Roaring 20s party ideas: decor, outfits, food, invitations
The Roaring 20s were a decade of jazz, glitz, and unapologetic glamour. Think luxurious color palettes, gangster suits, and vintage décor that scream old-school elegance. Sola Oyebade, the CEO and Founder of Mahogany Productions and Events, shares tips and tricks on how to throw a Roaring 20s party that captures the Jazz Age.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Roaring 20s party ideas
- The decor: where classic meets glam
- The outfits: dress like the decade
- What food would be served at a 1920s party?
- What was the dress code for the Roaring 20s?
Key takeaways
- 1920s outfits shine with vintage touches like satin gloves, pearl necklaces, and feathered Gatsby hats.
- The perfect ambiance is achieved with a speakeasy vibe, complete with 1920s-style cocktails, food, and Charleston dance music.
- Roaring 20s Art Deco elements like gold-framed mirrors, sunburst motifs, and metallic vases create signature Jazz Age glamour.
Roaring 20s party ideas
You do not necessarily need a big party to have a good time. A 1920s theme party is ideal for any occasion, such as a birthday celebration or New Year's Eve. Check out these Roaring 20s party ideas for your eventful day.
Roaring 20s party decorations
What is a Roaring 20s party without decorations? Decorating for a speakeasy party is so much fun. Your colour scheme should be white, gold, black, and red. Here are some great Roaring 20s party decorations to make your event stand out.
Glitters and neon signs
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One of the best roaring 20s party decorating ideas is to jazz up the entire venue with tonnes of glitter to make it appear like a magical night. Go neon and make the space more vibrant.
Balloon arch
What is a party without balloons? Ensure you have many gold, silver, black, and white balloons to make your event colourful.
Use decorative banners
Banners give the location an immediate festive appearance. Decorate your banners with images of your friends hanging out with the group, with family, or with a collage of their happiest moments.
Paper straw garland
Make a simple garland from paper straws to decorate your 1920s party buffet or bar. Purchase gold and black or white straws, cut them into graduated lengths, and thread them in groups to resemble pennants on a length of baker's twine.
Decorations using photos
If you and your friends have known each other since you were young, you can access their possessions, photos, and memories. Use them all as your 1920s decorations for a time-travelling celebration.
Photo booth decoration
Include a photo booth or selfie station to take amazing pictures with friends and family. Make a magical backdrop to go with the exciting party theme.
Roaring 20s party food and drinks inspiration ideas
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Planning the food for a 1920s-themed party might seem challenging, but most of the items you can serve are simple, authentic, and still familiar to people from the 21st century. Here are the options you can consider.
Appetizers and simple dishes
The ever-popular dish of deviled eggs is appropriate to the era while still being easy to prepare for a party. Cabbage rolls, assembled with ground beef, rice, and some simple pantry seasonings, will please your guests.
Mains
For a main course, consider preparing a traditional barbecue sauce of cider vinegar, ketchup, Tobasco sauce, and strong spices such as cayenne and chilli powder. You can also opt for beef tenderloin, pork chops, or roasted chicken.
Desserts
Rice pudding can fit well on your list of desserts. Jell-O with banana split ice cream was also served during the Roaring 20s. Angel food cake, pineapple upside-down cake, inbox cake, and Neapolitan ice cream are accurate for the decade and remain party favourites.
Drinks
The 1920s decade was all about the cocktails. Therefore, ensure you incorporate a few vintage drinks into your menu. Consider classic cocktails such as gin Rickeys, sidecars, and mint juleps for a Great Gatsby party.
Roaring 20s party outfit inspirations
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A Roaring theme party is only complete if you have a lovely 1920s party outfit. There are various outfit ideas you can choose from.
Flapper-inspired dress
Flapper dresses were standard during the 1920s. Dress to impress with a gorgeous flapper dress. These dresses are known for their loose silhouette, straight, dropped waist, and knee length.
Silk handkerchiefs
Silk handkerchiefs were among the famous and fashionable accessories at the time. They can be a unique gift to your guests, and you can personalise them by sewing each guest's name into the border of the handkerchiefs.
Vintage-inspired gloves
Gloves were an essential accessory back in the 1920s, where they were used to highlight the elegance and sophistication of an outfit. Offer your guests satin gloves or vintage lace during the party to bring an elegant and authentic touch to their outfits.
