It’s a well known fact that us British are thought to be eccentric by the rest of the world, well let’s show them that we are all completely mad with an All Things British Fancy Dress Themed party today!
Even though it’s Sunday, dawn will see many strange costumed creatures emerging from their lairs to welcome the day. These will be Morris Men (and Women) who see Mayday as the traditional first day of summer and therefore the start of their dance ‘season’. Some will merely mark this with a few dances at dawn and then, after a breakfast and possibly a few early ales, a day of dance at local hostelries and venues. Others will be more ambitious and include a giant walking (and occasionally dancing bush, The Jack in the Green, in their celebrations. In other areas of folklore, May 1st (or at least its eve) has marked one of the major witches’ sabbats, Beltane, which means it is six months to Halloween. Today’s theme – if you need one – ‘There’s nowt so strange as Folk’! Or, if this is too difficult, why not ‘All Things British’
We’ve some great British costume ideas but if you still need more costume inspiration, just think of famous Britains’ (and there have been a few!). And, if all else fails, what about some of The Little Britain Character Costumes?
Today, we celebrate The Best Of British as our fancy dress theme. The patriotic elements of this month are coming to a climax. Although we are in the middle of the Easter weekend, today is also St George’s Day, the Patron Saint of England, and the anniversaries of the birth (1564) of William Shakespeare, one of the greatest Englishmen, and of the coronation of Charles II in 1616. The latter event brought about the restoration of the British monarchy. We are also less than a week from the Wedding, so this is a great time for planning your Best of British event or putting the final touches in place for next week’s celebrations.
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…)
Given that we’re in a month which may see a good many Union Jack flags in evidence on the streets, today we celebrate the date upon which the flag was ‘born’. On April 12th in 1606 a royal decree legitimised the combination of the English George Cross (red on a white background) with the blue and white saltire (St Andrew’s Cross) of Scotland and the diagonal red cross on white background of St Patrick of Ireland. (Apparently because Wales was a Principality, it didn’t get represented). Although many argue that the term ‘Jack’ only applies to the maritime version, this is debatable and certainly doesn’t stop our flag being one of the most colourful and instantly recognisable in the world. So today, metaphorically, we salute the flag and remind you that time is running out to get your stocks of patriotic merchandise in for St George’s Day (23rd), the Royal Wedding (29th) and, in the longer term, the Jubilee next year!
So theme options that you may decide on include:
Red White & Blue Colour Scheme – including costumes, or masquerade masks
Famous Britains – we have some ideas on this British Theme Blog
We are going to celebrate everything British – in today’s fancy dress theme.
You win some and you lose some: It was on 25th October in 1415 that Henry V led the famous English victory against the French at Agincourt. Even those not ‘into’ Shakespeare will have likely heard of the rousing St Crispin’s Day speech from the Henry V play in which the King rallies his troops. On the other hand the date also marks one
Union Jack Ladies costume
of the major acts of military foolishness in the Crimea War – The Charge of The Light Brigade during the Battle of Balaklava – in which the British leaders pitted cavalrymen against the Russian guns with disastrous consequences. Militaristic anniversaries aside, today is also the date upon which John Peel, the well-respected DJ, sadly died in 2004. Perhaps today’s a day to celebrate things British.
So what costume suggesstions do we have? Well there are lots of ways that you can attack this particular costume theme. Below is just a few of our fancy dress ideas…
Pantomime – Yes this eccentric tradition is pure British. Gives you a whole host of costume choices from a poor Cinderella costume to a dashing Prince Charming and everything in between.
Morris Dancers
Politicians – there is a range of overhead masks that includes many of our previous Prime Ministers
Themed party today!
