30 Rad '80s Costume Ideas for Guys, Women and Couples That'll Make Your Halloween Totally Tubular!
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It’s hard to name a decade more iconic than the 80s, which is why 80s costume ideas for guys, women and couples are always such a big hit for Halloween. After all, the 80s brought us movies like The Shining and The Princess Bride, had us grooving to artists like Prince and Madonna, and had unforgettable fashion like high-rise “mom” jeans and shoulder pads.
From classic 80s-themed ideas for guys, like Indiana Jones, to cute costume ideas for women, like a no-sew Care Bears costume, this big list has it all—even adorable 80s costume ideas for couples, such as a pair of Rubix cubes.
Bring back this timeless decade with these awesome 80s costume ideas—including ideas for men and women, as well as 80s-inspired costumes for couples—and make this Halloween totally tubular.
80s Costume Ideas for Guys
1. Rubix Cube
Bring back everyone’s favorite brain teaser with this DIY Rubix Cube costume from The Benson Street! All you’ll need to pull this 80s Halloween costume off is a large cardboard box, hot glue, black spray paint, and different colored cardstock. You and your partner will look adorable!
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2. Prince
Step back into the purple rain with this iconic Prince costume from Costume DIY. With easy step-by-step instructions, you’ll be able to party like it’s 1999 all night long!
3. Mini Maverick from Top Gun
Have your little one cruising into the danger zone with this Top Gun-inspired costume from Once Upon a Blog by Julia! Bonus tip: the bomber jacket can be worn year-round.
4. Indiana Jones from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Recreate everyone’s favorite archaeology professor with this Indiana Jones costume from Doodle Craft Blog. With added details like a bullwhip and a leather messenger bag, no one will second guess what character you’re dressed up as!
Related: 15 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes for Men
5. Werewolf from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”
Wondering how to get this thrilling werewolf costume? Check out Shannon’s post on CostumeWorks and see all the supplies you’ll need!
Related: Halloween Trivia
6. Freddie Mercury from Queen
Get ready to have everyone sing the chorus “Bohemian Rhapsody” with you when you go as Mr. Fahrenheit himself, Freddie Mercury. Check out Dandy in the Bronx to find out how.
7. Steve Jobs
Suit up as everyone’s favorite tech creator with this Steve Jobs-inspired Halloween costume from Less Accounting. All you’ll need is a black turtleneck, a pair of jeans and round glasses!
Related: 55 Funny Halloween Instagram Captions
80s Costume Ideas for Women
8. Madonna
Be iconic as the pop princess herself when you walk into the Halloween party dressed as Madonna! Take a peek at Sparkle and Slippers to make sure you get all the right details.
9. Baby from Dirty Dancing
Re-create one of the classic 80s love stories as Baby from Dirty Dancing. With this look from The Home Steady, all you’ll need is jean shorts, a pink tank top and a watermelon!
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10. Molly Ringwald from Pretty in Pink
The iconic dress that Molly Ringwald wore in Pretty in Pink may seem impossible to recreate but New Dress a Day breaks it down so anyone can pull it off!
11. Princess Peach from “Super Mario Bros”
Embrace your kid’s nerdy side with this sweet Princess Peach costume from Carrie Elle! All you’ll need for this costume is 7 things like a pink dress, white gloves and a crown to complete the final look.
12. Cyndi Lauper
Check out Q is for Quilter to see how you can go as music's new wave queen, Cyndi Lauper! Martha even has tricks to make Miss Lauper’s signature earrings from the iconic Girls Just Wanna Have Fun music video. Don’t forget to add colored streaks in your hair for authenticity!
13. Beetlejuice from Beetlejuice
With this makeup tutorial from Halloween Costumes, you’ll have everyone screaming your name 3 times! With a video tutorial, you’ll be able to nail the look and be everyone’s ghost-for-hire.
Related: DIY Halloween Decorations
14. Jem from Jem and the Holograms
Rock Halloween night with this Jem and the Holograms costume from Sew, Bake Decorate! By donning a pink wig and showing you how to do the right makeup, you’ll be transformed into a teenage rockstar in just a few easy steps and supplies.
