Introducing the Revenge Dinner Party: Here’s How to Dress, Decorate and Cook for the Occasion

Funky, Palm Springs-inspired prints, retro sunnies and ’60s to ’70s-style florals are everywhere this summer. Treat yourself to a comfy-yet-sophisticated dress that you can gussy up or keep casual, depending on the setting. Your wardrobe could always use more bright colors, mini silhouettes and vintage glam, right?

OK, let’s say you don’t want to dress up too much to spend an evening in your own backyard. Fair enough. How about a basic blouse in a vibrant shade that’s bold without being over the top? Take this satin pick, which echoes the hot-pink-everything trend that’s sweeping our closet.

Bring on the balletcore. Instead of going the usual route (aka a tulle skirt with pointy flats or strappy sandals), dare to pair this dress with sporty sneakers or edgy boots for a unique look that’s bound to turn heads.

This signature 2000s look is back with a vengeance. Believe us when we say scarf tops *can* look chic, elegant and mature, especially when paired with cropped jeans, cool joggers or heeled sandals.

You have a ton of rescheduled weddings to attend over the next two years. Thankfully, the slip dress isn’t disappearing anytime soon, so consider this purchase an investment. Show it off to your friends while you host, then repurpose it for every formal event on your itinerary.

Sure, they’re a splurge. But they work with pretty much every single summer outfit you can think of. Wear them by the pool, to a fancy rooftop bar and, most importantly, your backyard revenge party. (They’ll look stellar on Insta, BTW.)

Nothing takes an outdoor space from basic to enchanting as quickly as string lights. (And since there are a ton of elegant, affordable ones on the market, you don’t need to settle for last year’s Christmas lights.)

Buy it ($29)

Forget the massive torches. These will keep the bugs away and blend right into the ambiance, thanks to their mod, sleek design and natural colors.

Buy it ($12)

We’re big fans of pairing a bold, seasonal table runner with low-key, neutral dinnerware. That way, the table looks decorated without being too busy, and there will be nothing to distract from all the gorgeous food. Light a few candles or tealights, put some flowers in the center and you’re good to go.

Your favorite Dutch oven brand does way more than just…well, Dutch ovens. This set is made of dense stoneware, meaning each piece retains heat like a charm and is coated in stain- and scratch-resistant enamel for durability.

Whether there are s’mores or wine-infused convos on the agenda, it all goes down around the fire pit. The large pivoting screen not only allows easy access to the fire when desired, but it also catches rogue sparks before they escape.

Buy it ($262)

Show off your grilling skills with Brightland’s newest set that includes all the essentials, from coarse salt to cedar planks. The most important part? The LUCID lemon olive oil, made from handpicked heirloom olives. (It’d taste great on grilled fish, chicken or veggies.)

Steak never fails to make a guest feel important, whether it’s your dad on Father’s Day or a romantic dinner for two. Marinate the meat for an hour while everyone’s settling in with their first drink, then grill the steak for about seven minutes per side. Once it rests, dinner’s ready to serve.

Meet our favorite way to feed six people in one hour. Not only does this shrimp, clam and chorizo paella come together in a single skillet, but it looks way more complicated to pull off than it is, so everyone at the table will be wowed. Serve it with a cold pitcher of homemade sangria.

Behold, the summer equivalent to Thanksgiving turkey. White wine, cream and a whole shallot unite to create a decadent gravy for the savory thighs, which get crispy on the outside without drying on the inside. But the in-season apricots are bound to steal the show.

Baked macaroni and cheese is a must at every barbecue, but your usual recipe might not feel fancy enough for a revenge dinner party. Enter our decadent take, which features three types of cheese, a ton of butter and a crispy crown of phyllo dough rosettes.

Pulled pork sandwiches. Barbecue ribs. Grilled cheeseburgers. Fish tacos. This easy, breezy side plays nicely with countless summer mains. Our spin? Ditch traditional mayo for tangy Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard and a generous splash of zingy rice vinegar.

We’re all for serving a cold salad (especially one with fresh berries or melon) on a hot night. But these skewers are just too versatile and simple to pass up. Stick to one vegetable per skewer so each one cooks evenly—just be sure to cut them as uniformly as possible.

The quickest route from zero to “OMG, how did you make this?!” usually involves store-bought pie crust. And since a galette is basically a freeform pie, you won’t need to fuss over crimped edges either. Genius.

Keep those flames burning to char a few pieces of tart, juicy pineapple. The grill will bring out its sweetness and offer a touch of smokiness to the picture-perfect sundae. (Don’t even get us started on the three-ingredient cherry sauce.)

A one-hour dessert that leaves minimal dirty dishes behind? Pinch us, we’re dreaming. Cobblers are a cinch to assemble, considering there’s no kneading or rolling required. (Biscuit topping FTW.) All it needs is a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream.