80's cues?

I have to go to an 80's party Saturday and we have to dress the part. I feel sure there are people in the GRM braintrust who can help me debase myself.

What are some obvious 80's cues for a guy?

I'm thinking of wearing 2 polo shirts and popping the collars.

I guess I'll gel my hair into some curls on top.

Jeans or high and tight shorts (presuming I can find some)?

If shorts what type of shoes? Weren't white socks worn very tall also a cue?

Link to fashion guide

http://www.liketotally80s.com/80s-fashion.html

I remember wearing my blue one-piece a lot way back then. Okay, well I was two in 1989 so maybe you need someone else's perspective.

carguy123 wrote: I have to go to an 80's party Saturday and we have to dress the part. I feel sure there are people in the GRM braintrust who can help me debase myself. What are some obvious 80's cues for a guy? I'm thinking of wearing 2 polo shirts and popping the collars. I guess I'll gel my hair into some curls on top. Jeans or high and tight shorts (presuming I can find some)? If shorts what type of shoes? Weren't white socks worn very tall also a cue?

Make those jeans button-up skinny leg levi's, and the polo shirts pink and green. And top with a white blaser with the sleeves pushed up, and your pretty much golden. Watch Miami Vice re-runs

carguy123 wrote: I'm thinking of wearing 2 polo shirts and popping the collars.

I grew up in the 80s, in suburban Connecticut, where preppy was invented (well, perhaps not really, but it may as well have been). I don't recall wearing two polos at once; I think that's some new thing.

A single polo, collar up, with a sweater around your neck and the arms wrapped into each other, wide-wale corduroy pants or khakis, no socks and some boat shoes, e.g., Topsiders, or penny loafers (with pennies, natch), and a belt with whales or some nautical theme will keep you looking legit. If you wear a Lacoste instead of a Polo shirt, you'll have even more cred, as the Polo stuff is everywhere these days, and the Lacoste, not so much. If you are going all out, then you won't leave behind a pair of Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses or Vaurnets, if you can find them:

This awesome parody of '80s New England preppy culture is pretty accurate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTU2He2BIc0

Jeans and penny loafers. Benetton rugby sweater if you can find one. Anything with "New Coke" logos. A Frankie Says Relax t-shirt.

Props if you show up in an '80s car.

I'll stop now -- but you can tell when I grew up.

Mullet and a Trans Am

Depends what version of 80's you're trying to present. The preppy style is listed well above, but here's a few more:

Midwestern Stoner: Acid Washed Levi 501's, hair parted in the middle & feathered on top, but in a tight perm & long enough to touch your collar in back. Any white high-top basketball shoe(bonus points for K-Mart or other generic brand) with the tounge stuck out. Oakley shades(and bonus points for the matching sticker on your windshield). Van Halen 5150, or Motley Crüe Girls Girls Girls t-shirt.

Skate Punk: Find some Life's a Beach or Vision Street Wear pants & any 80's punk band shirts, a pair of Vans, and use sone gelatin and food coloring in your hair. Bonus points if you can score an 80's-era deck to carry around.

Oh, and if you want some genuine 80's coolness, check out www.parachute-pants.com

Get one of these. This was me in the 80s while in high school. I can remember spending $50+ on jeans and sweaters. Wow times have changed.

Don't forget an Op long sleeve T-shirt with a hood and front pocket, surf graphics on one sleeve, in magenta or teal.

Got a Members Only jacket?

Woody wrote: Don't forget an Op long sleeve T-shirt with a hood and front pocket, surf graphics on one sleeve, in magenta or teal.

was that 80's or early 90's?

neon4891 wrote:

Woody wrote: Don't forget an Op long sleeve T-shirt with a hood and front pocket, surf graphics on one sleeve, in magenta or teal.

was that 80's or early 90's?

80's.

Knit tie or skinny tie.

Jamm's.

Def Leppard Union Jack shirt.

Izod.(with popped collar)

Shades = depended a lot on what year Tom Cruise movie was out...Wayfarer's/Risky Business...Aviator's/Top Gun

Pretty much of the 80's was a mix of punk,prep and pastel....

Dang, some of you are stuck in the 80s. Thanx!!!!

I would just go for BTTF look. Demin Jaket, vest, popped collar, ect

You need a Generra hypercolor T-shirt

I've never been very fashion conscious, so take my advice with a grain of salt. Chuck taylor high tops. Red or black were standard issue. Pastels were popular with women, or with preps who wanted to color coordinate with their popped collar shirts the high high tops, rolled down, were also considered to be cool.

I remember wearing a lot of crazed patterns, neon t-shirts or socks and lots of surfwear like OP or Maui & Sons. I didn't fit in preppy

More of a punk/New Wave mix for me. Jeans with the bottom 6" of the leg seam split & held together with safety pins & a t-shirt, or black jeans, white coat, skinny knit tie and big plastic glasses frames like Elvis Costello.

EDIT: hotlink

Datsun1500 wrote: This is how you did it in 1986.... at least we thought we were cool.... I'm on the right. Yest those are button fly levis and black chuck taylors...

Cool! You guys look like you're planning the 80s remake of "Two Lane Blacktop".

How could I forget? Anything with a Polo label. And weird arcrylic sweaters with jacqard prints a la Bill Cosby.

Great picture! Your buddy Wayne had the look I remember - pegged rolled jeans, loafers or boat shoes with no socks, pastel crew neck sweater.

There better be pics tomorrow!

Bring "cool" to the party, though, with these updated covers by The Lost Fingers. Their newest album is all 80's covers.

Pump Up The Jam -- The Lost Fingers

Got cable or Sat ??? Fresh Prince of Beverly Hills or the Cosby show..... FTMFW !!