Why not party like it’s the 1990s

While we can’t time travel a hosting a 90s costume party is the next best thing.  Whether your hosting a birthday bash or a fundraiser event a 90s theme is sure to get your guest pumped up for a bangin evening of nostalgia.  You can probably even dig out some outrageous 90s clothes from the depths of your wardrobe.

For every older millennial celebrating a milestone birthday the 1990s they clothes were quirky and colourful.  The would have grown up dancing to Spice girls, quoting Mean girls and dressed from head to toe in double denim and tie dye tshirts. 

We’ve put together a how to list to help you throw a memorable and authentic 90s bash.  We can help you with your 90s flavor, from music, entertainment to the best clothes.  So grab your scrunchie and relax on your best inflatable plastic furniture as you read our list.

Revive 90s Fashion

To create the perfect party get everyone to dress up in their best 1990s outfit.  To make sure you look da bomb here are our suggestions. 

For a totally 90s costume party wear acid-wash jeans, tube tops, and capri pants along with crimped hair, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and punk rock. Channel that authentic 90s grunge by throwing on baggy ripped jeans, a graphic tee and checkered flannel. Think teenage punk rocker like Avril Lavigne

Or for a 90s sporty vibe wear some of the kitschiest campiest accessories like neon bike shorts, track suits, and colorful windbreakers. Don’t forget the neon bumbags, fuzzy bucket hats, over the top bling and large scrunchies for your hair like Bananarama

The 1990’s also rocked bold colours and geometric prints teamed with denim overalls and sideways baseball cap just like Fresh Prince.  In fact double denim was all the rage with mom jeans or low rise jeans, denim overalls, and denim jackets all worn together even denim hats.  Think Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake at the MTV awards.

Don’t forget pop culture icons to emulate would include The Spice Girls, The cast from friends, Salt-n-Pepa, Waynes World, The Matrix and Fresh Prince.  You can also suggest your guests channel their favorite 90s TV shows and movies by copying Will Smith’s brightly colored T-shirts on “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” or Alicia Silverstone’s plaid outfit in “Clueless.” Encourage everyone to dress up at your party by offering a prize for the best 90s outfit.  The prize could easily be a classic 90s item like a their own Tamagotchi

 

 

 

 

 

 

90s Entertainment

For some showstopping entertainment why not hire a 90s tribute band its sure make your guests get jiggy with it.  Get them to play everything from 90s boy band covers to Britney Spears pop music.  Hiring live musicians will help keep the energy flowing by matching their set to your party’s vibe.  In fact great bands with interact with your guest and fill their set with engaging transitions to evoke the era.

If the budget doesn’t stretch that far then build the perfect playlist from spotify.  Make sure to include some of these popular 90s genres, techno, dance, grunge, indie rock, disco and girl/ boy band hits.  If you’re not an expert then consider hiring a DJ to keep your tunes pumping all night.  They can match the energy in the room and get guest dancing whenever there’s a lull. Best of all, a party DJ can take song requests. If your guests are ready to belt out MMMbop or can’t wait for Wonderwall, your DJ will have you covered!

A great way to bring back the frenzy of 90s fan culture is to hire a celebrity impersonator to come dressed as your favourite 90s pop culture figures. They make for the best photo opportunities!  Consider political figures, movie characters, music groups, and more. If they were iconic in the 90s, chances are that there’s an impersonator ready and willing to show up to your 90s costume party. You won’t regret including this unique element in your big 90s theme bash!

Photobooth 90s style

The perfect way to bring the 90s vibe to your event is to introduce a photo booth! Guests can dress up and make memories, while they goof off with some fun props. To make the experience even more special, be sure to provide some distinctively 90s accessories. These props can range from big sunglasses to bright neon accessories – whatever you choose, the goal is to add an extra dose of nostalgic flair. Complete the look with a backdrop that’s sure to evoke the 90s aesthetic. Be sure to choose a bright colour palette with repeating geometric shapes for the perfect finishing touch. With this setup, you’re sure to have a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

 

A few options for props might include:

• Colorful 90s glasses
• Oversized gold necklaces
• Large DJ style headphones
• Bucket hats
• Bumbags
• Choker necklaces
• Retro nylon caps
• Narrow sunglasses
• Inflatable boombox
• 90s Wigs like  ‘The Rachel from Friends’
• Windbreaker jackets 90s style
• Bling Jewellery 

90s Food and Drinks

In the 90s, sweets were big, with every pop star posing with a brightly colored lollipop. Those Chupa Chups lollipops even came with a free sticker, designed especially for the Spice Girls. Why not create a Viennese spread for your guests and present a curated table full of colorful 90s lollies like Pushpops, Juicy Fruit Gum, Airheads and Jawbreakers. Guests can enjoy an Instagram-worthy spread.

