25 Best 80s Costumes for Halloween
It’s crazy to think that forty years ago, we used to wear clothing that we would consider to be only wearable as a costume today. Crazy makeup, huge hair and leg warmers is an outfit that just screams 80s. While we’ve toned it down somewhat over the years, I’ve been starting to see some pretty weird trends coming back like the pointy shoulders, strappy dresses and plastic box purses.
Nevertheless, if you’re looking to take on an 80s costume for Halloween, you’ll find some great ideas here – everything from Marty McFly to Madonna. You may find some unique ideas that you may not have ever even considered! Of course, you’d be surprised as to what is sold on Amazon nowadays. Did you know you can find a rockstar wig? I swear, they are well worth it rather than putting all that hairspray in your hair. You’ll be trying to get it out for weeks!
If you are looking elsewhere for your costumes, I highly recommend reading up on the reviews as some costumes can get really uncomfortable like plastic pants and cheap earrings. The last thing you want is to be getting sore in unexpected spots on this amazing day!
So here are my recommendations on the best Halloween costumes:
Popular 80s Halloween Costumes
1. Prince
Thanks to Prince, the color purple has been a thing for over forty years. If you were in love with his music like me, you’ll love this costume as it’s made from velvet with lace cuffs. This costume was also worn for his Purple Rain album, the one with one of my favorite songs, “When Doves Cry”. It comes with the shirt, jacket and pants, although you’ll need to buy your wig separately, but perfect for Halloween party!
2. Lydia Deetz from BeetleJuice
Why be a corpse or vampire bride when you can be Bride Lydia from Beetlejuice? This costume is super cute, sexy and will surely capture everyone’s attention at a Halloween party. Although beware the petticoat and veil are not included. I also highly recommend ordering the wig as well to go with it or people may not understand the costume. This isn’t exactly the perfect replica from the movie, but it surely is a nice costume! It’s also 3% Spandex so it’s got a bit of a stretch to it.
3. Beetlejuice
Of course, I couldn’t leave out the famous Beetlejuice costume if I have Lydia’s bride costume! This is the perfect pairing for you or your significant other if you are both into the Beetlejuice movies. By the way, I also hear there is a 2nd coming out, with Winona Ryder!
Anyways, be careful again this costume is another one that does not come with the wig. But no worries, check out this wig! It’s also Amazon’s choice and has great reviews.
4. Madonna
Even today, Madonna still doesn’t look old. If I didn’t know who she was, I’d say she looks like she’s in her 30s. Her music also hasn’t aged much either; it remained consistent as pop incorporated more digital sound. This costume is super cute, especially with the white lace gloves and nylons, just be careful not to rip them! The only thing I’d be a little nervous about is the sleeves; they have that scratchy material I remember wearing at my last Christmas sweater party and I couldn’t handle it.
5. Indiana Jones
Guys, surely you’d look good at an 80s Halloween party if you dressed up as Indiana Jones. In the 80s, only all the women were in love with Harrison Ford, especially with that brown leather jacket and cowboy hat. Looking back now, I realize how cheesy Hollywood it was, but the action scenes were neat, nevertheless. These were also the classics, because no other movie had a story like this, which made it all the more successful. So if you want to show up as the gorgeous hot shot from the 80s, choose this costume! Just beware the costume does not come with the pants or shoes, so you’ll have to get those somewhere else.
6. Jane Fonda
If you’ve got the courage to sport some tight-fitting neon, you’ll love this Jane Fonda-inspired workout outfit. While this one is a little more revealing, it will be great to wear if it’s warm outside or in the party room. You’ll also love those long leg warmers! Either way, you’ll definitely turn some heads when you show up. The costume comes with the leotard, head band, and leg warmers, so you’ll just have to find some white shoes.
7. Rubik’s Cube
This costume is just living proof that you literally can get just about anything and everything from Amazon. You can show up as a Rubik’s Cube! How incredible is that! You might feel like a square (hehe), but you probably don’t have to worry about someone picking the same costume. For those who have come up with this costume, they were definitely thinking outside the box, thinking of trends and not just people. This is also really colorful and will be sure to turn some heads at the next party! You also won’t have to worry about any missing accessories like a wig.
8. Princess Leia
Surely there are a ton of Princess Leia, but this one is really sexy! If attention is what you’re looking for, you’ll be sure to get it with this one! Leia is also regarded as one of the bravest heroes in Star Wars IV, V and VI, especially when she takes on and kills Jabba the Hut in just a few pieces of fabric.
9. The Karate Kid
Aya! This martial arts costume is incredibly comfortable and is almost the same as the uniform from The Karate Kid. You could also recycle it and call it a Cobra Kai costume, since it serves both purposes. Included in this costume are the vest, pants and belt, two of which are embroidered!
10. The Ghostbusters
Who you gonna call? Definitely you at this party if you pick this Ghostbusters costume! What I like most is the detail on this one. While some come with just the uniform and no ghost vacuum, others come with the full thing. And if you have a little one, you can always dress them up as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man! Check out that adorable costume! Honestly, this makes the cutest pair if you’re taking your kids out trick-r-treating.
11. Princess Buttercup
If you’re into the middle ages and romance novels, you’ll love this Princess Buttercup costume from The Princess Bride. If you also have a significant other and persuade him to be Westley, the fearless man wearing black, hands down you will be the cutest couple at the Halloween party! Just make sure you get all the accessories for the costumes, like Westley’s sword and Buttercup’s wig, to complete this look. Otherwise it might look a little weird.
