How to Make Your Own 'Pretty in Pink' Costumes

If you're looking for inspiration from 80s teen movies to draw from when putting together a costume for a Halloween, 80s theme party, or other costume party, you're in luck. Teen movies in the eighties were full of great fashion and hair, and two characters from John Hughes' "Pretty in Pink" are examples of costumes that can be assembled fairly easily.

"Pretty in Pink" (1986) is the teenage love story of a lower-class girl trying to decide whether to go for the rich guy or the quirky friend she's had since childhood. To dress as the lead character, Andie Walsh (played by Molly Ringwald) wear a short red wavy wig or style your hair into a teased bob. Keep in mind that Andie was a little offbeat and while she liked pink, she stuck with a soft pale vintage looking pink as opposed to fuchsia. To find her dance frock, scour thrift stores to find an 80s pink formal dress with a high collar and lace at the neckline. Accessorize with a gold wristwatch, pink pumps, and mauve/rose colored lipstick.

Before he played Charlie Sheen's brother on "Two and a Half Men", Jon Cryer was Andie's doting friend Duckie, one of the most memorable characters in "Pretty in Pink". To replicate Duckie's crazy signature style, you'll need to again visit vintage stores looking for items such as a bright red button down shirt, a checkerboard patterned vest, and 80s yellow plaid dress jacket with rolled sleeves. Wear these in layers along with black pants rolled up at the ankles and white dress shoes with buckles. Don't forget to pop the collar on the shirt. Duckie also wore various colors of socks in layers and sometimes sported a wide-brimmed hat. He wore his hair in a "Flock of Seagulls" new wave style which can be achieved with some mousse, combing, and a lot of hairspray. Duckie wore a dark blue patterned suit, white shirt, and bolo tie to the big dance, if you're coordinating your costumes to recreate the formal scene. Whatever look you choose, for added Duckie effect, at some point during the party try lip synching Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness."