With Halloween just around the corner, may we humbly suggest you consider an 80s rocker costume for your next spooky night on the town?
Ok maybe an 80s rocker doesn’t conjure up much fear (or does it?), however it does make a pretty rad Halloween costume that can be put together fairly quickly.
We’re going to discuss all of the items necessary for a great 80s rocker costume so that you can create your own unique look with ease. So let’s get started!
80s Rocker Costume
Whether it be for Halloween or perhaps your next 80s themed party, here’s what you need to get to pull off that 80s rock star look!
1. Leather Jacket
When it came to 80s rock stars, black leather jackets were a must, and they are the starting point for any great 80s rocker costume. You can either wear them over a wife beater or plain white t-shirt, though if you’re feeling bold like many legendary 80s rockers, you can wear them with nothing underneath!
If you already have a black leather jacket in your closet great, however if you’re not willing to spend hundreds of dollars for a good one, there are many cheaper faux leather options out there.
If you’re going to use your costume again next year or even the next decade, it might be worth investing in a good leather jacket that will last longer than one night’s worth of partying that you could also wear any time you feel like as well. Afterall, a good black leather jacket never goes out of style!
2. Ripped Jeans
When it came to 80s rock fashion, it was important to showcase your rebellious attitude, and nothing did that better than a good pair of ripped jeans. Nothing says “I don’t care” better than clothes with holes in them, and ripped jeans were a standard staple of many 80s rock bands.
You may already have a pair of ripped jeans in your closet as they are still fashionable, if not you can take an old pair of regular jeans and cut some holes in them. Everyone has a throwaway pair of jeans in their closet, and Halloween or your next costume party is the perfect reason to take some scissors to them!
3. Bandana
Legendary 80s rockers like Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose often wore bandanas on stage, and they are the perfect accessory to add some flare to your 80s rocker costume.
Whether you wear it as a headband, a mask, or as a hair tie (or even all three), the bandana is an essential item for this costume.
It might seem like it would get in the way of your hair, but if you put it on right under your bangs and secure it with bobby pins then it will stay in place all night.
The bandana is also a great way to add some color to your outfit. You can match it up with the color of your pants or wear a contrasting color for a more interesting look.
4. Big Hair
Big hair is a staple of the 1980s rock star look. You can’t be a true 80s rocker without it. The 1980s was all about big hairstyles and the 80s rock scene was no different.
Now unless you have long hair that you can juice up with some hair gel or Aqua Net spray, chances are you’re going to need a wig. There are many cheap rocker wigs on Amazon that you can get instead of greasing up your natural hair with gooey hair products from the 1980s.
5. Cool Belt Buckle
A belt buckle is a must-have accessory for this costume. In order to be like your favorite 80s rock star, you’ll want your buckle to be large and shiny, with either a guitar or musical note on it.
You can also add some dangling metal chains to your belt as well, which is a very rock and roll-esque touch.
If you want to be more subtle with your belt buckle, try a guitar pick or an old-fashioned key. The idea is that it’s something that a rock star would wear, so don’t be afraid to have fun with it!
If you plan on going all out with your accessories, consider adding an arm band that has “rock star” written across it in big letters. This will add an extra touch of authenticity to your outfit!
6. Eye Makeup
Eyeliner and eyeshadow is a must-have for any 80s rocker look, and many influential bands like Mötley Crüe used makeup to enhance their rock star personas.
You can make your eyes look bigger and brighter, and it’s also a great way to amp up the drama of your costume. Add a little rouge blush to the cheeks and now you’re really rockin’!
Black eye makeup has always been a popular choice for men, while women often mixed things up with colors like purple, gold, and red which was a standard practice for 80s makeup.
Try using a black eyeliner pencil or liquid liner with an angled brush so you can get close to the lash line, then smudge it out with a damp brush or cotton swab. You can even try adding glitter makeup like eye shadow instead of regular eyeliner—it’ll give your look some extra sparkle!
7. Tattoos
Tattoos are a great way to show off your personality and express yourself. They can be permanent or temporary, however we’re guessing if you don’t already have tattoos you aren’t going to get some just for Halloween (or maybe we’re wrong?).
If you’d like to add some tattoos to your costume, you have some options:
Tattoo sleeves: Sleeve tattoos cover the arm from wrist to shoulder (or even further). A sleeve can be made up of many different designs that blend seamlessly together or stand on their own as one large piece of art. If this sounds like something that would look good on you, consider getting a tattoo sleeve made for your 80s rocker Halloween costume!
Back pieces/chest pieces: These are single-piece tattoos that cover the entire back (or chest) of an individual person. These pieces usually feature two contrasting colors—one for clothing and one for skin—to make them stand out even more when worn with clothes over them! You could put one on if it suits you!
8. Guitar
You can’t be an 80s rock star without a guitar. It is essential to the image of your costume. However, you don’t have to spend a fortune on an authentic guitar if you’re just going to use it for one night. Plus you probably don’t want to carry around a real guitar all night which can be a pain after a while.
There are plenty of options available at various price points:
Toy guitars – If you want something that looks like the real thing, but doesn’t cost as much, considers purchasing a toy guitar instead. You can find them all over Amazon and other online retailers as well as in toy stores or even dollar stores.
Plastic guitars – Another option is plastic guitars which look great and won’t break the bank. Just make sure they come with accessories such as picks and straps so people know what they’re looking at when they see them!
9. Doc Martens Boots
To get that 80s rocker look down right you need the right pair of shoes, and for that we recommend a good pair of Doc Martens. These shoes were popular with 80s rockers because they were both durable and comfortable which made them the perfect choice for performing on stage in.
Now if you don’t already have a pair of these boots they can be a little pricey, and really any pair of black steel toe boots will do.
10. Fingerless Gloves
When people think of fingerless gloves, most likely pop icons like Madonna come to mind. However leather fingerless gloves were also very popular on the 80s rock scene, and 80s icons like Billy Idol often wore them during performances as just another way to add to their rebellious fashion choices. Again any clothing item with holes in it are probably always a good choice when trying to recreate that 80s rocker look.
11. Black Sunglasses
To complete your 80s rocker costume you’re going to need a cool pair of shades. Many 80s rockers at the time were fans of Ray-Ban sunglasses, though really any pair of black sunglasses will do.
Remember the 80s was a time when “The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades”, and your 80s rocker costume isn’t complete without a great pair of sunglasses.
Final Thoughts
The right accessories are the key to making your 80s rocker costume look authentic. Once you’ve got them down, it will be easy to get into character! You can find all of these items at your local thrift shop or online, and they will be sure to make your 80s rocker costume look authentic.
We hope this list will help you to create an amazing costume. It’s important to remember that when creating your 80s rocker costume, don’t be afraid to be creative with your choices. Remember just like the 80s, Halloween is all about self-expression!
