I’m in the middle of planning my third annual Mrs. Roper Party, and let me tell you — keeping it fresh is key. My friends and I are not willing to let this tradition go anytime soon. Honestly, where else can you walk around in the world’s most comfortable outfit, hide your muffin top behind a glorious sea of flowing fabric, and throw yourself into the best Mrs. Roper party ideas imaginable?
After two successful Mrs. Roper parties under my (very loose and forgiving) belt, I thought it might be helpful — especially if you’re planning your first — to share some of the best Mrs. Roper party accessories and decorations we’ve used to bring the vibe to life.
If you need even more inspiration (or just a reminder of why Mrs. Roper deserves her comeback), be sure to check out my original post on why the Mrs. Roper comeback is the party theme we all needed.
Mrs. Roper Party Ideas and Inspo
Start with the Invitations
You can’t have a party without a proper invite! To make things easy — and to set the tone right from the start — I designed two Mrs. Roper party invitations in Canva. They’re bright, fun, and easy to customize with your own details. Use mine for inspiration.
Trust me, the second your friends see these invites, they’ll know they’re in for a night of absolute silliness and comfort.
Find Your Caftan: Thrift, Grandma’s Closet, or Online
Caftans are non-negotiable. Whether you dig through thrift shops, raid Grandma’s closet, or find the perfect psychedelic print online, the bigger, bolder, and breezier — the better.
Not sure where to source one?
- Second-hand Shops: These treasure troves can be gold mines for vintage items. Dive into those racks and unearth a glorious caftan from yesteryears. I found mine at Value Village in the nightgown section. Don’t forget to also look in the multi-cultural sections.
- Raiding Closets: Your mom or aunt might have just the thing. Their fashion relics from the ’70s are not only authentic but might also carry a nostalgic charm you can’t buy.
- Online Marketplaces: Websites like Etsy boast numerous caftan options, spanning from vintage finds to fresh takes on the classic design.
Pro tip: Set a fun colour theme for your guests (think “all shades of orange” or “wild floral prints only”) to make your group photos even more fabulous.
Racier Helen: For the Guests Who Really Get It
Helen Roper wasn’t just flowy fabrics and chunky jewelry — she was a tiger cat who kept poor Stanley on his toes! If you want to lean into her sassier side, add a little wink to your outfit (if you dare).
- Custom “Not Tonight, Helen, I Have a Headache” underwear (yes, we did this!)
- Retro peignoir sets if anyone dares to swap the caftan for something slightly more scandalous after a few cocktails.
It’s all in good fun — and very on brand for Mrs. Roper.
Wigging Out: Get Your Mrs. Roper Hair
Big hair, don’t care.
A curly wig is basically a must — the bigger, frizzier, and more delightfully out-of-control, the better. If you don’t want to commit to a wig, tease your own hair to the heavens and toss on some oversized accessories.
Pro tip: A cheap curly wig + giant clip-on earrings = instant Helen.
Chunky Jewellery and Oversized Sunglasses
No Mrs. Roper look is complete without layers of chunky, over-the-top jewelry and the biggest, most ridiculous sunglasses you can find. The rule here? More is more. Giant beads, oversized clip-on earrings, rhinestones, glitter — if it’s loud and borderline tacky, you’re on the right track.
Sure, you can absolutely buy new accessories online but don’t feel you have to.
Because honestly? Half the fun of throwing a Mrs. Roper Party is hunting down your outfit at thrift shops, garage sales, and vintage stores.
It’s way more fun, way more affordable, and way more eco-friendly.
If you need a little push to embrace the thrifting life, check out this post about myths around thrifting — it’s packed with tips and a few good laughs.
Pro tip:
The bigger the sunglasses, the closer to Helen. Bonus points if you can find a pair so large they cover half your face.
Roll Out the Welcome Mat (Literally)
Set the tone before your guests even step inside.
I put out this amazing “Come and Knock On Our Door” doormat and it got more compliments than anything else.
You can grab your own on Etsy — it’s the perfect nod to the Three’s Company theme and gets everyone in the mood before the first cocktail is even poured.
Hydration Station: Custom “Stanleys”
Forget overpriced drinkware. I grabbed a case of colourful tumblers, made custom “Stanley Roper” stickers on Canva, and turned them into hilarious personalized cups for all my guests.
Pro tip:
Hand them out at the start of the night to double as drink cups and party favours.
The real Stanley would definitely approve.
Don’t Forget the Photos (Because Memory Lane is Mandatory)
You’re going to want proof you pulled this off — and you’re going to want it framed.
One of the best things we did was bring in a giant retro pool float from Funboy that doubled as a photo frame. Everyone took turns posing with it in their caftans and wigs.
Pro tip:
Set up a little photo booth corner with some 70s props (think feather boas, oversized sunglasses, costume jewelry). Bonus points if you throw a disposable camera into the mix for even grainier memories.
Over-the-Top Mrs. Roper Party Ideas You’ll Love
Mrs. Roper wouldn’t settle for bland, and neither should you. When it comes to catering:
- Throwback Recipes: If you’re looking to go the extra mile, encourage guests to whip up a dish straight out of the 1970s. Jell-O molds, devilled eggs, or cheese fondue, perhaps?
- Throwback Dishes: This is the perfect time to whip out your vintage Pyrex and 70s dishes. It was the perfect excuse for me to whip out my Shat-R-Pruf Spaghetti glasses.
Blast the Three’s Company theme song on repeat as guests arrive and keep the vibe going all night with this retro 70s playlist I made for you on Spotify. (a little disco, a little yacht rock, a lot of vibes)
And of course — the ultimate party favour:
Mrs. Roper Emergency Goodie Bags stuffed with hangover helpers like Emergen-C, Tylenol, eye masks, and vitamin sticks.
Pro tip: Label the bags “For Tomorrow Morning” — and watch your guests laugh and thank you the next day.
Planning a Mrs. Roper Party isn’t just about the outfits or the decor — it’s about fully embracing the spirit of fun, silliness, and connection. So pull on your caftan, grab your custom Stanley (the right one), and channel your inner Helen Roper. It’s time to party.
Let’s Get Silly
If you’re wondering just how much fun a Mrs. Roper party can be, you need to see it in action. I put together a quick reel from our latest bash, complete with caftans, cocktails, and the kind of girlfriend energy that makes life better. Watch it here — but don’t forget to Pin this or bookmark it first so you can plan your own!
Why Mrs. Roper Is The Comeback Queen We Didn’t Know We Needed
Now that you have all the Mrs. Roper Party ideas you need to make Helen proud, hope on over to this post to find out why this 70s sitcom star is suddenly inspiring a whole new generation of women. Spoiler: it’s about way more than caftans.
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