Decades Party Ideas: What to Wear From the 1920s to the 1990s

A decades party is the most inclusive theme party there is. Instead of everyone squeezing into one look, each guest picks the era they love, whether that is a beaded 1920s dress, a 1950s poodle skirt or a 90s flannel shirt. The room ends up looking like a century of fashion in one place. Below is a cheat sheet for dressing for each decade, followed by tips for hosting.

Outfit cheat sheet by decade

Decade	Women's look	Men's look	One-item shortcut
1920s	Drop-waist dress, long pearls, feather headband	Suit, vest, bow tie, fedora or straw boater	Long string of pearls or a flat cap
1950s	Poodle skirt, cardigan, saddle shoes, bobby socks	White T-shirt, jeans, leather or denim jacket	A neck scarf or slicked hair
1960s	Miniskirt and go-go boots, or hippie florals	Slim suit, or tie-dye and bell-bottoms	Go-go boots or a peace sign
1970s	Flares, wrap dress, jumpsuit, platforms	Wide-collar shirt, leisure suit, flares	Flared jeans and big sunglasses
1980s	Leg warmers, shoulder pads, big hair	Blazer over a T-shirt, tracksuit	Neon headband or a mullet wig
1990s	Slip dress over a T-shirt, overalls, scrunchie	Plaid flannel shirt, stonewashed jeans	A flannel tied around the waist

The 1920s and the Gatsby look

The 1920s are the most requested era at decade parties, helped by F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. Day dresses of the decade had a dropped waist and a straight, loose line, with hems that rose toward the knee by the mid-20s. Hair was often bobbed, and the close-fitting cloche hat was a signature accessory. Evening dresses were lively, with fringe and shine that moved with jazz dances such as the Charleston. Headbands worn with formal evening dresses, long pearl or beaded necklaces and feather details complete the look.

For men, 1920s suits had short jackets, and wide trousers known as Oxford bags came into fashion around 1925. Hats depended on the occasion: a fedora, bowler or trilby, a straw boater in summer, or a flat cap for a casual look. A vest and a bow tie are easy party upgrades.

The 1950s

The poodle skirt, a full circle of felt with an appliquéd poodle or another motif, was the decade's best-remembered teenage fashion. Pair it with a cardigan, saddle shoes and bobby socks. The greaser look, built on a leather jacket or jean jacket, a white T-shirt and rolled jeans, is the classic alternative.

The 1960s

The 1960s brought the miniskirt, culottes and go-go boots, along with experimental synthetic fabrics such as shiny PVC. The late 60s turned hippie, which overlaps with early-70s style: tie-dye, fringe and bell-bottoms.

The 1970s and 1980s

These two decades are the easiest to thrift and have their own guides: see our 70s outfit ideas and 80s party outfit ideas, plus the menswear versions for 80s party outfits for men.

The 1990s

By the mid-90s, grunge had gone mainstream, dominated by plaid flannel shirts and stonewashed jeans. Slip dresses worn over a fitted T-shirt, overalls and shortalls, chunky boots and scrunchies are also easy 90s choices.

How to host a decades party

1. Decide the rules. Let guests choose any decade, assign decades by table or group, or draw them from a hat for a surprise.
2. Send the invitation early. Two to three weeks gives everyone time to thrift. Include the cheat sheet so nobody feels stuck.
3. Build a playlist by decade. Play one era per half hour so every guest gets "their" songs.
4. Decorate in zones. A pearls-and-feathers corner, a 50s diner table with checkered cloth, a 70s disco ball, an 80s neon area.
5. Serve a menu across the years. Era-style party snacks and colorful mocktails keep it fun for all ages.
6. Set up a photo spot. A backdrop and a box of props (sunglasses, boas, hats, inflatable instruments) for every era.
7. Hold a costume contest. Categories such as "most authentic", "best homemade" and "best group" give more people a chance to win.

Tips for guests

• Pick the decade whose clothes you already half own.
• Commit to the hair: it changes the silhouette more than any single garment.
• If in doubt, one strong accessory plus a matching color palette is enough.
• A wig saves your own hair from heat styling; our guide to washing a costume wig helps it last.