80’s costumes never go out of fashion (unlike the fashions themselves) and everyone loves a 1970’s themed costume party, but if you’re looking for something a little different, why not take your inspiration from the 1920s?

The 20s was an era of enormous change and a tremendously exciting time to be alive. It was the age of gramophone records and jazz music, rising hemlines and flappers in risque Paris fashion dresses. After the first world war, opportunities were many and expectations were high. Women were beginning to take a much more prominent role in public life. Louise Brooks, Greta Garbo, and Clarke Gable appeared on the silver screen and were adored all over the world.

1920’s fancy dress outfits are slinky, form-fitting, and very tasteful. They make very sexy fancy dress costumes that don’t reveal too much. Dresses were worn long, with hems below the knee (you can ignore historical accuracy on this count- nobody will notice), with relatively high, broad necklines that showed more shoulder than cleavage. The classic hairstyle was the short, sleek bob- there are plenty of examples in the wig section. An extra long chain of beads or pearls and a fascinator (a tall, eye-catching hair accessory) will complete your 20’s look.

Men’s evening dress was formal and restrained but moustaches were waxed and elaborate. Start with a plain or pinstripe suit then add details. Facial hair is a must for any men’s 20’s costume – if your outfit doesn’t come with a fake moustache, grab one from the wigs and beards page. The 1920’s were all about elegance so think long and curly when choosing your ‘tache.

Have you been invited to a fancy dress party but are unsure of what costume to wear? Or maybe you have never been to a themed party before and so don’t know what to expect. Either way, parties like these are always great fun, but there are a few things you might like to take care of beforehand to ensure you have the best time possible.

Comfort

In order for you to be able to relax and have a good time you need to be comfortable in your fancy dress costume. Be sure to try it on before party night so that you know just how comfy it is. Have a little dance about in it as well so that you’ll know if your range of motion is going to limit your shape-throwing abilities.

Spirit

If you’re going with a partner or a group of friends, you can get in to the spirit of the evening by going in costumes that complement each other. For example, a couple could go dressed in sexy costumes such as pilot and flight attendant, whereas a large group could turn up in matching naughty costumes like schoolgirls.

Accessories

Accessorising your costume is a great way to add your own personal touch and make it unique. This can particularly useful if you are dressing as someone like Madonna who has a number of different looks. A few bangles here or a crucifix chain there can help a generic outfit to look far more impressive.

As well as  contemporary fancy dress costumes, 70s fancy dress and 80s fancy dress, Fancy Dress Ball also stock a great range of accessories such as our wonderful wigs and moustaches.

We have ladies Marilyn wigs, Ga Ga wigs, pin-up girl wigs, tinkerbell wigs and Native American Indian wigs which look great with the appropriate costumes.

For men, we stock Afro wigs, mullet wigs, Elvis wigs, rocker long-hair wigs, dreadlock voodoo wigs, disco dirt bag wig and moustache sets as well as a stunning selection of beards. We stock Flash Gordon Wigs, Michael Jackson Thriller wigs, sixties wigs, seventies wigs and eighties wigs.

We also have a cool collection of pimp necklaces and pendants, rings, medallions and shoes which complement each costume, from pirate boots to space age moon shoes.

Whether you need the perfect accessories to match a new outfit or simply want to freshen up an old favorite costume with a new wig, moustache or beard set, Fancy Dress Ball is most definitely the best place to search. Some costumes such as male pirate costumes would just not look complete without one of our fantastic moustaches or beards to add the finishing touch, whilst others may look acceptable without the addition of hairpieces but are undoubtedly enhanced by some extra accessories.

Whatever you require, we can definitely expertly advise you on the best fancy dress accessories, and with costumes and accessories to suit every taste and budget, there is no excuse for not getting fancy dressed right up to the nines absolutely whenever the occasion permits.

Fancy dress costumes can be great fun to plan. Once you’ve got a theme you’re free to let your imagination run wild, but while it’s often easy to focus on the costumes themselves, it’s the accessories that you choose to go with them that can actually make all the difference. They can take an average outfit and can turn it into something truly exceptional, and if you choose wisely you’ll be able to set your costume off a treat.

Of course, the accessories you need will depend on upon the original costume and the theme that you’ve been given to work with, but don’t be afraid to experiment and see what takes your fancy. Some men’s and women’s fancy dress costumes will be easier to accessorise than others, with 70s fancy dress springing to mind as being one that can really benefit from a lot of different added extras

It’s the details that can really transform your outfit, so make sure to consider everything from hats and wigs to shoes and jewellery if you really want to impress. It’s like with regular outfits – it’s the little extras that have the ability to really set someone apart.

But, you’re obviously going to need access to these essential accessories if you really want to make your outfits shine. That’s why you need to come to us here at Fancy Dress Ball, because not only do we have all the costumes you could ever need but we have all the accessories as well. We know that the right ones can transform your outfit, so if you really want to make your costume the best it can be make sure to see what we’ve got to offer.

You will probably have seen someone wearing fancy dress contact lenses before.

Such items are becoming more popular in many countries around the world.

However, you might have assumed that it is difficult to get hold of these weird and wonderful products and thus not attempted to source them yourself.

You may even have thought they are the preserve of the rich and famous on TV, which is where they often appear.

But you couldn’t be further from the truth. These days, it is easy to get your hands on a pair of contact lenses to complement your fancy dress costumes.

For example, you can source a range of them here at Fancy Dress Ball and you will not need to break the bank to pay for them either.

Adding such accessories to your attire, whether you are wearing 80s fancy dress or 70s costumes can provide you with an edge over others at the event you are attending.

Your eyes are such an important part of your overall appearance that people are bound to be struck by the difference.

