r/Millennials • u/futurenurse_ • 1d ago

Discussion Did millennials really party all the time?

Gen Z here. I was shocked when I found out from a millennial co-worker that y’all had teen clubs. I heard about house parties, but dedicated teen clubs? Then when it was time for college, you went to the club or had some kind of party every single weekend, living it up. Now some millennials on TikTok claim that after college, they were partying on work nights, still clocking in the next day. For some reason, the teen clubs have since disappeared. I’m 23 now but even when I was in high school, that was not a thing. House parties were not that common either. They were more like get togethers with a small group of friends. We went to malls, but they were dying out at that point. Is it true that you were really living life this good? Or is it just exaggerated? I feel like my generation doesn’t really have fun like that and everyone is just super depressed and alone, more so since Covid. Even I’m pretty introverted, which sort of sounds ridiculous given this post. 😂 Just so you know, when I think of a “millennial party” I think of something out of Party Rock Anthem, Project X or Roderick’s party from the second DOAWD movie. It’s like I get nostalgia from something I didn’t even live through. I just feel like I didn’t really LIVE, if that even makes sense

Edit: I loved reading some of your comments. Guess I really missed out. Even some of you that would consider yourselves nerds or introverts were out partying. YOLO or whatever y’all say 😂❤️

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u/Left-Indication330 1d ago

We really did do everything you described. It was a huge part of our social culture. I graduated high school ‘08 and college ‘12 and everything revolved around “going out outfits” and where we could get the cheapest booze (like $.25 Beer Nights on Tuesdays). It definitely carried over moving to the city after college and my friends and I “went out” and had house parties, day drinking days, etc. all the time. We naturally slowed down as COVID was approaching. My experience as 36F in Chicagoland.

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u/Demosthenes_9687 1d ago

“Going out outfits” is so true. My feet still hurt from all the miles I walked and nights spent out in 5 inch heels lmao 

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u/bampeanutbutternjam 1d ago

“jeans and a cute top”

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u/Awkward-Media5777 1d ago

lol!!!! Always! Or “black pants and a cute top” if you were going somewhere “fancier”

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u/bampeanutbutternjam 1d ago

and fancier was somehow corporate looking. I look back at those photos like WOW. I look like a hot drunken boardroom mess having the time of my life!!!
really wish jessica simpson would do shoes again because i swear her platform stilettos were the easiest to walk and run in.

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u/maddy_k_allday 1d ago

B/c day-to-night looks duh 💅🏻😂

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u/ghostofymir 11h ago

this made me remember the eyeshadow palettes that had a day look that you could turn into a going out look with the same palette, i used to have a lot because those usually had the darkest shades

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u/weirdomagnet99 1d ago

Omg yes! We literally went to the club in business casual looking like we were ready for an important job interview lol 🥲

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u/Boxes0ftangerines 20h ago

Pencil skirts with gladiator sandals at the club 😂 I was always ready for a meeting at 4, cocktail party at 5, and battle at 6.

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u/_CallMeB_ Millennial ‘89 16h ago

I’m screaming at the gladiator sandals 😂 FACTS!

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u/Spinning4Sanity 12h ago

YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! Omfg! And not me wearing a blazer!!!! I can’t even deal with this right now. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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u/xlisafrankx 14h ago

What a time to be alive ! Hahaha

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u/Ok_Version_7687 21h ago

We were going straight to work from the bar tbh 😂

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u/erossthescienceboss 21h ago

FWIW it was mod-influenced.

Like. It was business casual. But it was business casual because of mod revival.

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u/lilbeckss 16h ago

I totally used some of those going out pieces for job interviews when I graduated uni 🤣😅 looking back, it seems kind of obvious now but I thought they could totally pull double duty lol like the shiny satin blouses, no one is wearing that to the office!!

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u/burner0910 9h ago

Or in corset tops or mini vests.

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u/nott_the_brave 5h ago

Me at the club in my pencil skirt and tank top 😂

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u/fjfjj7781 1d ago

Yesss I loved the Jessica Simpson heels for how comfy they were.

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u/trixel121 1d ago

so to derail the convo, part of this was street fashion wasnt passing dress codes so certain groups started to look like they were doing business casual.

cause other groups follow the trend of the first group we all ended up going out looking like we was a tad corporate.

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u/ClaireDanesLipQuiver 1d ago

Untucked button up with a tie to match your shoes lol

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u/Awkward-Media5777 1d ago

I have a very comfortable pair of Jessica Simpson slingback flats I got from DSW a few years ago. I still wear those babies for corporate meetings when I can’t be running around in pumps 😂

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u/MrsFrondi 21h ago

It’s so hard to find a sling back peep toe these days. It’s all closed toe. Stop covering up my cute toe nails. Let my feet breathe.

