Life > September 4, 2008

By Hannah Werthan | Asst. opinion editor

It’s time for another night out, but, this time, the classic jeans and your favorite “going-out” shirt just won’t do. That’s right; the party you are attending is a “theme party,” and, sifting through your closet, it’s a little difficult to decide what exactly to wear.

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Throughout the week, pay attention to fliers posted all over campus. You would hate to commit a fashion faux pas.

Never fear – the theme party fashion police is here.

Living in a Material World: ‘80s Party

Sure, most of us lived in the ‘80s, but it was for about one second.

I know I had a solid two months to relish the mess of bright colors.

The ‘80s were all about making a bold, colorful statement while incorporating gym-like attire into regular clothing.

This is the era some of our parents were college-aged.

Scary thought, I know.

Girls, take that huge T-shirt you wear to bed and cut out one of the shoulders.

Put on a colored sports bra underneath.

This (normally) bright yellow T-shirt with neon pink lightning bolt is a great fitted alternative to the off the shoulder look (Urban Outfitters, $28).

Then, just pair your outfit with bright-colored leggings, and you have successfully turned the clock back 20 years.

These skin tight Silence & Noise Coated leggings (Urban Outfitters, $38) will make your outfit (not too mention legs) the talk of the party.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can put on the now-deadly combination of blue eyeliner and pink lipstick.

Don’t forget to tease your hair!

This is much easier for guys.

Wear jeans and a vintage band shirt.

This Clash T-shirt remembers one of the best ‘80s bands (Amazon.com, $19)

Songs while you get ready

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Unlike Miley Cyrus’ 15-year-old version (which I still like), Cyndi Lauper’s voice truly takes me back to what I think the ‘80s were like. Download anything by the Clash, vintage U2 and classic Madonna.

Movie Inspiration

Sixteen Candles (1984) – Molly Ringwald is a fashion goddess in this coming-of-age movie.Other notable films include Risky Business (1983) and the Breakfast Club (1985).

My Country ‘Tis of Thee?: North/South Party

Forget about Boston College and Duke. It’s the rivalry everyone on campus is talking about – North vs. South. Through Facebook and the Banchees’ relentless jokes on New Jersey, the campus is divided.

What better way to show your allegiance to your part of the nation than being as stereotypical as possible?

For those of you from the North, the idea is to master the art of Northern preppy, a different breed from the South.

Girls, wear a polo with a sweater (J.Crew, $110) wrapped around your shoulders and your most conservative khaki shirt. Espadrilles or top siders complete the preppy look.

Guys, don’t forget the importance of finishing off your outfit with something Northern-appropriate like the classic sweater-vest and Top Siders.

Think Kennedy and you’re all set.

As for the Southerners at this university, I think your job is a lot easier.

One option for girls is the classic tied-up button-up shirt with frayed Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots.

Also, girls can dress up with a Lily Pulitzer dress ($248), heels and the signature pearls.

Just hope someone doesn’t spill beer on you.

Guys can also rock the traditional cowboy boots look with jeans and a flannel shirt. Spurs are optional.

The classy option would be to wear that obnoxiously pink button-down and khakis.

Movie Inspirations

North – Garden State (2004) – My favorite recent Northern movie, Garden State has a cast that includes the beautiful Natalie Portman and talented Zach Braff.

South – Sweet Home Alabama (2002) – Nashville-native Reese Witherspoon learns to appreciate her Southern roots in this classic chick flick.

Songs while you get ready

North – “Tea Partay” (Prep Unit) – Go to the YouTube video and listen to this song while you make sure your skirt is perfectly ironed.

South – “Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd) – Even if you’re not from Alabama, you know you get major Southern pride when you hear this song.

Northerners, download the Garden State soundtrack and Southerners, check out Columbia, S.C.’s Hootie & the Blowfish and their debut album Cracked Rear View.

“It’s in the Hole:” Caddyshack Party

If anyone is surprised to hear about a Caddyshack-themed party, that person is clearly forgetting he or she goes to this university: one of the preppiest the United States of America has to offer.

Girls: Whip out those tennis skirts you have from tennis lessons five years ago.

This Lacoste dress (Nordstrom, $90) is perfect country club attire. Don’t forget your raquet.

Put on a pink polo and, of course, your pearl earrings and necklace.

Make sure you are perfectly manicured, and don’t forget argyle socks and perfectly-white Keds for your feet.

Guys: All you need are khakis and one of your five hundred polos (Nordstrom, $82).

Songs while you get ready

“I’m Alright” (Kenny Loggins) The theme song from Caddyshack takes us back to way before we were born, but the song has an upbeat tempo perfect for getting in the mood to party.

Also featured are bands whose CDs you can steal from your parents when you go home for fall break: Journey, Earth, Wind and Fire and more Kenny Loggins.

Movie Inspiration

Caddyshack (1980) – Duh.

Though this 1980 film was released before we were born (10 years before most freshmen), the humor and gopher chase never grows old.

The film stars some of the greatest comedians of our time including Bill Murrary, Chevy Chase and the deceased Rodney Dangerfield. Caddyshack is the epitome of country club style and is an excellent party choice.

