Best Dress Up Party Themes For Adults 2022

Come As You Were

Characters: Yourself

Best Costume Prize: Trophies for the biggest nerd, most cool, funniest, and so forth.

Here is a fun party theme that is going to be super unique! Pick a time in everyone's life. Something like the day you graduated from high school or the day you started your first job. Have everyone wear what they would have been wearing at that particular time in their life. Need food ideas? Try these Quick and Easy Cheap Party Finger Foods Ideas.

Margaritaville

Characters: Have everyone dress like a beach bum.

Best Costume Prize: A bottle of margarita mix, margarita glasses

This would be a fun outdoor party. Play Jimmy Buffet music and set up a margarita bar. Decorate like you are on the beach or Jimmy Buffet decorations. For dinner, serve seafood. Lemon Butter Tolopia, and what to serve with tilapia. Also, guests will love The Whole Shaban Shrimp and a low country boil with Seafood Boil Seasoing Recipe.

Western Party

Characters: cowboys, cowgirls, Miss Kitty, Annie Oakley, Mr. Cartwright, Hoss, Little Joe, sheriff, outlaw

Best Costume Prizes: saloon shot glass, beef jerky, toy guns, and sheriff badge

When hosting a wild west party, decorate the bar area with a saloon theme. You could also have old black and white westerns playing on the tv while you play poker. Here are some fun western party decorations. For some food, wrestle up some grub like, my Air Fryer Baked Potatos. Top them with some Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili or Roast Beef and Gravy. Use an old cowboy hat for serving up some snacks.

Pirates Of The Caribbean

Characters: Captain Kidd, Black Beard, Treasure Island, Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain Hook

Best Costume Prize: gold sword, treasure chest, chocolate gold coins

Decorate some coolers to look like treasure chests, fill them with ice and a favorite beverage. Choose some fun adult pirate party decor. This would be a great poolside party. Whip up a batch of Party Juice for all your thirsty pirates!

Zombie or Walking Dead

Characters: Walking Dead, Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead

Best Costume Prize: best zombi medal or trophy, zombie movie on dvd

Turn the lights down low or use some black light to set the mood. This would also be a great outdoor party.

Hero and Villian Party

Characters: Wonder Woman, Avengers, Batman, Joker, Spiderman

Best Costume Prize: gold medal, kryptonite rock, cape

Guest come as their favorite superhero or villain. Check out Fantastic Decorating Ideas for an Adult Superhero Party for decorating ideas.

James Bond Theme Party

Characters: James Bond, Pussy Galore, Goldfinger, Q, Tilly Masterson, Aki, Miss Caruso, Mary Goodnight, Log Cabin Girl

Best Costume Prize: James Bond movie DVD

Here is a fun party idea, model the party around your favorite James Bond movies. For an elegant dinner, serve Whiskey Steaks with Air Fryer Baked Potatos.

Back To The Future

Characters: Marty, Doc Brown, Clara Clayton, Biff Tannen, Jennifer Parker, Dave & Linda McFly

Best Costume Prize: Back to the Future: 30th Anniversary Trilogy & Complete Animated Series

Have guest pick their favorite character from one of the three Back To The Future movies. Decorate in a 1950s theme, Western theme, or future time theme. Serve milkshakes, Pepsi, meatloaf, and instant mashed potatoes.

Masquerade Ball

Hawaiian Themed Party

Characters: guest dress up in Hawaiian traditional outfits.

Best Costume Prize: Leis, Hawaiian shirt, pineapple

A Hawaiian party is a fun option for warm weather. Set the party up by your pool and have guest wear their best Hawaiian attire. Buy some blow-up large palm trees and set them all around your pool. String lights all around to create a fun atmosphere in the evening. Serve Instant Pot Coconut Rice and Curried Coconut Chicken on top.

Fiesta Mexican Themed Party

Cocktail Themed Party

Characters: Friends dress up like their favorite cocktail. This could get wild!

Best Costume Prizes: Bottle of good booze, cocktail glasses, bartenders recipe book

Set up a bar and get out your bartender's recipe book. The focus of this party is to try different and unique cocktails. Have your guest bring the recipe for the cocktail they dress up as and the booze and ingredients needed to make it. Try serving this beautiful pink, Azalea Chocktail. If you have friends attending that are not drinking liquor then also serve this Spiced Mocktail and Apple Cider Mocktail.

