Fancy Dress Parties

Fancy dress parties have been around since for centuries and were particularly popular in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. Italy is particularly well known for contributing to the popularity of fancy dress parties. There, the masquerade ball reached frenzied proportions. By the time Queen Victoria took the throne much of Europe, especially England, had lost its appetite for masquerade but still had a keen interest in fancy dress parties. The Queen's interest in literature, poetry and history had a tremendous impact on the themes for fancy dress parties throughout her long reign.

During a time when Europeans entertained often and lavishly, fancy dress parties were often called upon to break up the monotony of what might have been another otherwise boring social event. Almost any notable figure in history and literature was likely to spur the imaginations of fancy dress party guests. While characters from literature, especially the Shakespearean plays, remained popular choices for fancy dress parties throughout much of the century; a quest for increasingly unique and creative costumes began to appear.

Fancy dress parties were concentrated among those who could afford to devote the time and money to such lavish events; however that didn't mean that a few peasants didn't make their way onto the guest list. Throughout most of the 19th century there remained a keen interest in the less fortunate as the subject for possible fancy dress costumes. This interest was more likely than not spurred by the fact that peasant style costumes gave ladies the opportunity to step outside their normally rather strict social codes. While it would have been unthinkable to appear dressed in a ensemble that allowed too much cleavage or the ankles to show at any other event; much could be forgiven when inspired by fancy dress parties.

Concepts and ideas were also likely to appear in the form of costumes to be worn at fancy dress parties. Seasons and holidays were popular choices. Creativity allowed ladies to makeover costumes used for prior occasions to suit their whimsy for an upcoming fancy dress party. With just the addition of a few trimmings, an otherwise ordinary gown could be transformed into a representation of anything the lady wished.

Today fancy dress parties are not as popular as they were during the height of the Victorian era. The opportunity to dress as your favorite historical character, or any character for that matter, has unfortunately often been relegated to Halloween. Should you have an upcoming event to celebrate, or just want an excuse to get some friends together, why not consider throwing a good old fashioned fancy dress party? Chances are you have just the right ensemble in the back of your closet that can be reworked with a few embellishments to form the perfect costume.

Ian Wide writes for leisure and entertainment sites such as fancy dress parties.

---

Brazil--Comments by a Gilliam Fan a Little Too Late

Either I am one of the darkest people ever or... Read More

Europes New Jews

They inhabit self-imposed ghettoes, subject to derision and worse, the... Read More

What About Those Pyramids?

'Mr. Rhodes aspired to be the creator of one of... Read More

African Americans: Get the Winning Edge

Everybody wants an edge that will give him or her... Read More

Game Theory - What Do Game Theory and Improv Theater Have in Common?

"Game" TheoryThis article was inspired by Mick Napier's book ?Improvise:... Read More

How to Make Your Civil War Uniform Shirt

Your own shirt designed and made by you for your... Read More

Carly Patterson: What Makes A Champion?

If you have been following gymnastics for any length of... Read More

African Masks The Art of Creation

With western eyes we tend to view a tribal mask... Read More

Is America Still Racist?

This is one entry in my Heroes and Villains Volume... Read More

Understanding Astrological Predictions

Opinions about astrological prediction are generally divided: "Mysterious! Magical!", say... Read More

The Five Feng Shui Elements and Their Characteristics

Feng shui handles five main elements in order to achieve... Read More

Babel vs. the PC

Imagine a time when mankind was young. Migration led many... Read More

Cant Afford Illness in America

I had become too sick to live in America.Even with... Read More

Feng Shui Horoscopes

A great tool to help you find out more about... Read More

The Man Who Loved Jail

Around my twentieth birthday life became a series of incredible... Read More

Ludlow Festival

His plays and adaptations have been performed in many countries... Read More

What To Expect From A Feng Shui Consultation

If you are wishing to harmonize or balance your house... Read More

What Sets Chinese Painting Apart From Western Painting

Because of different instruments, materials and cultural background, Chinese paintings... Read More

Saturn: Your Challenge to Become An Expert

The true meaning of Saturn is that he is the... Read More

The New Age Movement

New Age - A Paradigm Shift to Divine Consciousness &... Read More

Amber Mysteries Revealed

Amber, the gem of a stone that's not really a... Read More

Sterling Silver Jewelry - The Rest Of The Story

Silver is widely diffused but is rarely found in the... Read More

Was there Always Bias in Journalism? Ask George Washington. Hell tell you

There is bias in the elite media! How often do... Read More

Heraldry in the Crafts--Why Not Specialize?

I have a small website where I try to sell... Read More

The Power of Words

I freely confess that I have had a life-long love... Read More

Shakespeare and Human Nature

Isn't it peculiar how human nature evolves through environmental and... Read More

The Western Cowboy

In the State of Texas the Western Cowboy can be... Read More

Birthstone Jewelry Beliefs and Celebrity Birthdays

Wearing birthstone jewelry is very popular today. Not only is... Read More

Man and His Machines

A woman creates life from her womb, and man tries... Read More

On Being Human

Are we human because of unique traits and attributes not... Read More

Zorro

ZORRO:Timon of Athens. But most often they wrote in code... Read More

Shadows Boxing

Towards the end of Million Dollar Baby the character Scraps,... Read More

Sixties: The Decade of Rebellion

It is safe to say that in ... Read More