Known as the Roaring Twenties, the 1920s was a decade epitomised by glamour and excess. With the First World War out the way, young people simply wanted to let their hair down and celebrate life, with parties, cocktails, music, and dancing.
If you’re hosting your own party, then a 20s theme is guaranteed to wow your guests and see they have the time of their lives. Here are just a few things you might like to consider when planning a 20 themed party.
Decorations
One colour scheme we really associate with the 1920s is black and gold, and the art deco style was all the rage. Think about black and gold table cloths, gold tassel chandeliers, and big, bold table centrepieces involving gold balloons, peacock feathers and sequins. Chinese print lanterns were popular, as were elegant fabrics such as red velvet, so a red carpet at the entrance wouldn’t go amiss. You might also want to look into hiring fairy light curtains, and possibly an ice bar if your venue is big enough.
Live music
No 20s themed party would be complete without a live band, because parties in the Roaring Twenties were all about the dancing and the music! Having a live band adds to the atmosphere and makes people want to get up and let their hair down because it’s hard to stop yourself foot tapping when there is live music in the room. You could request some fast-paced jazz or swing to fit in with your theme because this was the era in which jazz took off big time on both sides of the Atlantic.
Costumes
Fashion went a bit wild in the 20s! Women dared to bare for the first time, and so-called ‘flapper girls’ appeared on the scene and shook things up. For an authentic 20s themed party, women might choose dresses influenced by the period, with plenty of tassles, sequins, and patterned silk. For men, the dress code could involve sharp suits or even plus fours.
Food and drink
The 20s was the age of the cocktail, so a long cocktail list at the bar is required here! Think of the classics – gin and tonic, cosmopolitan, bloody Mary, whisky sidecar. Food-wise, you might go for elegant food bowls and canapes, basically anything which can be eaten standing up to keep the party going! That might include things such as smoked salmon, bruschetta, mini puff pastry tarts, and sandwiches, all of which can be eaten on the go.
The key to a successful 20s themed party is bringing that touch of glamour and excitement to proceedings, by capturing the mood of the period. Stick to your gold and black colour scheme, inject some fun with live music and raise a glass to the era of excess!