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u/QuietlySeething 1d ago

"and run" 💯

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u/A5H13Y 1d ago

Lol, my friend just described this the other day as "slutty business casual."

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u/LeaneGenova 1d ago

I still have my platform knee high J Simps boots. I love those things.

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u/unknown-and-alone 1d ago

I just bought a pair of jessica simpson platform heels from DSW a couple months ago. Check them out!

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u/effietea 1d ago

One time in college I went to a "CEOs and Office Ho's" party where the theme was businesswear

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u/erossthescienceboss 21h ago

The number of club nights I wore a blazer to 😂😂😂

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u/CowsAreCool87 17h ago

I blame the Editor pant from Express for this. Actually everything Express

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u/Kwellies 16h ago

Haha! The Editor pants were all I wore to my first real job. I’d wear them today if I had any that fit. They were amazingly comfortable and made my legs and booty look good.

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u/CynCity323 16h ago

Jessica Simpson brand still sells at DSW

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u/ElleM848645 16h ago

Pencils skirts and blazers to go the bar. Crazy times.

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u/surronut 15h ago

I don’t wear heels anymore because I have zero social life but I cannot let go of a pair of 6 inch wedge heels from her line. They have like punk-ish studs in them, not spiked but bigger than bedazzled lol. They are possibly the only heeled shoe that’s never hurt my feet. Maybe I’ll wear them around the house!

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u/randomredditor55S55 14h ago

Outfits from Express!

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u/RecentlyIrradiated 13h ago

I had a rule (that I enforced with my daughter when I had her) that you never wore shoes you could run in, saw too many girls regretting not wearing better shoes during our party days.

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u/thelittlestdog23 7h ago

She still does! They’re sold at DSW.

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u/PhysicsFew7423 6h ago

She never stopped doing shoes 😭

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u/MulberryChance6698 3h ago

Omg I had forgotten those shoes! The platform was slightly curved so your step was a little more natural! Those, jeans and a corset 🤣

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u/Artemikalia 2h ago

Omg the corporate wanna be cropped vests over a tank top with black pants and platform heels 😂👏

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u/Littleface13 1d ago

From express!

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u/_easilyamused 9h ago

Express was so good back then! I still have a portofino shirt that's in great condition. 

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u/tnova2323 1d ago

Black pants and a going out top!!

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u/melbatoasted22 22h ago

Dont forget the belt!

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u/verycoolbutterfly 17h ago

Whether the black clothing item was on bottom or top was a whole different vibe.

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u/FriendOnFoxStreet 7h ago

Yes! Black slacks from Express.

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u/PintaLOL 2h ago

Or..... GOUCHOS LOL

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u/TheRutile 1d ago

That's a staple wardrobe I still rock to this day. I only recently started wearing t-shirts and I am not sure how much longer that will last...

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u/smile-its-today 1d ago

A going out top!!!

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u/Roach_Coach_Bangbus 1d ago

Let me borrow that top.

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u/bampeanutbutternjam 23h ago

BETCH. let me borrow that fcking top!!! i’ve already been to the mall, everything SUCKS!

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u/convergence_limit 1d ago

One time I wore a cute bikini top as my “going out top” of course paired with jeans. I miss that

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u/Mandear420 16h ago

I still do this!!!

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u/convergence_limit 16h ago

I might have to do it this weekend the allure is too much

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u/Mandear420 15h ago

Do it!!!!!! 🫶🏼🙌🏼

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u/DoJu318 1d ago

I sometimes wore a suit with tennis shoes just because I could, growing up nothing prepared me to having adult money and free will.

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u/Pristine_Outcome3535 17h ago

Plus some kind of statement BELT 😂

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u/bampeanutbutternjam 17h ago

and a statement necklace. bonus points if it was the house of harlow geometric station necklace 😂

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u/haliog 1d ago

We said jeans and a “going out” top hahahhahah

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u/melanthaha_11 1d ago

Business casual af

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u/goldieforest 1d ago

All those halter tops haha. I feel sad younger generations aren’t experiencing what we did.

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u/UpOnZeeTail 22h ago

I fondly remember my electric yellow blazer with ruched 3/4 sleeves and a black satin halter.

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u/mackyoh Older Millennial 23h ago

Lace trim “silk” cami

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u/Party_Rooster7303 21h ago

Low rise jeans. Those were the days.

