80s > 80s Party Planning Guide > 80s Party Costume Idea > Mall Rat

80s Party Costume Ideas: Mall Rat

Think the opening scenes of Valley Girl when the group of girls is shopping at the Sherman Oaks Galleria in, like, the real Valley. This is your mission. This costume includes all the standard 80s fashion elements and is only limited in execution by your imagination.

Here are some essential elements:

Tops

huge top option #1: a big button down with shoulder pads in a bright color or pattern with the color up
huge top option #2: sweatshirt or other knit with the neck of the top so it hangs off one shoulder
brightly colored tank top underneath showing
belted low with a big belt

Bottoms

Bottom option #1: short skirt with Danskin Micro Fiber Cropped Leggings Tights
Bottom options #2: jeans with the legs pegged (very late 80s!)

Shoes / Socks

two pairs of socks, each a different color, both bright
black and white converse shoes or lacy socks with high heels

Hair & Accessories

crimped hair put it in a high side pony tail with a bright colorful hair scrunchie
blue eye shadow with blue or teal or purple eyeliner (worn on the inside!)
bright lipstick (brand: wet n' wild)
lots of bangles on both arms

» This great costume is a user-submitted picture of her daughter dressed up for 80s day at school. Lots of great elements here: big hoop earrings, leggings under a skirt, bangles, frizzy hair, blue eye shadow and bright lips. Go Alexis!

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