12. Alex Owens from Flashdance
If you’re into dance and are going to a Halloween party, check out this Alex Owens costume from Flashdance! You’ll also have the best moves on the dance floor in this outfit, complete with a heather gray sweater dress, leg warmers and headband. That’s just about everything you’ll need for this fun, flirty costume!
13. Pac-Man
This costume can go two ways: t-shirt or full on costume. Personally, I’d go with the costume since it’s more fun, but if you’re not one to get too crazy with things, I’d recommend the t-shirt. Either way, people will recognize it! You can also be extra creative with a friend or significant other and wear Pac-Man and Mrs. Pac-Man costumes, or blue and pink ghost costumes. Just an extra idea to spice things up!
14. Freddy Krueger
Want to go with something a little more creepy? Check out this Freddy Krueger costume! This is also a great one if this used to scare the crap out of you as a kid. Share the memories with your friends and family with this costume, which comes with the shirt, sleeve cuffs, attached latex and burnt flesh accents. Here’s also the link for the mask if you don’t mind having something over your face. But now after COVID, we should be used to it, right? You might also want to get the hat and claw hand to go with it!
15. Wayne’s World (set of 2)
Dude! If you want to match your best friend’s costume, check out these Wayne’s World costumes! Long hair, glasses, plaid shirt and baseball cap – it shouldn’t be too hard to pull off. It’s also one of the more comfortable costumes on this list, especially when compared with the latex materials on some. But these essentially include the black and blonde wigs, Wayne’s World Hat, drum sticks and glasses. Grab a t-shirt and jeans and you’re good to go. Easy!
16. Elliot from E.T.
E.T. was one of my favorite movies growing up. Although I couldn’t stand to watch when Elliot found E.T. sick and discolored in the river – reminds me of when Mufasa died in Lion King. But this is a great costume to show off one of the classic Steven Spielberg movies from the 80s. Although just keep in mind you’ll need to “hold” on to the handle bars all the time, or you might look weird with the basket just hanging there. The costumes includes the red hoodie, white handle bars and the hook-and-loop closure. You’ll have to supply the shoes and jeans yourself.
17. Claire Standish from The Breakfast Club
Not everyone may recognize this one, but those who love 80s rom coms will definitely know you’re Claire Standish. She was known as one of the rebels who served detention in the library on a Saturday. The costume includes the shirt, belt and skirt, so you’ll need to buy the wig and boots separately.
18. The Grady Twins from The Shining
If you love horror movies and are going to a Halloween party with your best friend, why not dress up as the Grady twins? The costume is also fairly comfortable with a loose-fitting dress, knee-high socks and headband. You’ll just need to get the shoes. Complete the character by asking others, “Come play with us!”
19. Lisa Frank Animals
Another one that wasn’t a human, but a trend. Wear any animal print with lots of colors and you’ve got the look! In fact, if you’ve got a whole group of friends, everyone can wear their own print and colors and you would all still match. If you’re unfamiliar with the artist, I highly recommend looking her up! Very popular artwork!
For this costume, you may have to get a little creative, but here’s my recommendations for an outfit:
With this outfit, you’ll be swirling with colors!
20. Baywatch Lifeguard
Another one you probably haven’t thought of. This was the show that everyone only watched because of the gorgeous beach “lifeguards”. But if you want to try out the swimsuit beach costume with an 80s twist, this one is definitely for you! For women, the costume comes with the mini jacket, swimsuit, whistle and shorts. There’s also a costume that comes with a shirt instead of the suit, if you don’t want to wear the spandex. For men, I recommend this Baywatch costume, which comes with the full jacket and shorts of course.
21. Jennifer Parker from Back to the Future
Great Scott! This is the cutest and one of the most comfortable costumes you can wear on Halloween. With cute flower leggings and a light jacket, pair it up with some white shoes and curl your hair and you’re a spitting image of Jennifer Parker! Another cute couples costume is to have your S.O. dress up as Marty McFly. If you are also going to a party with a friend, they can dress up as Doc.
22. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
Let’s face it. You were probably a ninja turtle when you were a kid. Why not enjoy the nostalgia and dress up again as an adult? Believe me, there are plenty of costumes! It’s also another good way to show off some of your ninja moves. This costume comes with the jumpsuit, eye mask, elbow pads, knee pads and shoe covers! No hunting for shoes to complete this costume!
23. Smurf
Another cute costume, if you loved the Smurfs growing up, why not dress up as one for Halloween? If you have kids, they will probably recognize you from the movie Trolls, but we will always know and remember the original characters. Costumes are available as either Papa Smurf or a Smurfette that comes with the dress, leggings and the white hat. But sorry, not the wig.
24. Ariel from The Little Mermaid
Not many people realize The Little Mermaid was released in 1989, the start of the Disney Renaissance period. But if you used to watch this movie growing up, you’ll definitely love this costume with an “Under the Sea” look! If you have a daughter, she’d probably love to see you dress up in this gorgeous mermaid outfit. Better yet, here’s a girl’s Ariel costume to match!
25. El from Stranger Things
How awesome would it be to dress up as El from Stranger Things! This show was not authentically filmed in the 80s, but its settings are pretty spot on! El is such a badass when it comes to killing the demagorgons that she makes being a geek look awesome! The costume includes the jumpsuit of course and I recommend wearing your hair half up half down like she had.
Which Costume Would You Pick?
Personally, I’d go with El’s costume, just because it’s different and I’m a huge fan of Stranger Things. I also grew up not too far from Hawkins, IN and have been a bit of a nerd myself. So this costume would be pretty fitting.
So how about you? Which one would you pick for a Halloween costume? Or even for an 80s party? Please let me know in the comments below! No login needed!