Pearl necklaces
Pearls were trendy in the 1920s. Accessorising your party outfit with pearl jewellery is a fantastic idea, giving your guests' outfits a vintage touch.
Gatsby feathered hats
If you want to wear a symbol of 1920s elegance, you can't go wrong with the enchanting feathered hat. Request your guests to come adorned in feathers and sequin hats.
Clutch bags
If you are a lady, ensure you have a stylish flapper-inspired clutch bag that will be perfect for holding goodies from the party. You can decorate your clutch bag with crystals, pearls, glitter, and other flappy-themed decorations.
Black dress
Craft the perfect look for a roaring 20s-themed party with a stylish black dress. They are the epitome of elegance, timeless and versatile, and will never go out of fashion.
Tulle pouches
Gift your guests with Jazz Age tulle pouches they can fill with small candies or favours. You can decorate them in metallic colours reflecting the glitz and glamour of the 20s!
Striped suit
Striped suits are perfect for formal occasions, the ultimate elegant clothing that has stood the test of time. They help you create the most stylish looks without much effort. The vertical lines have a slimming effect, a significant advantage for this print type.
1920s party invitations
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Let your friends and family know about your upcoming Roaring 20s party. Make your invitations as creative as you want to make them stand out. Below are some of the Roaring 20s invitation ideas.
Colour coordinated
When making your invitations, feature an elegant black, gold, and silver design with the phrase, 'Come have a roaring good time' or 'Get ready to Charleston the night away!,' centred in the middle. You can pair the invites with Roaring 20s party supplies such as feather boas, champagne glasses, and pearls. It will enhance your party's theme.
Art Deco fonts and designs
Art Deco was a famous art style in the Roaring 20s. Complement geometric shapes with bold colours that reflect the Art Deco style of the 1920s and make them shine by adding some glitter. It's a great way to add a touch of glamour to your invitations.
Vintage images
Include old photos of flappers, jazz musicians, and speakeasies in your invitations. They are all great ways to evoke the feeling of the Roaring 20s.
Record invites
The 1920s culture was characterised by vinyl records and jazz music people listened to during soulful times. You can design your invitations into shapes of the records and incorporate a fun song title for each guest's invitation.
E-invites
You don't have to make your guests wait for their invitations. You can send them e-invites and add some 20s flair by styling them like vintage 1920s postcards.
Speakeasy password
In your invitations, devise an easy secret password that the guests must give to join the event, just like in an authentic speakeasy. By doing so, you will be sure your speakeasy will not get busted!
Cocktail recipe card
Put your guests in the Roaring party spirit mood early by attaching a 1920s-themed cocktail recipe card to each invitation. They will yearn for the day to explore the drinks.
Flapper fashion
Make your invitations glamorous by including images of flapper accessories and dresses with sparkling glitter. Accessories include head beads, clutch bags, beaded necklaces, and feather headbands.
1920s party entertainment ideas
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Many fun activities fit with the Roaring 20s theme party, you can opt to have them to make your event memorable.
Host a movie night at home
Watching a film at home is a great way to spend time with your loved ones at a 1920s party. Ensure you have the 1920s movies, such as The Great Gatsby.
Jazzy music
Jazzy music over a speaker or a hired band would be among the best ideas for a 1920s theme party. You can go for the same tracks and musicians that were being listened to at the time. Get your guests in the spirit by adding 1920s-inspired music from artists such as The Missourians, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Sophie Tucker, Chick Endor, and Gene Austin.
Go dancing!
Dance is fun and healthy, and it's also an art form. You can organise for your guests to have 1920s dances on the dance floor. They can dance the Charleston to Scott Joplin's infamous ragtime jazz.
Play 1920s games with friends
Playing card games was a fun activity in the 1920s. Your guests will get entertained if you incorporate a 1920s-themed games night with several game tables. You can opt to go to a casino or a murder mystery game.
The decor: where classic meets glam
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According to Sola Oyebade, CEO and Founder of Mahogany Productions and Events, in an interview, recreating an authentic 1920s party is all about embracing the signature style of the Jazz Age, which is characterized by opulence, elegance, and Art Deco sophistication. He explained:
You want to start by choosing the right colour, and also knowing how to mix the colours. The quintessential 1920s palette includes black, gold, silver, and white. For a richer and more classy look, you should consider adding colours like jade green, emerald green, and rich red, which were often associated with wealth and style during the era.
