Party Games and Avoiding Party (Fashion) Fouls: A Nostalgic Lookbook

Designed by Hyouji Joo

At some point between late adolescence and early adulthood, we ditched party hats at roller rinks for disco balls in sweaty rooms and spin-the-bottle games for DFMOs (dance floor makeout sessions). Playtime in the adult arena lacks the priceless awkward energy of youthful social exploration, and it’s about time we revisit our roots.

Get-togethers in middle and early high school oozed with anticipation, a rare, pure excitement that a driver’s license and the freedom of college would later diminish. Whether it was a gathering at a local spot or the “hosting friend’s” basement, some of our most memorable youth moments revolved around the underdeveloped, viciously prepubescent party scene of our vulnerable transitional years. 

The excitement of getting ready to go to a party is one thing that remains the same regardless of stage of life. The outfits we spent weeks, days and hours planning in advance may look different than the all-black silhouettes and micro skirts of our college years, but they are equally as impressive. As little fashionistas, styling meant matching outfits to the unique vibe of each party game. From the flexible athleisure moment of Twister to the pre-pillow fight comfort for girls’ night round of Never Have I Ever, here’s what the life of the party was wearing during each of the party games way back when. 

7 Minutes in Heaven & Spin the Bottle

These two flirty games always made for the best hot gossip at recess. Although I don’t kiss and tell, I will share with you the go-to dress-to-impress party outfits that made up those scandalous circles back in 2010. 

The Tumblr aesthetic was still going strong, meaning lots of black, short booties, straight hair, and a boho-chic flannel tied around the waist. The ideal vibe: too cool for school but definitely not cool enough for Coachella. After all, these are kissing games, so it’s only right to be seeing heart eyes—either in the literal sense or maybe just in the reflection of cherry red heart-shaped sunglasses, which would complete any tween Tumblr look. After the game, be sure to pick your favorite quote from Tumblr to describe your first kiss butterflies. 

Mafia

Some people think of “The Godfather” trilogy or leather jackets and hair gel when they think of Mafia. Others see the real mafia, VSCO girls, as the real controlling influence of the mid-to-late 2010s. But not even puka shell necklaces, photos with vibrance turned up to 100, or neoprene Triangl bikinis are a match for the social deduction game Mafia. Mafia(s) take out villagers in each round as they try to uncover the identities of the Mafia members, making for an intense poker-face competition.

To pay homage to the summer camp days spent playing Mafia over popsicles in ever-expanding circles, the perfect Mafia outfit must include daisy duke shorts, layered camisoles, tie-dye baby tees, high-top Converse or Rainbow flip flops, and of course, faint lemon juice hair highlights.

Never Have I Ever

While Never Have I Ever may feel like a fun icebreaker activity, it’s also an excuse to compare your timeline of coming-of-age experiences with friends’ and peers’. Healthy or toxic, funny or touching, you will finish this game feeling more enlightened than you did before starting it. To visualize this eye-opening experience, let’s look at outfits that are cozy enough to curl up in for this sleepover game. Obviously, the only answer here is a fun set of pajamas. This game is for the girls, and so is a cute set of PJs!

Twister

Red, blue, yellow, green, so much beauty in being a tween! Make sure to stretch before this active game that will surely have you on your hands and knees with limbs flailing. Twister involves a four-by-six color block mat, which means monochrome athleisure would be the only appropriate outfit to match. Keep it simple, but not so boring that you’re wearing black Lululemon head-to-toe. You could easily match the colors on the Twister mat, but make sure you and your friends pick different hues. It’s already a mess of limbs, and having two blue sets of leggings does not help with the untangling process.