London is known as a social hub, and you’re likely to be invited to some great parties if you’re in the right circles. Fancy dress parties are some of the most popular, but it can be hard to choose the right costume. Thankfully, the city of London itself can be an inspiration for costume ideas if you know where to look.
Entertainment, Leisure, and Sports
Leisure activities like sports, gaming, and bingo can be excellent sources of inspiration for fancy dress costumes. You could use bingo calls as a group costume — one person dressing as “one little duck”, one as “cup of tea”, one as “Danny La Rue”, etc. Some online bingo rooms have creative themes such as car racing and the jungle, which you could take inspiration from. Sports are a great source of costume ideas. Why not dress in a golfing outfit, football kit, or even a cyclist head-to-toe in lycra? You could dress in the kit of your favourite team, or even as specific famous athletes. To recreate one of the proudest moments of the city’s history, why not use the 2012 London Olympics as inspiration — from gold medallists to fans, there were plenty of memorable outfits on display.
Famous Figures
London is and has been home to countless famous residents. Think of inspiring leaders like Queen Victoria, Winston Churchill, or Diana, Princess of Wales. Even the current Royals could make interesting costumes — from King Charles and Queen Camilla to William and Kate and Harry and Meghan.
Other local heroes include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, or Charles Darwin, the pioneering naturalist who forever altered our understanding of the world. Music lovers can draw from rock ‘n’ roll legends like Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, and David Bowie, or soulful singers like Adele, Kate Bush, and Amy Winehouse, all of whom left an indelible mark on music history.
Famous figures don’t have to be real either — fiction is a rich source to draw from, from the dashing Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, or Mary Shelley’s tragic Frankenstein. The imaginative worlds of Harry Potter and Mary Poppins are classic choices for London-centric costumes, and of course, the oeuvre of London icon Charles Dickens contains many memorable characters from Ebeneezer Scrooge to Miss Havisham.
Television enthusiasts can find inspiration in beloved British shows, from the time-travelling Doctor of Doctor Who to the suave James Bond or the aristocratic drama of Downton Abbey.
London Landmarks
Source: Pixabay
The physical landscape of London itself can provide fancy dress costume inspiration. Think Big Ben’s timeless clock face and imposing structure, the elegance of Tower Bridge, or the futuristic allure of the London Eye. Symbols like the classic red double-decker buses, ubiquitous black cabs, or the intricate design of the Tube map, could all infuse character into your costume.
Why not explore the diverse neighbourhoods of London as costume themes? This could mean dressing in quirky Shoreditch fashions or the refined elegance of a posh Kensington resident. These iconic neighbourhoods offer unique fashion and style cues to play with.
For a touch of tradition, you can delve into London’s rich cultural events and holidays. Think the historical drama of Guy Fawkes Night, the excitement of Wimbledon, or the vibrant colours of the Chelsea Flower Show. Let the city’s landmarks and cultural tapestry inspire your fancy dress creativity, adding a touch of London’s magic to your attire.
Dress to Impress
Once you have chosen your costume, London is home to plenty of world-class parties and fancy dress shops. If you’d rather shop online, sites like eBay can be a great source of unique costume components. London’s delightful blend of history, culture, and creativity means you’ll surely see some interesting costumes at the party too!
