How to throw an 1980s themed party

How to throw a 1980s themed party

What made the 1980s so great?


The 1980s was an exciting time for many reasons and a number of stand out fashion, entertainment and technology advances was what made the 1980s so great. I'm sure that you have heard the saying, "Take me back to the 80s", well here are a few reasons why. It was a time when shoulder pads, lycra spandex, mullets and 'BIG' hair entered the fashion scene. Madonna and Michael Jackson ruled the music world and TV shows like The Golden Girls, Full House and The Wonder Years graced our television screens. A huge list of blockbuster movies were all released in this decade; E.T, Die Hard, The Terminator and Back to the Future, just to name a few. It was also when arcade games erupted into the world and ignited everyone's love for Super Mario and Pac Man. As you can see, it was a glorious time to be alive and this is exactly why it's the perfect party theme for you to recreate!

What was trending in the 1980s?

Perms - BIG HAIR
Mullets
Hair crimping
Spandex
Parachute pants
Shoulder pads
Jelly shoes
Leg warmers
Koosh balls
Hacky Sacks
Yo-yo's
Cabbage Patch Dolls
Rubik's cube
Slap bracelets
Walkman

What was trending in the 80s era
how to decorate a 1980s themed party
Trends of the 80s

BEST 1980s THEMED PARTY DECORATIONS


Listed below are some of the best 1980s themed decoration ideas to get you started.

*Bright colorful garland and party word banners
*Matching 80s patterned plates and cups set
*1980s movie and TV show references such as posters, VHS tapes, magazines
*Pac Man and Nintendo games cut outs
*Colorful mullet wigs 
*Inflatable guitars and microphones
*Koosh balls, hacky sacks, yo-yo's scattered around the tables
*Large cassette tape cardboard cutouts


WHICH LIGHTS DO I USE FOR A 1980s THEMED PARTY?


To enhance your 1980s themed party experience and to make the colors in your space really pop, we recommend turning your 80s party into a glow party with a black light glow party kit.  You can also hang neon decorations from the walls and ceiling that will glow in vibrant colors. It would be a great way to get those bright colored mullet wigs and spandex leggings glowing!

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WHAT ARE THE BEST 1980s SONGS OF ALL TIME?


The 1980s music scene was full of absolute bangers! Hits from Whitney Houston, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Guns N Roses were just some of the best 1980s songs of all time. Check out this video that features some of the 80s greatest hits, that are all an absolute MUST for your party music play list. 

WHAT DO I WEAR TO A 1980s THEMED PARTY?


Some of the fashion trends in the 1980s were some of the best, but also some of the most hilarious of all the different decades! You can wear any of the following outfit suggestions below to a 1980s themed party. Just remember, the daggier, the better! 

Ladies Fashion Ideas
*Bright colored neon spandex tights
*Bright colored leotard 
*White sneakers 
*Leg warmers
*Black netted crop top with neon colored singlet underneath
*Over sized business jacket with shoulder pads
*Over sized T-shirt cut off on one shoulder
*Short black skirt, paired with neon colored tights
*High waisted stonewashed jeans with white crop top
*Laced or see through dress with mid arm cut off gloves and black heels
*HAIR - The bigger your hair is, the getter! Mullets and perms...Volume, volume volume!

Men's Fashion Ideas
*Colorful parachute pants and matching zip up parachute jacket
*Double denim - stonewashed jeans, paired with a denim jacket
*Pastel colored full tracksuit with sweat head band and sneakers
*Brown leather jackets, wind breakers, bright colored zip up baseball jackets, bomber jackets
*Black or brown leather loafers, white sneakers or high top black sneaker (Converse)
*HAIR - Mullets and perms...Go on, we dare you!

what to wear to a 1980s themed party
what to wear to an 80s party
1980s party outfit

WHAT ARE SOME 1980s DANCE MOVES?


Now that you look the part of someone from the 1980s, you now need to dance like someone from the 1980s! Some of these 1980s dance moves can be classed as quite ''dorky'' but what a joy they are to watch people try to master! Let go of your inhibitions and have a go!

Check out this great video below to familiarize yourself with the most popular 1980s dance moves.

Want more great party theme ideas? 

Click here for our full list of great party themes

Want to party in a different decade? Check out our guides to the 60s, 70s, and 90s 

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