We've been to parties like the ones you described, Julie, and couldn't agree more. The themes we run with are usually designed to get people loosened up, mingling, and as undressed as possible without being completely starkers - although anyone wanting to get starkers is welcome to do so. We figure the sooner people are undressing the better, as things tend to get rolling faster that way. Getting so caught up in the theme that it takes forever to get something started never works.
Our themes generally revolve around the way people dress. For the Parrothead party, the guys tend to war board shorts, swim suits, and loud Hawaiian shirts - things like that. The ladies wear everything from bikinis and sarongs to grass skirts and coconut bras.
As I said - it's all designed to make things fun, get people mingling, and get people undressed.
