Today we have a touch of La Dolce Vita with our Italian Costume theme because it is the national day of Italy, celebrating the country becoming a republic in 1946. Whilst food for an 
Italian theme event is not too much of a problem – all those different types of pasta and a good selection of wines – when it comes to costuming, your choices are either Ancient or Modern. By Ancient we of course mean the Roman Empire, and for many, the idea of a toga party is always a quick and simple favourite. On the Modern side, things are a little more complex because aside from the fashionistas of Milan or the Mafia of Sicily, most people’s thoughts gravitate towards Venice, ‘the most beautiful city built by man’ which, of course, is a world leader when it comes to matters of masquerade. By a strange coincidence, we will be returning to ‘La Serenissima’ later this week.
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 colesseum
- Romeo & Juliet – set in Verona
