Fancy dress – not just for kids

How do you feel about dressing up?

Fancy dress is one of those things that’s a bit like Marmite – you either love it or you hate it.

I knew when I picked ‘burlesque’ as a fancy dress theme for a birthday party a few years back that I was taking a chance – not everyone is as keen as me to dress up for a party in just their pants – but fortunately for me the majority of my friends are exhibitionists, so I had a pretty good turn out.

I was single at the time, and inclined to fill my time with odd projects, so I turned my shed into a cocktail den, painting it inside and out, and fitting it with fairylights and a home-made bar, beautifully crafted from a bookcase and a couple of offcuts. Black lace really does hide a multitude of sins.

For the party I had for ‘International Talk Like a Pirate Day’ I had a range of pirate themed cocktails, and made my own skull and crossbones bunting. My friend Andy went as far as to grow a beard especially.

Perhaps my most expensive party was the one I had to mark my 32nd birthday – an important milestone in anyone’s life. The theme that year was ‘Grease’, and with the help of a hired jukebox, my kitchen became a diner for the evening.

Whatever the occasion, whether it be a full on Burlesque experience or simply putting bin liners on your kids in place of Halloween costumes, I don’t think a person can fail to be cheered by a bit of dressing up.

Why not check out the fancy dress at fancydressball.co.uk and get inspired for your next birthday?