Alright, so I decided to tackle this 80’s Cyndi Lauper fashion thing. Not gonna lie, I thought, “How hard can it be?” Bright colors, a bit of lace, wild hair. Easy peasy, right? Well, let me tell you, it was a journey.
Getting Started: The “Bright Idea”
It all started when I was flipping through some old music videos. You know, just a nostalgia trip. And Cyndi pops up. The energy, the outfits – it just screamed fun. I figured, why not try to recreate that vibe? Not for a costume party or anything, just for myself, to see if I could capture that essence. My first thought was, “Okay, I need neon. Lots of it.” That was my grand starting point. Pretty basic, I know.
The Deep Dive (aka The Reality Check)
So, I actually started looking at pictures. And more videos. And wow. It wasn’t just “neon.” It was layers. So many layers. Mismatched patterns that somehow worked. Tulle skirts over leggings. Fishnets. Bangles stacked up to the elbow. And the hair! It was an art form all its own. Suddenly, my “easy peasy” plan felt a bit, well, underwhelming. I realized this was gonna take more effort than just grabbing a bright t-shirt.
The Hunt: Thrift Stores and My Own Closet
My first stop was my own closet. I pulled out anything remotely 80s or colorful. Found a couple of lace tops, some old leggings. Not bad for a start. Then, I hit the thrift stores. This is where the real fun, and sometimes frustration, began. You’d think finding 80s stuff would be simple, but finding the right kind of 80s stuff? That’s the trick. I rummaged through racks and racks.
- I was looking for bright, slightly oversized tops.
- Skirts – particularly anything with ruffles or an asymmetric cut.
- Accessories. Oh, the accessories. Belts, necklaces, bracelets.
I found a fantastic, slightly torn fishnet top for like, two bucks. Score! And a pile of plastic bangles in every color imaginable. I also snagged a cheap, short, black tulle skirt that I figured I could layer. The key was not to spend a lot, because, let’s be real, this was an experiment.
Putting It All Together: The Trial and Error Phase
This was where things got messy, literally. I spread everything out on my bed. Started trying combinations. A bright pink oversized shirt, then the fishnet top over it. Then the black tulle skirt over some brightly colored leggings. It felt… busy. But that was the point, right? I kept adding. A wide belt. Then another, skinnier belt over that. More is more, I kept telling myself. That seemed to be the Cyndi mantra.
The jewelry part was an adventure. I just started piling on necklaces. Different lengths, different materials. Plastic beads, some metal chains. Same with the bracelets – just stacked ’em up both arms until I could barely bend my elbows. It felt ridiculous, but also kind of liberating.
The Hair and Makeup: Upping the Ante
Now, the clothes are one thing, but the hair and makeup? That’s a whole other level. I don’t have that iconic two-tone hair, so I had to get creative. I tried teasing one side like crazy, getting some serious height. Lots of hairspray. For makeup, I went bold. Bright blue eyeshadow, a slash of pink blush high on the cheekbones, and some vibrant red lipstick. I even attempted a little beauty mark, just like Cyndi’s. I looked in the mirror and thought, “Okay, this is… a lot.” But it was definitely heading in the right direction.
Final Thoughts and What I Learned
So, after all that effort, what did I end up with? Something that felt pretty authentically Cyndi Lauper-esque, if I do say so myself. It wasn’t perfect, but it captured the spirit. The biggest takeaway? It’s not just about individual pieces. It’s about the chaotic harmony of it all. It’s about not being afraid to clash colors and patterns. And honestly, it’s about the attitude. You can’t rock a Cyndi Lauper look if you’re feeling timid. You gotta own it. It was a super fun process, and I ended up with a newfound appreciation for just how unique her style was. It’s not just throwing on clothes; it’s constructing a persona. And yeah, I probably won’t wear that many bangles again anytime soon, my arms were tired!
