breakfast Club movie. It created many iconic moments (and memes), but it also makes for a really good pun costume. Sure you can wear actual The Breakfast Club costumes to look like your favorite characters, but you’re sure to get some laughs (or groans) if you wear a bunch of breakfast food costumes. We’re not going to say that one way is better than the other, but you do you.

6. Labyrinth Costumes

The hair! The poofy sleeves! Does it get any more 80s than Jim Henson’s Labyrinth? You even get the added bonus of a movie with David Bowie! Now that we’ve checked all those boxes, you’ll know why you can’t pass up the opportunity to wear official Labyrinth costumes to your next Halloween party or Comic-Con. If you have your heart set on a classic 80s costume, this is it. (Not to mention the fact that this is one of the best 80s couples costumes.)

7. Ghostbusters Costumes

Who you gonna call when you need an 80s costume idea for a group? Ghostbusters! You can easily outfit a family in Ghostbusters costumes, from ghost-fighting jumpsuits and dresses to Slimer and Stay Puft costumes. Easily the most flexible group costume idea for groups of any size, you’re more than welcome to still fly solo if you want to cosplay as Venkman or any of the other characters.

8. Back to the Future Costumes

Probably the most iconic time travel movie of all time, Back to the Future is full of great 80s costume ideas. Marty McFly has quite a few outfits throughout the film series, but you can also find BTTF costumes for characters like Jennifer Parker along with Doc Brown. There’s even a Back to the Future dog costume! This easy 80s costume idea practically presents itself—but you’re free to complicate matters by trying to track down a DMC DeLorean.

9. Top Gun Costumes

Put an 80s twist on military costumes and check out these Top Gun costumes! A variety of bomber jackets and flight suit outfits will make you feel like Goose, Maverick and the rest of the gang. (Maverick and Goose, name a better duo!) If you’re looking for a warmer 80s costume to wear in colder states (like our home state of Minnesota), the bomber jackets are especially great for kids and adults.

10. Indiana Jones Costumes

Apologies if this makes you feel old, but the first Indiana Jones movie came out in 1981. (Makes you want to hop into a DeLorean to get some of that time back!) In any case, we’re not about to complain that they’re still making Indiana Jones movies if it means that our kids have the chance to like something that we like, too. Whether you want to buy an Indiana Jones costume or make one from scratch, there are plenty of Indiana Jones costume accessories to make sure you get the complete package.

11. Saved by the Bell Costumes

Saved by the Bell might barely be in the 80s, but it still counts! It only ran for four seasons, from 1989 until 1993, but what an impression it made! If you have always wanted to try an early mobile phone—a.k.a. “the brick”—this 80s costume idea is perfect for you! You can even lean into the humor and get a giant, inflatable mobile phone so Zach Morris can chat with his friends in style. (Too bad you can’t use his “time out” superpowers with these Saved by the Bell costumes.)

12. Care Bears Costumes

What’s warm, fuzzy and unbearably cute? With all those clues (or maybe the pictures), you probably guessed that we were talking about Care Bears costumes! You can find a huge variety of Care Bears outfits here, so you and your squad can be comfy and cozy all night. Don’t forget to practice your Care Bear stare!

13. The Karate Kid Costumes

Get ready for some 80s martial arts action! There are tons of great 80s costume ideas for guys in The Karate Kid, so these Karate Kid Halloween costumes are true #dadgoals. (How cute would it be to have a daddy and me Mr. Miyagi and Daniel San pair?) If you’re a fan of the Cobra Kai television series or you still prefer bad-boy Johnny Lawrence, you can look slick in his karate outfit or his red jacket.

14. E.T. Costumes

If you’re looking for excuses to snack on Reese’s Pieces at the Halloween party, an E.T. costume is exactly what the doctor ordered! (Probably not your dentist, though!) E.T. also doubles as a great costume for alien enthusiasts, so there’s that too. You might not be able to make bicycles and other objects levitate, but you’ll still be the delight of other 80s movie enthusiasts.

15. Rainbow Brite Costumes

Arguably one of the most colorful characters to spring out of the 80s, Rainbow Brite is the perfect costume for cartoon enthusiasts. The era of Saturday morning cartoons was in full swing, where kids could watch classics like the Care Bears, He-Man and of course Rainbow Brite! Now you can access cartoons on streaming services 24/7, but you can still relive those glory days in our exclusive Rainbow Brite costumes!

