Category Archives: Dickensian Fancy Dress

Dickensian Costumes

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We often get customers in the fancy dress shop, (or on the phone or email) asking us for a Dickensian costume, but getting confused as to what ‘Dickensian’ actually is. TheLadies Victorian Costumes easiest answer is Victorian and any of our large range of Victorian costumes would suffice for this theme, always very popular at this time of the year.

Looking at Charles Dickens books, some of the most popular characters include:

  • Mr Pickwick
  • Scrooge
  • Bob Cratchett
  • Captain Cuttle
  • David Copperfield
  • Pip
  • Miss Haversham – wear an old wedding dress
  • Fagin
  • Oliver Twist
  • Nancy
  • The Artful Dodger
  • Mr Bumble
  • Bill Sykes
  • Wackford Squeers – wear a headteacher’s gown and mortar board (1 eyed character)

It was upon this day in 1843, that the classic festive favourite by Charles Dickens – ‘A Christmas Carol’ was published. Unusual in that it has ‘staves’ instead of chapters, for many, the book is an integral part of the Festive season. As we have mentioned previously, February 2012 sees the 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth, and although celebrations are being planned for next year, the BBC and others are taking the opportunity to hop on the band-wagon early with some Dickensian productions over the Christmas period: Elsewhere, in the alternate universe that is comic books and graphic novels, there is a new Batman/Dark Knight story ‘Batman Noel’ based on the Christmas Carol concept with the ‘loner’ Batman beset with recrimination and troublesome spirits played by the Joker, Catwoman and Superman.

A Christmas Carol |Victorian | Dickensian Fancy Dress Theme

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Three fancy dress themes today, although they are all basically the same thing. After the adventure of the Christmas Presents in the Nutcracker

Burlesque Style Ladies Victorian Costume

Burlesque Style Ladies Victorian Costume

 yesterday, today we celebrate a different type of Christmas Present, noting  the publication of another seasonal staple ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens in 1843. The book was somewhat unusual insofar as it was published in ‘staves’ instead of chapters, but the essence of the story – a miserly man, Ebenezer Scrooge, is shown aspects of his life by three spirits, Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet To Come – is known to most even if they have not read the book, due to there having been several filmed versions, including one by the Muppets!

Whilst a Dickensian theme might be worth suggesting, many find the costuming a little too complex (not too many Dickensian costumes on the Net) or expensive, so with Christmas now less than a week away, why not allow people to create their own costumed concepts of Christmas Past, Present or Future?  You could also advise people to wear Victorian costumes, always a good theme for this festive time of the year. Don’t forget Moulin Rouge, Burlesque and the Wild West (Saloon girl costumes) are all from this era, so you do not need ot stick to a traditional Victorian costume.

If this is still too difficult, why not just have a Christmas, or ‘My Best Christmas Present Ever’ party. We thing the ‘Best Christmas Present Ever’ would be a great theme. You may remember getting Cluedo, so why not dress up as Colnel Mustard, or Miss Scarlet – get the idea? I have a story regarding a Monopoly game one year (I will not bore you with it, but I could always dress up as a dog as this was my favourite marker!)