Have you ever wondered how Fancy Dress Party's In Britain started
The origins of fancy dress parties in the UK can be traced back to masked balls of the 18th Century, although Fancy Dress parties of the modern kind are a largely Victorian this was taken and expanded upon by the Edwardians. Notable amongst early events in the 20th Century was the Chelsea Arts ball. Such events were often elaborate affairs for the privileged chosen few, and for the most part confined to those who were wealthy.Amongst the general population, costume parties also occurred with increasing frequency from the late 1940's onward, although for the most part the costumes were simple affairs until the mid 70's. Prior to 'cheap' costume imports from the Far East (late 1990's) most costumes were either hired from local shops that had this certain smell?, or made from home, these costumes didn’t always last till the end of the night, well the ones my dear mom made for me never!. Retail purchased costumes is in respect of the UK, a largely modern phenomenon (late 1990's onward) although 'accessory' items had been available for some time from joke shops and bigger outlets
Characters at a Halloween party in Dublin in 2006Coupled with the modern trend in costume parties, 'retro' fashion as a costume theme (such as a 70's or even 80s fancy dress is also popular in the UK, the costumes to some extent copying the fashions of earlier decades. Amongst the most popular costumes are: Sixties and Seventies Fancy Dress, TV Character Fancy Dress, saucy and sexy fancy dress and not forgetting the timeless cowboy and Indian fancy dress.
