Costumes Are Optional at This Year's PHAMEtastic

 

This year’s PHAMEtastic gala is Thursday, March 18 (online!) and we can’t wait to spend the evening with you! Like PHAMEtastic galas of the past, this year’s event is costume-optional. That means that you can dress however you want!

Feel your best in a suit and tie? Sounds great.

Looking good in a t-shirt and jeans? Love it.

Inspired to dress up in a costume because you love any excuse to be fabulous? Fantastic.

If costumes sound fun to you, here are a few ideas based on our gala’s theme: One Hit Wonders. And don’t forget to preregister for the gala—that’s how you’ll get the Zoom link for our preshow, where we’ll host the costume contest. If you’re participating in the contest, make sure to place an asterisk * at the beginning of your Zoom name so we know you want our judges to include you in the contest.

Some excellent costumes and outfits from 2020’s gala.

 
 

I Ran (So Far Away) by A Flock of Seagulls

Have you been growing out your hair this last year? Are you in the mood for a DIY haircut and/or dye job? With a little styling and some 80s pizazz, you can come as Mike Score from A Flock of Seagulls.

Four members of the band Flock of Seagulls.
The singers from the band the Weather Girls.

It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls

Grab your giant umbrella and your overcoat, and get ready to channel the phenomenal energy of The Weather Girls. Extra points if you type poetic comments about this weather we’ve been having in the group chat.

Who Let the Dogs Out by Baha Men

Do you have a lot of dogs? Are you looking for a costume that technically references a one hit wonder song from the year 2000, but also just want to be surrounded by your furry friends? Who Let the Dogs Out is the song for you.

The three men from the band Baha Men

Barbie Girl by Aqua

If ear worms are your thing (this song will NEVER leave your head) consider dressing like a plastic doll in honor of this 1997 celebration of Mattel’s bestselling toy.

Image for the song Barbie Girl by Aqua featuring the four musicians..

Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega

Hats can be great costumes, especially on Zoom where the rest of your body is obscured. If you love hats, consider wearing a hat like Lou Bega’s. You could even cut a piece of paper into the shape of a hat. Many great costumes have been fabricated from simple cut paper.

Lou Bega wearing a white hat

MMMBop by Hanson

It turns out that pandemic hair comes in handy for multiple costumes. If your whole household has grown out their locks (and maybe haven’t been washing their hair lately?) you could come as the Hanson brothers. Constant grimacing optional but encouraged.

The three brothers from the band Hanson.

U Can’t Touch This by MC Hammer

We hesitated to share this idea with you because A) MC Hammer is debatably not a One Hit Wonder depending on who you ask, and B) it’s hard to wear a costume to a Zoom party that focuses mainly on pants. Pants just aren’t the life of the party when your lower half is obscured from view. But if you are really feeling the urge to wear these iconic pants to our party, we won’t stop you.

MC hammer wearing his iconic pants.

These are just a few ideas, but there are so many amazing One Hit Wonders to use for inspiration. Have fun! And if you don’t feel like wearing a costume, that’s ok too! Come as you are and we’ll have a blast together.

And don’t forget to preregister to get access to our Gala Preshow. That’s where the costume party magic will happen (it’s a live Zoom party happening right before the Livestream).

See you there!

 
Anya Roberts