What do you think when you look back to the 80s? Probably Madonna, dancing in period costume and singing upbeat songs. Maybe Pat Benatar, singing mighty hymns. Better yet, you may remember Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club, with her perfect hair and sleek style of hers.
If you’re one of this year’s prom-goers, chances are you 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 with the more Hard 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 here to enjoy 80’s culture doesn’t mean you can’t add some of it to your graduation experience. Fortunately, you can skip the leg warmers and sweat cuffs.
To capture that ’80s feel, style your hair in a fluffy, feathered style with brightly colored barrettes or glitter. If you have blonde hair, you can even add pink or purple highlights. However, do not overdo it. A touch of the 80s in your hair is cute, but too much of it will look weird and retro.
Your earrings should be big and colorful. Try geometric earrings and pendants, with plastic or rhinestone details. Only wear one earring per lobe to avoid a heavy, overdone look. They should be shiny, sparkly, or both, with an almost costume jewelry appearance.
For a look that epitomizes ’80s parties, look for big, bold plastic charms and pendants. Just like earrings, these should be colorful and sparkly. Top it off by reliving a childhood favorite and gifting primary-colored friendship bracelets and jelly beans.
You can go for a more costume-like look by thinking of the original Material Girl and donning big, sparkly pieces of rhinestones or cubic zirconia. Make them big, dazzling and flashy to give your outfit an extra glam feel. This style pairs best with soft, feminine colors like light pink or baby blue on soft fabrics. Pair them with satin gloves for an extremely glam 80s look.
Check out some music videos from ’80s pop insiders on YouTube to get inspiration for your outfit. For the best retro dance style, you should stick to just a few vintage items. Many of the styles are still available in mass merchandise jewelry departments. However, you will have to make some matches on your own. If possible, ask a few friends to shop with you so you can get a third-party opinion.
With judicious and tasteful use of the best items from the ’80s, you can create a fun and unique look for prom that will bring you lots of compliments and a little slice of bygone party decade.