Victorian-Era Style Party

Characters: Friends dress up as a person from the Victorian Era

Best Costume Prize: Parasols, long white gloves, tea cups

For fun, Victorian party ideas be sure and visit, How to Throw an 1800s Victorian-Themed Tea or Garden Party Of course tea was very popular during the Victorian Era so be sure and visit Everything You Need To Know Abut Serving Tea. Make a batch of these Italian Biscotti and Mocha Cupcakes to serve.

Roaring 20s

Characters: flappers, gangsters, prohibition officers, Ernest Hemingway, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, George Gershwin, Georgia O’Keeffe, Bugsy Malone

Best Costume Prize: Chocolate cigar, pearl strands

The '20s was all about sipping a martini, along with glitz and glamour. Decorate with gold, white and black—also, big white feathers, flapper dresses, and art deco. For party ideas visit, How to Throw a Roaring 20s Party: Ideas for Decor, Food, and Fun.

Agatha Christie Party

Characters: someone from Murder on the Orient Express, Poirot, Miss Marple, Death on the Nile, Sparkling Cyanide

Best Costume Prize: Spy glass, Agatha Christie book

This would be a good theme if you want to host a murder mystery dinner. Try some of these fun mystery party decorations.

Famous Dead People

Characters: Anybody that is dead and famous

Best Costume Prize: Make certificates or give out award medals.

Have your guest dress up like someone famous that is dead. Make a game out of guessing who they are dressed like and be sure to award prizes.

Clue Party Theme

Characters: Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock,Professor Plum, Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlett, Reverend Green, Mr. Boddy

Best Costume Prize: Clue board game, rope, candlestick

This party would be fun to have a Clue game contest. Have several clue games set up, and the winners of each game go head to head in a final match. For more ideas, check out the Diva Girl Parties post, Clue Board Game Party. Be sure to pick up some of these Clue party decorations.

Greek Party

Characters: Greek goddess, Cesar, Nero, Greek mythology character, toga, Roman soldier

Best Costume Prize: Baklava, copy of The Odyssey, Greek olives or olive oil

Hosting a fabulous Greek Dinner Party will be easy; using these inspirational menu ideas, easy printable decorations, and even a printable fun Greek game, your guest will have a blast playing. Serve a Greek Wedge Salad or this delicious Greek Lemon Chicken Rice Soup

Disco Dance Party

Characters: The Bee Gees, Donna Summers, John Travolta, the Village People,  KC and the Sunshine Band

Best Costume Prize: Disco ball, greatest hits disco CD

Set up a dance floor and spin some great music from the disco era, and your guest will be dancing the night away. For more ideas visit, How to Throw a '70s Disco-Themed Party (Decor, Costumes, and Food)

Black and White Ball Themed Party

Characters: Guest dressed up in either all white or all black

Best Costume Prize: Trophies for best dressed

This party theme is an excellent opportunity for your guest to get all dressed up for a New Year's Eve party. For inexpensive fancy dresses, head to your local thrift store. For more ideas, visit Entertaining Deva's post, Black and White Party Ideas. Design a menu that has onlyd white foods served on black dishes like this White Gouda Mac n Cheese and these  Copycat Starbucks Madeleines

Las Vegas Night Party

Characters: Big spender, show girl, casino dealer, magician

Best Costume Prize: Deck of cards, roulette wheel, monopoly money

Start to party off as soon as the guest pulls up in your driveway. Have Las Vegas signs in your yard pointing to your front door. Set up casino game tables throughout your party and encourage guests to try their hands at each table. For more ideas visit, All In: How to Throw the Ultimate Casino Theme Party Serve up some steaks with Whiskey Marinade and a Green Jacket Salad. For a chocktail, serve a Transfusion or an Infused Vodka Cocktail.

Safari Inspired Party

Characters: Guest will dress like they are on safari

Best Costume Prize: Toy lion or jeep

A fun theme to decorate and dress up for would be an African safari. Guest could dress like they are heading out for the safari. Use African animals, leopard prints, or other African Safari decor. Hit the trail and serve some snacks on the go like, Unique Chex Mix Recipe or Pimento Cheese Crackers.

