What's a White Party and Where Did It Come From?

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The history, origins, and rules of all-white parties
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White parties are events or celebrations where the color theme is white. The guests wear white, there’s white food, and all the decorations are white. But where did these parties come from, and how did they come to be? We’ve answered all your questions about white parties in this article! From the history behind them to the common rules, we have all the information you need, so keep reading to learn more.

Things You Should Know

  • A white party is a fundraiser, party, or other celebration where all party-goers wear white.
  • White parties may have started in the 1980s as a fundraiser for HIV/AIDS prevention.
  • White parties made their way into the Black community as hip-hop legends started hosting them in the 1990s.
Section 1 of 3:

What’s a white party?

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  1. All white parties have one thing in common: wearing all white. These parties can be fundraisers, birthday parties, circuit parties, or celebrations. The only requirement? White must be the color theme. [1] White parties are typically held in the spring and summer but aren’t limited to a specific season—white can be worn all year round!
    • Why wear white? White is considered a color of purity and unity. [2] Because of this, white parties typically symbolize inclusion and community.
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Section 2 of 3:

White Party History & Origins

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  1. In the 1980s, Frank Wager and Jorge Suarez created the first white party to raise money for charities for HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness. Guests were asked to wear white, and all proceeds from the event went to the cause. [3]
  2. François Pasquier hosted the first known white party in France called “Dîner en Blanc.” Over 10,000 guests were given a secret location the day of the party and told to wear white and have fun. Today, the tradition continues in France, and thousands of people gather every year for a night of elegance and good food.
  3. White parties became popular in the 1990s within Black communities because of Black celebrities and hip-hop moguls. Idols like Beyonce, Lil’ Kim, LL Cool J, and Sean “Diddy” Combs helped put the glitz and glam of white parties on the map. [4]
  4. At the end of the day, white parties are about a sense of connection. They’ve been used to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS in the 80s and Black culture in the 90s. White parties today aren’t always thrown for specific causes (although many are still hosted for their original causes), but the essential theme stays the same: by wearing the same color, there’s a universal concept of inclusion.
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Section 3 of 3:

What are the rules for a white party?

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  1. Full-white outfits are a must! Choose a white dress, suit, or other outfit based on how formal the event is, and avoid wearing other colors. [5]
  2. If you're hosting a white party, decorate the space with white decor. That means white tablecloths, table settings, balloons, and streamers. The elegance of the decor is up to the host—as long as it’s white, it’ll fit the theme! [6]
    • Similarly, send out all-white invitations and serve all white-colored foods.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I use non-white accessories?
    Jove Meyer
    Professional Wedding & Event Planner
    Jove Meyer is the founder and principal of Jove Meyer Events. An award-winning event planner, designer, and LGBTQ+ advocate, Jove’s work has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, Refinery29, and Martha Stewart and more. Jove has been named as a “Wedding Guru” from US Weekly and as one of the top wedding planners in the USA from The Knot, Brides, Harper's Bazaar, Over the Moon, and WedVibes. He received a BA in Political Science from Columbia University.
    Jove Meyer
    Professional Wedding & Event Planner
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you can use non-white accessories at a white party, but make sure to respect the dress code. If you love color, let your accessories be the way you add that flair. Just aim for 90–95% of your outfit to be white to show that you’re honoring the theme and the couple’s wishes. Make sure your colorful additions complement your overall look without overpowering it. Metallics or pastel shades can also be a subtle way to add variety while keeping with the elegant vibe of a white party. It’s about finding the balance between expressing your personal style and being part of the celebration. A thoughtful touch will make your outfit unique and memorable without breaking the theme.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://kids.kiddle.co/White_Party
      2. ↑ https://www.colorpsychology.org/white/
      3. ↑ https://socialmiami.com/the-white-party/
      4. ↑ https://www.gq.com/gallery/p-diddy-white-party-the-most-stylish-day-in-history
      5. ↑ https://www.peerspace.com/resources/all-white-party-ideas/
      6. ↑ https://www.peerspace.com/resources/all-white-party-ideas/

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