80s costumes

The most important part of the 80s party, aside from music, is costumes.A great way to encourage guests to show up in full 80s regalia, is to plan a shopping day together beforehand.

For our 80s parties, my friends and I always headed to local thrift and Goodwill stores where we pieced together some truly outrageous outfits.

Even if you don't have a chance to go out thrift-shopping ahead of time, you really only need a can of hairspray, red lipstick, an old, over-sized t-shirt you can cut the collar out of, and leggings. I usually opt for the Flashdance style, because it gives me a chance to reuse my old leg warmers and other dance gear.

Madonna, brat pack members, and Michael Jackson, however, are also popular celebrities to emulate.