16. 80s Workout Costumes

Let’s get physical! The 80s was the height of home workout videotapes and neon spandex outfits—an iconic look that is still parodied today. (Booty shorts, leg warmers and sweatbands, oh my!) Be at the height of 80s fashion with these bright and colorful 80s workout outfits. There are bound to be tons of these at any 80s costume party, and who could blame you for wanting to wear one? They’re pretty comfy, after all!

17. The Smurfs Costumes

You might not realize it, but the Smurfs actually have a history before their cartoon series in the 1980s. (They actually started out as part of a Belgian comic series in 1958!) We don’t entirely know how these loveable blue creatures came to be part of a successful American TV series, but they had a great run—from 1981 to 1989. There are tons of Smurfs costumes to choose from such as Pap Smurf and Smurfette, but with some added costume accessories you can become characters like Brainy Smurf or Chef Smurf.

18. Other 80s Movie Costumes

We’d like to argue that there’s nothing better than getting cozy with a blanket and some snacks to watch our favorite 80s movies. Whether there was solid gold in the water or a weird bug that had the side effect of making some of the most entertaining movies ever, we’re not sure. However, we are certain that you can never have too many 80s movie costumes! HalloweenCostumes.com prides itself on having a vast selection of nostalgia costumes. You can find 80s favorites like Flashdance, Gremlins, The Dark Crystal and more!

19. Other 80s TV Costumes

As much as we rant and rave about how good movies were in the 1980s, the television shows were also superb! So many 80s cartoons and live-action shows are remembered fondly today, from She-Ra to the Golden Girls. You can re-live your favorite moments on television with these 80s TV show costumes. (Don’t be surprised if someone starts belting your opening theme song!)

20. 80s Singer Costumes for Women

Was there anything that they were bad at in the 80s? Movies, TV, and music—we still can’t get enough of them today! When you think of the women behind the music of the 80s, Madonna is probably one of the first to come to find will all of her iconic outfits. You also have singers like Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benatar, Tina Turner and more! Get ready to rock your party in style with these 80s musician costumes, ladies!

21. 80s Singer Costumes for Men

You can’t touch these 80s costume ideas for men. There are so many iconic male singers from the 80s that we can hardly begin to list them all! You have the likes of Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Angus Young and others. If you wear these celebrity costumes, you’ll have the perfect excuse to bring some of your favorite tunes to the costume party.

80s Party Ideas

People love to attend costume parties, especially with decade themes. 80s costume parties are among the most popular, and we can’t blame people for wanting to dress up in 80s costumes and feel like they stepped into the world of Stranger Things or The Goonies. However, 80s costumes are only one part of the equation! Parties need food and drinks, activities, decorations, and more to entertain guests. We’ll share our favorite ways to make your next 80s party totally tubular!

80s Music

There are so many reasons to love the 80s. The fashion was wild, the movies were iconic, and the music was like nothing else! If you’re hosting an 80s costume party, an 80s music playlist is a must. You can find a metric ton of 80s playlists online through places like Spotify and YouTube, but it’s just as easy to make your own. (Or pop in some of your favorite 80s CDs.) Famous 80s artists you may want to include are Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, U2, The Police, Bon Jovi, and many, many more!

80s Dance Moves

The music boom of the 80s set the stage for MTV and a ton of new dance moves! You’re likely familiar with some of these iconic dances, including Michael Jackson’s famous Moonwalk or The Running Man as performed by Janet Jackson in “Rhythm Nation”. Emerging music genres such as hip-hop and EDM also brought innovation to the dance floor with moves like The Cabbage Patch, The Wop, and The Worm. You’re welcome to share these and other 80s moves with your guests before you hit the dance floor, or keep them in your back pocket the next time you find yourself at an 80s party!

80s Decorations

What theme did you want to have for your 80s party? If you want it to feel like a vintage arcade, black light and pops of neon colors can help you set the mood. Or, if you can’t change the lights, black and neon color decorations are an easy substitute. Use colorful balloons, tablecloths, and decorations featuring records and cassette tapes. Depending on your particular theme, you can even bring in some movie inspiration. Use white and black stripes with pops of purple and green for a Beetlejuice décor scheme, or include weathered maps and skulls for a Goonies party. The only limit here is your imagination! (And maybe your budget!)