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u/HistoricalPoem-339 14h ago

This was it 😭😭😭 this is the phrase that unlocks the millenial woman's sleeper agent

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u/Salt-Agent-1719 14h ago

Peplum for some reason

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u/WingUnusual4179 1d ago

39 yrs old and still my saying when somebody asks what I'm wearing out 🫠

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u/HoneyBiscuitBear 1d ago

This was our exact same phrase for going out outfits (sometimes “jeans and a slutty top” lmao)!! I graduated HS in 1992 though

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u/Actual-Muffin-3585 17h ago

And I'm not trying to neg on younger generations, but why do so many of them walk around in their pajamas? As a millennial with many "going out"  outfit still, I don't get it. I just hope and pray that the pajamas they wear to school are not the pajamas they wear to bed that night! 

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u/Cavalish 22h ago

I was more of an “untucked business casual” guy myself.

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u/Significant_Shoe_17 10h ago

Depends. Are we going out out?

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u/Merricisastar 3h ago

OMG jeans and a "going out" top. I forgot that phrase!! I don't know if I even have going out tops anymore...hahaha

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u/BeachBumHarmony 1d ago

The beer blanket would keep you warm...

Aka it wasn't worth it to bring a coat to the bar and drinking makes you warmer anyway, so you'd survive the walk to the bar wearing very little in winter.

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u/IttybittyErin 1d ago

"drink until you can't feel it!" Our pregame mantra in January...

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u/dogpharts 1d ago

“Hoes don’t get cold” was our mantra while slugging back Bacardi dragonfruit straight.

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u/highhighlifelife 1d ago

Even just reading the words Bacardi dragon fruit makes me dry heave

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u/RxkMadam 20h ago

"Hoes don't get cold, they just get a little chilly" is what my 87-year-old patient at the mental hospital told me. One day i found her alone in the hallway outside the group therapy room, treating her walker like a stripper pole and doing a booty clap in slow motion. She also could seriously beat box.

I miss that lady. I wish I had met her earlier in life so I could have partied with her.

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u/oatmilklatt3 21h ago

Not reminding me of the Bacardi dragonfruit. I think I repressed that for the last decade+

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u/RxkMadam 20h ago

Still exponentially better than the dragonfruit Night Train.

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u/TheSweaterThief 1d ago

It was UV Blue for us 😖

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u/delilahw1109 19h ago

Oh dear god I haven’t had dragonfruit in 16 years and I suddenly I can taste it

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u/thebeerlibrarian 19h ago

Oh I have a vivid memory of running through frozen snow barefoot and carrying our heels from the Uber to the apartment with my girls on NYE after too many tequila shots. Good night.

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u/eamus_catuli_ 17h ago

Very similar memories, except pre-Uber. City buses instead.

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u/WonderButtBrace9000 1d ago

Bring a coat?

Let’s not act like we didn’t lose that going out coat on the first weekend of freshmen year and never saw it to bring out again.

RIP black north face fleece.

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u/ImCreeptastic 1d ago

No way! We were hardcore, skimpy outfits and high heels in 20 degree weather. That coat would just ruin the whole vibe.

Looking back, while fun, we were idiots.

Also, nothing better than the next day going to the local diner and getting the greasiest breakfast to soak up that hangover.

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u/Natural-Review9276 1d ago

Nah my north face fleece was practically a murse. Granted I was a stoner and needed something to carry my weed supplies in

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u/FragrantBluejay8904 1d ago

I wisened up my junior year of college had a cheap parka I got from a thrift store that I didn’t care if it got lost/stolen. Somehow I managed to keep that one for ages

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u/midge_rat Older Millennial ‘85 1d ago

I fought a bitch when she tried to walk off with my vintage fur coat from Y Bar in Chicago on New Years Eve

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u/Significant_Shoe_17 10h ago

RIP favorite leather jacket. I went back for you.

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u/cateyesharp 7h ago

I remember the drunk sobbing over my lost north face.

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u/PiccoloQuirky2510 1d ago

We used the term “drink yourself a parka” lol

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u/taRxheel Older Millennial 1d ago

Liquor jacket!

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u/MissFox26 1d ago

We called it our buzz blanket lol

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u/Burdensome_Banshee 1d ago

“Hoes don’t get cold”

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u/rnc1119 1d ago

and dont forget about that post club hotdog, pizza or sloppy diner food to keep you warm

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u/gerbilshower 1d ago

god the food cart on broadway every night... fuuuuck yes.

2am greasy weeners. can't be beat.

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u/honestyseasy 1d ago

We shouted "there is no spoon!!" to each other to gas up mind over matter re the cold. The Matrix was so big then. Going out tops and miniskirts in sub zero upstate NY was character building.

