The key to decade themed parties is to pick up on key trends. Fashion, music, movies and tv are the things that people remember the most, they being what was represented in the popular culture of the time. Today’s theme is the Excellent 80s, so here’s a few ideas.
Adam Ant – stand and deliver!
Alf (US link) – I have no idea how you’d do this, but I’d be impressed.
Back to the Future – will you be Marty McFly or Doc Brown?
Bananaman from Acacia Avenue.
Basil Fawlty offering the back of his hand to Manwell.
BBC Test Card – blonde wig, chalkboard and freakish cuddly toy.
Beetlejuice who says an alarming number of naughty things.
Blues Brothers – you’ll notice that some of the best and most iconic films were made in the 80s.
Boy George (Culture Club) with braids and every colour of the rainbow.
Breakdancer – don’t forget your bling and practice your moves.
Care Bears – with the Care Bear stare.
Carrie – white dress, red colourant, ace costume.
Charlie’s Angels because it grants the best team pose.
Cocktail – black logo tee and shaker. Everyone’s friend at a party.
Dangermouse with his faithful companion Penfold.
Darth Vader/Princess Leia/Luke Skywalker et al from the Empire Strikes Back.
Debbie Harry (Blondie) with the big blonde hair and dark roots.
Dirty Dancing – don’t spend the whole night in the corner.
Doctor Who was Tom Baker in the 80s. Big hair and big scarf.
Edward Scissorhands although perhaps not in a confined space.
ET – remember to phone for a cab at the end of the night, not just home.
Flashdance – in dance outfit or in overalls, just leave the water at home.
Fonzie from Happy Days. Eehhhhhhhh!
Frank Spencer – keep referring to Betty in your flasherjacket.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood – hey – relax!
Freddy Krueger from Nightmare on Elm Street.
Ghostbusters – because it must be in as many of my lists as possible.
Gizmo/Gremlin – I will love you forever if you do this costume.
Grotbags – the greenest witch pre-Elphaba.
He-Man compelte with sword. Could even have a fight with Skeletor.
Indiana Jones – a whip can be very handy you know.
James Bond is the costume for every decade.
Jason Vorhees – the one with the hockey mask from Friday 13th.
Jessica Rabbit from ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’
Knightmare – with an oversize horned helmet.
Labyrinth – but only if you play with your glass balls.
Madness – bonus points if you do the walk.
Madonna all in white with lace and bows. Remember your beauty spot!
Magnum PI – genius excuse for a massive moustache.
Mermaid from ‘Splash’
Miama Vice with a white suit and coloured tee, remember to roll up your sleeves.
Michael Jackson with his silver glove, white socks and loafers, team with black leather jacket for a ‘Bad’ look or a red leather jacket to give a ‘thrill’.
Mork from Ork in his red lycra suit with shiny triangle.
Mr T or indeed anyone from the A Team.
Olivia Newton John from the ‘Let’s Get Physical’ video – legwarmers, headbands and lycra agogo.
Orville the Duck with the man attached.
Ozzy Osbourne as the Prince of Darkness always lights up a party.
Pob – no spitting please.
Prince all in purple with a bit of stubble for ‘Purple Rain’
Prom night – consider your taffeta gown, your corsage and your perm.
Punk was all the rage. Think black leather mixed with denim and bright hair. Love your lipstick.
Queen in a group of four, each wear a black top and choose a member of Queen to dress the head as. When questioned on who you are, run into a group? with your heads in the right place and start singing.
Rainbow – such choice in puppetry!
Rainbow Brite – shiny fabrics ahoy!
Ralph Macchio (the Karate Kid) in your white uniform, head tie and a bit of wax on, wax off.
Red Dwarf with a H head, robot face, Cat clothes or boiler suit, you’re set. Or just a black rollneck.
Robert Smith (The Cure) – black black black, with a smidgeon (or smudge) of red lipstick.
Rod Hull & Emu available from all good retail outlets.
Rocky – ADRIAAAAAAAAAN!!!
Roland Rat – Alright ratbags!
Rubix Cube – it’s amazing what you can do with a cardboard box.
Scarface – white suit, water pistol and scar.
She-Ra – Brilliant chance to wear a cape.
Smurfs and of course, Smurfette
Spit the Dog worthy of his own entry.
Superman – see, that stag night costume *can* be worn again.
Superted with his friend, Spotty.
The Breakfast Club if you can blag a gang of you to go, this would be mega fantastic.
The Incredible Hulk – green it up!
The Young Ones – choose from Neil, Vyvyan, Rick or Mike.???? ***new***
Thundercats because everyone fancied Cheetara as a boy.
Tiswas – Are you OOOOkaaaaay, the Phantom Flan Flinger, or HoudiElbow?
Toni Basil in a cheerleader outfit from ‘Hey Mickey’.
Top Gun with a jumpsuit and helmet. Don’t forget the shades.
Toyah Wilcox because we love her. Colour, glam and attitude!
Transformers – hey, people are really inventive with cardboard!
V – get with the lizard face!
Weird Science – jumpers + bras on heads. Pazzaz.
Wham – choose life, and a quiff!
Willo the Wisp with Mavis Cruet the Fairy.
Withnail gives you the golden opportunity to demand booze.
Wonder Woman – the tv heroine of the 80s.
Worzel Gummidge – don’t forget the robin inside your tummy. And Aunt Sally.
WWF – not the animal one, the wrestling one. Spandex, masks, and the occasional snake in a bag.
Yuppie – with the introduction of mobile phones the size of a large brick, another sleeve roller. Remember the hair slick.
Zombie from ‘Day of the Dead’
As you know, I’ve been auditioning for Rent these past few days. It’s been pretty much cast since Tuesday – it’s been a bit of a long roundabout way of saying “we’re not sure who we want yet, but we know it’s not you” since then. Either way, here are my predictions on casting alongside the actual casting.
Thanks to some friends recently attending a Tube Station themed party, the above named costume list has been updated with more ideas and now pictures too. So have a look at the new and improved 
You know when you remember the detail of a film but not the name of it or anything else about it. It drives you crazy, right? Well my friend is having just that problem.