Planning a fancy dress party can be a great experience, but it can also be quite stressful as you’re trying to decide how to go about it. You want to give everyone a fantastic evening and that can only happen if you know what you’re doing, so just how can you get the best from your party?

Well, your first consideration will be whether to have a theme (1980s fancy dress or a film theme, for example) or give people free rein with their costume choices. The decision is entirely down to you and what you want from your costume party, and if you’re worried about people not putting the effort in then you might want to up the stakes a little bit – having a competition for the best outfit can be a great way to get people’s creative juices going, encouraging them to put the effort in and come up with the best outfit possible.

Then you need to think about the setting itself, with your music and catering choices being important considerations. You want to get a great selection of music on stand-by to keep the party going, and of course the drinks need to be flowing and you need the right food to accompany it. But, the most important consideration will always be your own choice of outfit – you’re the host and as such need to set an example to your guests, meaning a great deal of care needs to be taken in choosing the men’s or ladies fancy dress outfits to suit. If you’ve got everything under control then you can look forward to having a great party, and then all that’s left to do is enjoy yourself!

Kids love dressing up even more than grown-ups do. Although a good many adults like to have a bit of costumed fun on Halloween, it’s the children who get the most out of it. For one thing, they’re much easier to scare!

That’s something to bear in mind when planning costume parties with kids on the guest list. A spooky atmosphere is fun but being terrified is not, and what might be a bit of a thrill for an older child or a group of your peers can be harrowing for the little ones. Adapt your Halloween outfits and decorations to account for your most sensitive guest, and be aware that most kids won’t know about props like fake blood. They’re much more likely to think it’s all real.

It’s also a good idea to let all the guests know that there will be children present. These days adult fancy dress can get very adult indeed, and while there is nothing wrong with that in a grown up party full of adult friends, sexy costumes aren’t appropriate for all occasions. Give fair warning if there are going to be children or young teenagers present so everyone can adjust their costume ideas accordingly.

Some themes are more universal than others. Kids are unlikely to really understand 1980s fancy dress and most of them will be completely mystified by all those people in pink leg warmers. For family friendly parties, themes like cowboys and Indians or ghosts and monsters are better choices.

You and the other half have been invited to a Halloween party and you have decided you want to dress as a twosome. But what Halloween costumes are there for couples?

This can be a great opportunity to have a bit of fun, while showing your friends and family what a great couple you are, always up for a laugh.  If one of you already has an idea, the other simply has to dress in Halloween costumes that complement each other.

For example, why don’t you express your love for music by dressing up as your favourite pop stars. We have a wide range of 1980’s fancy dress such as Madonna and Michael Jackson outfits. Likewise if you are a couple who loves horror films, why not dress up as zombies? We also have a number of different male and female vampire outfits, so if you love films such as Twilight or Dracula, dress to impress (and scare).

There are also more traditional Halloween costumes you could consider such as Robin Hood and Maid Marion.  Or take inspiration from the 1920s and dress up as a flapper girl and gangster. Other classic outfits to think about are Anthony and Cleopatra or a cowboy and a sexy saloon girl.  Have fun with it, but make sure to think about your outfits well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Make sure you pay attention to the details and get accessories that will complement your look. For example, make sure you have the right wig for Cleopatra and a hat for a cowboy outfit.

Choosing 80′s costumes can be difficult, and with the relative ubiquity of 1980′s fancy dress parties, the chances are all of the best ideas have already been done. There is a way to give your outfit a truly unique edge, however, and create an 80′s talking point at your 80′s fancy dress party – with some essential 80′s accessories.

There are plenty of ways to embellish eighties outfits with accessories, and there are all kinds of items you can take along with you to 1980′s fancy dress parties that are sure to get your fellow guests talking. For example, if you are going to an 1980′s fancy dress party as one of your favourite 80′s rock stars, why not take along with you an eighties inflatable guitar or microphone – no wannabe eighties icon should be without one!

Whilst there are some general accessories you can take to a 1980′s fancy dress party that will really add an extra touch to an 80′s outfit, there are also some more specific accessories that will really complete your 1980′s fancy dress costume. For example, if you are brave enough to be going to a party in Pamela Andserson’s famous Baywatch red swimsuit, then why not finish it off with an authentic looking float.

At Fancy Dress Ball we’ve got loads of 80′s fancy dress costumes and accessories – including the Baywatch float – which means that you really can find everything you need for an 80′s fancy dress costume all in one place!

The 1980′s was a time when graphic design was really taking off, and therefore 80′s logos and brands had a certain je ne sais quoi that arguably hasn’t been seen before or since. For the 1980′s fancy dress partygoer therefore, there is plenty of inspiration out there so why not do something unique for a change – and fancy dress as one of those famous 1980′s brands.

Food Brands

It might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of 80′s fancy dress, but the 1980′s truly was a decade remembered for its food brands! For example, why not take an inspiration  from food brands such as Pot Noodle – or even Spam?

Clothes Brands

Of course dressing like your favourite snack might be a little unwieldy – and perhaps not the stylish look you’re going for. With this in mind, if your want a 1980′s fancy dress costume that you can be proud to wear outdoors then why not dig out those old eighties designer clothes? With this in mind, old Adidas tracksuits can be a great template on which to build some truly great eighties fancy dress.

Other Ideas

One of the most exciting things about fancy dress – and 1980′s fancy dress in particular – is that the possibilities are immense, and therefore there really is no excuse for not getting creative with your costume.

When it comes to 80′s fancy dress, it isn’t just the clothes that make an impression. The accessories can often make all the difference, and if you choose them wisely you’ll have no problem creating the perfect outfit to really impress at that party.

