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