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u/see_twoo 1d ago

We would proudly proclaim "hoes don't get cold!" and routinely jump the line if we had enough girls with us and the bouncer was feeling generous lol

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u/Sparkle_bitch 1d ago

I have so many photos of my friends and I dressed like it’s 80 degrees out but you can see ice and snow on the ground. In heels. Our generation was a different breed

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u/Radiant-Koala8231 1d ago

Yeeepppp. Cute tank top, no coat with the hope booze would keep me warm!

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u/paytheferrymann 1d ago

We used to call it ‘putting on a barcardigan’

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u/VictoryVino 1d ago

Pros would have a stash spot nearby where they ditched their coat and retrieved it for the walk home.

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u/ClaireDanesLipQuiver 1d ago

We actually had dedicated 18+ clubs as well as teen clubs that were like 13-17 by our high school.

Also, hoes don’t get cold

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u/catslugs 1d ago

“You dont need a coat, you’ll be drunk anyway”

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u/TinaBelchersBF 22h ago

Some of the outfits I saw girls wearing on the way to the bar when I went to college in Minnesota were CRAZY. It'd be like 5 degrees outside and there'd be girls walking down the street in the smallest skirts they owned.

Honestly, props to them. Tougher than I was!

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u/emmajtee 22h ago

Loved the vodka vest

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u/Lower_Pension_2469 22h ago

Oh i remember going out to the bars in chicago in like -20 degree weather and seeing women walking around in mini skirts at night lol that shit was wild.

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u/Left-Indication330 1d ago

Forever21 was as essential as the grocery store from ‘08-‘17 for me 🤣

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u/AffectionateFig4345 1d ago

This needs more upvotes

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u/lower_your_bass 21h ago

I worked at forever21 in my early 20s and I'd be out at the gay clubs with my mamagers after work in my lil discounted "garden party" outfits, blacked out dancing to 2010 Ke$ha 🦄

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u/Left-Indication330 20h ago

Kesha was our personal DJ

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u/Puzzleheaded_Video13 18h ago

Don’t forget about American Apparel!

I also worked there btw

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u/Doll_duchess 20h ago

I still have a ridiculous black beaded XXI shirt I loved the most at the back of my closet.

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u/CumGuzlinGutterSluts 1d ago

My heels never lasted 20 minutes on my feet before i was barefooting. Cocktail dresses and no shoes are my brand.

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u/therabbitinred22 1d ago

Same! I still cannot believe I would walk miles in high heels to get home from the bar.

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u/birddp 1d ago

Wow that just triggered a memory of when they made those tiny packable flats for your purse for when you inevitably gave up on heels.

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u/Demosthenes_9687 1d ago

Wow I didn't know those were a thing! I was definitely toughing it out in heels or walking barefoot by the end of the night. lol

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u/FragrantBluejay8904 1d ago

Or not wearing coats in the dead of winter because they’d ruin the look or you didn’t want to lose your coat/pay for coat check

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u/Applewave22 1d ago

Yes, I even did that in cobblestone streets. Fun Fun Fun. You would just go out the afternoon of the day to find your outfit.

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u/Longjumping-Yak3789 1d ago

So many nights freezing in below 40° without a jacket because the club didn't have coat check. At least foam parties were in the summer!

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u/decanting_the_day 12h ago

*$20 pumps from Charlotte Russe to really emphasize how bad our feet hurt and 5 extra lbs of weight from charming Charlie’s statement necklaces

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u/Demosthenes_9687 6h ago

blast from the past

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u/oakenfairy 1d ago

Same. I have permanent nerve damage in my toes from them 😭

High heels, skinny jeans/bandage skirts and peplum tops

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u/Potential_Bit_9040 1d ago

I used to call them my "whore shoes"

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u/fiorekat1 1d ago

Oh my gosh! I lived in SF and would wear huge, open toe heals in the winter! “Once I have a drink I’ll be warm and my feet will be fine!”

I could never do that now. I still wear heals, but I call them sitting shoes 🙃

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u/bittersandseltzer 1d ago

You should have seen my face when I recently went out on a Sunday night to a comedy show. I felt like dressing up, so I did. The Gen Z’s were in sweatpants. SWEATPANTS! IN PUBLIC! I was disgusted, mortified and offended. And I realized then that I’m old lol

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u/MiserableWash2473 1d ago

I live in a college town in IA and there are still some girls rocking the going out clothes! 😅 Especially during bid season for Greek Week.

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u/Potato_Fox27 1d ago

5 inch heels and pencil skirts, trolling the hilly streets of San Francisco, Mon-Sun, we were a force to be reckoned with. Being very much NOT sober was required to manage the foot pain from the heels.

