What do you think of when you look back on the 80s? Probably Madonna, dancing in period outfits and singing upbeat songs. Maybe Pat Benatar, belting out power anthems. Better yet, you may reminisce about Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club, with her perfect hair and decked out fashion.
If you’re among this year’s prom goers, you more than likely missed out on the fun and fashion of the 80s. Instead of tuning in to the upbeat Duran Duran and The Go Gos, you probably grew up on the harder Nickelback and Daft Punk. While Daft Punk’s electronic beats are great for the dance floor, they don’t provide much inspiration for a retro outfit.
Just because you weren’t around to enjoy the 80s culture, doesn’t mean you can’t add some of it to your prom experience. Luckily, you can skip the leg warmers and sweat cuffs.
To capture that 80s feel, do your hair up in a fluffy, feathered style with bright colored barrettes or glitter. If you have fair hair, you can even go so far as to add pink or purple streaks. Don’t go overboard, though. A touch of the 80s in your hair is cute, but too much will look foreign and retro.
Your earrings should be large and colorful. Try hoops and geometric dangles, with plastic or rhinestone accents. Only wear one earring per lobe to avoid a heavy, overdone look. They should be glittery, bright or both, with a nearly costume jewelry appearance.
For a look that epitomizes 80s parties, look for big, bold plastic charms and pendants. Just like the earrings, these should be colorful and sparkly. Top it off by reviving a childhood favorite and donning friendship bracelets and primary colored jellies.
You can go for a more costume like look by thinking of the original Material Girl and donning large, sparkly rhinestone or cubic zirconia pieces. Make them big, glitzy and ostentatious to give your outfit an over the top glamorous feel. This style goes best with soft, girlie colors like light pink or baby blue in smooth fabrics. Pair them with satin gloves to get an extremely 80s glam look.
Watch a few music videos from 80s pop mavens on YouTube to get inspiration for your outfit. For the best retro prom style, you should stick to just a few period items. Many of the styles are still easily available in mass merchandise jewelry departments. You will have to do some matching on your own though. If possible, get some friends to shop with you so that you can get a third party’s opinion.
With the tasteful, judicious use of over the top 80s items, you can create a fun, unique prom style that will get you plenty of compliments and a little slice of the bygone party decade.
Elaine Lynn is a loving mother, photographer, and fashion writer living in Pennsylvania. More of her works can be found in prom dresses & evening dresses.
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