European Costume Ideas

Featured

Posted on 2nd July, 2012 by Adele

If you are looking for costumes ideas for an European country, this is where you will find them. Ideal if you are attending, or hosting, a Eurovision party.

This section splits down further into actual countries- just look at the categories on the left.

Why not allocate guests a specific country and ask them to bring some food and / or drink that is associated with that country?

Put up European country flags to decorate your room and play various National Anthems during the evening. If guests know it is their National Anthem (what they have dressed up as) they get a prize, or if they don’t, they get a forfeit (may be more fun!!)

Pantomime Costume Ideas

Featured

Posted on 29th November, 2014 by Adele

view

Sleeping Beauty Platinum Girls's Disney Costume

£33.60

view

Pirate Treasure Map

£1.75

view

2 Man Pantomime Horse Mascot Costume

£100.00

Pantomime Fancy Dress Theme Costume Ideas

A great option if you need to think of something quintessentially British! (oh no it isn’t, oh yes it is!)

Though there are different fairy tales, most pantomimes have various essential characters which feature in many, if not all performances. From the Panto Dame, where males relish the chance to dress up as females, with over the top bright, colourful ‘loud’ dresses, wigs, make-up and appropriate accessories such as jumbo eyelashes, to the Principal Boy, which is often played by a girl.

At Props & Frocks we have costumes for most pantomimes, including Snow White, Cinderella, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk & Sleeping Beauty. Not only do we stock the major characters, but we also have costumes and accessories for the chorus, from fairies, to villagers and everything in between. Take a look at our large range of Fairytale costumes, our hire costume stock will fill in any gaps.

Here are some Pantomime costume suggestions, but there are so many more, and there is something to suit all sizes and budgets.

Snow White - Other characters include; Wicked Queen (use a witch costume), Prince Charming, woodcutter and who can forget the seven dwarfs?
Little Red Riding Hood plenty of red riding hood costumes available to purchase, and why not go as a couple with our Granny Wolf costume, or a peasant costume for the woodcutter?
Cinderella a whole host of costumes available here from Ugly Sister costumes, Fairy Godmother & Prince Charming outfits and don’t forget poor Cinders and Cinderella ballgowns.
Aladdin also called Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves another fantastic story with a large range of characters to help you to choose your costume. Traditionally set in China but Disneys version is set in the Middle East. A lot of Pantomimes will merge the two areas. Aladdin, Widow Twanky, Jafar, the baddie, Jasmine (wear a belly dancer costume) and of course, the genie. There are also roles for a parrot and monkey.
Peter Pan Yet another great story, full of terrific characters that you can dress up as. Firstly, we have Peter Pan, a green Elf costume will suffice as will some Robin Hood costumes. Captain Hook, Peter Pan’s arch enemy. You will need to wear a pirate captain costume and of course, you must wear a hook. Smee, Hooks second in command. You will need to wear a standard pirate costume for this character (as played by Bob Hoskins). Wendy wears an old fashioned white nightgown and the lost boys wear medieval peasant style clothing. Green fairy costumes work well for Tinker Bell. Other characters include: Indians and mermaids.
Alice in Wonderland, choose from Alice herself, The Queen of Hearts, The Mad Hatter or the white Rabbit.
Beauty & the Beast. You may need to wear a werewolf mask to get the beast effect. Beauty (or Belle) wears a yellow Victorian style dress. A lot of the characters (Wardrobe, light, tea pot) can be quite difficult to put together unless you are very talented and artistic.
Puss in Boots. We stock a large range of cat masks and accessories as well as over boots, hats and swords. Other characters include the Millers son, a poor boy, the King & his daughter, the Princess.
Jack & the Beanstalk Jack and his mother wear peasant costumes. You may need a very tall friend to go as the giant. This pantomime often includes characters from kids nursery rhymes such as Jack & Jill.
Babes In The Wood often combined with Robin Hood. Tudor style costumes, although the Disney version includes Hansel & Gretel, and therefore more Bavarian style costumes.
Dick Whittington Main characters include:
Dick Whittington starts off very poor, our brown Robin Hood costume would be brilliant for this character
Cat kills the rats for The Sultan
King Rat the baddie
The Sultan
Pantomime Fairy
Fairy of The Bells
Ship Captain, his mate and some incompetent pirates
Robinson Crusoe following a ship wreck Robinson Crusoe finds himself on a remote desert island. Friday, is rescued from Cannibals. Pantomime versions often have Hawaiian based characters wearing grass skirts and flower garlands.
Sleeping Beauty Main Characters include:
The Princess Sleeping Beauty
King & Queen
3 good fairies
Wicked Fairy
Prince Charming
Treasure Island a chance to wear those Pirate costumes again
The Wizard of Oz
Dorothy
Tin Man
Scarecrow
Cowardly Lion
Glinda
Wicked Witch of The West

