By: The Costume King

We are living in odd times. At our fingertips are some of the most advanced bits of technology one could ever dream of. We have cars that run on solar power, phones that can give you directions, microchips that can hold terabytes of information – and the one thing we always talk about is going back to much simpler times. We’re an age of Retro-lovers, where pixels in gaming formed square blocks instead of fluid, 3D images and bellbottoms were a “thing”. It shows even in the parties we throw, with Retro themed parties on a rise. Interested in throwing your own Retro party? Well, pull up your beanbag chair and pay attention…

Setting Up

When we talk “retro”, we typically are talking about the 70’s and 80’s. Scary as it may sound, even the 90’s are slowly creeping their way into the standard definition. So, you need to decide which generation you want to teleport back to – or if you just want to integrate them all.

To add a little bit of the 70’s, you can pull in some beaded curtains, lava lamps, beanbag chairs, and a few decorative peace signs. There will be no question as to what era your guests are stepping into. You can really make the place psychedelic with some multicolored draperies. Psychedelic – hell, just use that word all night and save yourself the money.

The 80’s are a little harder to portray, as a bulk of it will be in what you wear, but here are some nifty ideas. Set up an original Nintendo Entertainment System and let your guests go to town. Nothing gets people together than a good game of Mario and Duck Hunt.

The Booze:

There are a few choice beverages you want to touch on with this party theme.

The 80’s:

  • Kamakazie
  • Long Island Iced Tea
  • Alabama Slammers

The 70’s:

  • Harvey Wallbanger (Vodka, Orange Juice, and Galliano)
  • Tom Collins
  • Tequila Sunrise

What to Wear?

Dressing for the Retro themed party is going to take a few trips to the costume shop or thrift store. You’re going to want to go for hippie attire, bellbottoms specifically with a rainbow colored headband. Go the extra mile with a long wig and you’re there! An alternative would be legwarmers, arm bands, and a funky mix of workout clothes. Don't forget to tie-dye yourself a few shirts and to use an abundance of hairspray to get that giant nest on top of your head. Need a reference? Check out some old videos of Sonny and Cher for a 70’s vibe and some John Hughes’ movies (like Pretty in Pink) for a taste of the 80’s.

Want to dress like the 90’s? Then you’ll want to go for low-hanging jeans and really baggy clothing. It wouldn’t hurt to turn your hat sideways and wear some extremely gaudy jewelry.

Send Us Your Party Photos

If you've thrown a party with this theme, please email us the photos along with your consent to use your photos on our website. We will publish it here.

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