Mark your calendars and get ready to hit the links!

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem: Anything but Clothes Party

It’s time to get creative.

On the plus side, you don’t have to go out and buy new clothes for this event.

However, your task is to design an outfit that will stay on throughout the night.

Girls can cut a trash bag into a miniskirt. See Natalie Portman in photo modeling the look.

Make sure the drawstring is still attached, as that will become your belt of sorts.

The rest of the trash bag can become your tube top.

Put it over you and then have someone staple the back together so it fits correctly.

Guys – Channel your inner Jim Belushi and use that sheet that they used for that toga party last weekend.

After all, it’s not clothing, and I’m sure guys have no interest in designing their own clothes for the night. Songs while you

get ready

“I’m Too Sexy” (Right Said Fred) This ‘90s one-hit wonder says it all.

You’ll need to convince yourself that, even though you are merely donning a trash bag, you still look pretty damn sexy.

Movie Inspiration

Animal House (1978). The original college film continues to inspire countless young men to discover the Greek system. Though based at Dartmouth University, I’m sure many fraternities could find some similarities.

Toga! Toga!

Video Killed the Radio Star: Rap Video Party

It’s the party where girls get to be as scantily-clad as they choose without public reprehension.

Okay, it’s really when guys get to see girls wearing not-so-comfy but sexy clothing where they get to wear whatever they want.

Basically ladies, wear something your grandmother would be offended to see you in.

Make sure, however, you are covered in all the necessary places.

No one likes a wardrobe malfunction.

You don’t want to be remembered as the one who flashed a little too much while bending down for an intense liquor-luge session.

Try a tight-fitting and secure tube top if you have enough to hold it up.

Don’t forget the underwear when you put on that short mini-skirt or mini-dress.

Double-sided tape is your friend.

Think J. Lo (during her Puff Daddy consort days) at the Grammy’s.

This Baby Phat jumpsuit also works perfectly for those looking for more modest attire ($98). This event, for the most part, is all about the bright colors, padded push up bras and stilettos (if you can handle them for a whole night).

Bling and fake diamonds will fully completes the outfit.

Guys, this party calls for you to try to pull off looking like a “pimp.”

Unfortunately, most, if not all, of the guys who go to this university can’t really pull that look off.

Stick to baggy jeans and a T-shirt, and after a few shots or so, we’ll all start to play along.

Songs while you get ready

From Ludacris to 50 Cent, all rap songs will do. A personal favorite is Kanye West’s “Stronger.”

For those looking for more unique tunes, check out female rappers, Santogold and M.I.A.

Movie Inspiration

8 Mile (2002) – Eminem shows us that white guys can be rappers, too.

Though a bit grim, the film proves that anyone can succeed. Also check out 2005’s critically acclaimed film Hustle & Flow.

Can’t Touch This:‘90s Party

While we were all busy learning how to read and write, the world around us was going through a major fashion phase in the 1990s.

There’s no better way to commemorate our youth than to have a theme party reflecting that era a mere eight years after it ended.

You can go so many different routes with this theme. I know I still have my collection of the oh-so-popular butterfly clips, along with my now-forsaken chunky black boots lying around somewhere.

Though I never personally sported Doc Martins, I know they were everywhere in sight.

For girls, you can pick one of the above shoe choices (or Sketchers are another good bet), pair with boot cut jeans or the shorts and leggings look, and add on jelly bracelets to accessorize.

I’m sure every guy remembers wearing khaki pants and an obnoxious Hawaiian shirt to a school dance. Relive the awkwardness by pulling out the shirt you haven’t worn since middle school (unless it doesn’t fit anymore, that is).

Songs while you get ready

Oops! (I Did It Again) – Britney Spears, still a tabloid staple years later.

This song defines the ‘90s, not “the Macarena.”

Where did Britney go so wrong in the new millennium?

Whether you liked *NSYNC or Backstreet Boys, boy band hits are also a must.

Movie Inspirations

Clueless (1995) What could be cooler than having Beverly Hills princess Cher’s wardrobe?

I still want her closet computer to help me pick out my clothes each day. It would definitely give me more sleep in the morning.

It’s also equally impressive to note that Paul Rudd is still attractive more than 10 years later from his role as Cher’s ex-step-brother, Josh.

Another worthy rental is the ultimate high school movie 1999’s 10 Things I Hate About You.

The classic teen flick made modernizing Shakespeare cool and shows the vast difference between chic Beverly Hills and grungy Seattle.

Julia Stiles is perfect as the angsty feminist who refuses to conform to high school standards, much to the chagrin of her younger sister.

Also, who doesn’t love and miss Heath Ledger, who is charming when serenading Stiles with the help of the marching band?

It’s movie romance at its finest and presents party goers different styles to choose from.

That’s right; the party you are attending is a “theme party,” and, sifting through your closet, it’s a little difficult to decide what exactly to wear.

Throughout the week, pay attention to fliers posted all over campus. You would hate to commit a fashion faux pas.

Never fear – the theme party fashion police is here.