Decades Costume Guide
Decade parties are one of the easiest themes to dress for, because every era has a handful of instantly recognisable signals. Nail two or three of them and you look the part without hunting for a rare original piece. Here is the cheat sheet, decade by decade.
The decade cheat sheet
- 1920s: Gatsby glamour. A flapper dress, a feather headband, long beads and gloves, or a sharp waistcoat and braces. Think black, gold and cream.
- 1970s: disco. Flares, bright prints, big hair and platform shoes. Golds, oranges and browns, finished with a wig and round sunglasses.
- 1980s: neon and excess. Leg warmers, shell suits, fingerless gloves and bold make-up. Pinks, blues and anything that glows.
- 1990s: pop and grunge. Double denim, tracksuits, bucket hats and chokers. Split the group between spice-pop bright and grunge dark.
Build the look with a wig and accessories
The costume gets you halfway. The hair and accessories close the deal. A big curly wig makes any 70s or 80s outfit, round glasses date a look to the 20s or 70s in seconds, and coloured hair spray adds an instant 80s streak. If you are dressing a group, give everyone the same era but a different character so the decade reads clearly across the room.
Frequently asked questions
Which decade is easiest to dress up as?
The 1970s and 80s, because the signals are so bold. A wig, flares or leg warmers and bright colours read instantly with very little effort.
How do I do an 80s look on a budget?
Start with bright clothes you already own, then add the era markers: neon accessories, fingerless gloves, a splash of coloured hair spray and bold make-up. The accessories carry the whole look.
What works for a decades group?
Pick one decade for everyone and let each person choose a different character or style within it. The shared era ties the group together while nobody wears the same outfit.
Dress the era with themed costumes and wigs, or pull the whole party together with 1920s party supplies and disco party supplies.
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