How to Make '80s Clothing
The 1980s were a time of neon colors, layered socks, jelly shoes and acid-washed jeans. It's no wonder that many people like to bring back '80s fashion when prepping for a costume or Halloween party. You can make '80s clothing out of items you might have at home or you can easily--and cheaply--find items for this purpose at the store.
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Things You'll Need
- Oversized sweatshirt
- Brightly colored socks
- Leggings
- Acid-washed jeans
- Bleach (optional)
- Neon accessories
Instructions
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Consider what to wear on top first, to start your '80s outfit. One of the easiest items to make is an off-the-shoulder, oversized sweatshirt. This look was made popular in the movie "Flashdance." Buy a sweatshirt in your preferred color (gray is best, but any bright or neon color will work). Make the head hole larger by cutting off the collar of the sweatshirt with scissors along with a bit of extra fabric. Make the sleeves shorter and looser by cutting off the cuffs as well. Wear a brightly colored sports bra or tank top underneath and layer the sweatshirt over it. Make sure one bare shoulder shows. Another easy, and simple, idea is to do a type of "preppy" look simply by tying a sweater around your shoulders. This was another popular style in the '80s (for both men and women).
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Consider a pair of opaque tights, leggings or stirrup pants. Add some flair with some brightly colored scrunch socks (layer them for a better '80s effect), or cut off the foot part of a sock to create "instant" leg warmers. If you want more clothing, throw on a short jean skirt over a pair of leggings.
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Wear a pair of acid-washed jeans. Acid-washed jeans are probably easy to find in thrift stores; however, if you want to make a pair yourself, the process is simple but takes patience and observation. Fill a clean mop bucket with bleach. Put your jeans in the bucket for a short time, just until the bleach absorbs. Take them out and wring the extra bleach out of them. Scrub the jeans with rocks until the bleach has been rubbed down into the jeans. This should give your jeans the stonewashed look that was popular in the '80s. After you've satisfactorily stonewashed your jeans, put them in the wash with other white items you're OK with bleaching. Dry as normal.
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Don an old pair of white Keds or search for a pair of jelly shoes. High-tops were also popular--either in all white or brightly colored styles. Look at some of the newer fashion-wear shoes by athletic companies. Many are bringing back the brightly colored styles of the '80s.
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Pick jewelry that is large, with bold colors. Consider a pair of large, brightly colored hoops (the thicker the better) and a large beaded necklace in a fun color.
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Tips & Warnings
Review the fashion of '80s style icon Madonna; following some of the singer's cues might give you more ideas.
Resources
- Photo Credit jeans... image by Saskia Massink from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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I was just thinking I have nothing to wear lol
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LOL pics are going to be a must!!
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LOLOL... Has 2 be dun!
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BrianBosboom
Nov 30, 2008
I would highly NOT RECOMMEND using these tips to Acid Wash your jeans. Unfortunately, I followed them, and this turned a pair of perfectly good Royal Blue pants, into ALL bleached. You should NOT FILL the bucket with bleach! This is way too much, and instead of getting the desired look of being lightly bleached here and there, it will kill all the color entirely. Rather, fill a big bowl of bleach, get a sponge in it, and dab here and there on the pants, bleaching it to your liking. If you do what is recommended here, you will completely bleach your pants, and have no control over the degree of "bleachitude" on them whatsoever. However, if you have a pair of pants you want turned entirely into a cream-ish white color, follow the steps provided in this article. -
BrianBosboom
Nov 30, 2008
I would highly NOT RECOMMEND using these tips to Acid Wash your jeans. Unfortunately, I followed them, and this turned a pair of perfectly good Royal Blue pants, into ALL bleached. You should NOT FILL the bucket with bleach! This is way too much, and instead of getting the desired look of being lightly bleached here and there, it will kill all the color entirely. Rather, fill a big bowl of bleach, get a sponge in it, and dab here and there on the pants, bleaching it to your liking. If you do what is recommended here, you will completely bleach your pants, and have no control over the degree of "bleachitude" on them whatsoever. However, if you have a pair of pants you want turned entirely into a cream-ish white color, follow the steps provided in this article.
