"Fancy dress" is mainly a British term dating back to the Victorian era. Prior to that, masquerade parties were all the rage. Because party-goers were masked and costumed and therefore anonymous, they had a tendency to act in an inappropriate manner. People were a lot bolder than when dressed in their everyday clothes. To discourage this behaviour, masquerade parties fell out of fashion with the social elite. Instead, parties where costumes were required but masks weren't became fashionable. To differentiate them from the scandalous masquerade parties, they became known as parties of "fancy dress".
Fancy dress parties became popular for private as well as public occasions. Queen Victoria was well known for her liking of fancy dress and used to throw parties of this sort quite often. If there was something to celebrate, there was a good chance it would be celebrated in costume.
Risqué or fanciful costumes were considered inappropriate and in bad taste, so party-goers would dress in costumes of historical or literary significance. Shakespeare became a popular theme as did native costumes from other countries, though some of them would be viewed as politically incorrect during this day and age. Other common costumes portrayed seasons, such as the "winter," which entailed dressing in a fashionable white dress adorned with elegant accessories such as sparkly "icicles." Peasant dresses were also fashionable as they were considered "romantic" and perhaps a bit racier than costumes that covered cleavage, arms and legs.
In those times, Fancy Dress parties indicated a certain moral standard. Men didn't dress as women; women didn't dress as men and body parts weren't exposed. This was, after all, polite society and such behaviour was beneath them.
These days, "Fancy Dress" is just a glorified term for a costume party and pretty much anything goes. Most fancy dress parties are to celebrate Halloween, hen and stag do's, anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas and Easter.
Costume parties are popular for a number of reasons. For one thing, while dressed as someone else, you get to take on another persona for that time. If you are part of a group of like-minded people dressing to a certain theme, then you get a feeling of belonging. Dressing in costume is also a chance to show of your creativity and individuality.
There are endless costumes that you can dress up in – the more imaginative the better. You can go as your favourite superhero, a monster, a war hero, historical figures (like Cleopatra), characters from books and TV, celebrities and animals.
Dressing with originality can be a conversation starter and icebreaker. It creates a lot of different and sometimes strange laughs, looking at what people have come as, what crazy thoughts people have and learn whose favourite character is.
The main thing with fancy dress is that everyone dresses up in ridiculous, funny and imaginative costumes and for everyone to enjoy themselves.
