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Halloween is the time of the year when you can be literally anything that you want to be. You can dress up as characters from your favorite shows like Stranger Things, recreate looks inspired by your favorite celebrities, or pay homage to your favorite decade. ~Nowstalgia~ reigns supreme during spooky szn with the Roaring Twenties, '70s disco, and Y2K eras making comebacks, but there's nothing like a '80s Halloween costume to serve true throwback vibes.
The era known best for teased hair, leg warmers, and cut-off sweatshirts, 1980s Halloween costumes are always an undisputed hit. Spooky outfits inspired by films like Beetlejuice allow you to serve a spot-on dupe that everyone will recognize, but you can take things a few steps further with theatrical makeup tutorials that will scare the most seasoned horror movie buff. You don't just have to stick to remakes and reboots for inspo —'80s Halloween costumes also pay homage to iconic pop culture moments like neon workout tights and SO. MUCH. denim on denim.
'80s Halloween costumes are super fun and easy to create, so get ready for your family, friends, and strangers to call out song lyrics, scream movie quotes, and gush about how obsessed they are with your costume after you check out this list of the best '80s Halloween costume ideas.
'80s Barbie and Ken from "Barbie"
This costume is both totally '80s and completely 2023 in the best way possible. Grab a partner and recreate Barbie and Ken's neon skating outfits complete with a fanny pack and high-cut bodysuit.
CHYRII Monokini Zipper Front High Waist Thong One Piece
CHYRII Monokini Zipper Front High Waist Thong One Piece
Crazy Skates Retro Roller Skates
Crazy Skates Retro Roller Skates
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TOYANDONA Outdoor Sports Elbow Knee Pads Set
TOYANDONA Outdoor Sports Elbow Knee Pads Set
Beetlejuice and Lydia from "Beetlejuice"
This Tim Burton classic plays nonstop the entire month of October, so you should have plenty of chances to nail the inspo. If not, just reference Bella Hadid and The Weeknd's version of this costume, because they nailed it.
Leg Avenue Women's Beetle Bride '80s Halloween Costume
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Spirit Halloween Women's Beetlejuice Suit Costume
Spirit Halloween Women's Beetlejuice Suit Costume
Salt-N-Pepa
Alexa, play "Push It," by Salt-N-Pepa. This iconic group deserves our recognition 365 days a year, but let's face it: those spandex-and-leather outfits were made for Halloween.
Fun Costumes Plus Size Push it Pop Star Costume
Fun Costumes Plus Size Push it Pop Star Costume
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"The Breakfast Club" Cast
Just pick any John Hughes movie and you've got basically an entire lifetime worth of '80s Halloween costume ideas. This film is perfect for a group of five looking for a great squad look.
EXCHIC Ankle Length Ruffle Hem Elastic Waist Midi Skirt
EXCHIC Ankle Length Ruffle Hem Elastic Waist Midi Skirt
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Fun Costumes The Breakfast Club Men's John Bender Costume
Fun Costumes The Breakfast Club Men's John Bender Costume
Madonna
You can't talk about '80s style without bringing up the queen herself, Madonna. Her lace-and-tulle "Like a Virgin" album cover is a 2022 Halloween costume just waiting to happen.
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Ferris from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
Yeah, there are a lot of John Hughes movies on this list. Recreate this iconic scene from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" just by hitting up your local thrift store, or scoop up this option from Amazon below.
Fun Costumes Ferris Bueller's Day Off Movie Costume
Fun Costumes Ferris Bueller's Day Off Movie Costume
Rainbow Brite
Rainbow Brite is an icon for anyone who grew up in the '80s — and her kitschy outfit is just as trendy today.
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Kate, Billy, and Gizmo from "Gremlins"
If you're looking for a clever couples costume that can also accommodate your fur baby, this is it, sis. Gremlins is a classic Halloween movie that makes a great costume.
Hannah Oh
Assistant Shopping Editor
Hannah is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from cute apartment decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and unhinged updates on the books she’s reading on the train.
Leah Campano
Associate Editor
Leah Campano is an Associate Editor at Seventeen, where she covers pop culture, entertainment news, health, and politics. On the weekends, you can probably find her watching marathons of vintage Real Housewives episodes or searching for New York City’s best almond croissants.
Jasmine Washington
Assistant Editor
Jasmine Washington is an Assistant Editor at Seventeen, where she covers celebrity news, beauty, lifestyle, and more. For the past decade, she has worked for media outlets, including BET, MadameNoire, VH1, and many others, where she used her voice to tell stories across various verticals. Follow her on Instagram.