And there are products to suit almost any kind of outfit, from simple one-colour items to complex designs and patterns such as flags.

Although they are small, these lenses can be one of the most distinctive parts of your entire costume and it would be a shame not to try them out at least once.

To browse the options we have to offer, simply look for the relevant part of our website.

With so many things in life, it is attention to detail and those added little extras that really make a difference.

Bearing this in mind, you might want to stock up on Christmas clothing accessories before the festivities truly get underway.

Here at Fancy Dress Ball, it is not just full fancy dress costumes that we provide but also a whole series of additional items.

For example, if you are throwing a party and are keen to impress your guests, you might want to place a few fun objects around the venue, be it your own home or somewhere else, that will get people talking and having fun.

You could invest in wands, crowns, Christmas bells and other such products.

This may be particularly apt if you are throwing a bash in honour of which attendees are wearing men’s and women’s fancy dress.

By getting accessories such as this, you will be showing you have really made an effort with your planning.

Also, because of the good value of our items, you do not have to break the bank in order to buy them.

And once your bash has finished, you can collect up all the props and put them in storage for next year.

Although the festive period is a busy one and there are many things for you to plan, you should not neglect the importance of the small details when throwing fancy dress parties and other such occasions.

These are often what guests remember about the gatherings and are what could set your night apart from other bashes.

If you are heading out for a night on the town with colleagues, friends or family, you will no doubt want to look your best.

While during the rest of the year this may involve you attempting to look classy and sophisticated, the rules change over the festive period.

Christmas is all about fun and colour, so you should bear this in mind when preparing your attire.

Of course, you may be going out wearing entire fancy dress costumes, in which case you will certainly stand out from the crowd.

However, even if you are not wearing women’s fancy dress, you should still invest in a few small touches to show you are getting into the spirit.

For example, you could team up one of the going out ensembles you already have with some red patent showgirl shoes.

This would add a splash of brightness and vibrancy to your clothing. Also, you could get red satin gloves for the same reason.

Other fancy dress accessories that can be teamed up with normal garments include halo headbands and flashing Christmas light necklaces.

By getting your hands on products such as this, you can boost your spirits. These fun little extras help you get into a festive frame of mind and you may well have a better night because of it.

Also, if you are single, you can use these attention grabbing extras as a means of attracting interest from other people.

There aren’t many occasions on which being carefree like this is encouraged, so you may as well make the most of Christmas in this way.

As anyone who has ever had a bad hair day knows, it’s the hairstyle that makes the outfit. The perfect hair to match any gents or ladies fancy dress getup can be had simply and easily. There is no need to spend hours in front of the mirror or do anything radical that you’ll need to painstakingly undo the next day. If you grew up in the 80s and ever tried to give yourself a teased Robert Smith hairdo, you’ll know just how difficult it can be to get your normal style back!

Many of our fancy dress outfits come with wigs included, and for those that don’t, there’s our well-stocked and varied wig section. We’ve got the perfect wig to match any of our mens or ladies fancy dress costumes or one you’re making yourself, from the grandest of big hair to go with fancy dress outfits using the 70s and 80s as a theme to outrageously coloured punk hair to bald Friar Tuck wigs. The selection really is huge.

A fake moustache is a great addition to almost any men’s costume. Again, we’ve got every possible style covered from the brusque London Bobby to fabulously curled creations ideal for ostentatious twirling to tiny little devil patches. Those looking for an instant bushy beard won’t be disappointed, and we’ve got plenty of smaller beard and moustache sets. Some of these come with matching stick-on eyebrows included.  There are even curly chest hair wigs for those looking for that extra manly touch!

The fancy dress world hasn’t changed much in recent years. New outfits are always appearing, taking inspiration from the constantly changing popular culture that is all around us, but technology hasn’t had much of an impact. Fancy dress is all about clothes, hair, and makeup, and so there is only so much that scientific and industrial advancements can do to affect it. However, sometimes new things do come along and we like to keep right up to date.

One of the few new developments is the appearance of contact lenses that can be used to change your eye colour or even make patterns on your iris. Some of these are intended for use just once, but many of the contact lenses we stock are suitable for a 30 day wear period and come complete with a case and cleaning solution. Obviously it’s very important to make sure that anything you put in your eyes is safe and clean, so you should always opt for quality even in novelty contact lenses.

Changing the colour of your eyes is an incredibly effective dress up device. Your friends and family will be shocked and even genuinely frightened in some cases. There is a wide range of costumes where coloured or patterned contact lenses make the perfect finishing touch. Choose psychedelic colours to match 70s fancy dress outfits (and we have a huge range of 70s fancy dress options to choose from) or cat’s eye shapes to go with vampire, animal and witch costumes.

When a fancy dress party is on the cards, you only need to do one thing – find the best outfit that you possibly can. Everyone wants to impress and the best way of doing that is by planning early and coming up with the ultimate idea, and the best thing about these parties is that you can really let your imagination run wild.

But, there’s one important rule that always needs to be followed at such an event. If a theme has been set, don’t deviate from it! Far too many people see these themes as suggestions rather than set guidelines, and all that’s going to do is annoy the host who could well have put a great deal of thought into planning the perfect event.

So, always make sure that you stick to the designated theme if you really want to impress, but always use your imagination to come up with the best idea that you can. Go a bit creative and perhaps add some extra accessories to make it your own, and if you do that you can be sure that you’ll impress.

A fancy dress party is all about having fun, and if you spend the time to plan your outfit you’re bound to impress. Let your creativity run free to come up with the best fancy dress costumes that you can, and if you need a bit of inspiration make sire to come to us here at Fancy Dress Ball to see what you can find.