French Costume Ideas

Posted on 2nd July, 2012 by Adele

view

French Man Kit

£4.35

view

Musketeer Mens Costume

£30.25

French Fancy Dress Costume Ideas

So lets see what French Costume Ideas, we can come up with for you

Napoleon
Josephine
Marie Antoinette
Louis (you can choose which one) King of France
French Man striped top, beret, string of onions
French Maid we have a great selection of French Maid costumes
French lady tight pencil skirt, striped top, beret, long cigarette holder
Characters from Ello Ello
French Foreign Legion
Moulin Rouge do not despair, we have plenty of Moulin Rouge Costume ideas on this page
Can Can Costumes
Inspector Jacques Clouseau
Characters from Beauty & the Beast
Marie Curie Victorian style costume will be suitable
Alain Prost former Formula 1 racing driver wear a racing driver costume
Claude Monet wear a Victorian style costume with artist smock over the top
The 3 Musketeers
Tour De France Cyclist wear cyclist clothing
Cover yourself in small sticks French Stick
A La Carte dress up as a dinner menu this will involve a bit of DIY costuming
Agent Provocateur Dress up as a spy or in sexy underwear (if you dare!)
Aprs-Ski dress up in ski wear
Fleur de Lis wear the emblem over your everyday clothing
Mardi Gras dress up in a carnival style costume
Artist Wear a smock covered in paint, wear a beret and hold a palette with paint colours on it.
Coco Chanel A chance to dress from head to toe in couture
Thierry Henry Footballer
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Esmerelda wear a gypsy style costume

Ideas of songs to play

Lost in France Bonnie Tyler
Michelle the Beatles
Cant Speak French Girls Aloud
French Dog Blues Babyshambles
French Kissing In the USA Blondie
Tour de France Kraftwork
To France Mike Oldfield
Joe le Taxi Vanessa Paradis
Im Throwing My Arms Around Paris Morrissey
To Paris with Love Donna Summer
Je Suis Un Rock Star Bill Wyman

Scottish Costume Ideas

Posted on 2nd July, 2012 by Adele

view

Tam O'Shanter Hat With Hair

£6.25

view

Tartan Miss Christmas Ladies Costume

£41.58

view

Nautical Beard Ginger

£6.50

Scottish Fancy DressTheme Costume Ideas

Why not have a Scottish themed costume party?

Either used as a standalone costume theme, or as part of An Around The World Theme.

The most popular time for a Scottish themed party is on Burns Night (25^th January) where North of the (Scottish) border the life and works of Scotlands greatest poet Robert Robbie Burns are celebrated. A traditional meal or Supper usually involving Haggis wi bashit neeps an champit tatties (Mashed turnip or Swede and mashed potatoes) followed by Clootie Dumplin and Bannocks (oatcakes) n Cheese is usually accompanied with some best quality whisky. Of course the Haggis is the centrepiece, being piped in and addressed prior to the start of the meal.

Whilst the Haggis, bagpipes, etc might be a acquired taste for some, today is at least a chance to celebrate Great Scots (Burns? Scottie of Star Trek? Billy Connolly?) and this might involve some element of tartan (which the Americans call plaid because its Gaelic for blanket for which the multicoloured cloth was originally used) and perhaps a sporran: Obviously a McChap needs somewhere to put his essentials when wearing what is effectively a skirt with attitude. Originally the sporran was a simple drawstring bag but it evolved into something of a decorative (and decorated) accessory, typically made of badger or goatskin, to dangle impressively at the front of the kilt. Whatever your take on the celebrations, pop along to us here at Props & Frocks and we will do our best to kilt you out!

Here are some famous Scots you may like to base your costume on:

JM Barrie author of Peter Pan wear a Victorian mens costume, or dress up as a character from Peter Pan
Alexander Graham Bell again another Victorian costume, ideal if you can find an old fashioned telephone as well!
Robert Burns Wear a Regency Style (Mr Darcy) costume
Lord Byron, as Robert Burns
Charles I & II Cavalier style costume
Sir Sean Connery wear a dinner suit for 007
Billy Connolly shaggy brown hair and a dyed goatee beard
David I Knight costume
Sir Alex Ferguson
Alexander Fleming
William Gladstone Victorian Costume
James I VI kings of Scotland (James VI first King of Scotland & England)
Captain William Kidd famous pirate wear a pirate costume
Dr David Livingstone wear an explorer costume
Elizabeth Bowes Lyon The Queen Mother
King Macbeth
Flora Macdonald peasant costume
Mary Queen of Scots ladies Tudor style costume will suffice
Robert I (the Bruce,) II & III
Sir Walter Scott
Sir Jackie Stewart
Bonnie Prince Charlie
Sir William Wallace Braveheart

And, if you still cannot make up your mind, just accessorise your normal everyday outfit with some tartan.

