Fancy Dress - Bristol

When is comes to fancy dress - Bristol is the place to be.

It's not surpirising really. The Bristol basketball team are called the Pirates. Bristol and it's docks played a major part during the times of Pirates, when piracy was illegal, but privateering was not, historic walks are still available in the city led by the legendary 'Pirate Pete', and many of the buildings in Bristol are closely linked to both pirating and privateering.

A pretty popular place for pirate parties?

To find our your pirate name check out this quiz

There are some fantastic pirate costumes on offer here

You can learn how to talk like a pirate here

Here is a great pirate translator

International talk like a pirate day is on September the 19th - and it's real! Wikipedia says so...

Shops for fancy dress - Bristol:

Bells & Balls
Tel: 0117 966 3150
133-135 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1EY

Carnival Costumes
Tel: 0117-924 8429
131 Coldharbour Rd, Bristol, BS6 7SN

Cavalier Fancy Dress
Tel: 0117 940 5677
45 Deanery Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 9JB

Chaplins
Tel: 0117 922 7773
9 St. Augustines Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UT

Christmas Steps Joke Shop
Tel: 0117 926 4703
47 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5AX

Dauphines Of Bristol
Tel: 0117 956 6556
7 Cleeve Rd, Bristol, Downend, BS16 6AD

Dressing Up Box
Tel: 0845 071 5114
Unit 18/Bridge Road Trading Est, Bristol, Kingswood, BS15 4PT

Harlequin Costume Hire
Tel: 0117 960 5090
47-49 High Street, Hanham, Bristol, BS15 3DQ

Just For Fun Fancy Dress Hire
Tel: 01934 643261
56 Meadow Street, Weston Super Mare, BS23 1QJ

Naff Clothing
Tel: 0117 973 7458
13 Cotham Hill, Bristol, BS6 6LD

Starlite Costumes
Tel: 0117 958 4668
275 Lodge Causeway, Bristol, BS16 3RA

If you would like anything added to this fancy dress - Bristol article please let me know.

Invite me?
Angela

Hiring fancy dress outfits can cost you more. Why you should buy...

If you are going to a fancy dress party then you have 3 choices:

• Hire a costume
• Make a costume
• Buy a costume

Hiring a costume
Most people immediately think of hiring a costume to save money as they expect it to be cheaper than buying one and maybe also think that finding a good costume and a reliable shop online will take up lots of time.

The truth is in fact that hiring means having to drive to a shop to collect the outfit, wearing something on the night which looks a bit shabby as it has been hired out 100 times before and been exposed to all kinds of spillages and repairs, buying accessories which arn't hired with the outfit, and then having to return the outfit the next day. Not a nice prospect if you anticipate having a hangover.

Yes you may save a couple of pounds on the actual costume price but at the expense of time, hassle, fuel costs and wearing a run down looking outfit on the night.

Making a costume
Making a costume can be the most fun but most people do not have the time to make the outfit, the creativity to make it look good next to hired or bought oufits or have the time to research good costume designs and ideas.

If you try to pass yourself off as a pirate by wearing a patch and a polkadot hankercheif on your head along with your normal jeans and tshirt then people won't be laughing so much with you as at you...

Buying a costume
Buying a costume means your outfit will look great on the night. You will also know that it hasn't been sweaty and covered in spilled drinks 100 times before.

There are TONS of outfits you can buy and get change from £20 these days and they look great!

If you want to go for a deluxe outfit then £40 - £70 will be plenty to get something extra special.

Now you will have an outfit you can wear again in the future or sell on Ebay.

The outfits are delivered directly to your door and fancy dress outfits generally come with good sizing guides so you won't need to try before you buy.

You will also find a much wider selection of outfits (10,000 + !!!) you can buy as hire shops have limited storage space and often don't keep the stock as up to date as the shops which can afford to store stock in warehouses.

Here is an easy way to search thousands of costumes within specific price ranges.

Have fun,
Angela

Don't forget your fancy dress accessories!

Lots of fancy dress costumes don't include all the accessories you see in the photos and are quite often optional extras.

Lots of stores won't make this obvious and if you are in a rush it is easy to overlook any small print.

If you are buying your outfit online make sure you check exactly what is included with the outfit before you order, especially if you are buying it last minute as you might not have time to place another order in time for delivery.

Also make sure you check with the store that they have the item you are buying in stock as most do not have stock indicators built into their online store fronts and could take weeks to actually dispatch your costume.

That's just one reason we love recommending Jokers Masquerade.

