Do you hate fancy dress/costumes?

[Poot]

i recently decided that I would hold a party for my *big* birthday in a couple of months. All my friends had lovely posh parties for theirs, but that's really not me. So I have booked a pub basement. *cackle*

Anyway, I have told exactly 5 people (not counting the kids) that it's going to be a theme of "come dressed as a song - any song!" Because I wanted to gauge enthusiasm. Two gave me the stink eye and one sighed, but she was on the phone and I could hear her eyes rolling. And the other 2 are very kind and were probably a bit pissed so their enthusiasm is easily explained.

Do people really hate fancy dress? I thought "come as a song" was a good idea because you don't need to make much effort but it gets everyone chatting, and not everyone knows each other.

 

[weepiper]

Yes. Loathe it. Sorry.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Yes. Loathe it. Sorry.

This x a million.

 

[Poot]

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

It's a marmite thing, those who like it always seem to REALLY enjoy it, then there's those of us who'd rather eat glass

 

[twentythreedom]

If it's fancy dress keep the theme very general - ideally just "fancy dress" ftw - then people will be more likely to make some sort of effort... That's enough of a theme tbh - "just make a fucking effort "

 

[maomao]

Costs money innit. Money that would be better spent on beer.

 

[Greebo]

IMHO the thing is, unless you're a bit creative or imaginative, coming up with a wearable and affordable costume which isn't embarrassing to wear on the way to and from the party can be difficult.

Also, a lot of adults have had that type of creativity squished out of them as something which only "mad" or "childish" people do. It's wrong, but it doesn't stop them thinking it.

 

[passenger]

i would rather live under sharia law tbo

 

[Greebo]

Costs money innit. Money that would be better spent on beer.

Not necessarily - that's where using a bit of imagination comes in.

 

[Belushi]

yes, its crap.

 

[purenarcotic]

It's shit.

 

[StoneRoad]

depends - but usually I don't have the "creative" streak, so really struggle to make something. Hiring - even if you have a theatrical source to hand, can be expensive.
A group of friends can sometimes do Ok if the theme is rather general - ghosts / PJs, for example. or come as you are, that can work.
Thinking about Poot's theme of songs, as a test for me - I can't get anything that works for me atm !

 

[Looby]

I'm not a huge fan. It's a lot of pressure for some people and if you don't have the time/creative skill/imagination, it's also expensive.
Unless you're a close friend, it might be a factor in whether I come to your party. [emoji33] I've been to a couple of good fancy dress parties but they were at home/in a hall. I didn't have to get the bus in to town dressed as fat Madonna. [emoji6]

 

[twentythreedom]

Invite all your zaniest and wackiest Facebook friends

 

[EastEnder]

Yes. Loathe it. Sorry.

^^^^^THIS * a squillon.

 

[Poot]

Invite all your zaniest and wackiest Facebook friends

And then go somewhere nice instead?

 

[twentythreedom]

i would rather live under sharia law tbo

Go dressed as an islamic state jihadi

 

[moonsi til]

No I love it.. and I think a theme is good but I'm struggling with a song. I went to a cartoon & superheroes one and folk put in amazing efforts. My mate went as Marge Simpson..she looked fab. Someone else was Inspector Gadget and made his own arm thing. I was all last minute and rented Thelma from Scooby Doo which ended up looking fab!

For my recent big birthday I had a Halloween party going as zombie Marilyn Monroe and again the effort was great. There was Edward Scissorhands, Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction with the needle in her chest and Bender from Futerama.

Spanglechick had a film theme I think and a DIY photo booth that I was too lazy to sort for mine but would have liked to. So in conclusion I'm a massive hell yeah! Ooh I loved my jelly fish costume last year!

 

[spanglechick]

I love it - but that theme is quite limiting. I had a fancy dress party for my 40th, which was enthusiastically fulfilled by all those who attended (except one) - but maybe my mates are unusually pro-costume. The theme was easy-peasy though: "stage and screen", so if you wanted to go all out and hire an Admiral lord Nelson costume (hendo) then you could - but equally you could come in your regular clothes and be someone from Eastenders or whatever.

I have two rules about fancy dress. I don't want to have to explain my costume, and I don't want to wear anything that makes me look less fabulous than I would do anyway... but I have a broad definition of fabulous.

 

[Greebo]

<snip> Thinking about Poot's theme of songs, as a test for me - I can't get anything that works for me atm !

10 green bottles, Eskimo Nell, Chinese fan, all things bright and beautiful, football crazy, walking on sunshine (just put a cardboard sun on each of your shoes or feet), la vida loca, I've been everywhere man, invisible, unforgettable, Barbie Girl, Saturday night at the movies, due South, another girl another planet, I will survive...

 

[Poot]

No I love it.. and I think a theme is good but I'm struggling with a song. I went to a cartoon & superheroes one and folk put in amazing efforts. My mate went as Marge Simpson..she looked fab. Someone else was Inspector Gadget and made his own arm thing. I was all last minute and rented Thelma from Scooby Doo which ended up looking fab!

For my recent big birthday I had a Halloween party going as zombie Marilyn Monroe and again the effort was great. There was Edward Scissorhands, Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction with the needle in her chest and Bender from Futerama.

Spanglechick had a film theme I think and a DIY photo booth that I was too lazy to sort for mine but would have liked to. So in conclusion I'm a massive hell yeah! Ooh I loved my jelly fish costume last year!

I've been Marge Simpson! (Do I know you?) I like your style. Yeah, maybe it is a bit childish actually, but I really really love costumes. But if it's going to make people uncomfortable I'll probably not do it.

There are tons of songs you can do!

 

[Boudicca]

For my 'big birthday', I had a 'Glitz and Bling' party and insisted that everyone came in lots of silver and gold. So it felt like a special occasion, because everyone was glittery, but it didn't really stretch the imagination too much.

I also made 6 different kinds of chocolate cake as you can never have too much chocolate.

I also have a floor length gold sequined evening dress which I made, which I will probably never wear again!

 

[Maurice Picarda]

I would double check whether the people who respond with horror (of which I am one) are also people who hate parties. It might be that the people who would actually enjoy the party are also people who would like nothing more than dressing up as a careless whisper.

 

[moonsi til]

Nooo...Don't be put off..my friends mostly love fancy dress too and my family have a huge Halloween party every year in a Chapel hall.

I need to be convinced by the theme though..what are you thinking to go as?

 

[Voley]

I fucking hate it.

 

[moonsi til]

I went to a 'glitter' 40th recently which was great too.

 

[pogofish]

Sometimes love it, sometimes hate it - Depends entirely on my mood at the time.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I fucking hate it.

That is possibly my favourite photograph of all time.

 

[Voley]

That is possibly my favourite photograph of all time.

I agree. I think it captures my best side.