| Fancy dress parties have been around since for | | | | costumes. This interest was more likely than not |
| centuries and were particularly popular in Europe | | | | spurred by the fact that peasant style costumes |
| during the 16th and 17th centuries. Italy is | | | | gave ladies the opportunity to step outside their |
| particularly well known for contributing to the | | | | normally rather strict social codes. While it would |
| popularity of fancy dress parties. There, the | | | | have been unthinkable to appear dressed in a |
| masquerade ball reached frenzied proportions. By | | | | ensemble that allowed too much cleavage or the |
| the time Queen Victoria took the throne much of | | | | ankles to show at any other event; much could |
| Europe, especially England, had lost its appetite for | | | | be forgiven when inspired by fancy dress |
| masquerade but still had a keen interest in fancy | | | | parties.Concepts and ideas were also likely to |
| dress parties. The Queen's interest in literature, | | | | appear in the form of costumes to be worn at |
| poetry and history had a tremendous impact on | | | | fancy dress parties. Seasons and holidays were |
| the themes for fancy dress parties throughout | | | | popular choices. Creativity allowed ladies to |
| her long reign.During a time when Europeans | | | | makeover costumes used for prior occasions to |
| entertained often and lavishly, fancy dress parties | | | | suit their whimsy for an upcoming fancy dress |
| were often called upon to break up the | | | | party. With just the addition of a few trimmings, |
| monotony of what might have been another | | | | an otherwise ordinary gown could be transformed |
| otherwise boring social event. Almost any notable | | | | into a representation of anything the lady |
| figure in history and literature was likely to spur | | | | wished.Today fancy dress parties are not as |
| the imaginations of fancy dress party guests. | | | | popular as they were during the height of the |
| While characters from literature, especially the | | | | Victorian era. The opportunity to dress as your |
| Shakespearean plays, remained popular choices | | | | favorite historical character, or any character for |
| for fancy dress parties throughout much of the | | | | that matter, has unfortunately often been |
| century; a quest for increasingly unique and | | | | relegated to Halloween. Should you have an |
| creative costumes began to appear.Fancy dress | | | | upcoming event to celebrate, or just want an |
| parties were concentrated among those who | | | | excuse to get some friends together, why not |
| could afford to devote the time and money to | | | | consider throwing a good old fashioned fancy |
| such lavish events; however that didn't mean that | | | | dress party? Chances are you have just the right |
| a few peasants didn't make their way onto the | | | | ensemble in the back of your closet that can be |
| guest list. Throughout most of the 19th century | | | | reworked with a few embellishments to form the |
| there remained a keen interest in the less | | | | perfect costume. |
| fortunate as the subject for possible fancy dress | | | | |