How to Dress Like an 80s Prep for Halloween

Halloween is a whimsical holiday for many people. The opportunity to dress up in a costume that you would normally not be able to wear adds to the thrill of season. Perhaps one of the easiest yet most effective costumes is the 1980s prep. This throwback to a time of penny loafers a tube socks makes Halloween even more enjoyable. Learn how to dress like an 80s prep for Halloween.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. First determine what clothing items you will need to obtain for your costume. Sift through pictures online or watch old episodes of 1980s television shows for ideas on what to wear.
2. Draw inspiration from television shows and movies like "16 Candles", "The Breakfast Club" and "Saved by The Bell". Sift through your own closet and take inventory of what 1980s items you have that can be integrated into your costume.
3. Find some stonewashed tapered jeans, mini-skirt or khaki pants/shorts to wear as the bottom for your costume. Shop around thrift stores or rummage through your closet to find some penny loafer shoes, Keds-like sneakers or dress flats (for girls).
4. Integrate vibrant colors with drab khaki or chino, such as a hot pink sweater with chino pants, or a denim skirt with a lime green shirt. Tease your hair if you are a woman and use plenty of hairspray to round out the look. Add bright lipstick, plenty of mascara and plenty of accessories, like bangles, dangling earrings and multiple necklaces.
5. Tie a sweater around your neck to make your 80s costume extremely preppy. Go for a more classic country club look complete with tennis racket. Find a polo shirt if you are a male, and pair it with a sweater tied around the shoulders and chinos or tennis shorts.

Tips & Warnings

• For men a blazer, penny loafers with no socks and shorts are a classic throwback to Miami Vice and extremely preppy.
• For the ultimate preppy look, check out the television show "Family Ties" for inspiration from Michael J. Fox's character Alex P. Keaton.