An “anything but clothes”-themed event may be considered generic these days in comparison to the niche parties McGill students throw. Though a century removed, post-lockdown parties channel the explosive energy that characterized the Roaring Twenties with their unique and creative themes. The return to in-person socialization has ignited a lively atmosphere throughout the city, and despite the fact that Halloween is over, costume parties are still in.

Party themes range from “dressing as something that starts with a specific letter of the alphabet” to “off-duty Adam Sandler,” and the more creative the better. On Oct. 28, versions of Britney Spears in her different eras could be spotted along St. Laurent Boulevard at the Students’ Society Programming Network Britney Spears Halloween Pub Crawl. Not only do these events bring together friends distanced by the pandemic, but they also give people a reason to dress up in homemade costumes they’ve thrown together, allowing them to express themselves and share their creativity with others. 

JP Ponce, U2 Science, described a themed party he recently attended in an interview with The McGill Tribune.

“The last themed party I went to was actually my girlfriend’s birthday party,” Ponce said. “The theme was ‘dress as your favourite reality TV star’ [.…] The fun thing about it was the specificity. Nobody knew what anyone was wearing, which made it quite interesting.”

These parties also create a new kind of social environment that allows attendees to forgo awkward introductions.

“Themed parties are much better for making small talk,” Ponce said. “It’s normally hard to approach strangers [at parties] but if you recognize someone in their costume, you can instantly make a connection that you wouldn’t otherwise [make], especially if it’s a niche party.”

For those in search of people with similar interests, themed parties are a go-to. The music, atmosphere, and ambience are all determined by the theme; if one is looking to grab a bottle of rosé and cry their hearts out to Taylor Swift classics, they can do so. Fans of the 1980’s John Hughes cinematic universe can indulge in a wide array of iconic soundtracks and character costumes. 

A 2019 poll of 2,000 Americans found that 23 per cent of participants were drawn to an event with a unique theme. A similar theme can be observed at McGill, if not more pronounced. Perhaps there will be a resurgence during the post-isolation period.

In the last two months students have been able to spend time familiarizing themselves with a post-quarantine lifestyle; the result is a heightened emotional response attached to celebrations and gatherings. 

There is also an element of escape associated with the themed party that allows its participants to choose a different identity—doubling the escapism of a typical party by incorporating the added layer of costume. 

“It’s that fantastic aspect of trying to pull yourself away from reality,” Ponce explained. “Maybe that’s what the themed party is providing.” 

Though it can be said that these events reinforce the performance inherent to superficial social interaction, there is also an aspect of the themed party that isn’t so superficial. As people show up to parties dressed as their favourite TV character from the 2000s, their major in an alternate universe, or their nostalgic childhood candy, perhaps they are revealing to us the hidden aspects of themselves that we might not otherwise have known.