A Halloween costume needn't necessarily be topical to be a big hit. Frankly, any getup this year that doesn't reference Trump, Stranger Things, or Rob and Chyna is bound to be a breath of fresh air. Your Hiddleswift couple's costume is already outdated, so you may as well start from scratch and dig deeper into the pop culture vault for inspiration. To the '80s!
It's the decade that gave us Bill and Ted, Madonna, The Golden Girls, Marty McFly, Beetlejuice, and countless other memorable looks. It's familiar, but not obvious. It's nostalgic. It allows you to exercise your creativity while also making the most out of your older sister's stonewashed jeans. An all-around win, really.
In the buildup to Halloween, we'll be highlighting '80s films and characters that should inspire some seriously bitchin' costumes. Just be warned: You may have to spend several minutes explaining to millennials who you're supposed to be and why it's criminal that they don't get the reference. Beyond that, brace yourself for some totally tubular trick-or-treating.
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Sara Anderson, Adventures In Babysitting(1987)
Chris Hemsworth was probably being potty-trained in Australia when Sara Anderson (played by Maia Brewton) unleashed her Thor fandom on the world. The feisty grade-schooler risks life and limb for her silver helmet on the mean streets of Chicago. Just add a sweater, a red windbreaker, and a green backpack — with or without a rolled-up Playboy tucked inside.
Pictured: Maia Brewton (center) with Anthony Rapp, Elisabeth Shue, and Keith Coogan
Photo: Touchstone Pictures/Photofest.
Prince Akeem & Semmi, Coming To America (1988)
As with all things, Beyoncé beat you to the punch. Last year she and Jay Z dressed as Prince Akeem and rejected wife-to-be Imani Izzi (Vanessa Bell Calloway) for Halloween. Follow suit by donning giant furs layered with Mr. T-style jewelry, or DIY your own McDowell's uniforms. And to state the obvious, but this is not an opportunity to sport dark face makeup, okay?
Pictured: Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
The Sheltons & The Ratliffs, Big Business (1988)
Ideally, you'd have two sets of twins taking on the role of Sadie and Rose Shelton and Rose and Sadie Ratliff (played by Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin). The person who gets to play ballbuster Sadie Shelton is guaranteed the most fun, provided she doubles down on the polka dots and power suits.
Pictured: Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler as Rose and Sadie Shelton AND Sadie and Rose Ratliff
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
Roberta & Susan, Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
So many Madonna-inspired costumes, so little time. Grab your bestie, lace gloves, a bustier, and a teasing comb for this homage to the rare Madge movie that doesn't suck. Bonus points for sourcing a blazer with a pyramid motif on the back.
Pictured: Rosanna Arquette and Madonna
Photo: Snap Stills/REX/Shutterstock.
Mama Fratelli, The Goonies(1985)
Chances are, you have the makings of Mama Fratelli's signature look in your closet: black beret, black dress, and a string of pearls. A permanent scowl and toy revolver completes the villainous costume, though having a friend tag along as Sloth would really take it up a notch.
Pictured: Anne Ramsey
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
Ferris Bueller, Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
A white T-shirt, a printed sweater vest, and jeans will earn you plenty of Gummi Bears during this year's trick-or-treating session. A hockey jersey-wearing Cameron surrogate wouldn't go amiss, either.
Pictured: Matthew Broderick as Ferris
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
Phyllis Nefler & The Wilderness Girls, Troop Beverly Hills(1989)
Break out the khaki (and the Cartier) if you want to pay tribute to the most stylish campers of all time. Grab some Evian, yellow-and-white rucksacks, and chic forest-green scarves if you want to earn your badge in accessorizing.
Pictured: Shelley Long with Carla Gugino, Jenny Lewis, and Ami Foster
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
Veronica & The Heathers, Heathers(1988)
Subject your squad to some sartorial color-coding: One gets red, another yellow, another blue, and another (i.e., the coolest) black. Add scrunchies, croquet mallets, and bags of Corn Nuts as you see fit.
Pictured: Winona Ryder and Kim Walker
Photo: Snap Stills/REX/Shutterstock.
Princess Vespa, Spaceballs(1987)
This bratty intergalactic princess starts out with Princess Leia-style buns and an off-the-shoulder wedding dress. If you can procure a gold robot maid, though, that costume prize is yours.
Pictured: Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
The Tri-Lambs, Revenge Of The Nerds(1984)
Pay tribute to the geeky Greeks with some glasses and a snazzy cardigan, or don a pink Omega Mu and dare someone to crack a tasteless joke.
Pictured: The Lambda Lambda Lambda crew
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
Hollywood Montrose, Mannequin (1987)
With all due respect to Kim Cattrall's Emmy, window dresser Hollywood (Meshach Taylor) had a far superior wardrobe and outlook on life. Track down the most bitchin' frames you can find, throw on some bright colors, and maybe drag a boring white dude and his mannequin girlfriend around.
Pictured: Andrew McCarthy and Meshach Taylor
Photo: 20th Century Fox/Shutterstock.
Madison, Splash(1984)
Beat Channing Tatum, who'll soon be remaking this '80s classic, to the punch with your own homage to the OG mermaid out of water. Outfit essentials: a long blond wig, body tape, a mermaid tail, and an "I Heart NY" T-shirt.
Pictured: Daryl Hannah
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
Elvira Hancock, Scarface(1983)
Hawaiian shirts and blood stains are great and all, but they don't hold a candle to Scarface 's most iconic look: that of the supremely divine Elvira. All this can be yours for the price of a blond bob wig and a slinky, disco-ready dress.
Pictured: Michelle Pfeiffer as Elvira
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
Neal Page & Del Griffith, Planes, Trains And Automobiles(1987)
Boycott the sexy Halloween costume trend entirely with this quirky '80s tribute. A gray wig, fedora, gray wool coat, and suit transforms one pal into Steve Martin's uptight Neal, while a giant blue parka, fake 'stache, cap, earmuffs, and collection of shower-curtain rings smacks of John Candy's Del. Just to be safe, book an Uber to the party.
Pictured: Steve Martin as Neal and John Candy as Del
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
Jareth The Goblin King, Labyrinth(1986)
Expect countless Bowie tributes this year, though it remains to be seen how many fans will go to the trouble of recreating this complicated look from Labyrinth. A chopped-up wig, mad eyebrow makeup skills, and a high-collared leather jacket paired with leggings are essential. Go ahead and toss in a baby doll in a striped onesie while you're at it.
Pictured: David Bowie and Toby Froud
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
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