Christmas party costumes are in ✦ Ideas & guides for every theme ✦ Sizes from toddler to plus size

Decades Fancy Dress

Decades fancy dress is the easiest party theme to say yes to, because everyone has an era they secretly want to live in. Here you’ll find costumes and accessories for the 1920s, 70s, 80s and 90s, for men and women.

Know your decade already? Jump straight to 80s fancy dress, the most popular pick for birthday parties. Otherwise, have a browse and use the tips below to pull the look together.

Buying guide ↓ 1920s Fancy Dress 70s Fancy Dress 80s Fancy Dress 90s Fancy Dress Fancy Dress Wigs
Three friends posing in colourful 80s outfits
✦ Links to trusted UK retailers ✦ Sizes for adults and kids ✦ Prices checked by the retailer

Showing 1–16 of 75 results

Buying guide

Choosing your decades fancy dress era

Each decade has its own instantly recognisable look, so it’s worth thinking about what suits you and the party. Some eras are all about glamour, others are about comfort and a bit of silliness. If the invite just says “decades”, you can pick whichever one you fancy, which is half the fun.

DecadeSignature lookBest forHonest tip
1920sFlapper dresses, pinstripes, flat capsGatsby nights and murder mysteriesFringe and sequins can shed, so expect a bit of glitter on the floor
1970sFlares, flowers, big collars, afrosDisco parties and festivalsPolyester flares run warm on a busy dance floor
1980sNeon, shell suits, leg warmers, mulletsBirthday parties and fun runsShell suits are often one size, so check the length
1990sBucket hats, rave tees, tracksuitsThrowback nights and pub crawlsEasy to mix with clothes you already own

The decades at a glance

Roaring twenties

Our 1920s fancy dress range covers sparkly flapper dresses, Gatsby suits and gangster looks with braces and flat caps. It’s the dressiest of the lot, so it works well for weddings, anniversaries and black-tie style parties.

Disco seventies

Go big with 70s fancy dress: flared trousers, disco dresses, hippie waistcoats and plenty of flower power. A pair of round tinted party glasses finishes it nicely.

Neon eighties and nineties

The 80s are bright, loud and great for groups, from workout gear to shell suits. For something more laid back, 90s fancy dress brings back Britpop, rave and pop group looks that are comfy enough to wear all night.

Finishing touches that sell the era

Hair does a lot of the heavy lifting with retro fancy dress. A bob, an afro or a mullet from our fancy dress wigs collection instantly tells everyone which decade you’re in. Headbands, feathers and flat caps from our fancy dress hats range help too, and you’ll find the rest among our fancy dress accessories.

  • Cheaper costumes can run small and feel thin, so check our size guide and size up if you’re unsure.
  • Accessory kits are great value if you already have a base outfit.
  • For group outings, pick one decade so the photos look brilliant.

Planning a themed night out? Decades looks are a favourite for hen and stag fancy dress, and you can find more ideas in women’s fancy dress and men’s fancy dress.

Questions people ask

Quick answers about decades fancy dress: sizing, quality and what to buy. Still unsure? Our size guide and theme pages have more help.

Browse all themes →
What should I wear to a decades party?

Pick the era you like best and build around one signature item, like flares for the 70s, neon for the 80s or a flapper dress for the 20s. A wig or the right accessories does most of the work, so you don’t need a full costume to look the part.

What is the easiest decade to dress up as?

The 90s is usually the easiest, as tracksuits, bucket hats and band T-shirts mix well with clothes you might already have. The 80s comes a close second thanks to cheap neon accessory kits.

What did people wear in the 1920s?

Women wore loose, drop-waist flapper dresses with beads, feathered headbands and long gloves. Men wore three-piece suits, braces, flat caps or trilbies and two-tone shoes. Browse our 1920s fancy dress to get the look.

Do retro fancy dress costumes come up small?

Some do, especially budget shell suits and one-size outfits. Check the measurements on each listing and size up if you’re between sizes or want to wear layers.

Can a group do a decades theme together?

Definitely. Either everyone picks a different decade for a fun mix, or the whole group sticks to one era for matching photos. The 80s and 70s are the most popular choices for groups.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by the retailer and can change.