The accessories can make or break any 80′s fancy dress outfit, and they could be just the thing to take it up to the next level. They could even turn a regular outfit into something that’s perfectly suited to the decade, giving you the ultimate 80′s costumes without having to spend a fortune.

If you want to really nail the 80′s look, you need to be thinking big, bold and fun. Wigs are always a good addition to any outfit, and hats or visors are sure to go down well. Girls need to think neon, with leg warmers and tutus all being acceptable, or if you’re going for a wild child look go for lace and plenty of jewellery to turn your outfit into something that Madonna would be proud of.

As you can see, accessories are essential if you want to have the perfect 80′s fancy dress outfit. But, if you really want to find the right accessories then you need to know where to find them, and that’s why you need to come to us here at Fancy Dress Ball. We have plenty of accessories to choose from that will let you channel the 80′s to perfection, so come to us and get ready to find just what you’re looking for.

There’s nothing better than going to a 1980′s fancy dress party knowing that you’ve truly made an effort. You’re wearing the perfect outfit and are ready to impress, and no-one can fail to notice as you walk into the room. But, if you really want to find the 80’s fancy dress costumes of your dreams, you need to know where to look.

For a lot of people, that starts by heading to the high street. With 80′s fashion being well and truly back, there are plenty of places you can go to get style inspiration and the high street certainly won’t be short of it. Then there are the people that make up their own outfits by re-using things that are already in their wardrobe and simply accessorising, and if you’ve got the right pieces there’s no reason why this can’t be successful.

But, if you really want to find the ultimate 80′s fancy dress costumes, it’s always going to be best if you head to a specialist fancy dress shop. It’s here that you’ll be able to find all the costumes you could need, and any one of them could be perfect for your party. You’ll have the choice of everything from film and music star-inspired outfits to those that draw on popular culture and styles of the day, and you’re bound to be able to find just what you’re after.

So, you always need to go to specialist fancy dress shops if you want to find the ultimate 80′s fancy dress costumes. If you really want the best make sure to come to us here at Fancy Dress Ball, as with all the costumes and accessories you could ever need you’re bound to be a hit at the party.

If you’re thinking of throwing the perfect 1980′s fancy dress party, then I’m sure you want it to be a hit with all your guests. But, if you’re wondering where to start, here are a few tips to ensure it’s the success that you want it to be.

•    Get the music right. No 80′s fancy dress party will be complete without the right 80′s music to match, so always make sure that you’ve got a good compilation ready to play to keep your guests on their feet.

•    Make sure that your outfit is exceptional. Of course, you always want the 80′s fancy dress costumes of your guests to be great, but yours has got to be even better. You’re the host after all, so you need to set the standard by spending time on your costume to get it right.

•    Send out invitations that include 80′s fancy dress ideas. Some people could need a bit of help coming up with the perfect costume, so if you want to be the model host don’t be afraid to include a few ideas in the invitations.

•    Don’t forget the food and drink. You simply can’t have a party without providing refreshments, so make sure that you’ve got a fully-stocked fridge and alcohol cabinet to keep everyone happy.

These are just a few ways that you can help to ensure that your 80′s fancy dress party goes off with a bang, and if you want to cross one of the tasks of the list make sure to come to us here at Fancy Dress Ball for your perfect 80′s costume.

The 1980s saw the release of some truly iconic films; Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back To The Future, Rambo and Terminator to name but a few. So iconic are these films that the scope for 80s fancy dress costumes is massive. Sadly, the popularity of such films means that you will probably not be the only Jedi or Ghostbuster at an 80s fancy dress party, so it may be worthwhile looking at other 80s films for more unique costume ideas.

The decade’s TV is also rich in 80s fancy dress ideas. Ladies can put on a beret, saucy underwear and a saucy French accent and voila; a barmaid from ‘Allo ‘Allo. Gents could turn up in a flat cap and fur-collared coat, puffing on a cigar as ‘Del Boy’ from Only Fools and Horses. And for the middle-aged receding man, a faded brown leather jacket with jeans and a grimace makes a transformation to Terry from Minder.

For a touch of glamour, there are also the American 80s TV shows to consider such as Miami Vice. Pull up those sleeves, grow a bit of stubble and put on your shades then you’re ready to smooth the ladies. Ladies can counter by drawing inspiration from soap operas like Dallas and Dynasty for 80s fancy dress ideas. These costumes really couldn’t be easier; big hair, big shoulder pads and bold make up and then you’re on for your fight over Sonny Crockett!

Music is a great theme for a fancy dress party, as not only does it afford partygoers with a whole wealth of costume options, but you’ll also have the music sorted, too. With this in mind, what are the options for a musically inspired 1980s fancy dress theme?

Well the best way to give your fancy dress party an 80s theme is to base your theme on your personal tastes, and the tastes of your guests. For example, if you often reminisce about your days as an 80s goth, then your might opt for a theme that brings all of those memories back.

With this gothic theme in mind, there are some simple ways to create that immediately recognisable eighties gothic look – for example, you shouldn’t be afraid to use plenty of eyeliner – and most importantly you should dig out all of those old gothic tunes from the likes of Gary Numan and Siouxsie and the Banshees to really make your 1980s fancy dress party go with a gothic bang.

Of course a gothic theme won’t be for everyone, and perhaps you weren’t even around in the 80s; in which case a less esoteric theme might be more in order. With this in mind, even people who were too young to remember the 1980s will appreciate a 1980s fancy dress theme. Some ideas for a more accessible kind of 80s party include a Michael Jackson theme or a Madonna costume theme. Let’s face it, who hasn’t heard of them?