So; like, we were going to this 80’s themed party, and, like, EVERYONE in this particular group always dresses up to the max! Not dressing the part would be heinous! and of course I had to be fully self-made, ‘cos of my challenge. Also, like, I had to be warm. It’s like the middle of flipping’ winter! Like, duh!
So … remember…. ? Flashdance…? Fame…? Yep, a baggy-rific parade of dancercise warmup gear, headbands, leg warmers *shudders* I remember it well, oh how I remember it oh too TOO well.
Fortunately, or maybe not so fortunately? I had nearly all the components, already. Dear god. My red jumper is the real 80’s deal, that I knitted for my husband, way back then, and blogged here. I purloined it from our old, knitted stash. Slipping in here…. I now never ever throw away hand-knits. I’m embarrassed to say that I have actually thrown away nearly everything I knitted in my childhood and teens, and how I regret it. Some of that stuff was actually great. Like, I’m so sure!!
I am also wearing my black Carolyn pyjama shorts, my raspberry tights, my paprika bodysuit, my neon green arm warmers – gotta have some fluoro in there, somewhere!, and my little soft, black oxford shoes, that pass for dance shoes, in a pinch. I certainly boogied and grape-vined my little 80’s-lovin’ heart out in them last night and they stood up to the challenge beautifully, thank goodness. I’m always inordinately pleased when my handmade shoes prove themselves! You little beauteeeeeehs!
I’m also wearing pseudo leg warmers and a purple headband, made from some old Tshirts languishing in my refashioning bag. For the leg warmers, I kept the old hem in place, and used this as the casing for some elastic, to hold them up on my legs. Neat, huh? No need to sew a new casing!
And of course, the Ponytail, and the Rayban Wayfarers. Oh yeah. Mandatory stuff. Oh yeah. And, naturally, I wore my sunglasses at night.
Everyone’s costumes were so much fun: there was a Warwick Capper; laugh!! and John McEnroe… actually TONNES of mullets in general… a David Lee Roth, a Lene Lovich, a Frankie goes to Hollywood dude, a Pretty Woman, a few girls dressed similarly to me, lots of Valley Girls. My husband was a pastel-perfect Miami Vice style dude. And the music was a fun-filled, boppy trip down memory lane. A totally righteous time was had!
You look super great, wish my friends had parties like this!! And amazing that it’s all self made.
thank you! and yes, fancy dress parties are the best! especially when everyone goes all out. I actually felt a bit tame by comparison to some of the others 😉
how brilliant. in the 80s I used make shift/jumper dresses from old sheets – dye them charcoal (had too much in the dye pot to get a black) and then wear them with big belts, and or wear vintage bits and clarks sandals (i tended to bounce between gothic and sugary) my style icon was a mix of desperately seeking susan and other whims……… it sounds like a fabulous night – brought back all those 80s looks to me at once – especially the miami vice ref!
This is amazing! I cannot believe the sweater. It’s perfect. I actually wore this outfit in 1983.
I just think you look really cute. I guess I am an 80s girl all the way.
thanks Connie! yes, me too; still totally stuck in the 80s in just about every respect 🙂
costume parties – how great. and this outfit….like, totally!
I’ve been hearing more and more lately about the ’80’s – when I tried to imagine what an ’80’s style actually looked like I couldn’t honestly conjure up anything! It helped thinking about those ’80’s shows 🙂 Of course all that workout wear ( which became even more in style as we went along until you think it has reached its zenith when bam another new workout look appears 🙂 ) Parties that revolve around a theme are so much fun! Such a revival in costume and music. You always give me a giggle Caroline!
thanks so much Kathleen! it took me a while to think of anything outside of Valley Girl, but when you start thinking about the music there was actually a LOT going on, fashion-wise. Really, I was heavily into the New Romantics back then, but I couldn’t find anything to wear for that! *sob*
What fun! What an outfit! Almost – almost! – makes me want an ’80s revival!
Costume parties are the BEST. I salute you for going all out – you look awesome and now I really want that exact jumper.
thank so much Jill! the jumper is actually quite nice. I might even drag it out to wear it more!
You are amazing. It looks fabulous and I’m with you I like to be warm.
thank you Mandy! 🙂
What fun, fun, FUN!!!! And this post was such fun to read and catch your infectious spirit. LOVE the ‘look’! 🙂
You weren’t tempted to do the big hair and sequinned shoulder pads Dallas look?
testing cookie disable