80s Food and Drinks

Modern conveniences led to an increase in travel and convenience foods, which had an impact on 80s cuisine. Fast food chains and eating out were having a moment, and cultural foods from other countries became more accessible. Italian, Asian, and Mexican foods were easier to find, and there were new flavors and cooking methods to explore! Tiramisu, sushi, and tacos are excellent for 80s party foodie fare, although burgers, fries, and cocktail weiners wouldn’t be out of place at your table. As for drinks, Capri Sun pouches and Diet Coke are some easy choices for kids, and adults can always enjoy a sip of a French Martini or an Amaretto Sour.

80s Activities

Dancing or otherwise enjoying 80s music in some form should be an 80s party standard! If your guests aren’t the dancing type, you can easily whip out 80s music trivia or even 80s karaoke. However, there are so many more things to do! Try various 80s arcade games or find an Atari emulator to experience popular 80s video games. They’re pretty easy to find and download for your home computer or game system. Also, don’t forget about popping in an 80s movie classic. It’s a great way to share your favorite movies with your kids!

80s Party Favors

80s fashion was dynamite! There are so many fun 80s accessories that you can easily add to a party favor bag. Chunky neon bracelets, silly plastic sunglasses, pin-back buttons, and glow sticks are all great choices! You’re welcome to add popular 80s candy into the mix, too. Get some Airheads, Chupa Chups, Push Pops, and Nerds, and your party favors will be the envy of all.

We hope you enjoyed exploring some radical 80s costume options with us! Are you planning on dressing up in an 80s costume? If the 80s just isn’t your decade, we have plenty of other decade themed costumes like the 20s, 50s, 70s, and 90s costumes! Feel free to let us know if we missed any 80s clothing or costumes in the comments that you’d like to see!

Angela Poch is an Inbound Marketing Specialist and Resident Crazy Cat Lady at HalloweenCostumes.com, where she is an assistant editor and covers tutorials, crafting and pop culture. Angela has created costumes and props for Halloween events, conventions and Renaissance festivals.

Some of her favorite costumes include 90s Rogue, a custom Jedi, warrior elf, and some nameless Renaissance pirate. (She’s still figuring out how to make a Jedi light-chakram.) You can find her on Twitter @AngelaPoch1 or her cats on Instagram @stardustnebulanova.

45 Best ’80s Costumes Ideas for a Throwback Halloween Look

The ’80s brought us some truly iconic moments in fashion and pop culture. If you weren’t alive to experience the big hair, shoulder pads, and rainbow-hued workout Spandex ‘fits that rocked the era, Halloween is the perfect time to channel the maximalist decade. Whether you’re the procrastinator who’s looking for cheap costumes you can DIY or the person who loves to go all out with their Halloween makeup and outfits (the more elaborate, the better!), we’ve gathered the best ’80s Halloween costumes from our fave celebs to inspire your throwback look for this year.

Despite so many ’90s fashion trends making major comebacks, rest assured, the ’80s have just as many trends that have resurfaced lately, too. So go ahead, raid your parents’ closets, or scour a thrift store to find everything you need to recreate the best outfits, trends, celebrity moments, movies, and TV shows from the decade. From iconic movies to the biggest pop culture moments, here are 45 of the greatest ’80s costume ideas for couples, groups, or just you to recreate this Halloween.

’80s Prom Queen

While we’re patiently awaiting the comeback of extra large sleeves and even bigger hair, channel your inner ’80s It girl by grabbing your mom’s old prom dress or hitting up the local thrift stores.

Madonna

The ’80s, of course, marked the rise of Madonna. Take your pick from the vast range of the pop icon’s most memorable early looks, like this one from “Like a Virgin.”

Princess Diana

Here’s an easy costume to pull together last minute: Princess Di. Considering the style icon is majorly influencing current fashion trends over four decades later, it’s a cinch to ace: grab some bike shorts, dad sneakers, and a crewneck sweatshirt for instant Di energy.

Rollerblader Barbie and Ken

The odds that we’re gonna make this Barbie look one of our Halloween costumes this year is v high. Guess it’s time to grab a colorful leotard and start practice rollerskating (yikes).

Westley and Buttercup from The Princess Bride

Who doesn’t love the excuse to dress up as a pretty princess and/or her shining knight in armor (or should we say mask?). This is the perfect couple’s costume if you’re a fan of the 1987 film.

Eddie and Chrissy from Stranger Things

The misunderstood leader of the Hellfire Club and the beloved cheerleader—two characters from Season 4 of Stranger Things (set in the ’80s. duh) that really stole the show (and our hearts 😭).