I’m deep in planning mode for my fourth Mrs. Roper party — and this one is the biggest yet. Four years in and my friends and I are not willing to let this tradition go anytime soon, which tells you everything you need to know about how good these parties are. 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 have the absolute time of your life? These Mrs. Roper party ideas have been road tested, refined, and perfected across three parties. Whether you’re planning your first or your fourth, here’s everything I’ve learned
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Want to Know How It All Started?
Why the Mrs. Roper comeback is the movement women didn’t know they needed
She wore caftans, owned every room, and didn’t dim her light for anyone. Find out why women everywhere are claiming her as their unlikely icon.
Read the post →Mrs. Roper Party Ideas: Where to Start
Mrs. Roper Party Invitations: Set the Tone First
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. Bonus points if you commit to a palette so bold it looks like a paint store exploded in your backyard. Trust me, future you will thank present you when you see those photos.
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. Extra credit if you can still see where you’re going.
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. Two birds, one Stanley. The real Mr. Roper would definitely approve, mostly because it means Helen is someone else’s problem for the evening.
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 photo booth corner with some 70s props (think feather boas, oversized sunglasses, costume jewellery) and watch your guests completely lose their minds in the best possible way. Bonus points if you throw a disposable camera into the mix for even grainier memories. Nothing says “we were here and we had the time of our lives” like a slightly blurry photo of twelve women in orange wigs.
Over-the-Top Mrs. Roper Party Ideas You’ll Love
Mrs. Roper wouldn’t settle for bland, and neither should you. The food and drinks are where your Mrs. Roper party ideas really come to life, so lean into the era and have fun with it.
Encourage guests to bring a throwback recipe — Jell-O molds, devilled eggs, cheese fondue, or anything that would have shown up at a 1970s dinner party. The more retro the better. Bonus points for handwritten recipe cards.
And this is absolutely the moment to drag out your vintage Pyrex, your 70s serving dishes, and anything else that has been sitting in the back of a cupboard waiting for its moment. I used my Shat-R-Pruf Spaghetti glasses and they got more compliments than anything else on the table. Serve up era-appropriate drinks too — Harvey Wallbangers, Pina Coladas, and anything that comes in a retro bar glass. The Three’s Company theme song on arrival, a retro 70s playlist running all night, and Helen would consider the vibe officially set.
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. Helen Roper was many things, but she was always a good hostess. Be like Helen.
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 these Mrs. Roper party ideas look in action, you need to see it for yourself. 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 come back to it when you’re ready to plan your own.
Mrs. Roper Party Ideas: Your Questions Answered
Helen Roper was a woman who dressed for herself and nobody else. Her signature look was bold, flowing caftans in psychedelic prints, chunky statement jewellery, oversized sunglasses, and a short curly wig that somehow worked perfectly. She dressed for comfort, confidence, and maximum impact — often all at once.
Honestly? Whatever she wanted. Mrs. Roper was not a woman who suffered for footwear. Think low heeled mules, slip-ons, and sandals that matched the “I am comfortable and I cannot be stopped” energy of the rest of her outfit. If your shoes are practical and slightly fabulous, you’re on the right track.
A Mrs. Roper Romp is a group gathering — usually a pub crawl or themed party — where everyone shows up dressed as Mrs. Roper. Caftans, wigs, chunky beads, oversized sunglasses. The Romp movement has been growing for years, with groups popping up all over the world united by one common thread: women who are done being small and ready to take up glorious, caftan-covered space.
There’s no official Mrs. Roper Day on the calendar yet, but some Romp groups celebrate around September 24th — Helen Roper’s birthday. Personally, I’m campaigning hard for August 2nd, which is when I’ll be hosting my fourth and biggest Mrs. Roper event yet aboard the Ottawa River Queen. Helen would approve of a party on the water.
A caftan — sometimes spelled kaftan — is a long, flowing garment usually made in a bold print, and it is the greatest thing ever invented. Mrs. Roper didn’t have a signature designer. She had a signature attitude, and the caftan was just the vehicle.
The incomparable Audra Lindley played Helen Roper on Three’s Company from 1977 to 1979, then reprised the role on the spinoff The Ropers. Lindley brought a warmth and comedic timing to the character that made Helen genuinely loveable — not just a punchline. She passed away in 1997, but her legacy is very much alive.
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