Popular 80s character costume ideas for Cosplay and Halloween
The 1980s were a time of big hair, big shoulders, and colorful clothes. If you're looking for a costume or cosplay idea that will stand out, consider one of these iconic characters from the 1980s. From the always stylish Madonna to the larger-than-life WWF wrestlers, there are plenty of options to choose from. And don't forget about the movies! Characters like E.T.
Rick James Costume
Rick James' costume features a black leather top and bottom paired with red boots. He has braided hair, too.
Miss Elizabeth (WWE) Costume
Miss Elizabeth’s costume is a strapless white mini tube dress, high-heeled white shoes with straps, white fashion arm sleeves, white fringe dangling earrings, and a wrestling championship belt.
Slim Goodbody Costume
Slim Goodbody costume is a bodysuit printed with internal organs and body parts.
Jeff Spicoli Costume
Jeff Spicoli’s costume is a short-sleeved white turtleneck T-shirt, a hippie surf baja hoodie, ripped stretch blue denim pants, classic Vans slip-on shoes, and light blonde 80s long curly hair.
Jane Fonda Workout Costume
Jane Fonda’s costume is high-waist gray purple leggings, a one-piece 80s vintage thong bathing suit, blue 80s workout leg warmers, a purple skinny belt, and a blue workout headband.
Chuck Norris Costume
Chuck Norris’s costume is a sleeveless blue denim button-down shirt, relaxed-fit blue jeans, brown Chelsea boots, and a black belt with a large buckle.
Cyndi Lauper Costume
Cyndi Lauper’s costume is a black party dress, black fishnet leggings, lace-up black booties, black glovelets, a chain belt, a necklace, wristlets, fancy silver bracelets, assorted ankle bracelets, and colorful 80s rocker hair.
Elton John Costume
Elton John’s wore many outfits throughout his career. He has worn an angel, a devil costume, a Dodgers costume, and a Donald Duck costume.
Billy Idol Costume
Billy Idol’s costume is a punk black leather jacket, metallic black leg trousers, punk black boots, 80s rocker fingerless rivet gloves, black studded bracelets, punk pants chain, and a chain necklace with a cross pendant.
Chrissy Cunningham (Stranger Things) Costume
Chrissy’s costume is a Hawkins High School cheerleading sleeveless top and mini skirt, white athletic crew socks, white cheerleading shoes, a Hawkins personal Chrissy cheer coat, and green scrunchie.
Devo Costume
Devo’s costume is a short-sleeved black t-shirt, short-sleeved yellow disposable coveralls with DEVO marking, casual black sports sneakers, a wide black waist belt, and a red plastic cone hat.
Vicki's Costume from Small Wonder
Vicki wears a red pattern dress with a white pinafore. She also wears a pair of long socks and black flat shoes.
Ike Turner's Costume
Ike Turner wears a black v-neck shirt and bell bottom pants with boots. Style it with studded bracelets and belt. Complete the costume with a wig, a pair of shades, and fake facial hair.
Rick Astley Costume
Rick Astley's costume features a black and white-striped shirt, black jacket, and white pants.
Otto Mann's Costume from The Simpsons
The Otto Man's costume is made of a pink shirt, blue shorts, sneakers and matching cap. He has curly hair and carrys a walkman with headphones.
Angel Cake's (Strawberry Shortcake) Costume
Angel Cake's cute costume features a striped skirt, a shrug, and a skirt. She also has purple shoes and a hat. Angel Cake's hair is blonde.
80's Skier Costume
80's ski costumes usually features traditional ski gear but in bustling 80's inspired colors.
Disco Divas Costume
Dress up in a 70s-inspired outfit or matching top and bell-bottom pants. Complete the look with a pair of boots, too!
Eddie Munson (Stranger Things) Costume
Eddie's costume features layers of a shirt, leather jacket, and a denim vest. He also has ripped jeans, white sneakers, and a set of curly hair.
Freddie Mercury (I Want To Break Free, Live Aid) Costume
Freddie Mercury’s costume is a white tank top, light-washed denim jeans, a studded belt, white sneakers, and holding a broken mic stand.
