1980s Murder Mystery Costume

A short while back I posted about creating a costume for a Murder Mystery party that was set in the 1980s.  The game was amazing fun - some innocent playtime for grownups. The character I was given was super easy, a teen pop star who was launching her new perfume. Just as well as in the end I had to throw my costume together. 

The best bit was concocting a sample of the perfume which I brought in a spray bottle to spritz on paper samples as I mingled. With sickly sweet 80s scents in my head I had mixed some Spanish lavender cologne that was sitting in my bathroom forever (don't ask) with several drops of essential oils and a little too much precious vanilla essence from the kitchen cupboard. Lets just say the result was very heady...but worth the laugh and a good ice breaker at the start of the party.

As for the costume, there was a shocking pink, long, grandfather style shirt lurking in the top of my wardrobe (again, don't ask). I cinched it with a wide, black leather belt. I rolled up the ends of my jeans to mid calf and put on matching cerise socks reaching under the jeans, to look like I had on bright pink tights. Then I slipped into a pair of stilettos. 

After backcombing my hair, I tied a half ponytail on the top of my head. Pink eyeshadow with plenty of underbrow highlighter, a stripe of matching blusher, khol eyeliner and rosy lipstick completed my trip back in time.

I had hoped to make myself some 80s bling. Just as the cobblers kids have no shoes, I rarely do have time to make anything for myself. The knotted necklace you see is actually a strip of silver Christmas tree beading! The pearl 'bracelets' are a necklace that was the not quite the right length to look 80s.

 

I really would have loved to make big hoop earrings but I simply had too many other things to do that weekend. So I decided to retire these danglies from my Etsy shop, Handmade by Amo'r, as they are not my usual style at all and the listing was about to  expire. They were perfect for the 80s look.

 I have now decided to dismantle them and use the bottom half for a new pair of simpler earrings. It does mean cutting through the silver flowers however, but I have an alternative idea in mind ...tbc...

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Click here to see 1960s Murder Mystery Game costume
Click here to see 1940s Murder Mystery Game costume
Click here to see Bloomsday (1910) costume

Bright & Cheerful 80s (Murder Mystery Costume Ideas)

This coming month I shall be attending another Murder Mystery Game, this time set in the 80s! What fun - giant shoulder pads, Lycra, leg warmers, big hair and bright accessories jump to mind! Oh let's not forget the midnight blue mascara! I can't wait to make some jewelry for the party!

from Pretty in Pink (ref You Tube)

Do I go all rebellious a la  Madonna, or ooooh, remember Molly Ringwald's original style in Pretty in Pink? Or why don't I play it cool in black like The Cure...I guess I will know when I'm given my 'character' this week....

So 80s cerise button pendant

Still, I can't help thinking about 80s jewellery. Growing up in the pre-grunge decade, too much was never enough when it came to  bright and colourful accessories. If it wasn't Miami Vice pastels it was blinding neons and let's not forget CERISE PINK....that wholesome fuscia phase fell somewhere between my retro rocker stint and a short (but sulky) dalliance with post-punk; when all-black was the new black, safety pins were jewelry and you couldn't see my chalky face under heavily kholled eyes and the long spiky-top version of the mullet. (Pah EMO kids listen up...we did it aaaaall before yiz....oh dear, I'm turning into my Mum., aren't I?)

Long pearl earrings, Handmade by Amo'r

At some point, I followed the trend for long strings of fake pearls, knotted in the middle. I had them in pastel shades of yellow, pink, blue, cream....and thought I was the business! These were teamed with long, faux pearl earrings and in true 80s excess, an armful of bangles and bracelets. The earrings shown above were inspired by recently remade Great Gatsby movie set in the 20s, but would not have been at all out of place in 1986.

It just so happens I recently made myself this bright, summer pendant for fun. (Big button purchased from my Etsy colleague, Hazel of The Irish Knitting Room.) The flower pendant may do nicely for the 80s party.

But yesterday one of my friends said something that hadn't occurred to me at all. What if my character is a man??!! (oh no, please let him be styled like Boy George or Phil Oakey so I can be creative...anything at all as long as it's not Don Johnson from the original Miami Vice! Sorry Don, but I'm not wearing a baby pink suit.)

I will be back with photos of my eventual costume later on in the month. In the meantime if you are looking for costume ideas here are my blog posts about previous Murder Mystery parties I've been to:

1960S COSTUMES
1940S COSTUMES
or 1900s for Bloomsday:
BLOOMSDAY COSTUME