Not only do they have some of the best quality outfits around but they show you all the optional extras you need for each outfit and make adding them to your main order nice and easy.

They also do next day delivery and display live stock levels which most stores do not.

Each outfit also has helpful tips such as how to wash the outfit safely, if it is likely to be revealing in any specific places, detailed size guides and related but alternative outfit choices!

Hope this helps,
Angela

Fancy dress ideas beginning with the letter S

Are you looking for fancy dress ideas beginning with S? Have you been invited to a ‘S party’ and are totally stuck for costume ideas?

Don’t Panic! Help is at hand.

Before you go asking for the party theme to be changed to a different letter just to suit an outfit you have in the wardrobe, have a look through the following list to see if it helps you:

Male: Sailor Salt shaker Sauce bottle Samurai Scarecrow Schoolboy School teacher Scotsman Scream outfit Sergeant Pepper Shark Shepherd Skeleton Slot machine Smurf Snake charmer Snowman Soldier Sorcerer Spaceman Spam Statue Stork Stuntman Sumo Surgeon Santa Satan Scooby Doo Shaggy Sherlock Homes Shrek Sirius Snape Snoopy Spiderman Sponge Bob Squarepants Superman Sylvester The Cat Sir Alan Sugar

Female: Saloon Girl Schoolgirl Scout Sea goddess Sexy Satan Siren Sister sin Smurfette Southern Belle Spin & win roulette machine St Trinian's School Girl Stewardess Stripper Squaw Sandy (from Grease) Snow White Storm (X-men) Supergirl Spice Girl

Fancy dress party checklist

Here is a quick fancy dress party checklist of the top 7 things not to forget!

1. Invitations
   Why not make a great first impression and really get everyone in the mood with a funky invitation? There are plenty of ready-made ones on the market (think kids birthday invites) or why not be more creative and design your own to match your theme. For example, if you are having a Pirate party, buy a bunch of eye patches and send one out with each invitation.
   
   Invitations
   
   
2. Themed props
   Props can transform your house or venue into the perfect setting for your themed party and really help your guests get into the spirit of the evening. If you can't afford to spend too much on them then have a go at making some yourself!
   
   Halloween props | Cardboard cutouts
   
   
3. The entertainment
   Whether you are going for music to suit your theme or just planning on playing your favorite tunes, don't forget to have it organised in advance and make sure you have a suitable music system. If your neighbors won't mind too much why not hire/buy a karaoke machine - it doesn't have to cost a fortune and will add a whole other element to your party.
   
   Music | Karaoke machines
   
   
4. Games
   Games are a great way to liven up the party - and there are so many options. Murder Mysteries are great and the fancy dress is often incorporated in the game. Alternatively, games like Cranium are really fun and it's easy to get everyone involved.
   
   Cranium
   
   
5. Tableware
   Tableware can be cheap and really enhance the tone of your party. If you are having a 'P Party' for example you can make sure all the tableware is purple and plastic or paper. Typically you will need, plates, cups, napkins, tablecloth, toothpicks and table confetti.
   
   Party supplies and tableware
   
   
6. A camera
   Make sure you have a camera on hand to capture all those great costumes!! Check that the battery on your camera is fully charged and that there's lots of space for new pics (if using a regular camera make sure you have plenty of spare film). Alternatively, why not splash out on a bunch of disposable cameras and leave them out for the guests to use. Picking up the photos is always great fun when you don't know what to expect!
   
   Digital cameras | Disposable cameras
   
   
7. Party accessories
   No matter which theme you are going for you can use generic accessories to enhance that party feeling and they won't cost you too much money either. Think about balloons, streamers, party poppers, party shooters, indoor sparklers and silly string (guys will love the silly string guns!)!!
   
   Party accessories | Silly string gun

In the excitement of organising your party please don't forget your own costumes and accessories!! :)

Have fun!
Angela

Zombie makeup to go with your Zombie costume!

	Stage 1
	Stage 2
	Stage 3
	Stage 4
	Stage 5
	Stage 6

Use our free zombie makeup guide with your zombie costume to become scarily convincing!

Tools:

1. Red, purple, or burgundy lipliner


2. "Bruise" shades of eyeshadow


3. Grey or black eyeshadow


4. White powder (baby powder or all purpose flour)


5. Various sized make up brushes

Veins:
It is best to draw veins on first. This can be done by "dragging" the pencil over your skin lightly while twisting the pencil. You should make sure the veins "branch off" like real veins and alternate the colors for the most realistic effect.

