This month is one filled with romance. On Valentine’s Day, happy couples hand each other gifts, write heart-felt messages in cards, take each other out for meals and toast their relationships with glasses of the fizzy stuff.

Well this is all well and good for those in loving partnerships, February 14th can be somewhat depressing for everyone else. There are even some couples who dislike the saccharine nature of the celebration.

Well, if you fall into either of the latter categories, you may want to recognise the occasion in a slightly unusual way. For example, you could throw a fancy dress party.

Of course, because you are trying to avoid the love fest, you will not want to base the dress code on a romantic theme. Perhaps you could leave it as a free-for-all and see what people choose for themselves.

Alternatively, you could specify a particular decade. For example, 80s fancy dress is always a hit among guests, as are 70s outfits.

By having a light-hearted bash like this that pays no homage to Valentine’s Day, you can ensure there will be no pining or self-pitying among revellers. Instead, they will get to have a good time in a fun atmosphere.

Such parties provide a great opportunity for people who may otherwise have been sitting at home by themselves worrying about their lack of a partner. Who knows, some of those at the event may find romance with fellow guests. Whatever happens, a good time will be had.

Everyone loves a good fancy dress party. You get to dress up in weird and wonderful outfits and can almost pretend to be someone else for the night, allowing your usual inhibitions to disappear as you enjoy a night to remember. But, if you don’t rein things in enough then you could be left with a party that’s full of mis-matching outfits, so if you want to throw the perfect bash then it’d be wise to set a specific theme.

By setting a theme people have clear direction of the type of fancy dress costumes they’ll be able to go for. This keeps everyone a lot more focused, and could even help people to decide what to wear who may have been a bit daunted otherwise.

It makes things far easier for everyone concerned, and you could always consult a few key party goers beforehand to get some ideas of what they’d like. That way everyone’s happy, and you can be certain that your party will go off with a bang.

There are a lot of themes you could go for and you can get inspiration from just about anywhere, with films, TV, music and even particular decades all providing fantastic outfit opportunities. You might like to opt for seventies or eighties fancy dress, for example, or you could even set a western or school daze theme – the list is endless. If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration then make sure to take a look around at our fantastic range and you’re sure to find something that takes your fancy, letting you set the perfect theme for the party of the year.

Organising fancy dress parties can be lots of fun. After all, not only will you get to don some interesting get-up on the big night, but you will also be able to see your fellow revellers in all their finery too.

However, while any kind of men’s and women’s fancy dress outfits can be a hoot, these occasions are often even better if you make sure guests stick to a theme.

The topic you decide to base your event around is of course entirely up to you and these days there is a wide variety to choose from when you use specialist retailers such as us here at Fancy Dress Ball.

For example, you might want to go for 70s costumes, superhero outfits, movie-based clothing or something completely different.

The great thing about ensuring people stick to one particular theme is that they tend to go to more effort because they know that others will be sporting similar garments.

This encourages them to go the extra mile in a bid to stand out from the crowd.

Another benefit is that it creates a great topic for conversation as people discuss how they went about sourcing their outfits. Not only this, but they may choose to adopt the personalities of the individuals they are dressed up as in a form of roleplay.

And the visual impact of having a group of people all in the same types of outfits can be stunning, meaning the atmosphere is great. Not only this, but also any photos taken will look fantastic.

You may love hosting dinner parties. Such events are a great way to sit down to some lovely food, lively conversation and tasty tipples. And of course, you also get to catch up with friends and family and showcase your culinary prowess.

However, if you have a long tradition of such catering, you may find that the events become a little samey, and you might long for an injection of something new and exciting.

Well, one way of achieving this is to get your guests to don fancy dress for the meals.

This may sound a little outlandish at first but when you think about it, it is just a bit of fun, and fancy dress outfits can help people to relax.

Also, you can theme the clothing around the food you prepare. For example, you could combine 70s costumes with classic dishes from the era, such as prawn cocktails and trifle.

By encouraging your guests to get involved in such fun and games, you will ensure you create a night to remember.

Of course, the clothing is not the only thing you should focus on. The food and drink are still the most important things, so it is vital you pay enough attention to them.

Also, you could add decorations to your table and elsewhere around your house that match the theme of the dress code. This will mean you create even more of an impact with your unusual dinner parties.

In order to make such events a success, you must also give the people you invite plenty of notice so they have time to source their clothes, otherwise you may find you are the only one wearing fancy dress.

These days, more and more parties involve fancy dress. After all, the availability of such garments has risen considerably and it is now easy to get hold of a wide variety of outfits.

And by introducing this dimension to your bash, you can make it a night to remember.

There are many different themes to choose from when you decide to hold a celebration themed around fancy dress costumes.

At this time of year, festive garments may be the order of the day, while at other times of the year, Halloween outfits may be more apt.

On the other hand, you may decide to go for 80 fancy dress or 70s costumes.

All these ideas are great and can help you ensure your night is enjoyed by all present.

However, if you want to hold a celebration with a bit of a difference, why not theme it around animals?

Here at Fancy Dress Ball, we have a range of such ensembles that can help bring out your wild side.

For example, by shopping with us you could pick up gorilla outfits or those based on cats or dogs.

Meanwhile, if you fancy imitating a larger creature, why not choose attire resembling much-loved African and Asian mammal the elephant? At the other end of the scale, you could select a mouse costume.

Having an unusual theme like this can really add to the atmosphere at your party and, who knows, maybe you will start a trend among those who attended the event.

No one wants to turn up to a fancy dress party being the only one to have not made the effort.

This can make you look as boring, lazy and as though you are not prepared to enter into the spirit of the occasion.

