The 1980s were a vibrant and eclectic decade, making it a treasure trove of inspiration for Halloween costumes. Here are twelve fantastic 80s costume ideas for young girls, each capturing the essence of the era's fashion, pop culture, and iconic characters.
1. Rainbow Brite
Rainbow Brite was a beloved character from the 1980s, known for her colorful outfit and magical abilities to bring color to the world. A Rainbow Brite costume typically includes a blue dress with rainbow accents, a rainbow belt, and star-shaped accessories. This costume is perfect for a child who loves bright colors and whimsical characters.
2. Madonna
Madonna was a pop culture icon in the 1980s, known for her bold fashion choices and hit songs. A Madonna costume can be created with a lace top, tutu skirt, fingerless gloves, and plenty of jewelry. Don’t forget the iconic big hair and a hair bow to complete the look. This costume allows for a lot of creativity and personal flair.
3. Care Bears
The Care Bears were a popular toy and TV series in the 1980s, each bear having a unique color and symbol on their belly. A Care Bear costume can be a cozy and cute option, often involving a colorful onesie with a bear hood and the character’s symbol on the front. This is a great choice for younger children who want a comfortable and recognizable costume.
4. Princess Peach
Princess Peach from the Super Mario Bros. games is an enduring character from the 1980s. A Princess Peach costume includes a pink dress, a crown, and white gloves. This costume is perfect for a child who loves video games and wants to feel like royalty for a day.
5. Ghostbusters
The Ghostbusters franchise was a huge hit in the 1980s, and a Ghostbusters costume is both fun and practical. This costume typically includes a jumpsuit, a proton pack, and the Ghostbusters logo. It’s a great choice for kids who enjoy action and adventure.
6. Jem and the Holograms
Jem was a rock star character from an animated TV show in the 1980s. A Jem costume involves a flashy, glittery outfit, often in pink or purple, with bold makeup and a star earring. This costume is perfect for a child who loves music and glamour.
7. Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper was another music icon of the 1980s, known for her eclectic style and hit song “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” A Cyndi Lauper costume can include a colorful, mismatched outfit with lots of layers, funky accessories, and wild hair. This costume is all about having fun and expressing individuality.
8. The Smurfs
The Smurfs were a popular cartoon in the 1980s, and a Smurfette costume is a cute and recognizable choice. This costume typically includes a blue dress, a white hat, and blue face paint. It’s a simple yet effective costume that brings a beloved character to life.
9. Flashdance
The movie Flashdance was a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s, and the iconic dance outfit from the film is a popular costume choice. This costume includes an off-the-shoulder sweatshirt, leggings, leg warmers, and a headband. It’s a great option for kids who love to dance and want a comfortable, stylish costume.
10. E.T.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was a beloved film from the 1980s, and an E.T. costume can be both adorable and nostalgic. This costume can include a brown jumpsuit with an E.T. mask or headpiece. For a simpler option, a child can dress as Elliott with a red hoodie and a toy E.T. in a basket.
11. Valley Girl
The Valley Girl look was a popular fashion trend in the 1980s, characterized by bright colors, big hair, and lots of accessories. A Valley Girl costume can include a neon dress, leg warmers, chunky jewelry, and teased hair. This costume is perfect for a child who loves fashion and wants to embrace the bold style of the 80s.
12. Top Gun Pilot
Top Gun was a blockbuster movie in the 1980s, and a pilot costume is a cool and adventurous choice. This costume typically includes a flight suit, aviator sunglasses, and a helmet. It’s a great option for kids who love planes and want a costume that’s both stylish and practical.
Detailed Descriptions and DIY Tips
Rainbow Brite
Materials Needed:
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Blue dress with rainbow accents
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Rainbow belt
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Star-shaped accessories
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White boots or shoes
DIY Tips:
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Dress: Find a blue dress or tunic that can be decorated with rainbow-colored fabric or felt strips.
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Belt: Create a rainbow belt using colored ribbons or fabric. Attach a star-shaped buckle made from cardboard and covered in glitter.
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Accessories: Use star-shaped stickers or cutouts to decorate the dress and shoes. Add a headband with a star on it to complete the look.
Madonna
Materials Needed:
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Lace top
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Tutu skirt
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Fingerless gloves
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Jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings)
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Hair bow
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Hair spray for big hair
DIY Tips:
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Top and Skirt: Look for a lace top and a tutu skirt in thrift stores or online. Black and neon colors work best.