The best placement for veins would be under the eyes, around hairline, and both sides of the nose. Veins should fade out onto protruding parts of the face (i.e. nose, forehead, chin, front of cheeks). The veins can be drawn on skin lightly or dark.

You can apply the white powder over the veins to help fade the veins out, and slightly cover them to create a more realistic look. You can use a small make-up brush for fading the veins and a large brush to powder your whole face.

You can also create these veins on your arms, hands, legs, and feet.

Zombie Makeup Eyes

Eyes:
For the best results, you can completely circle your eyes generously with "bruise" shades of eyeshadow with a medium sized brush. Use the darker shades (i.e. purple) in the creases of the eye. This will cause them to appear "sunken."

Tip:
You can use smaller brushes and darker "bruise" shades of eyeshadow to create "bags" under the eyes. You can simply draw the half circle shape under your eye and blend.

For a more dramatic look, you can use grey or black eyeshadow to deepen the natural creases on your eyes and your face with a very small brush. You can use the white powder to blend this as well.

You can also put a bit of fake, or real, blood or red lipstick just on the inside of the lips.

Don't get a fright when you look in the mirror!

WARNING: Side effects may include scaring yourself to death, a hunger for human flesh and making 'uuuuggghhhhh' noises. Fancy Dress Ideas can be held in no way responsbile for any of the above outcomes.

Please send in any photos if you have followed this guide or let us know how useful it was for you!

Scared,
Cherie

You might want to combine with:
Blood, wounds and gashes Knife through head (Only £1) Halloween sound effects box Horror tattoos

Fancy dress ideas beginning with the letter P

Are you looking for fancy dress ideas beginning with P? Have you been invited to a ‘P party’ and are totally stuck for costume ideas?

Don’t Panic! Help is at hand.

Before you go asking for the party theme to be changed to a different letter just to suit an outfit you have in the wardrobe, have a look through the following list to see if it helps you:

Male: Painter Paramedic Parrot Pea Penguin Pepper shaker Pez dispenser Phantom Pharaoh Pig Pikey Pilot Pimp Pink Panther Pirate Pizza slice Policeman Porn star Postbox Potato head Priest Prisoner Private Dick Professor Punk Peter Pan Phantom of the Opera Pieman Pinocchio Popeye Prince Charming Pope Prince Prince Charles

Female: Pageant winner Paramedic Peacock Pink lady (Grease) Pirate Pixie Playboy bunny Policewoman Poodle Priestess Princess Prisoner Prom Queen Prostitute Poison Ivy Princess Fiona Princess Leia Paris Hilton Pocahontas Pussycat Doll

Fancy dress ideas beginning with the letter M

Are you looking for fancy dress ideas beginning with M? Have you been invited to an ‘M party’ and are totally stuck for costume ideas?

Don’t Panic! Help is at hand.

Before you go asking for the party theme to be changed to a different letter just to suit an outfit you have in the wardrobe, have a look through the following list to see if it helps you:

Male: Mac Daddy Magic Tree Magician Mayor Mechanic Medieval Knight Mexican Milk Carton/Bottle Minister Mobile phone Monk Monkey Moose Mountie Mummy Muscle Man Musketeer Mustard Bottle Mask, The Merlin Michael Myers Mickey Mouse Montgomery Burns Morpheus Mr Bean Mr Incredible Mr T Marilyn Manson MC Hammer Michael Jackson

Female: Maid Majorette Mannequin Mermaid Moll Moulin rouge dancer Mouse Mummy Marge Simpson Mary Poppins Minnie Mouse Miss Muffet Morticia Addams Mrs Incredible Madonna Marilyn Monroe Mary Queen of Scots

Top 7 sexy, sizzling & saucy fancy dress ideas

Ladies are you looking for fancy dress ideas to spice up a party?

Then look no further!

Our top 7 list is here to help:
(The choices are links and will take you to store we know well and you can trust)

1. Naughty Schoolgirl


2. Playboy Bunny


3. Sexy Country Girl


4. Goldilocks


5. French Maid


6. Gothic Naughty Nurse


7. Sexy Cupid

Enjoy!
Cherie

Fancy dress ideas - make up to make 'em prrrrrrr

Ladies, if you're looking for fancy dress ideas then don't overlook, Catwoman which is super sexy and easier to achieve than you may think!

If you are worried about making sure you look fit and feline you can easily buy cheap uplift bras, minimisers, tummy trimmers and all sorts for the body!