However, sometimes it can be hard to get away from the responsibilities of work and home life in order to source garments for such an event.

And the hosts of such gatherings do not always make it easy. You may well have been in situations where invitations are sent out for a bash that is to take place in the very near future for which you are supposed to don fancy dress costumes.

This can be frustrating, as it means you have even less time than usual to get your act together.

However, there is no need to panic. Thanks to the internet, there are plenty of options available to you at the simple click of a button.

For example, here at Fancy Dress Ball we stock a plethora of garments and accessories, meaning you are almost guaranteed to find what you are after.

And all you need are a few spare minutes and an internet connection, meaning you can order your 70s outfits, 80s costumes or any other themed attire from your home or office.

This saves you the time and stress involved in heading into town or to a shopping centre to get your hands on the clothes.

Next time you need costumes in a hurry, why not browse our selection?

Congratulations on the bump! We love knowing a new little life is coming into the world to enjoy our fancy dress ranges! We reckon that being pregnant and all, you’ve got enough to contend with, so here are our top five picks for womens fancy dress outfits… that are 100% pro-bump!

1. Pirates Ahoy!

The “Captain Swashbuckler Costume” might include a super-short (very loose fitting) dress, but that’s because we think you should get your gorgeous pins out… pregnant or not!

2. Luau Hawaiian Lady

Perhaps for the braver ladies amongst you! Choose from our massive range of grass skirts, coconut/shell/flower bikini tops and gorgeous floral garlands.

3. 1970’s Fancy Dress

The psychedelic “Hippy Chick Costume” is not only one of our absolute favourite women’s fancy dress costumes, it’s also very bump-friendly! The “70’s Stripped Go Go Dress” is another of our fantastic 70’s costumes that will flow nicely over that bump

4. Off the Wall

In the mood for something a little off-the-wall? Check out any of our “Adult Animal Costumes” section. We had a tough time choosing, but today’s favourite is the “Mouse Costume” for sheer cuteness!

5. Myths and Legends

We know all things with an empire line are your friend during pregnancy. Fancy being Roman royalty for the evening with our “Roman Empress Costume”? Or how about scaring the pants off everyone with our terrifying “Medusa Costume”?

Whatever you and your bump are in the mood for, we’re sure to have something awesome and comfortable in our fancy dress costumes collection.

If you’re set to throw a party and are stuck for advice on how to make it an event to remember, why not consider having a fancy dress theme?

This can really spice up the occasion and set it apart from other social gatherings.

When people don fancy dress costumes, they tend to have fewer inhibitions. There is something intoxicating about assuming the identity of someone or something else that helps individuals relax and lose themselves in the occasion.

There are a plethora of themes to choose from. If you want to make it really easy for your guests, you could simply say they can turn up in any kind of outfit they want.

Other possibilities include making the stipulation that partygoers have to wear a particular colour of clothing.

This idea could be teamed up with the decorations you use to adorn your home or the venue in which the event is taking place. Additionally, you could take this further and serve food and drink in the same colour.

Meanwhile, you could also introduce an 80′s fancy dress theme, which would mean your music for the party would be sorted too. You’d just have to find some classic tunes from the decade to play during the evening.

Of course, this is not the only time period you could choose, as there are plenty of 70s fancy dress costumes your guests could wear, for example.

Whichever subject you base your gathering around, the most important thing is that you and your fellow revellers have a great time!

New Lone Ranger Costume to buy

The official Lone Ranger Costume has just been released, April 2010 and at Fancy Dress Ball we’ve plenty in stock as well as other great coyboy costumes. If you see yourself as a cool, vigilante Cowboy ready to run the outlaws out of town, The Lone Ranger Costume might just be the right fancy dress for you. Cowboy Fancy Dress Costumes are popular amongst couples as there are plenty of options, his and her coyboy / cowgirl costumes, Cow Boy and Indian, etc…

The Lone Ranger (aka Texan Ranger John Reid) , his identity for many years remained a secret due to him wearing an eye mask. The Lone Ranger is a fictional character created in the early 1930′s, which premiered as a radio show and later developed for film and television.

The official Lone Ranger costume includes a blue top with “Western Hero” motif printed on the back, trousers, bandana, gun holsters, boot covers and the famous eyemask. To complete the outfit simply add pistols and your choice of cowboy hat.

Saddle up, get ready for a gun fight, The Lone Ranger’s in town, grab yourself a great cowboy fancy dress costume for your next party.

If you’re thinking of having a fancy dress party and aren’t sure what theme to have,why not take a wild step back in time and opt for the 80s? Having an 80s fancy dress party is guaranteed to get everyone dressing up and enjoying themselves as they relive their lives over twenty years ago. Fancy Dress Ball can make you look absolutely sensational with their fantastic 80s costumes, but here’s what you need to do to make sure your party goes with a swing!

Why not dig out some old 80s games you may have lurking at the back of your cupboard? Or, if you don’t have any, then picking some up at car boot sales or on eBay, or even asking a friend will no doubt guarantee trivia fun for your party. Whilst some games at parties can be tedious for guests, having an 80s trivia game will also help the step back in time as you quiz them on their knowledge of the time they all knew and loved.

If you’re having your 80s fancy dress party at an event hall with a dance floor, nothing will set the theme and excitement than an 80s soundtrack. Having this playing will almost certainly get everything thinking, or at least wishing, they were still living in the 80s.

If you are playing games, or would like party bags/gifts for your guests, why not have an 80s theme revolving around this too? Things like bandanas, bright hairspray, cool sunglasses, wigs and so on are fantastic gifts that will just add to the 80s fancy dress theme and certainly entertain your guests – all of which are all available at Fancy Dress Ball.