Costume Party Ideas

When I Grow Up

Take your guests back to their childhood by encouraging everyone to dress up as what they wanted to be when they were five years old. The resulting costumes will be great conversation-starters. Just imagine your quiet, buttoned-up friend walking into the party dressed as a rocker from a 1980s hair band. The pictures will be priceless. 

Crime Doesn't Pay

The only requirement for this theme is that guests have to dress as someone who's found themselves on the wrong side of the law. While generic jailbird costumes are acceptable, there are plenty of specific costume ideas to go around, from a range of prohibition-era gangsters to celebrities like Martha Stewart and Charlie Sheen. 

We're On A Boat

Whether you're in the middle of summer or still waiting for the temperatures to rise, a nautical theme costume party will put in the mood for lazy afternoons on the water. Encourage your guests to dress in traditional nautical apparel, such as horizontal strips, boat shoes, wide-brimmed hats and light colors. Add some humor to the party by purchasing captain's hats for all your guests. 

Sweetie Switch

If you're throwing a couples costume party, take advantage of your guests relationship status when planning the theme by telling each guest to come dressed as their better half. Party-goers should try to find outfits that reflect their partner's signature look. For example, if a guest's husband is a huge Green Bay Packers fan, his wife could come dressed in the team jersey and sporting his lucky cheeseboard hat.

Anything But Clothes

This theme party requires a little more imagination than most but the resulting costumes can be hilarious. The only requirement for this theme party is that guests can't make their costume from traditional clothing pieces. Wrap yourself in a sheet and come as a mummy or fashion a cardboard box into a Rubik's Cube costume. Anything goes. 

The Good Old Days

Ever wonder what your adult friends were like during their formative high school years? Well here's your chance to find out. Guests should come dressed as their high school selves, whether they were the star quarterback, a budding thespian or the president of the student body. Encourage your guests to bring their old yearbooks and a good sense of humor. 

Viva Las Vegas

Just because you don't have the money to fund a wild weekend in Las Vegas, doesn't mean that you can't bring the party to you. With all that Vegas has to offer, guests won't have any trouble coming up with a costume. Popular ideas include a black jack dealer, showgirl, cocktail waitress, lounge singer or even an Elvis impersonator. With all the glitz and glam that sin city has to offer, a Vegas-themed costume party is sure to be a fun-filled night.

Whether you choose one of these themes or come up with your own, your themed costume party is sure to be a night enjoyed by all!