Decades Party Costume Ideas: The Easiest Look for Every Decade, 1920s to Y2K

ByCostume Team

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Every decades party has the same problem. Half the room shows up in the 80s, and somebody spends the night explaining they’re “sort of 70s.”

The trick is picking one detail per decade that nobody can misread. A fringe dress says 1920s. A poodle skirt says 1950s. Flannel tied around the waist says 1994. Get that one piece right and the rest can come straight from your closet.

Here’s the easiest look for each decade, in order, plus what to buy if you only buy one thing.

Jump to a Costume

  1. 1920s: Flapper
  2. 1940s: Rosie the Riveter
  3. 1950s: Poodle Skirt
  4. Early 1960s: Mod
  5. Late 1960s: Hippie
  6. 1970s: Disco
  7. 1980s: Neon and Big Hair
  8. 1990s: Grunge
  9. 2000s: Y2K

1. 1920s: Flapper

Illustration of a 1920s flapper costume: beaded drop-waist dress, feathered headband, long pearls, white gloves and T-strap heels

The most popular decades costume of all, and for good reason. A flapper looks glamorous in every photo and you can dance in it.

How to do it: Drop-waist fringe or sequin dress, a beaded headband with a feather, long pearls, T-strap heels and dark lipstick. Guys go 1920s gangster: pinstripe suit, suspenders and a fedora.

Worth buying: a 1920s feather headband.

2. 1940s: Rosie the Riveter

Illustration of a Rosie the Riveter style costume: a woman in a chambray work shirt with sleeves rolled above the elbow, a red bandana with white polka dots tied around her head with the knot on top, a small curl of hair at the forehead, red lipstick, high-waisted dark jeans and work boots, flexing one arm with her fist up.

The 40s get skipped at most parties, which is exactly why you should take them. Rosie the Riveter costs almost nothing and everyone gets it.

How to do it: Chambray or denim work shirt with the sleeves rolled, a red polka-dot bandana tied on top, red lipstick and jeans. Flex one arm for every photo.

Worth buying: a red polka-dot bandana.

3. 1950s: Poodle Skirt

Illustration of a 50s poodle skirt costume: a woman in a full pink felt circle skirt with a black poodle appliqué, a white blouse and pink cardigan, a neck scarf, a high ponytail with a ribbon, bobby socks and saddle shoes.

The single most recognizable decades costume for women. Nobody has ever looked at a poodle skirt and guessed the wrong decade.

How to do it: Pink or teal felt circle skirt with a poodle on it, a fitted cardigan, a neck scarf, a high ponytail, bobby socks and saddle shoes. Pair it with a greaser in a white tee and leather jacket.

Worth buying: a 50s poodle skirt.

4. Early 1960s: Mod

Illustration of a 60s mod costume: a woman with a sleek dark bob, winged eyeliner, white hoop earrings, a short geometric black, white and orange shift dress and white go-go boots.

Sharp, graphic and very easy to wear. The 60s mod look is basically a short dress and a lot of eyeliner.

How to do it: Short A-line shift dress in black and white or a bold color block, white go-go boots, a sleek bob or big bouffant, and heavy winged eyeliner. Guys wear a slim dark suit and skinny tie.

Worth buying: white go-go boots.

5. Late 1960s: Hippie

Illustration of a late-1960s hippie costume: a woman with long center-parted hair and a headband across the forehead, round tinted sunglasses, a peasant blouse, a fringed suede vest, bell-bottom jeans, love beads, flowers in her hair, sandals.

Comfortable, cheap and a little goofy in the best way. A hippie is the easiest decades costume to build from thrift-store finds.

How to do it: Bell-bottoms or a long flowy skirt, a fringe vest, a headband across the forehead, round tinted sunglasses and a peace sign necklace. Flower crown optional but recommended.

Worth buying: a hippie accessory set.

6. 1970s: Disco

Illustration of a late-1970s disco costume: a woman in a gold sequined jumpsuit with flared legs, platform heels, big feathered hair, large hoop earrings, mid-dance pose with one arm raised.

If you want to be the life of the party, go disco. Shiny fabric and big hair do all the work.

How to do it: Metallic or wrap jumpsuit, a halter dress, or wide-collar shirt with flared pants. Platform shoes, big feathered hair or an afro wig, and gold jewelry. Point at the ceiling on the beat.

Worth buying: a 70s disco wig.

7. 1980s: Neon and Big Hair

Illustration of a 1980s aerobics costume: a woman in a neon pink leotard over shiny tights, bright leg warmers, a sweatband, a side ponytail with a scrunchie, white high-top sneakers.

The default pick, so commit to it harder than everyone else. The 80s only works if it’s loud.

How to do it: Neon top, leggings or acid-wash jeans, leg warmers, a side ponytail with a scrunchie, and chunky plastic earrings. For an edgier version, go punk with a studded jacket and safety pins.

Worth buying: an 80s neon accessory kit.

8. 1990s: Grunge

Illustration of a 1990s grunge costume: a young woman with messy shoulder-length hair and dark eyeliner, an oversized open red and green plaid flannel shirt over a short floral slip dress, a black velvet choker, ripped black tights, scuffed black combat boots, a knit beanie, a bored expression.

The easiest costume on this list, since you probably own most of it. 90s grunge is flannel, denim and a bad attitude.

How to do it: Flannel shirt tied around the waist or worn open, a band tee or baby tee, ripped jeans, combat boots or Converse, and a choker. Butterfly clips if you want the lighter side of the 90s.

Worth buying: a black 90s choker.

9. 2000s: Y2K

Illustration of a Y2K costume: a woman with butterfly clips, pink tinted sunglasses, a baby tee, a cropped pink jacket, low-rise flared jeans and platform sneakers, holding a flip phone.

The fastest-growing decades pick, and younger guests will expect someone to show up in it. A Y2K look is all low-rise and sparkle.

How to do it: Velour tracksuit or a baby tee with low-rise flared jeans, tinted sunglasses, butterfly clips, a tiny shoulder bag and platform sneakers. Carry a flip phone as your prop.

Worth buying: a pack of butterfly clips.

Which Decade Should You Pick?

Going solo? Pick the 40s, 50s or 60s mod. Fewer people choose them, so you’ll stand out, and they photograph better than any other decade.

For couples, the 50s are unbeatable: poodle skirt and greaser is the most instantly readable pair there is. A flapper with a 1920s gangster comes a close second.

For a group, split the decades between you and take one photo in order from the 1920s to Y2K. It’s the best group shot of the night every time, and it settles who gets which decade before anyone shops.

Short on time? The 90s. Flannel, ripped jeans and boots, and you’re done in five minutes.

See every costume in our Decades Party collection, browse costumes by era, or go through the full costume encyclopedia from A to Z.

Decades Party FAQ

What is the easiest decade to dress up as?

The 90s. Flannel, a band tee, ripped jeans and combat boots are probably in your closet already.

What’s the best decade for a couples costume?

The 1950s. A poodle skirt with a greaser in a leather jacket reads from across the room.

What should a guy wear to a decades party?

A 1920s gangster suit, a 50s greaser, a 70s disco shirt with flares, or 90s grunge flannel. All of them are easy and recognizable.

What decade is least likely to be copied at a party?

The 1940s. Most guests skip it, so Rosie the Riveter almost always stands out.

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