Hen party fancy dress themes and outfit ideas

A hen do theme has to work for a group with different budgets, ages and tolerance for being looked at. The ones below all pass that test.

We don't sell costumes - we make cards, badges and party bits in house, printed in the UK - so nothing below is a sales pitch for an outfit.

Check with the bride first on how much attention she wants. That single answer decides between matching t-shirts and full costume.

Themes the whole group can do

• One colour for the group, white for the bride - the easiest by far.
• 80s neon: leg warmers, headbands, colour everywhere.
• 70s disco: gold, flares and a glitter ball.
• Cowgirls: hats, denim, boots most people own.
• Tropical: shirts, leis and a lot of fruit.
• Little black dress plus sashes, if a costume is a step too far.
• Bridesmaid dresses from charity shops, worn ironically.
• Rom-com characters, one each.

Quieter options for a low-key hen

• Matching pyjamas for a stay-in night.
• One accessory only: a feather boa, a hat or sunglasses.
• Colour code with no costume - everyone in green.
• Pin badges instead of sashes, kept afterwards.
• Personalised t-shirts, worn once and photographed a lot.

Decorations and details

• One banner behind the photo corner and nothing else on that wall.
• Cake with a topper rather than a full dessert table.
• Confetti on the tables, candles on the shelves.
• A card everyone signs at the start, given at the end.
• Badges as prizes for the games, worn for the rest of the night.

Games that suit fancy dress

• Guess who: costume edition, describing each outfit in three words.
• Mr and Mrs, played in full costume for better photos.
• Best entrance, scored out of ten.
• Prosecco pong, themed cups.
• Photo scavenger hunt with a list of shots to collect.

Shop party supplies

Decorations for the night

Banners, cake toppers and confetti that go up in ten minutes.

How to write it so it lands

• Ask the bride before announcing the theme, not after.
• Give everyone at least a month to sort their outfit.
• Keep the cost per person low and say the figure out loud.
• Bring a spare accessory or two for whoever forgets.

Where to shop next

• Fancy dress ideas
• Fancy dress party themes
• How to throw a fancy dress party
• Last-minute fancy dress ideas
• DIY fancy dress on a budget
• 80s and 90s party ideas
• Fancy dress prize ideas
• Birthday party ideas
• Party supplies
• Halloween costume ideas
• Hen party decorations
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Party bag ideas for adults
• How much helium do you need for balloons?
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

What is a good hen party fancy dress theme?

One colour for the group with white for the bride is the easiest and cheapest. If you want more of a costume, 80s neon, 70s disco or cowgirls all work from clothes people mostly own.

What if the bride doesn't want fancy dress?

Use one accessory instead - a boa, a hat, sunglasses or a badge each. It photographs like a theme without anyone feeling on show.

How much should a hen party outfit cost?

Keep it under £15 a head. Anything more and someone in the group quietly resents it, especially on top of travel and accommodation.