Take it to the max! You can totally pull off an 80s party and get people bouncing their shoulder pads off your walls.
Invitations
Bold designs dominated the 80s. Personalise these with your party details.
Party attire
There was no such thing as subtlety. This was the decade of materialistic YUPPIE posers with power suits and over-sized blazers.
If you’ve ever wanted to dress in a sharp suit, now is your chance. Just make sure you add the biggest shoulder pads you can get your hands on. Use adhesive velcro if you’re worried about them moving around.
from LeoGStein
For a more casual look, acid wash jeans were everywhere which you can probably find in a local thrift store.
often matched with over-sized tees with bold slogans or neon designs.
In fact, the 80s was probably the only time neon was matched with animal print.
Not to forget velour or shiny tracksuits, (Guys, do not be afraid to wear this!)
or getting physical with aerobics outfits.
If your party is in winter and you want to feel a little cozy, be a Care Bear.
Or be a little abstract.
If you can score old jeans, tshirt and blazer with shoulder pads at a local thrift store you’re almost there and just need to accessorize.
Fingerless gloves are a good start.
Try and get your hands on angular specs
or wayfarer style sunnies.
On the dance floor, wave your hands in the air like you just don’t care if you decide you need a retro digital watch on your wrist.
A cringe-worthy fanny pack would be icing on the cake.
As the host, you could fill it with vodka jello shots to pass around
or jelly bracelets to hand out to your guests as they arrive.
The 80s was when fashion established it was OK to pair a sharp suit with casual soles so no matter what your costume, the easiest thing is simply to go for whatever chunky sneakers you have in the cupboard.
Or for something a little more retro….
Make any short skirt look like it came from the 80s by adding bright leg warmers.
If you wear make-up, this is your chance to go to town with blue eyeliner.
Match it with bright red, orange or pink lips and cheeks.
Have we mentioned neon?
Make your hair as big as possible by using lots of gel. You can easily wash it out the next day.
Alternatively, grab a scrunchie and do a side ponytail
or go for an early 80s mullet.
Large bold earrings
and bangles will give you the finish you need.
Have a bunch of these read to hand out to those you think could have made just that little more effort.
Decorations
Although fashion was bold and bright, home decor took a different turn.
Scour your charity thrift shops and look for vases, lamps or anything Miami pink or other pastels.
Banana leaf prints and other tropical vibes also had their place in the 80s. Use cushions to take your sofas and chairs back in time.
Transform a bare wall with Memphis style abstract decals.
80s movie posters will get people talking.
Add an upcycled VHS tape LED lamp to a corner surface or shelf.
Welcome guests with a retro doormat. If you want to splash out for a larger one, you can trust Pacman to get people on the dance floor.
If you can get your hands on Care Bear, Cabbage Patch or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle paraphernalia, scatter these around to help bring back memories. Depending on what you have, you may be able to sell them online once the party’s over.
from Fun.com!
If your room still doesn’t feel quite 80s enough, string some cassette banners around the place.
Food
The 80s were an era of convenience with plenty of snacks such as Nerds, Push Pop candy, Fruit roll-ups, Sabra dips, Zapp’s, Hawaiian kettle chips, Pirate’s booty and Original Tings. Microwaves were a massive game changer for easy heat and eat snacks.
It was also a time that embraced French nouvelle cuisine which was all about light, dainty, well-presented dishes.
Not to forget the birth of the yuppie and the foods that became super trendy to those with shoulder pads and a disposable income.
Top it all off with some baked cassette cookies which you can prepare a few days before the party and keep them in an air-sealed container.
Drinks
If you are providing drinks for your guests, include an array of colorful wine coolers such as Seagram’s or Bartles & Jaymes.
Non-alcoholic options should definitely include Diet Coke and Cherry Coke, both of which launched in this decade. Orangina and Perrier, from France, also hit the shelves in a big way at the time.
If you’re up for making a round of shots or cocktails Blue Hawaiian, Sex on the Beach and Slippery Nipple were popular.
Tableware
Liven up your food and refreshment tables by scattering brash confetti over a white tablecloth or sheet. Probably safer to put half out initially and top up during the night.
Complement with lime green plates and napkins.
Or go for a retro video game look.
If you’ve managed to score a few vintage pastel decor items and want to keep with this style, buying from the same supplier means saving on shipping.
Icebreakers
Almost every home had a polaroid camera in the 80s and you can still get your hands on them. If you know you’ll use it again in the future, it’s worth getting one. Don’t forget to buy the film, which isn’t cheap so think about asking a friend to walk around and take a few select snaps of your guests in costume. Put them up on a noticeboard near your front door so people can have a final giggle at how much fun they had before they leave.
Scatter some Rubiks cubes around to give guests something to do with their hands. Glittery ones will add to the festive spirit.
Connect 4 and Jenga were released in the 80s if you have the space for people to play and get to know each other
from areyougame.com
particularly if you can take it to another level.
Music
Bop till you drop with these hits.
Making a playlist that will get people going is easy if you’ve never done it before.
Send them off with a smile
Have some rolls of Scratch n Sniff stickers to put on your guest’s blazer lapel as they’re leaving.
Or 80s rock pin buttons which your guests will want to keep on a denim jacket or bag long after the party’s over.
