What Is a White Party and Where Did It Come From?

Acuitak

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posted on 9 months ago — updated on 1 second ago

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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.

What’s a white party?

A white party is an event where everyone wears white. All white parties have one thing in common: wearing all white. A white party can be a fundraiser, birthday party, circuit party, or celebration where the color theme is white. These 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. Because of this, white parties typically symbolize inclusion and community.

White Party History & Origins

The first white party may have been a fundraiser for HIV and AIDS. 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.

In 1988, white parties became elegant celebrations in France. 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.

In the 90s, white parties were held to empower the Black community. White parties gained traction in Black communities as celebrities and hip-hop moguls danced the night away in all-white outfits. Idols like Beyonce, Lil’ Kim, LL Cool J, and Sean “Diddy” Combs helped put the glitz and glam of white parties on the map.

Today, white parties are thrown to bring awareness to equality. 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.

What are the rules for a white party?

Guests must wear white. You can be turned away from a white party if you’re not following the dress code. Full-white outfits are a must. So, if you’re going to a white party, pull out those white clothes (even if it’s after Labor Day).

All white decor. Hosts of a white party should 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! Similarly, send out all-white invitations and serve all white-colored foods.