Sola also shared how to create that signature art deco 1920s elegance:
- Metallic finishes: Go for gold and chrome, like gold-framed mirrors, metallic vases, and shiny chrome trays.
- Geometric flair: You can add bold and ornamental touches like sunburst motifs and gold tapestries, which were the Instagram filters of the Jazz Age.
- Furniture with flair: Don’t just fill the room, furnish it with purpose. Think vintage-inspired white couches, leather armchairs, and cocktail tables “to give the room a social speakeasy atmosphere.”
- A centrepiece bar: Add a little liquid courage, “a bar setup will be a very good choice, stocked with elegant glassware and vintage bottles.”
- Mood lighting: Swap harsh white lights for Art Deco chandeliers, frosted glass lamps, and warm ambient lighting for a soft, golden, and slightly mysterious glow.
If you want to transport your guests back in time, the expert has some tips for you:
Try to add some unique touches like an old-fashioned photo booth, use a vintage backdrop with props like feather boas, pearls, and fedoras. You can also do Silent movie projections, playing black-and-white silent films on a wall or screen to create ambience or a Champagne tower.
The outfits: dress like the decade
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If you are attending a 1920s-themed party, it’s the perfect opportunity to dive into the timeless fashion of the Roaring 20s. It’s a little bit of jazz and a little bit of sass.
For the ladies:
Sola said, “Nothing captures the spirit of the 1920s quite like the flapper movement, sparkle, and confidence.” He shares the iconic styles you can wear:
- Fringe or beaded dresses in bold shades like black, silver, red gold, or jewel tones.
- Long pearl necklaces and feather boas
- A playful cigarette holder as a prop
- Strappy heels and embellished clutches
For hair and makeup, Sola recommends a dramatic touch: “smoky eyes, bold brows, and deep red or plum lipstick. Hair can be styled as a bob or finger waves.”
For the gents:
The creative director also shared 1920s standout styles to rock “from streetwise gangster to high-society elegance,” as there is a look for every personality:
- Gangster style: Pinstripe suit, matching vest, fedora, and polished shoes. “Add a pocket square or mock cigar to really sell the look.”
- Jazz Age casual: High-waist trousers with suspenders, button-down shirt, bow tie, newsboy cap.
- Gatsby glamour: Tuxedo or three-piece suit, slicked-back hair, bow tie.
For couples:
If you are attending a 1920s party as a pair, why not embrace a rebellious spirit? Sola said, “You can go as Bonnie and Clyde with vintage-inspired gangster fashion, berets, and trench coats for a dangerously stylish pair.”
What food would be served at a 1920s party?
Various kinds of foods from that era can still be served today at a 1920s party. These are finger foods like deviled eggs, salted nuts, tea sandwiches, canapes, prawn cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres. In addition, cakes with red velvet, pound cakes, and devil cakes.
What was the dress code for the Roaring 20s?
The 1920s were an era of glamour, fashion, and lavish parties. For your Roaring 20s party, you can wear a flapper dress, a cloche hat, elbow-length gloves, and Oxford shoes with low heels and closed laces. You can also opt for T-strap heels or shoes in metallic tones.
The 1920s left an indelible impact on parties, ushering in trends that continue to inspire the modern style of conducting parties. The above Roaring 20s party ideas should help you to plan a simple yet affordable and memorable 1920s theme party.
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Isaac Wangethi (Lifestyle writer) Isaac Wangethi has been a content writer at Legit since September 2021. He has gained valuable experience working on various projects, such as celebrity biographies, lifestyle, news and many more. Isaac won the Writer of the Year Award on Legit in 2023. He earned a Bsc. of Science in Information Technology in 2017 from the University of Nairobi and a Higher Diploma in Computer Software Engineering from Gretsa University in 2021. In 2023, Isaac finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. In March 2024, he completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: Wangethin@gmail.com
Mary Ugbodaga (Lifestyle Journalist) Mary Ugbodaga is a Legit.ng journalist with 7 years of experience in journalism and media communications. She graduated from Covenant University in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies. Mary previously worked as a journalist at TheCable, CNBC AFRICA, Voice of Nigeria, KPMG Nigeria. Email: mary.ugbodaga@corp.legit.ng.
