About Toga Parties

Toga parties are a popular type of themed party on college campuses. The overall theme is to dress in simple, homemade togas, often made of bedsheets. The parties themselves may have a gladiator or ancient Roman theme, but often the only theme is the simple costume requirement.

History

Toga parties were rarely mentioned in any mainstream media until the 1978 movie "Animal House." The movie depicted a drunken toga party thrown by a fraternity party. Before the film was released, there was a mention of a toga party in "The Pump House Gang," Tom Wolfe's 1968 book of essays. Since the release of "Animal House," fraternity toga parties have become a wide-reaching fad across much of North America.

Function

Toga parties are popular in part because the attire is so easy to create and comfortable. To create a toga, use a bedsheet as the basis of the garment. The sheet is folded in half and wrapped around your waist. Then take the rest of the fabric and lay it over one shoulder. Most people pin or tie the fabric around the waist to keep it from slipping. A safety pin can be used, or a belt can hold the fabric at the waist.

Identification

Along with the fabric of the toga, there are a number of accessories that can be worn. Wearing gold earrings, arm cuffs or bracelets is a fun way to get into the spirit of ancient Roman fashion. In addition, some people use gold belts or colorful scarves to keep their toga secure around their waists. Togas are generally paired with sandals for a more authentic Roman look. While the traditional color to wear at a toga party is white, any color can be used. A brightly-colored toga will stand out against the sea of white togas for those who want to be noticed.

Considerations

To tie into the Roman theme of a toga party, some people create decorations to enhance the atmosphere. These can include plants cut into shapes to mimic the topiaries that were popular in ancient Rome. Many people who throw toga parties decorate with plates of grapes or centerpieces made from grapes or plastic grapes. This symbolizes the importance of wine in ancient Roman culture.

Considerations

At any toga party, people generally expect there to be plenty of alcohol. Because toga parties originated on college campuses and are known for their wild behavior, a toga party should have alcoholic beverages available for the guests. These may include mixed drinks, a keg of beer or a punch made from different spirits. To stay with the ancient Roman theme, serve red wine.