Have a Totally 80s Halloween

The 1980s were a really awesome time, but they are long gone. The fashions in the '80s were... well... different. Some people would prefer to bury their 1980s outfits deep in a hole somewhere and pretend it never happened. Some people never lived through the '80s, so they want the opportunity to really celebrate it.

Since it is Halloween, it is the perfect time to break out some 1980's costumes and enjoy the decade all over again. If you are concerned that you may not have what it takes to totally transform your look back to the '80s, have no fear! As a survivor of 1980s fashion, I am here to help you out.

Let's start with the '80s look by going from top to bottom. Yes, we are beginning with '80s hair. Don't be scared! Yes, the hair was really something back in those days. The most important items you are going to need are: curling iron, hairspray, hair pick, and optional hair crimper and ponytail holder.

The goal is, get your hair as high as humanly possible. Just when you think you've teased your hair up too high, it isn't enough. Keep going. You are going to want to curl or crimp your hair as much as possible. Once through, spray it. Once sprayed, begin teasing it. You may also want to use the curling iron during this process with any hair that just won't get with the program. When your hair begins to sizzle and smoke a little, you will know you are doing it right. Don't be afraid. It won't usually fall out. It is really the curling iron smoking from all the hairspray. Just keep teasing it up there.

If you are afraid of the sizzling, burning sensation of crimping and curling your hair to no end, you may want to just try a side ponytail. I would still highly recommend either crimping or curling the ponytail. Make sure to keep some bangs and tease them up. Remember, the higher the hair, the closer to heaven.

WARNING: If you have asthma, you may want to go easy on the hairspray. If you don't have asthma, keep spraying until a sticky film is on your hair and everything else around you. Awesome!

When it comes to jewelry, make it big and bold. You need to have some giant earrings. If possible, make sure the earrings do not match. That was really important in the mid-80s. You don't want to be seen with matching earrings, do you? Ewww! Gag me with a spoon!

Also, crosses on necklaces were considered fashionable. By all means, make it a big cross because you want it to be a fashion statement, right? Madonna certainly would not be caught dead wearing a small cross. So you say you aren't religious? Sadly, it stopped no one in the '80s.

Friendship bracelets were important, too. You can either make some yourself by buying a craft kit at Michael's or attempt to buy some off a small child. You can also buy some cute jelly bracelets for your look. Never forget the infamous glitter bracelets, too. If you can find the kind with the liquid in them, even better! It is all about being tacky!

With the clothing, you are going to go with everything that is big and bright. Nothing was too bold in the 1980s. If you see something that is hot pink, do not shy away from it. It was awesome in the '80s and it is going to be awesome now. Super cool outfits you might want to try:

• Baggy sweaters
• Long shirts
• Concert t-shirts
• Sheer shirts thrown over tank tops
• Dresses with belts around the stomach and leggings underneath
• Skin tight denim
• Acid washed denim
• Denim jacket
• Reeboks, Nike, Adidas, or Converse
• Jordache jeans
• L.A. Gear high top shoes
• Stirrup pants
• Ruffled skirt
• Denim skirt
• Leg warmers
• Double socks

Don't think I forgot about you, guys. You have several '80s options. Every teen movie in the 1980s had a major nerd in it. The nerds were obvious and stereotypical, but very easy to recreate. Just tape your glasses in the middle, put on some short pants, and slap on a bow tie. Your look is complete!

If you want to be cooler than that, you can either be a skater dude or a headbanger. Both looks are fairly easy to achieve. Just put your concert t-shirt and baggy jeans on. Once you've done that, you have the option of carrying a skateboard for the skater dude look or putting on a wig with long hair for the headbanger look. If you already have long hair, rock on, dude! You don't even need my help. You already look totally radical!

P.S. Sunglasses and tattoos never hurt either.

Now that you've got the look, you've got to have the music. Make sure to grab some old tapes if you still have a tape player or download some wicked awesome jams. Some artists you don't want to miss are:

• Duran Duran
• Flock of Seagulls
• Madonna
• Cyndi Lauper
• Prince
• The Bangles
• Wang Chung
• The B-52's
• Devo
• Talking Heads
• The Replacements
• Tears for Fears
• Michael Jackson
• Janet Jackson
• The Buggles
• Bananarama
• Culture Club
• Roxette
• Def Leppard
• Warrant
• Van Halen
• Guns N Roses
• Poison
• Run DMC
• The Fat Boys
• Beastie Boys
• Salt N Peppa

Honestly, this list could go on and on forever. The 1980s were a fun time, even if the fashion could be a bit much. But of course, isn't that why we celebrate it? Who wouldn't want to bold, bright, and totally awesome?