Wig Party

Characters: Friends who love crazy hair

Best Costume Prize: Gold scissors, hair dye

Everyone wears a wig to the party. It could be a crazy look or seriously gorgeous. Decorate like you are stepping into a barbershop or beauty salon.

Italian Style Party

Characters: Guest will dress in traditional Italian costumes.

Best Costume Prize: Bottle of Italian wine, Italian restaurant gift cards

Get the party started with traditional Italian decorations. Learn how to throw an easy Italian dinner party using authentic Italian recipes. For dinner serve Ragu Bolognese , Spaghetti Sauce With Fresh Tomatoes, Fresh Tomato Salad With Italian Herbs and Italian Style Stuffed Paleo Peppers. Be sure and make my favorite, Italian Herb Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread too.

Turn your get-together into an Italian Dinner Party with great decoration tips and recipe ideas.

Gilligan's Island

Characters: Gilligan, Professor, Giner, Mary Ann, Captain, the Howells

Best Costume Prize: Coconut, toy palm tree, life saver ring

This is a fun throwback party that would be fun to do in your backyard. Try some of these Gilligan Island Costumes. For dinner, serve up some Island Clam Chowder and Lemon Butter Tolopia.

Favorite Movie Stars

Characters: Guest can dress like their favorite movie stars

Best Costume Prize: Oscar trophy

Hang white glitter stars all over for a fun party decoration. Here are a few more Oscar party decoration ideas.

Great Gatsby Party

Characters: Nick Carraway, Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan, Jordan Baker, George & Myrtle Wilson, Owl Eyes, Klipspringer

Best Costume Prize: Champagne bottle

A great choice for a dress-up themed party is to do it around a book like the Great Gatsby. Decorations should reflect an art deco feel with lots of gold and black. Ladies can dress up in a 1920s Gatsby Cocktail Sequin Art Deco Flapper Dress

Mardi Gras

Characters: Guest should dress in traditional Mardi Gra attire.

Best Costume Prize: Fun masks, colorful beaded necklace, booze

This is the party you can go all out with shiny decorations—great your guest with a big glittery sign that says Welcome to Mardi Gras. Or try some of these fun Mardi Gras decorations.

Old TV Shows Characters

Characters: Andy, Opie, Aunt B or Golmer, Lucy, The Bunkers, Ed Sullivan, Cher, Andy Williams, Denis the Menace, Bever, Hazel, and on and on.

Best Costume Prize: TV Phone Holder 

This is a unique party theme. Have your guests dress up as their favorite old-time tv characters. Set the years the shows could be from. For dinner, serve a baked potato bar. Try these easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes and then use these easy baked potato topping ideas for a baked potato bar. Need a throwback dessert to serve? Try these Grasshopper Mint Parfaits.

Hippie Party

Characters: 1960's hippies

Best Costume Prize: Peace sign neckless

Bright tie-dye decorations, peace signs, smiley faces, and a Volkswagen bus are all great ways to decorate for a Hippie party.

This party is all about hanging out and singing 60's music. Set up a dessert bar for this party and serve items such as a buttery pound cake, Molasses Cookies, and of course, Brownies.

For more great 1960s ideas, check out Groovy 60s Party Themes.

Movie Grease Party

Characters: Danny, Sandra Dee, Pink Ladies, or the ‘T’ Birds.

Best Costume Prize: Toy Thunderbird, hair grease

A Grease party is all about the 50's decorations. Serve drive-in food and play the movie on a big screen in the backyard.

How about setting up a soda fountain serving these great Frosty Copycats and Cranberry Brownies with a scoop of ice cream on top.

Egyptian Party Theme

Characters: Cleopatra, Mummy, Pharaoh, Gods and other Egyptian Costumes

Best Costume Prize: A toy pyramid

Egyption party decorations could be Egypt maps, large palm leaves or backdrops. Serve a feat with the centerpiece being a crown roast with Maple BBQ Dry Rub. Head to the store with this list of 36 Exotic Fruits To Try. Purchase several and lay the feast before the king.

