70s, 80s or 90s: dressing up for a decades party without full costumes
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
6 min reading time
A decade theme is easier than a character theme: you don't need a costume, just two or three recognizable signals. Here's what those signals are for each decade, and what you should purchase centrally for the group.
Someone posts "80s!" in the group chat, and then silence. Nobody has a full costume in their closet, nobody wants to be the only one overdressed, and the party itself is three weeks away. Yet, a decade theme is one of the easiest party themes there is — precisely because you don't have to play a character. You just need to wear two or three recognizable signals, and your regular clothes do the rest.
Below, for each decade, are those signals, what you can buy centrally for the group, and what you'll have left for next time.
Why a decade is easier than a character
With a character theme ("come as a movie character"), everyone has to individually decide who they'll be, and then half end up dropping out. With a decade theme, everyone recognizes the theme by a handful of cues: a frame, a hairline, a color. This offers three practical advantages:
You can centrally purchase the decorations instead of having everyone find their own.
The accessories are one size, so you don't need to ask for measurements.
Those who don't want to dress up can participate with just a pair of glasses or a wristband — and won't look out of place.
So what you need is not a costume shop, but a bin of loose accessories by the door from which everyone can pick something upon arrival.
1970s: silhouette, hair, and one striking color
The 70s are characterized by volume: bigger hair, wider flares, larger frames. For a party, you only need to do the top part. A Heart-Shaped Sunglasses Red (€5.95) immediately reads as seventies, even indoors. A Rainbow Curly Wig (€12.95) does the rest — and will instantly be the most photographed item of the evening.
For the men in the group, a Self-Adhesive Moustache Set 6 pieces - 3 models (€5.00) works better than any costume: six moustaches in three styles, so you can outfit half a group at once. Stick them on clean, dry skin and hold them pressed for a few seconds.
If you want to add color without venturing into costume territory, a Hawaii Lei with White Hearts (€2.95) is a cheap way to push everyone in the same direction.
1980s: neon, contrast, and exaggeration
The 80s are the easiest decade to dress for, because the theme allows for exaggeration. Two routes work:
Neon.Neon Gloves in 4 colors (€5.95) do more work on a dark dance floor than a complete suit. Combine with LED Balloons (€2.95) so the room's lighting matches the outfits.
Punk and rock. A Mohawk Iroquois Wig (€4.95) is, for under five euros, the most recognizable chapter of the entire party.
The trickiest decade, because the clothing looks normal from a distance. The trick is to put the theme in the accessories and not in the outfit. A sleek, small frame like the Fashion Glasses Black and White (€5.00) does this, and colored Rainbow Silicone Wristbands - Set of 6 (€4.95) provide six participants per pack.
For those who do want to go big with the nineties, they can go the other way: the Large Glasses with Lace - Pink (€2.95) and the Large Pink Glasses XL With Lace (€1.95) are deliberately oversized, and that's precisely why they work in photos. For under two euros apiece, you can put out enough of them to give one to everyone who comes in.
What to buy centrally for the group
Don't calculate per person, but per bin. A workable distribution for a group of twenty:
Item
Quantity
Why
Glasses
15 to 20
Everyone grabs one; the cheapest models cost under €3.00
Wigs
3 to 5
Not everyone wants one; those who do wear it all evening
Moustaches
1 to 2 sets
Six pieces per set, so two sets cover half a group
Suspenders, wristbands, leis
10 to 15
For those who don't want anything on their head
Place these items by the door in an open bin or box, not in a bag. What people can see, they'll take; what they have to dig for, will be left behind.
The space: lighting, table, and a photo corner
Decorating the space doesn't have to be decade-specific — the lighting and color do the work. LED balloons on the floor, a few bright colors on the table, and one designated corner where people pose for a photo is enough.
On the table, small, uniform items work better than one large object. Shot Glass Set 6 pieces - 60 ml (€3.00) look neat and can simply be washed afterward. If it gets quieter later in the evening, a 99-in-1 Game Set (€14.95) or Mini Poker Playing Cards (€1.95) will keep the last group at the table.
What you'll have left and how to store it
Most of these decorations are not decade-specific. Glasses, suspenders, wristbands, and moustaches fit one theme as well as another; wigs and leis are a bit more specific but last for years.
Store them like this: wigs loosely in a box or bag so they don't get flattened, glasses with temples folded in a separate container (loose in a large box, the lenses will scratch), and self-adhesive moustaches in their original packaging in a cool place, as the adhesive layer dries out in a warm closet. Put loose wristbands and pins in a small bag, otherwise you'll never find them again.
Put everything together and label the box with the theme. Then, at the next theme party chat, you won't start from scratch, but from "we still have fifteen pairs of glasses."
Get started
For accessories, check out Glasses and Hats & Wigs; for the rest of the decorations, see Costume Accessories and Party Supplies. Want to know if a group order fits in one box, or how much of something you need for the number of guests you're expecting? Email info@verpakkingdeals.nl and we'll help you figure it out.
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