Max Mayfield (Stranger Things) Costume
Max Mayfield’s costume is a striped shirt tucked into high-waist denim shorts white socks, red sneakers, and a red pair of sunglasses. Max Mayfield may be pretty but she’s not girly.
Bee Gees Costume
Bee Gee's costume consists of an all-white fit that includes a white jacket with pants and a pair of dress shoes. Style it with a necklace and the corresponding member's wig and mustache style.
Janet Jackson's Costume
Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation costume consists of a black jacket with silver adornments and pins, a belt, and black pants. Complete the costume by wearing a pair of black boots and a cap.
Jordan Belfort (The Wolf of Wall Street) Costume
Jordan Belfort’s costume is a white polo shirt, khaki pants, loaders, and black sunglasses.
Saturday Night Fever Costume
Saturday Night Fever’s costume is a black dress shirt, white three-piece suit with bell-bottom pants, a gold chain, and black dress shoes.
Billy Hargrove (Stranger Things) Costume
Billy Hargrove’s costume is his classic retro casual look, with a denim jacket, tan shirt, blue jeans, and black boots.
Veronica Sawyer & Jason Dean (Heathers) Costume
Veronica Sawyer’s costume is a blue blazer, a light grey skirt, blue knee-high socks, and black and white Oxfords. Jason Dean’s costume is a black shirt, black pants, a black trench coat, and black boots.
Heather McNamara (Heathers) Costume
Heather McNamara’s costume is a yellow blazer, a yellow plaid skirt, a black bow belt, yellow knee-high socks, and yellow Mary Janes.
Heather Duke (Heathers) Costume
Heather Duke’s costume is a green blazer, a black pleated skirt, green knee-high socks, and black Mary Janes.
Heather Chandler (Heathers) Costume
Heather Chandler costume is a white blouse topped with a red jacket, a black and white plaid skirt, high socks, marry jane shoes, and a red hair scrunchy.
Beverly Goldberg (The Goldbergs) Costume
Beverly Goldberg is an overprotective mother who loves wearing funky clothes. Beverly’s costume is a neon windbreaker, purple leggings, a neon fanny pack, and light blue sweatband.
Thomas Magnum, PI Costume
Magnum is a highly skilled Private Investigator. Thomas Magnum famous costume is his Hawaiian, beach-inspired getup.
Punky Brewster Costume
Punky Brewster wears multiple layers of clothing including a color-blocked top and orange vest. She also has striped socks and a fun hi cut sneakers.
McKinley, Beth (Wet Hot American Summer) Costume
McKinley costume is white tee with clifton ringer logo, red gym shorts, digital watch and athletic shoes. For Beth, get a brown top and style it with a pair of denim jeans. Wear a wavy wig and finish the look with a pair of sandals.
Macho Man Randy Savage Costume
Macho Man Randy Savage costume is a tight red and yellow long sleeved top with pants. There is also hanging ribbons on his arms. Complete the costume with a red hat, fake beard , wig, and sun glasses.
Vanilla Ice Costume
Vanilla Ice is a professional rapper who is known for his incredibly high hairstyle and American flag-inspired hip hop attire.
Alex Owens (Flashdance) Costume
The most iconic Flashdance look was modeled by the main character, Alex Owens. She was wearing an oversized grey sweater and pink point-toe heels.
Pee Wee Herman Costume
Pee Wee Herman’s outfit is a crisp white dress shirt underneath a grey suit. He also has a red bow tie and a pair of white dress shoes.
Jem and the Holograms Costume
Jem wears a pink dress with a silver fringe belt. Aja pairs a loose pink top with a purple mini skirt. Shana prefers a purple dress with a silver jacket. Kimber, on the other hand, prefers a pink top underneath a white blazer paired with metallic blue pants.
Cheetara (Thundercats) Costume
Cheetara costume is a bright orange leotard with a single, long sleeve and light orange tights. She also has on an orange arm guard and orange boots. Her hair is a bright blonde, and her face is adorned with orange makeup.