PJs Party

Characters: Guests come in their favorite comfy pjs

Best Costume Prize: Pillows, eye masks or fuzzy socks

Ok, I must confess I am most relaxed when I'm in my pj's. This would be a great movie night party. Have everyone wear their favorite comfy pj's, and serve popcorn and candy for snacks. For fun, have everyone bring their own favorite pillow and blanket. Here are some fun Pajama party decorations. Enjoy some snacks such as Maple Popcorn, Sweet and Spicy Cashews or Salted Maple Whiskey Carmales. And, since it's just the girls, be sure to serve a Pink Cocktail!

Rocky Horror Picture Show Party

Characters: Frank n Furter, Magenta, Columbia, Riff Raff, Brad, Janet, Dr. Scott, or Rocky.

Best Costume Prize: Rocky Horror prizes

Ok, this is probably for an older crowd who remembers this cult-like movie. It was so fun smuggling in all the paraphernalia to throw at the screen. Be sure to decorate with rice, confetti, newspapers, water pistols, candles or flashlights, toast, and party hats. For snacks, don't forget the hot dogs and prunes!

The Office

Characters: Toby Flenderson, Pam Halpert, Ryan Howard, Oscar Martinez, Andy Bernard, Angela Martin, Jim Halpert, Dwight Schrute, Jan Levinson, Michael Scott

Best Costume Prize: The Office Dwight Schrute Roar pillow

Have everyone choose their favorite character and dress up like them. If you need some party ideas visit Laura at EventOTB post, How to Host Your Michael Scott, Pro-Am, The Office Party . Then whip up some of Kevin's homemade chili. Just don't spill it!

Onesie Party

Characters: Any character your guest can find in onesie PJs

Best Costume Prize: Pillows, sleeping aid, blanket

Dressing up for this party is not for the faint at heart; it takes courage to walk out of your house in adult onesie pajamas. It's easy to find some crazy ones at your local Walmart or other family clothing-type stores. You can also order onesie adult PJs online.

If you need ideas for what to serve at an Adult PJ party, try one of these Food Bar Ideas. It's easier on the hostess to have everything set up before guests arrive.

Sci-fi Party

Characters: Aliens, Star Wars characters, Back to the Future, Star Trek, Avatar, or Men in Black

Best Costume Prize: Alien toys, space ship toys

Outer Space decor theme is a great option to set the stage for this party. Here are a few more Sci-Fi decorating ideas.

If you have a crowd for this party then be sure and check out my 60 Great Meatball Recipes to serve as party snack ideas.

Wizard of Oz

Characters: Dorothy, Tin Man, Lion, Scarecrow, Wicked Witch, Glynda, Toto, Wizard

Best Costume Prize: Red sparkly slippers

Buy a roll of yellow paper and have your guest enter on the yellow brick road—more Wizard of Oz party supplies.

Toga Party

Characters: Alexander the Great, Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Julius Caesar, Virgil, and Paul.

Best Costume Prize: A Greek leaf crown headpiece.

Grabe a bed sheet and wrap up a toga for this fun and slightly crazy party theme. This party is centered around the old Greek and Roman lifestyle. Gold and white decorations. For activities, play some Greek games. Hosting a fabulous Greek dinner party will be easy; using these inspirational menu ideas, easy printable decorations, and even a printable fun Greek game, your guest will have a blast playing.

Casino Movie Night Party

Characters: James Bond, Axel Freed, Mikey Rosa, Ramond "Rain Man" Sam "Ace Rothstein.

Best Costume Prize: Gold deck of cards

Put a twist on your Casino party by having everyone come as their favorite character from a gamblers movie. Of course, you are going to set up some fun gambling tables, but you could also have dinner and a movie. Watch The Gambler, 21, Rain Man, Casino, and Rounders.

80s Party

Characters: Madonna, Michael Jackson, Tome Cruise, Boy George, Ronald Ragan, Princess Diana, or Prince.

Best Costume Prize: 1980s retro box of candy

The 80s were all about being bold. The dress code is neon, hot pink leg warmers, and shoulder pads. Have everyone dress up as their favorite famous celebrity in the 1980s.

Golf Party

Characters: Jack Nicholes, Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, Sam Snead, Tom Watson

Best Costume Prize: Bobblehead Golfer Trophy

Have guests dress up as their favorite golfers. For dinner and a movie party, watch Utopia, Bobby Jones, The Greatest Game Ever Played, and of course, don't forget Caddyshack. Be sure to serve Famous Augusta Masters Recipes, such as the pimento cheese sandwich and peach ice cream sandwich.