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If you think about it, coming up with a 1980s-inspired costume should be easy: Everything was so big, from the high hair to the broad shoulder pads, that all '80s outfits feel like a costume anyway. So whether attending a '80s-themed Halloween party or any costume party for that matter, think back to the decade of day-glo, chip tunes and totally radical MTV videos to glean some awesome-to-the-max costume inspiration. (Any other decade? Gag me with a spoon.)
There are so many choices out there, but these are the best 80s costumes to wear in 2023. Some are from the era's defining movies, many of which have already been rebooted, remade or sequelized recently, so — surprise! — they're current again. Others take inspiration from radio songs and music videos, along with the beloved pop stars who made them. And some just take cues from the fashion at the time, along with those ephemeral trends that made the '80s what they were. Throw one of these costumes on, and you'll be ready to do the "Safety Dance" all night. The best part is, you can either go the homemade Halloween costume route or just click and buy.
And, if you're looking for more era-defining Halloween outfits, check out Good Housekeeping's other guides to the best costumes inspired by different decades:
The Best '70s Costumes | The Best '90s Costumes | The Best 2000s Costumes
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Super Mario Bros. Costume
You may remember playing Super Mario Bros. on your old 8-bit Nintendo in 1986. Your kids might be obsessed with the pair of plumbers and their Peach princess after watching The Super Mario Bros. Movie this year. Come together with this family costume, which includes Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad.
Get the tutorial at See Vanessa Craft »
RELATED: The Best Family Halloween Costumes
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Like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, The Little Mermaid exists in both 1989 and now. And while you could try walking around in an Ariel costume, complete with a fishtail, the true fun is in this spotlight-stealing Ursula getup. Only poor, unfortunate souls would skip it.
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Pac-Man Costume
Fun fact: Wearing a Pac-Man costume gives you the right to gobble up any pretzels and cherries you find at your Halloween party. (Just watch out for ghosts.) Also, it's easy to bring the '80s arcade-cabinet vibe to life — without sewing. You can also adapt this to any black dress you like, be it a long black dress or a short black dress.
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If you want a costume that isn't something specific from the '80s, bust just embodies the '80s vibe in one go, this one is, like, totally rad. Or, you can opt for the version that comes with a day-glo blazer with padded shoulders.
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Troll Doll Costume
With their wild hair and jeweled bellies, Trolls were a hit throughout the '80s and '90s. And the movie franchise they spawned is getting another spin this year: Trolls Band Together is set for a November release, putting them center stage once again.
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Fun Costumes Macho Man Randy Savage Costume
Fun Costumes Macho Man Randy Savage Costume
You may have been more of a Hulk Hogan fan at the time, but Macho Man Randy Savage definitely has the better costumes. And you'll look fabulous when you step into the ring with this outfit, which includes the shirt, fringed jacket, pants, hat and hand wraps. (You can buy the goggles and boots separately.)
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Goose and Maverick From 'Top Gun' Costume
A year later, people are still raving about Top Gun: Maverick as one of the most enjoyable returns to the cinema — we still haven't lost that lovin' feeling. Using Maverick- and Goose-inspired flight suits is another way to look retro and current at the same time.
RELATED: The Best 'Top Gun' Halloween Costume Ideas for When You Feel the Need for Speed
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With Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny out this summer, you might want to crack the whip again. When you look at this adventuring getup, don't you just hear the theme music swelling?
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'The Breakfast Club' Group Costume
Dear Mr. Vernon: There is no better way to prove we've lived through the teen angst of the '80s than dressing up as the jock, the brain, the princess, the criminal and the misfit from The Breakfast Club. And it's one of those group costumes that might be pulled off with what you already have in your closets.
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While a Halloween parade has nothing on Chicago's Von Steuben Day Parade, you'll still be able to "danke schoen" at all the people who compliment you on this Ferris Bueller costume. Grab the nearest Sloan or Cameron and make it a group thing — so long as you all promise to show up at work or school the next day. (No more hooky!)
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If you're an '80s kid, you're part of the MTV generation, which means Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It" video is forever seared in your brain. Get their getup from the clip, and you can feel fly, too.
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'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Costume
After the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, kids may be looking for a costume on the half-shell. This no-sew costume is for kids, but you can scale it up for the kids-at-heart, too.
Get the tutorial at A Night Owl »
RELATED: The Best Kids' Halloween Costumes
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Where's Waldo? Costume
It's very easy to put together a Where's Waldo? costume — hello, red striped hats and shirts for women, for men, for kids and for babies in tiny hats — and, contrary to the spirit of the books, the outfit also makes you very easy to spot, especially if you go as a group.
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Fun Costumes 'Back to the Future' Marty McFly Costume
Fun Costumes 'Back to the Future' Marty McFly Costume
This costume generates 1.21 gigawatts of fun every Halloween, especially if you have a Jennifer Parker to take to the Enchantment Under the Sea dance (and a Doc Brown to help bring you back home again).
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Jem From 'Jem and the Holograms' Costume
Paging Synergy: Your Halloween will be truly, truly, truly outrageous in this Jem costume and pink wig
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Buttercup and Westley From 'The Princess Bride' Costume
Buttercup and Westley From 'The Princess Bride' Costume
Grab your Westley and tell him to do "as you wish" by dressing up in this couples costume, which celebrates one of the greatest romances of the '80s. (Or possibly the greatest romance of all time?)
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If you're ready to dance like you've never danced before, dress up like steel worker-slash-exotic dancer Alex from the 1983 film Flashdance. What a feeling!
RELATED: Totally Badass Halloween Costumes for Women
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Inspector Gadget and Penny Costume
Go, go Gadget Halloween costume! Any '80s cartoon fans will be delighted at the site of the badge-wielding arms protruding from Gadget's hat in this costume.
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Jessica Rabbit From 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' Costume
Jessica Rabbit From 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' Costume
If dressing up as Roger Rabbit feels like too much of a commitment, you can try dressing as his femme fatale spouse, Jessica. Remember, she wasn't bad — she was just drawn that way.
RELATED: Sexy Halloween Costumes for Women
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E.T. and Elliot Costume
Yes, all you really need to be Elliot is a red hoodie. But with some creativity (and a bike light), you can make DIY an E.T. whose heart really glows!