Songs to play during your Scottish Fancy Dress Event… (a lot of these have many variations take your pick)

Amazing Grace
Auld Lang Syne
Farewell to Loch Katrine
The Bluebells Of Scotland
Bonnie Doon
The Flower Of Scotland
Mull Of Kintyre Paul McCartney
Anything by the Proclaimers!
Loch Lomond
My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
These Streets Paolo Nutini
The Skye Boat Song
Fast Train To Edinburgh
Loch Leven Arab Strap
Argyle Bouncing souls
St. Andrews Bedouin Soundclash
I Belong To Glasgow

Italian Costume Ideas

Posted on 2nd July, 2012 by Adele

view

Eyemasks Black & Silver

£10.75

view

Roman Gladiator Warrior Kids Costume

£23.04

Italian Costume Ideas

Some Italian Costume Ideas Include:

Rudolph Valentino 20s star, lead role in The Sheik
Sophia Loren look at some famous roles for costume inspiration
Giuseppe Verdi composer of the operas La Traviata & Aida (1813 1901) could go as one of the main characters
Giacomo Puccini composer of Madame Butterfly & Tosca (1858 1904) as above
Leonardo De Vinci (1452 1519) wear a Tudor Costume
Christopher Columbus Explorer (1451 1506), as above
Mark Antony wear Roman costumes for these historical figures. Ladies can wear a Roman costume to make a great couples costume
Julius Caesar, as above
Pontius Pilot, as above
Pope wear a Pope costume for a Pope of your choosing
Benito Mussolini Prime Minister (1883 1945) First European Dictator
Ferrari Racing Driver wear a racing driver costume
Canaletto (1697 1768) Painter
Pavarotti (1935 2007) Tenor singer
Franki Detorri Racing Jockey
Gianfranco Zola Italian footballer
Venetian Gondolier wear a striped top and black trousers
Venetian Ball Attendee- wear a grand Georgian dress with a masquerade mask
Lion from the coliseum
Romeo & Juliet set in Verona
Pizza costume – yes these are available to purchase
Gondolier – wear black trousers and a striped top
Venetian style eye masks
Mafia – Gangster costumes
Rudolph Valentino
Ice cream costume – Italy is famous for its fabulous ice cream
Lion, from the Coliseum
Roman Gladiator
Opera Singer

Food to serve includes:

Pizza
Pasta
Ice Cream

Songs to play for your Italian event

When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do Barbara Streisand
Streets Of Little Italy Bonnie Tyler
We Open In Venice Frank Sinatra
Venice Queen Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Gondoliers Song

Pantomime Costume Ideas

Posted on 2nd July, 2012 by Adele

Snow White - Ideal Panto Character

A great option if you need to think of something quintessentially British!

Though there are different fairy tales, most pantomimes have various essential characters which feature in many, if not all performances. From the Pantomime Dame, where males relish the chance to dress up as females, with over the top bright, colourful, loud dresses, wigs, make-up and appropriate accessories such as jumbo eyelashes, to the Principal Boy, which is often played by a girl. At Props & Frocks we have costumes for most pantomimes, including Snow White, Cinderella, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Dick Whittington and Jack and the Beanstalk. Not only do we stock the major characters, but we also have costumes for the chorus, from fairies, to villagers and everything in between. Take a look at our large range of Fairytale costumes

Here are some Pantomime costume suggestions, but there are so many more, and there is something to suit all sizes and budgets.

