The success of a party definitely depends on the chosen theme and its implementation. Theme parties create a good atmosphere because the guests have to prepare in advance and eagerly await the celebration. There are a lot of options for organizing a birthday party, but a large part of them are usually perceived as boring. Theme party themes for adults in retro style are reminiscent of past fashion with its typical features and it is always exciting to find matching accessories and outfits.
5 retro themed party themes for adults for their birthday
We have selected 5 retro party themes for adults:
- 20s style and The Great Gatsby
- 50er Oldies
- 60er Flower Power
- 70er Glam
- 80er bas Taste
Below you will find tips for an original and successful implementation, as well as important information about each era.
Birthday in 20s style
The Roaring 20s and particularly 'The Great Gatsby' is a popular theme for theme parties. Appropriate decoration and music create the unique atmosphere of the era and, classically dressed and styled, guests actually immerse themselves in the characteristic attitude to life. As with any theme party, good planning is required.
Gatsby Retro Party
Every birthday party starts with the invitation. For a 1920s party, the invitation is printed on paper and presented personally or sent by post. Design them in black and white with playful ornaments and curved lettering in gold or silver.
In order for the decoration to create the right mood, carefully select all the elements so that they create a noble, frivolous pessam image. The color palette is basically limited to the timeless combination of black and white. Crystal glasses, silver cutlery, heavy tablecloths and satin napkins provide stylish accents. Popular accessories that match the theme are feathers, pearl necklaces as decorative jewelry, and classic candlesticks. Popular material with a decorative effect is velvet or satin. Objects typical of the 20s, such as gramophones, lamps, classic pieces of furniture and more, will certainly add to the good atmosphere.
When it comes to styling, women in the 20s enjoyed fashion freedom and liked to wear revealing dresses with spaghetti straps and a low back neckline to parties. Dresses can be beautifully decorated with sequins and glitter and covered in fringes. Despite the glamorous clothing, accessories should not be missing either. Headdresses with feathers and several long pearl necklaces hung one on top of the other complete the characteristic look. For men, a suit with a white shirt and hat is simply a must.
In the 20s, women wore their hair chin or shoulder length, so it made sense to style the long mane in a bun with a knot at the nape of the neck. In keeping with the style, the water waves and hair bands are decorated with beads and feathers. When it comes to make-up, wicked eye make-up is required and is usually combined with bright red lipstick. With a classy eyeliner and a very pale skin complexion you will also get the right look. Men in the 20s wore mustaches, which is why a fake one to stick on is a fitting choice for any man to go to a theme party.
Retro theme party themes for adults - 50s
Another popular oneTheme for a theme partyFor birthdays, the 50s are American style. The period after the Second World War saw many contrasts. All the typical characteristics of consumer society, including the music and cinema scenes of that time, characterize the decade.
You have a huge selection of motifs for invitations to a 50s theme party: pin-up girls,Superheroes, check, floral and dot patterns in red and white or pastel colors, etc. The font should be bold and preferably italic.
The post-war period brought people together; they met in drive-in cinemas, to dance or in diner. The industry experienced an upswing and the history of many mass products that we know today began at this point in time. Then everything that is reminiscent of this serves as an atmospheric and suitable decoration for a 50s theme party.
For the perfect 50's look, incorporate 1.3 to 3 selected motifs as details in the decoration. There can be Coca Cola bottles, Campbell's tomato soup cans, milkshakes, records, cult cars. Pop Art or Rock'n'Roll motifs. From tablecloths to wall decorations, everything should match the color of the theme.
Of course, typical fast food drinks and food go well with this, such as burgers, fries, Coca Cola, soda, sweets and cakes with colorful icing. Rely on colorful details that create a good atmosphere. In the 50s, people enjoyed playing board games, couples games, dancing together, and going to drive-in movies, which provides further inspiration for party decorations.
The extremely feminine hourglass silhouette was typical of the clothing style of women back then. They wore almost no trousers, but pencil skirts and midi-length petticoats. Heavily styled hair sprayed with hairspray, thick eyeliner, bright red lipstick, earrings with clips, heels and a belt sitting close to the waist are definitely part of the look.
For men, the look can be relaxed. A pair of rolled-up chinos, suspenders, a Hawaiian shirt or a suit with wide legs and you've got a great look.
Hippie style and 60s fashion is a popular theme for atmospheric theme parties for adults. Most of the time it is implemented more or less as a Bade-Taste party, but this can be different if desired. But one thing is certain – there will be wild celebrations.
When designing the invitation card, use more color and the popular hippie symbols and motifs. The slogans of the 60s were Love, Peace and Harmony, Flower Power and Woodstock, as well as cars like Bully and Beetle.
On the table, great emphasis is also placed on good silence and this is achieved through the use of all the colors of the rainbow in every shape. Flowers are undoubtedly part of the flower power motto. In addition to real or artificial flowers, flower garlands or large crepe paper flowers are also a good option.
Influenced by the music scene and the hippie wave, great accessories are popular. Headbands and hairbands, round sunglasses with colored lenses, long chains with peace signs, etc. You can offer these little things to your guests and give them as small party favors.
As far as costumes for the 60s party are concerned, wide-leg trousers, Charleston style, sandals, Jesus bags, long hair and mustaches are popular for men. Women can choose from folk-print ponchos, floral mini-skirts or regular wide-leg, high-waisted jeans. Platform shoes or sandals with thick cork soles are a must. Headscarves, headbands and flower wreaths can be worn by both genders.
Glam rock theme party in 70s style
Glam rock was one of the highlights of the 70s. Influenced by this music culture, a theme party is anything but boring. As the name itself suggests, everything in the design should be glamorous, eye-catching and effective. Hot beats, bright colors combined with black. Light effects and disco balls invite you to enjoy the party to the fullest.
The invitation card for the birthday theme party should be colorful and eye-catching. Dancing human silhouettes, disco balls, bright details and records are motifs that would appeal to any guest. You also choose the font that is eye-catching, curved and playful.
When it comes to decoration, the disco ball is the number 1 decorative item and is available on the market in imaginative variations and sizes. Choose glittering fabric by the meter and cover the dining table with it. It's best to find black napkins and arrange them beautifully with cups in neon colors, preferably in pink.
In the 70s people celebrated wildly and of course that included expensive drinks. Cold punches based on wine or champagne with fruit were a hit at every party. Afri Cola and Bluna were also part of the assortment at a party in the 70s.
For their outfits, women definitely need to go for a piece with glitter and sequins or dress glamorously from head to toe. Miniskirts, jumpsuits, hot pants and flared pants are just some of the typical 70s clothing. A very voluminous hairstyle is characteristic of women, which they either replace with an Afro wig or tease the hair heavily and fix it with hairspray. Accessories such as large sunglasses, platform shoes and jewelry are a must for both women and men.
Men can combine a colorful patterned shirt with flared trousers or opt for a 'Mad Man' style suit.
80s retro party
The culture of the 80s is very much influenced by music, like no other decade. Then everything when it comes to party planning revolves around the international hits and the typical disco sound.
When designing the invitation card, it is very original to use a compact cassette, cassette recorder, CD or, optionally, a vinyl record. Neon colors, black and white checks and geometric figures can also be staged well.
When it comes to table decoration, go for bright, colorful and neon. Combine patterns and motifs boldly, create tables for every dish and cocktail. Sparkling wine aperitifs are just right for an 80s party, as are liquors and funky cocktails with syrup.
Regarding clothing at an 80s party, it is a good opportunity for a bad-taste party theme, as leggings, bodysuits, cuffs, headbands, as well as teased long hair for both men and women are characteristic of the fashion of this decade.
