Guides

How to Throw the Ultimate Toga Party in 2024

by: Ashley Reut

Published on Sep 18th 2024

Once a classic college party theme, the toga party is coming back in style. Perhaps the best part about throwing a toga party is how cheaply and quickly your outfit can come together. You can absolutely order a proper toga from a costume shop, but you certainly won’t be the only one who cleverly drapes a twin bed sheet so it hangs just right.

So what is the point of a toga party exactly? You don’t necessarily need a reason, but the history dates back to the 1978 film Animal House where a fraternity was depicted hosting a toga party, the latest thing on college campuses. The reasons why exactly remain unclear, but the tradition lives on.

You don’t have to be in college to attend or even throw a toga party though, and in fact, it could even be a fun way to celebrate with your college friends 10 or 15 years later. Switch up your typical summer party themes for the easiest, breeziest costumes ever.

If it’s been a while since you’ve attended a toga party, you might have some lingering questions. Like why is called a toga anyway? Stemming from the Latin word ‘Tegere’ which means to cover. Togas are pretty practical in the sense that they’re just taking a big piece of fabric and draping it to cover what needs to be covered. Read on for more answers and inspiration to throw your own toga party.

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What Is the Dress Code for a Toga Party?

Toga Party dress code from Romans — *Togas were the outfit of choice for the Romans (via Canva)*

You might be shocked to learn this, but the dress code for a toga party includes togas and not much else. If you really don’t have a spare bed sheet and can’t make this work, anything that screams Roman Empire will do. Strappy sandals are admired but not required. Same with any extra touches like greenery crowns and golden wings. Toga party men may wrap just below their waist or across their torso as well. It’s all about comfort.

Why Is it Called a Toga Party?

There’s no surprise backstory or hidden meaning here. It’s called a toga party because you’re supposed to wear a toga! Or at the very least something that resembles a toga.

What Happens at a Toga Party?

Although the theme is pretty unique, the only goal of a toga party is to, well, party. If you were attending a college toga party, the dressing up is just there to make the drinking and drinking games feel like they are for a purpose. The same thing goes with throwing your own toga party after college. The Times details a fascinating history of inebriation and debauchery, which you don’t have to copy, but might be inspired by.

You can always get creative and add fun events. Think along the lines of light-hearted yard games or a casual version of the Olympics. Beer Olympics is another popular activity, if you want to call it that. Plenty of dancing and socializing are bound to happen as well. You can make this theme fit for any party you want. Dress up and go to your favorite restaurant or make your own bar crawl. Have a toga-themed cookout or sit down and create beautiful artistic creations with your toga functioning like a smock.

Toga Party Ideas

1. Rent a Greek or Roman Style Space

Building with Roman Columns — *Building with Roman style columns (via Canva)*

If you’ve got the right budget for it, renting an old-school Greek or Italian-style building makes your toga party feel extra authentic. Lots of marble, big columns or beautiful statutes really set the tone.

2. Make it on March 15

Not that you need a reason to throw a toga party, but if you’re looking for one, consider the Ides of March. This holiday (if you want to call it that) falls on March 15th and it marks the day that Caesar was killed by his peers. In the Roman calendar, it also marks the beginning of spring, which is much less sinister and even more worthy of celebrating.

3. Drape the Walls

If you’re looking to throw your toga party on a budget, the quickest and easiest way to create a memorable ambiance is to drape the walls with white sheets. You can buy them from a party supply or thrift store and use something like heavy-duty tape to attach them at the top.

Let the sheets hang and create some shadowing and draping, then buy or borrow a small light projector to add colorful hues to the white backdrop. Along with some extra props, you’re set up for great toga party photos.

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4. Serve Traditional Food

Keep your toga party authentic with food that the Romans ate. So what do you eat at a toga party? A plentiful tablescape of olives, bunches of grapes, cheeses, oysters, tzatziki sauce and grilled meats should do the job. You can always cater in gyros or something similar. Consider setting up a grazing table with bread, fruits like figs, spiced nuts and other goodies.

5. Play Greco-Roman Games

Backgammon for Toga Party Game — *Backgammon has roots in Ancient Rome (via Canva)*

No one is saying you need to turn your backyard into the Coliseum and have all your friends fight each other, but some other fun Greco-Roman games can make your toga party extra fun. Physical games like tug of war are great, but there are also plenty of board games if you can’t be outside or just don’t want to.

Backgammon has roots in Ancient Rome, along with Tic Tac Toe. There are plenty of dice games you can find online, and a few rounds of trivia never fail when you’re looking for adult party games.

6. Roman Movies

Set the scene for your toga party by playing a movie marathon of classic Greek and Roman films. There are tons of movies featuring people in traditional togas or battle wear. Think along the lines of Cleopatra, Spartacus or Centurion.

7. Plenty of Pillows

When it comes to setting the mood for your toga party, the simpler the better. In old times, everyone would sit around on pillows or on the floor, and you can channel that. Plush pillows everywhere make the space homey and cozy and allow for extra seating.

Also, if you’re looking for a housewarming party idea, this is perfect because no one needs to know your furniture hasn’t been delivered yet thanks to the pillow seating.

8. Dramatic Decor

You probably have an image in your head of people lounging around, eating grapes in their robes, which actually just sounds like the dream birthday party theme for ladies. Even if it’s only partially accurate, it’s a great thing to emulate at your toga party.

Hang lots of ivy, use muted lighting or lots of candles to make it feel dramatic. You can even set up an ivy crown-making station for a fun party activity.

9. Don’t Forget the Invitations

Handwritten Toga party invitations — *Handwritten party invitations*

Nowadays so many people plan parties by sending out a group text. Bring back the old tradition of sending a proper invitation, even if it’s an e-vite. This is a fun way to convey your theme, plus who doesn’t like to receive something special in the mail?

You can use one of the many free or paid templates online, but if you want to DIY, stick to rich colors like gold and burgundy. You could always make paper scrolls to make it extra-authentic.

10. Combine Themes

Mix themes for the ultimate toga party. Think about the fun of a foam party or a Great Gatsby themed party and take your favorite aspects. There are tons of theme party ideas to inspire you so your guests can get extra creative with costumes or role-playing. It’s your party and there’s no wrong way to do it. With a strong imagination, you might even be able to combine a Barbie theme party with Roman togas.

Who wouldn’t want to re-live their glory days of college partying, even just for a night? Throwing your own toga party is perhaps one of the easiest, most fuss-free themes out there. Starting with the fact that you’re basically just wearing a bed sheet, paired with finger food and drinking as the main activity, it’s a fun way to get together with friends.

For even more fun party ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!