Once you've taken care of the costume you can achieve a sleek and sexy feline look with your make up.

Who could be more inspirational than, Angelina Jolie aka Catwoman?

1. Apply a decent pale base


2. Sweep eyeliner across a closed eye (pull the outside corner a little to get a straight line) and take it along the bottom too, meeting at both corners of the eye.


3. Use really good mascara which separates the lashes and apply liberally.


4. Meaow - it's all in the brows! These need to be arched steeply at the edge to frame your eyes perfectly.


5. Take a pinky blusher and sweep the brush in an upward direction across the cheekbone


6. Apply red lipstick and coat with a good gloss

If you go for this option please let me know how you get on or send us a photo for the gallery!

Enjoy the party!
Cherie

Top 10 fancy dress ideas party themes

Fancy dress ideas party themes can determine not only the tone of the party but also how much fun people will have leading up to the night.

Gone are the days when fancy dress was restricted to children's birthday parties and rowdy hen nights - people all over the country are discovering the sheer amusement at spending their weekend dressed as a pirate!!

Whether you choose to showcase your weird and wonderful costumes at your local club/pub or in the relative privacy of a house party - fancy dress is a great way to have a brilliantly different night!

Regardless of how much money you have to spend there are loads of options available for the fancy dress connoisseur! Feeling Flush? Why not splash out on ready made costume with all the trimmings? Watching the pennies? Then put on your best Blue Peter hat and get creative at home. Whatever your budget being dressed up has a great effect on people and is bound to result in an amusing night!

Here's my top 10 favourite themes…

Position 10 - The 'P' party*

This theme is great as it gives people scope to apply creativity, while condoning plagiaristic laziness. Say 'Arrgg matey' and say hello to join the plethora of Pirates, Prostitutes and Pikies. Thankfully you'll be in the semi-safe hands of the reasonably pissed up paramedics and police.

* This idea is transferable to any letter of the alphabet - or why not try asking guests to come as something beginning with the first letter of their name!

Position 9 - Superheroes

Whether it was Superman or He-man, Catwoman or even Supergran, we all had our favourite superheroes as a child - well now's your chance to finally be just like them!! The standard lycra & pants element is bound to turn heads (although not always for the right reasons!!) or why not be a bit different and go as the hero's alter ego?

Position 8 - Tarts & Vicars

The classic fancy dress theme - your chance to be seen in public wearing your shortest skirt and highest heels - teemed with the obligatory fishnets and that's only the guys! For the more reserved amongst us the vicar costume is an easy alternative.

Position 7 - Charity shop night

Have fun and get some good karma whilst you do it! Set a price limit and your guests have to buy their whole outfit (shoes and accessories included) from your local charity shop. The results are always hilarious and no two outfits are ever the same - just keep an eye on the number of guys dressed as women - they love it!!!

Position 6 - Uniforms

Every girl loves a man in uniform!! And I'm sure the other way round is no exception!! From sailors and firemen to nurses and air hostesses this is a great theme for stag and hen nights and is bound to get you lots of attention. Just be careful not to lose the keys to those handcuffs!!

Position 5 - What you want to be when you grow up

Not only is this a great theme with loads of options but you also get to find out what your friends aspired to be when they were kids. There's always a few policemen and nurses - however you bound to see some slightly more unusually career goals like your lawyer friend who actually wanted to be a zoo keeper or your posh sister in law who secretly yearned to be a bin man!!

Position 4 - Films Stars

Always fancied yourself as a bit of a Hollywood Starlet? Think you'd make a good 007 or Lara Croft? Or do you see yourself as more of a Fred Flintstone? The options for this theme are endless and with more films arriving at your local multiplex each week there's no excuse not to come up with a great costume!

Position 3 - Cowboys and Indians

Another classic theme and so easy to do - throw together some denim and a checked shirt - and I bet you ladies have at least one pair of cowboy boots in the cupboard somewhere! Plus you get a chance to play fight with the obligatory toy weapons!

Position 2 - Heaven and Hell

Are you a dirty devil or an innocent angel - or why not combine the two and come as a naughty nun? Whatever you choose this is a great theme - even dressed as an angelic being I'm sure you'll get some cheeky devil's heart racing!

Position 1 - Goodies and Baddies

Whether you go for a famous duo like Austin Powers and Dr Evil or a classic coupling like cops and robbers this is a theme with loads of scope for imagination and a great idea for couples.

We hope this helps if you are struggling to find a theme for your party.

Pics please!

Enjoy,
Angela