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Gloves and Jewelry: Fingerless gloves can be found in costume shops or made by cutting the fingers off regular gloves. Layer multiple necklaces and bracelets for an authentic look.
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Hair: Tease the hair and use hairspray to achieve the big hair look. Add a large bow or headband.
Care Bears
Materials Needed:
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Colorful onesie or hoodie
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Bear hood
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Fabric paint or felt for the belly symbol
DIY Tips:
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Onesie: Choose a onesie in the color of the desired Care Bear (e.g., blue for Wish Bear, pink for Cheer Bear).
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Belly Symbol: Use fabric paint or cut out felt shapes to create the Care Bear’s belly symbol. Attach it to the front of the onesie.
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Hood: Add bear ears to a hoodie or hat to complete the look.
Princess Peach
Materials Needed:
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Pink dress
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Crown
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White gloves
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Blonde wig (optional)
DIY Tips:
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Dress: Find a pink dress that can be embellished with lace or ribbon.
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Crown: Make a crown using gold cardboard or craft foam. Decorate it with faux jewels.
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Accessories: Add white gloves and a blonde wig if desired to complete the look.
Ghostbusters
Materials Needed:
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Jumpsuit or coveralls
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Ghostbusters logo patch
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Proton pack (toy or DIY)
DIY Tips:
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Jumpsuit: Look for a khaki or beige jumpsuit. Add the Ghostbusters logo patch to the chest or sleeve.
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Proton Pack: Create a proton pack using a backpack and cardboard. Paint it black and add details with silver and red paint.
Jem and the Holograms
Materials Needed:
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Flashy, glittery outfit
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Bold makeup
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Star earring
DIY Tips:
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Outfit: Look for a sequined or glittery dress in bright colors. Add a wide belt and matching shoes.
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Makeup: Use bold, colorful makeup to create Jem’s signature look. Add a star sticker or face paint on one cheek.
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Earring: Make a star-shaped earring using cardboard or craft foam and attach it to an earring hook.
Cyndi Lauper
Materials Needed:
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Colorful, mismatched outfit
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Funky accessories
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Wild hair
DIY Tips:
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Outfit: Mix and match bright, patterned clothing. Look for items like tutus, leggings, and oversized shirts.
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Accessories: Add lots of jewelry, funky hats, and colorful socks.
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Hair: Tease the hair and use temporary hair color spray to add streaks of bright colors.
The Smurfs
Materials Needed:
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Blue dress or outfit
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White hat
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Blue face paint
DIY Tips:
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Outfit: Find a blue dress or shirt and pants. Add white shoes or boots.
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Hat: Make a white Smurf hat using felt or fabric. There are many tutorials online for creating Smurf hats.
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Face Paint: Use blue face paint to cover the face and hands.
Flashdance
Materials Needed:
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Off-the-shoulder sweatshirt
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Leggings
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Leg warmers
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Headband
DIY Tips:
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Sweatshirt: Find an oversized sweatshirt and cut the neckline to create an off-the-shoulder look.
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Leggings and Leg Warmers: Look for bright or neon-colored leggings and matching leg warmers.
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Headband: Add a matching headband to complete the look.
E.T.
Materials Needed:
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Brown jumpsuit or outfit
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E.T. mask or headpiece
DIY Tips:
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Outfit: Look for a brown jumpsuit or create one using brown clothing.
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Mask: Purchase an E.T. mask or make one using papier-mâché and paint.
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Props: Add a toy E.T. in a basket for an extra touch.
Valley Girl
Materials Needed:
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Neon dress
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Leg warmers
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Chunky jewelry
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Teased hair
DIY Tips:
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Dress: Find a neon-colored dress or top and skirt. Add bright accessories like belts and scarves.
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Leg Warmers: Look for neon or brightly colored leg warmers.
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Jewelry: Add chunky necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
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Hair: Tease the hair and use hairspray to achieve the big hair look.
Top Gun Pilot
Materials Needed:
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Flight suit or coveralls
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Aviator sunglasses
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Helmet
DIY Tips:
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Flight Suit: Look for a green or khaki jumpsuit. Add patches or decals to mimic a flight suit.
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Sunglasses: Aviator sunglasses are a must-have accessory.
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Helmet: Use a toy helmet or create one using cardboard and paint.
These twelve costume ideas capture the essence of the 1980s and provide a range of options for young girls. Whether they want to be a pop star, a cartoon character, or a movie hero, there's something here for everyone. Each costume can be customized and personalized, making them unique and memorable for any Halloween celebration.