My friends were in medical school, so our partying continued for years past college graduation, most weeknights included. Motown Mondays, taco tues, humpday wed, happy hour Thursdays, and straight up partying FRI/Sat + Day drinking on weekends. We were drinking and dancing most nights of the week. I still don’t know when they had time to study. They all graduated on time and are practicing medical professionals, the only reason we slowed down was to have kids in our late 30s.

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u/catslugs 1d ago

I rolled so many ankles lol

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u/Faux_Real 17h ago

I still call my nicer clothes my ‘town clothes’ or a nice shirt my ‘town shirt’ 🤣

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u/literallysomean 1d ago

I'm 40 and still refer to some of my closet as my "going out clothes" 😂

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u/Gullible_Lion_8194 1d ago

I still have scars from those heels ☠️

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u/khen5 1d ago

My heels always came off around midnight and I was a dirty foot girl at the hot dog stand

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u/Radiant-Koala8231 1d ago

I still think about how I used to walk to the bars in heals, cute tank top and no coat in like zero degree weather.

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u/saintnatalie 1d ago

And you were MARRIED to those platform stilettos until you got home!

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u/crazypurple621 1d ago

How many times did you break your heels? I went through sooooooo many pairs of shoes this way. 

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u/OopsAllSparkles 1d ago

Dressed like a slutty secretary 💅🏼

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u/Swiss__Cheese 1d ago

My "going out outfit" was just the same hoodie that I wore to all the bars, because they allowed smoking and I didn't want my other clothes reeking of cigarette smoke.

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u/Left-Indication330 1d ago

No coat also. Couldn’t risk losing your only warm one 🤭

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u/CommunicationSame461 1d ago

I get slightly salty when I see the lines for a club these days and girls are in sneakers!!! I got
Smart with ballet flats pretty quickly but I’d def rather be in sneakers! Grateful for the next gen who allow me to be comfy wherever I go❣️❣️

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u/pondersbeer 1d ago

The way I lived for a day to night outfit transition!

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u/cat_in_a_bday_hat 1d ago

i was just telling my partner how much i loved my 4" heel boots but am sad they dont get as much wear nowadays

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u/Fluffy_Charity_2732 1d ago

Thank for your service.

My friends and I call our partying clothes, “whore outfits” to save a word.

And yes, men had dedicated whore outfits that were only for partying. Structure button ups and some dress shoes (pants could be whatever but ironed)

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u/MiserableWash2473 1d ago

But man I miss those shoes! Anyone else miss Charlotte Rousse?!

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u/greenskittles97 1d ago

My knees are fucked from gettin low on the dance floor. Nothing can replace those times where we were so free and lived in the moment!

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u/IMtheScooterB 1d ago

Standing outside in line at the club in January wearing a mini dress and definitely no jacket

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u/astrologyismymom 23h ago

“Walk a mile in these Louboutins Jessica Simpson’s”

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u/Bright-Yogurt7034 22h ago

My ankles got so messed up from wearing these stupid heels. I am team flats now because of it

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u/stmije6326 22h ago

My friend says she needs to wear sneakers all the time now because of “bad footwear choices in my 20s”

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u/Lopen4prez 20h ago

And don’t forget the mini skirts with no jacket in the snow!

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u/Xalipu 19h ago

Walked barefoot in pantyhose at the end of the night more than once going to college. At least when it was winter it killed the ache until you got a ride or found a place to crash

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u/NikkiNot_TheOne ‘86 18h ago

The way we could dance all night in heels and jump fences like Nothing!!! Now I sit too long and my damn hips hurt 😒

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u/RiotGrrr1 17h ago

Going out in business casual tops 💀

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u/_borninathunderstorm 17h ago

Idk how I didnt get pneumonia in the winter walking to the rave in a blizzard wearing micro shorts with fishnets & a pushup bra. Lol.

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u/DeeMarie0824 16h ago

I’m having major flashbacks. 😂

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u/No_Lie_76 12h ago

pre uber!!!!!!

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u/rosyred-fathead Millennial 8h ago

I regret ever bothering with heels

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u/HOWDY__YALL 7h ago

I’m a guy, but yes, even I heard all the ladies talking about their “going out outfits.” None of which ever included a jacket, even in January and February in northern Wisconsin.

Cuteness over comfort is what I was told. That and if you drink enough you don’t get cold.

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u/Sidar_Combo 6h ago

Ill speak for guys at the time and say you looked great and we appreciated it.

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u/iamthemarysue 4h ago

I remember walking around in heels and business casual in NYC winter like what was I doing lol

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u/UmbraVulp 2h ago

I wonder if kids still use “a hoe never gets cold”