For some party-goers, designing their own fancy dress is all part of the fun. Whether you’re dreaming up a DIY Star Wars costume that’s going to have the wow factor or deciding on Christmas costumes that showcase the season, a homemade outfit can work really well. Unfortunately, without proper planning and preparation, a DIY costume can end up more panto than party! To give your fancy dress project the best chance of success, we’ve put together five top tips which can really make a difference.
1. Pick the iconic characteristics of your look
Nothing screams “Star Wars” more than a light sabre, for example. A Santa hat sends out a powerful festive message, whilst a skull and crossbones motif along with a neckerchief defines the traditional pirate look. Picking the iconic parts of a costume ensures instant recognition, creating a successful look even if other parts of the costume are less authentic.
2. The hat matters
Possibly the most important part of a fancy dress outfit, headgear really makes a difference. Most fancy dress costumes inevitably consist of a top and a bottom – it is the hat which adds character and style. Paying attention to your hat, mask or wig is vital if you want to create a look that stands out for the right reasons.
3. Use what you’ve got!
Even a relatively small wardrobe can yield a surprising number of amazing fancy dress items. From the bedsheet ghost, monk or Egyptian mummy through to the zombie school girl (or boy) (old school uniform plus plenty of fake blood), black cat (a black top and bottom with added ears, whiskers and tail) or an angel (white costume with a golden halo and some DIY wings), there are plenty of options that can be created from basic clothing items.
4. Makeup adds economical authenticity
Makeup can dramatically change your appearance, helping to create a fancy dress character for a relatively low cost. Over emphasising the features which define your character is a good way to ensure others know who you are, as well as perfect for creating a striking look. Depending on how ambitious you want to be, it’s possible to alter the contours of the face, add gruesome wounds, create otherworldly appeal, or even add a wart or two (think of Oliver Cromwell, or a witch character)!
5. Don’t rule out hiring a costume
Whilst there are a number of costumes which can work really well as DIY options, creating your own costume does take a fair bit of time. In addition, most people will need to buy a few accessories to carry the look off, all of which adds to the cost. Hiring a costume gives you access to a greater range of costumes, guarantees that you will get a high-quality look and can often work out as a more economical (and less frustrating) option than attempting your own, DIY look.
Get in touch to find out more about the costumes we have available, or for additional tips to create your perfect party fancy dress look.