Decades Party Guide (20s to 90s)
Decade parties are a brilliant excuse to dress up and play the right music. The trick is to commit to one era so the look, the outfits and the playlist all pull the same way. This guide runs through the signature look of each decade and points you at the supplies that sell it.
Pick your decade
- 1920s (Gatsby): gold, black and feathers. Flapper dresses, pearls, art-deco fans and jazz. Our biggest decade range and the easiest to style elegantly.
- 1950s and 60s: polka dots, rock and roll, bright diner colours and vinyl records on the walls.
- 1970s: disco balls, flares and warm oranges and browns. Overlaps heavily with a disco theme.
- 1980s: neon everything, cassette tapes, big hair and glow sticks.
- 1990s: pop and hip-hop, bold primary colours, inflatable furniture and retro logos.
Build the room and the playlist
Whatever the era, the formula is the same. Choose a two-colour base, add a hero backdrop (a Gatsby arch, a disco ball, a neon wall), and let the outfits do the rest. A themed banner and a matching balloon display anchor the photo corner.
Music matters more here than any other theme. Build a playlist of 30 to 40 songs from the era before the party so it never drops out, and keep the volume up. Nothing dates a decade party faster than the wrong soundtrack.
Frequently asked questions
Which decade is easiest to decorate?
The 1920s. A gold-and-black palette, an art-deco backdrop and a few feather touches read instantly as Gatsby, and the outfits are easy to hire or improvise.
Can I mix decades in one party?
You can, but it reads cleaner if you give each decade its own corner or its own colour rather than blending them across the whole room. A single era always looks more considered.
What is the difference between a 70s and an 80s party?
The 70s is disco: warm oranges and browns, flares and a mirror ball. The 80s is neon: bright pinks and greens, glow sticks and big hair. Pick one and lean all the way in.
Roll back the years with 1920s party supplies or a disco theme for the 70s and 80s. Finish the outfits with fancy dress.