Fancy Dress - advice

[Marmora Man]

Have been invited to Fancy Dress "do" on New Year's Eve. Normally I'd run a mile from such an event but the hosts are old friends so we'll go and must be dressed up!

Theme is Olympics from China to Britain.

Question:

Can any advise on where I might find a John Bull outfit (all web searches turn up are references to 1950 printing sets [which I remember enjoying at the time]) and a Cheong Sam (? sp) or Mandarin Collar jacket for my wife. I'm searching London's theatre land shops tomorrow but any advice received gratefully.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

What about dressing up as 1920s characters in the guise of Eric Liddell who was not only an Olympian but missionary in China?

[Marmora Man]

PGC - thanks for the idea but you haven't seen my legs. Allowing them out in public topped off by baggy 1920's sports shorts would be, just, short of criminal and likely to scare the horses.

[ruffers]

Almost certainly available here http://www.partysuperstores.co.uk/ in Clapham but can't be sure as their search is a bit ropey. Worth a call.

[HonaloochieB]

Easy enough MM, call your so-called 'friend' and inform him you have it on the best authority that in a previous life his wife was a whore.

Further that he was her violent pimp.

It'll sever all relations, and get you out of the entire grisly business for this year and indeed forever.

An end to the embarressment that is attending a 'fancy dress' party and you rid yourself of a couple of schmucks.

You're welcome.

[HonaloochieB]

Though, if you're dead set, Adam Ant in his 'Prince Charming' phase is a good look.

Ridicule is nothing to be scared of, despite what the cabbie says.

[candj]

MM-

Have you tried somewhere in Chinatown for the Cheongsam or Qipao ? I believe they have a few stores that sell cheesy ones which would be fun for a fancy dress party. They probably also sell Mandarin collar jackets as well.

Good luck!

[Marmora Man]

candj Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> MM-

> Have you tried somewhere in Chinatown for the

> Cheongsam or Qipao ? I believe they have a few

> stores that sell cheesy ones which would be fun

> for a fancy dress party. They probably also sell

> Mandarin collar jackets as well.

> Good luck!

Sounds good - will check today.

[RosieH]

If the theme is Olympics from China to Britain, you could go tangental and look at what Chinese year it's going to be for the 2012 olympics (I think it's year of the dragon) and base outfits on that... Actually year of the dragon could be good - would open up a whole host of bruce lee opportunities

[Keef]

There is a new costume shop on Kirkdale, couldn't tell you if It's any good though.

[Jimbob]

lycra, its got to be lycra.

[cdonline]

Perhaps, one of you could go as Mrs Meers from Thoroughly Modern Millie...

http://dannymiller.typepad.com/blog/images/mrsmeers.jpg

[annaj]

MM I've got a "Susie Wang" dress (black and gold, knee length, silk, Cheungsam dress) that I had made in Thailand. It was made for me, so isn't a standard size, but it's about a size 10. Mamora Woman is welcome to borrow it if she wants to.

ps. If that's no good there's a big shop down the grotty end of Oxford Street that sells them.

[Jah Lush]

Pretty sure there's a Fancy Dress shop on Dartmouth Road in Forest Hill or there certainly used to be or there is one further up on Kirkdale.

[annaj]

Mamora Man, as an alternative to the horrors of the grotty end of Oxford street, I was in Covent Garden today and there is a stall there Tuesdays - Fridays with a lovely range of cheugsam and jackets.

[Ladygooner]

Put on a blond wig, table tennis bat in hand and go as Boris Johnson?

[Marmora Man]

Thanks for all the advice - particularly annaj.

Oxford St has provided Mandarin Jacket.

I'm going as a "Morris Man" - can anyone lend me a top hat?? The bells, ribbons, white shirt & trousers I can do my self. Plus hankies & a stick. And No - I won't post a picture!

[Moos]

You can have my opera hat, MM - but take care of it.

[Marmora Man]

Moos - thanks for the offer but have discovered that annaj's grooty end Oxford St shops have v. cheap top hats & bowlers for sale.

[zephyr]

All Dressed Up between Penge and Beckenham

[PeckhamRose]

cdonline was that the actress who played Frasier's agent?

There's a fancy dress costume shop I believe on Honor Oak Road and also I think Upper Tachbrook Street, off Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1.