Snow White - Other characters include; Wicked Queen (use a witch costume), Prince Charming and who can forget the seven dwarfs?
Red Riding Hood plenty of red riding hood costumes available to purchase, and why not go as a couple with our Granny Wolf costume, or a peasant costume for the woodcutter?
Cinderella a whole host of costumes available here from Ugly Sister costumes, to rats, Fairy Godmother & Prince Charming outfits and dont forget poor Cinders and Cinderella ballgowns.
Aladdin another fantastic story with a large range of characters to help you to choose your costume. Aladdin, Widow Twanky, Jafar, the baddie, Jasmine (wear a belly dancer costume) and of course, the genie. There are also roles for a parrot and monkey.
Peter Pan Yet another great story, full of terrific characters that you can dress up as. Firstly, we have Peter Pan, a green Elf costume will suffice as will some Robin Hood costumes. Captain Hook, Peter Pans arch enemy. You will need to wear a pirate captain costume and of course, you must wear a hook. Smee, Hooks second in command. You will need to wear a standard pirate costume for this character (as played by Bob Hoskins). Wendy wears an old fashioned white nightgown and the lost boys wear medieval peasant style clothing. Green fairy costumes are available to purchase for Tinker Bell. Other characters include: Indians and mermaids.
Alice in Wonderland, choose from Alice herself, The Queen of Hearts, The Mad Hatter or the white Rabbit
Beauty & the Beast. You may need to wear a werewolf mask to get the beast effect. Beauty wears a yellow Victorian style dress. A lot of the characters (Wardrobe, light, tea pot) can be quite difficult to put together unless you are very talented and artistic.
Puss in Boots. We stock a large range of cat masks and accessories as well as over boots, hats and swords.
Jack & the Beanstalk Jack and his mother wear peasant costumes. You may need a very tall friend to go as the giant

British Theme – Song Ideas

Posted on 2nd July, 2012 by Adele

Great songs to play during your British themed event

The White Cliffs of Dover Vera Lynn
The Skye Boat Song Des OConnor & Roger Whittaker
Mull of Kintyre Paul Macartney & wings
London Calling The Clash
Waterloo Sunset The Kinks
Luton Airport Cats UK
Scarborough Fair Simon & Garfunkel
Salisbury Hill Peter Gabriel
Doing The Lambeth Walk
Eton Rifles The Jam
Land of Hope & Glory
Hersham Boys Sham 69
Long Haired Lover from Liverpool Jimmy Osmond
Baker Street Gerry Rafferty
Englishman in New York Sting
Camden Town Suggs
Belfast Boney M
Werewolves of London Warren Zevon
Maybe Its Because Im a Londoner Hubert Gregg
Ferry Cross The Mersey Gerry &the Pacemakers
Warwick Avenue – Duffy

British Costume Ideas

Posted on 2nd July, 2012 by Adele

view

Gryffindor Robe - Harry Potter

£24.00

view

Robin Hood Adult Costume

£31.80

British Fancy Dress Ideas

Us Brits are also know for being a bit eccentric, just look at our traditional pantomimes, so this is also a great costume choice for today. Morris Dancers are also quintessentially British, so can give other potential costume avenues.

Take a look at some of our Great Britains Costume Ideas (not a complete list, but we have given you a wide selection for you to start putting your own thinking caps on)

Quintessentially British

Lord Of The Manor Tweed jacket, plus fours, cap, walking stick
Pantomime character choose from the huge array of potential costumes
Morris Dancers
Cup of Tea
Cucumber Sandwiches
The Royal Family
Fish & Chips why not have this as your food?
Red Telephone Boxes

Famous Britains (Fictional)

Harry Potter
Mary Poppins
Sherlock Holmes
Robin Hood
King Arthur
James Bond
Alice in Wonderland
Famous Five 1940s
Chronicles of Narnia characters
Frankenstein
Scarlet OHara
Oliver
Nancy
Austin Powers
Dr. Evil
Captain Hook
Peter Pan
Del Boy
Jack Sparrow
Willy Wonka

Famous Britains (Real)

The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul MaCartney etc
Jane Austen Regency /Victorian
Nelson bi corn hat
Shakespeare Tudor costume
Queen Victoria Victorian costume
Queen Elizabeth I- Tudor Rich
Queen Elizabeth II overhead mask
Henry VIII Tudor Rich
St. George Knight
Winston Churchill Black suit, black bow tie, bowler hat (cigar!!)
Guy Fawkes Renaissance Prince
Isambard Kingdom Brunel Victorian Man
Charles Darwin Victorian
Sir Isaac Newton Victorian
Diane Spencer (Princess Diana)
Oliver Cromwell Tudor style costume
Captain Cook Georgian style
David Beckham football kit
Margaret Thatcher overhead mask
Boudicca nearest Greek goddess
Charles Dickens Victorian
William Wallace Kilt
Florence Nightingale Victorian ,lace bonnet
Francis Drake Tudor
TE Lawrence Lawrence of Arabia
Julie Andrews nun costume
Bronte sisters Victorian
Lewis Carroll Victorian
Robert Louise Stevenson Victorian
JRR Tolkein wrote Lord of The Rings
CS Lewis wrote Chronicles of Narnia died 1963
Lord Byron Poet Regency