Related: '90s-Inspired Halloween Costume Ideas that Are a Total Blast From the Past
15. She-Ra from She-Ra
Have your little warrior reign in her princess power with this homemade She-Ra Halloween creation from The Paper Mama! Does thinking about how to craft She-Ra’s signature crown and belt got you feeling a little spooked? Don’t worry, she has the templates and step-by-step instructions to make sure your little one looks the part.
16. Smurfette from The Smurfs
If you need an easy peasy last-minute idea for your little ones, check out Little Hiccup’s DIY Smurfette costume. If your child is not big on colored hairspray, she also has tips on how to complete the look without it!
17. Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice
If you’re looking to bring out your spooky side this Halloween season, check out this Lydia Deetz costume from All The Little Happy Things! Blogger Melinda takes on Lydia’s red wedding dress step-by-step so you don’t have to worry about getting overwhelmed!
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18. Joan Jett from The Runaways
Bring out your inner badass rockstar by transforming into rock icon Joan Jett with tricks from Thrift and Shout. With Lindsey’s DIY tutorial, you’ll feel like a million bucks on a thrifty budget!
19. Jareth from Labyrinth
Flip the switch on everyone’s favorite goblin king with this gender-swapped version of Jareth from Red Shoes Red Wine. This 80s-inspired costume requires a bit more work so make sure you’re up for the challenge and give yourself plenty of time!
20. Kelly Kapowski from Saved By the Bell
Transform into everyone’s 80s crush, Kelly Kapowski, with this Saved By the Bell costume from The Brown Eyed Phoenix. With just a couple of simple items, this is perfect for a last-minute costume idea!
21. Eleven from Stranger Things Season 3
Transform into everyone’s favorite telepathic girl from Stranger Things, Eleven, with this DIY costume from Fab Every Day. Read the whole blog post to see how you can transform the whole family into Netflix’s favorite 80s-inspired gang.
80s Costume Ideas for Couples
22. E.T. and Elliot from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Become everyone’s favorite human and alien duo with this costume tutorial from Do It Yourself Divas. If you really want to score some bonus points: hand out Reece’s Pieces to trick-or-treaters (they were created specifically for the movie!).
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23. Buttercup and Wesley from The Princess Bride
Make your friends cry “inconceivable” when you walk into your Halloween party with your boo, dressed up as Buttercup and Wesley from the iconic movie, The Princess Bride! See how to get the look from A Beautiful Mess.
24. Mario and Luigi from “Mario Kart”
Transform your little pumpkins into everyone’s favorite Italian plumber brothers with these homemade Mario and Luigi costumes from Homemade Heather. If building the added go-karts looks intimidating, don’t fret! She gives you step-by-step instructions to make your kids look like they just came off the Rainbow Road.
25. The Grady Twins from The Shining
Are you over traditional couples costume ideas? Try a chilling 80s costume idea for couples instead! Check out Marie Osborne’s DIY costume hack to create the Grady Twins from the classic Halloween movie, The Shining—but adult-style.
Related: 17 Easy Couples Halloween Costume Ideas
26. No-Sew Care Bear Costumes
If you’re stuck on a couples costume this year or perhaps a costume theme the whole family can join in on, check out these adorable DIY Care Bear costumes from See Vanessa Craft! The best part? There is no sewing involved so you don’t have to worry about rouge needles or safety pins.
27. Han Solo and Princess Leia from Star Wars
Rely on the force to make your 80s couple costume extra special this year. Check out how to bring Han Solo and Princess Leia—and the rest of the Star Wars gang, if you want to invite your friends to join in—to life with this DIY costume tutorial from The Harris Sisters!
28. Ghostbusters from Ghostbusters
If there’s something strange going on in your neighborhood, be ready to take action with this DIY Ghostbuster costume from Planet Kelsey! This homemade costume idea is perfect for a group costume.
29. Marty McFly and Doc Brown from Back to the Future
If you’re looking for an 80s-inspired couples costume, look no further than Friday We’re In Love’s Marty McFly and Doc Brown from Back to the Future! With added details like an orange puffy vest and an eccentric white wig, you and your boo thing will be the talk of the party.
30. Jake and Ellwood Blues from The Blues Brothers
Give everybody something to love by going as the sunglasses and fedora-wearing pair, The Blues Brothers, with this DIY costume from Amy Latta Creations!
Keep the Halloween fun going with these 100 Halloween party ideas—from spooky decor to cute recipe ideas.