You can have 90s-themed food and drinks, too! Serve up treats huge in 90s lunchboxes. Try Oreos, Pop Tarts, Fruit Roll-Ups, Pizza rolls, Potato Gems and Hot Pockets. . Also, you could offer classic sodas or juices from the 90s, like Crystal Pepsi, Capri Sun, Hi-C, or Kool-Aid. For something more grown up you can add a signature 90s cocktail like the Appletini. You can even make sure your guests are ‘totally 90s’ by bringing out a few old-school cell phones as party favors!

90s Games and Fun

Hold a TV trivia challenge.  During the 90s, many TV shows became cult favorites. Several of those shows have even been rebooted for a new generation to enjoy! Take your guests back to the era of The X-Files, Twin Peaks,  Absolutely Fabulous, and Quantum Leap with some television trivia.

In between dining and dancing, distribute trivia sheets and allow guests to fill them out at their tables. You might consider including them in a prize draw for 90s toys like Rubik Cubes and Troll Dolls. An interactive quiz show can be hosted by a guest of honor (or even the DJ)! Teams can form and work together to recall facts about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Neighbours, and Dawson’s Creek.  You could even slime the 90s costume party losers Nickelodeon Style!

Bust out the Nintendo

Unlike the 80s, when arcade cabinets ruled, the 90s brought gamers a new generation of games. In a flash, all our arcade favorites were available in the comfort of our own homes! This decade’s most memorable console was the Nintendo 64.

You might consider turning your party into a Mario Party if you want to add some 90s flair. Allow your guests to compete for high scores on a few consoles set up throughout the venue. It’s a great way to take a break from dancing and dominate another area.

Decorations and Theming

Why not create a CD centrepiece? With a little bit of strategic lighting you can produce gorgeous rainbows on CDs, which are both shiny and inexpensive. If you purchase blank CDs in bulk, you can craft decorations or centrepieces that will keep your theme. Consider recycling old CDs from the 90s and giving them a new life as the focal point!  You can also create stunning mosaics from CDs, hang them to make a disco ball, or stack them to make wall art using CDs.

Screen 90s movies

So many iconic 90s styles started on the big screen and would be recognisable even with the sound turned off. If you have access to television screens at your venue, why not show clips from your favourite films from the decade to add some extra ambience?  Some great movies to screen would be The Full Monty, Cluelss, Forrest Gump, Waynes World, There’s Something About Mary and Golden Eye.  Plenty of other popular 90s films have made their mark, too. Show your favourites, or use them to inspire your fancy dress!

Playtime with 90s Games and Toys

After your guests have downed a few signature Appletini cocktails, they might be ready to mix things up. In the right venue, a game of Tipsy Twister can go a long way toward making your guests laugh. Consider offering prizes for those who last the longest, or crowning the winner “King or Queen of Nostalgia!” 

Some of the most popular toys came from the 90s! Keep your guests busy revisiting their favourites by scattering some around the venue or incorporating them into table centrepieces. You can probably source these popular toys and games from your loft or second-hand shop. You might reminisce while playing with the following:

• Bop It
• Game Boy Colour
• Pogs and Slammers
• Velcro Toss and Catch
• Tamagotchi Pets
• Magic 8 Balls
• Etch A Sketch
• Mr Potatoe Head
• Yo yos
• Sock em Robots
• Slinkys

So to host an awesome 90s costume party, make sure to follow our suggestions. The next thing you know, your guests will be rocking it as grunge megastars, international pop sensations, or celebrities from your favorite sitcom. Pre-Y2K style, your 90s theme party will allow them to relive their memories while dancing the night away with friends and family for an phat night!