THE ULTIMATE FANCY DRESS GUIDE

Butlin’s Big Weekenders are the Met Gala of fancy dress. Whether you’re hitting up Back to the 2000s or Bootleg Ball, there’s no better way to get the party started than in costume, and you'll be sharing it all on your socials for months afterwards. Haven’t got a stitch to wear? Here's your ultimate guide to fancy dress ideas, from simple to sensational to shameless!

Why not take inspiration from some legendary acts for your next fancy dress? Make a splash as Slash from Guns N’Roses with a curly long wig, beaten-up top hat, and an inflatable guitar and you’ll be ready to rock out. More into Madness or The Specials? Get your skank on with a sharp suit, checkered waistcoat and pork pie hat for that Two-Tone Ska look.

Want to be the Queen of the ball? Whether you go full Freddie Mercury in a strappy yellow jacket or just his classic white vest and jeans combo, don’t forget the moustache. A stick-on one will do unless you’ve been cultivating your own masterpiece. And of course, it’s not a rock show unless there’s a crowd of you in backcombed hair, ripped jeans and studded leather jacket – whether you’re channelling Bon Jovi or Bonnie Tyler, just make sure to bring extra hairspray.

Why not have a night with the stars? Get the Top Gun look with a flight suit and Aviators, and prepare to be everyone's wingman (or woman) all weekend. Head down to Peckham Market for a dodgy flat cap, cigar and sheepskin coat combo for a perfect Del Boy, or a stick on beard, vest and braces for the ultimate Uncle Albert.

An even easier costume is Mrs Brown – just a wig, specs and housecoat is all you’ll need. Practice a few put-downs and you could even be Mrs Merton. But if you’re feeling more glam than gran, go Absolutely Fabulous with beehives, bandanas and bomber jackets, outrageous jewellery and animal prints, and even a blow-up bottle of Bolly too. Cheers darling.

Want to reach a higher state of costume-ness? Look back to the ’90s acid house scene with neon colours, t-shirts with smiley faces, those all-important visors, and maybe even a bit of UV make-up too. Add plenty of glow sticks to keep the vibes alive all night.
 

Want to go more futuristic? Metallics are a must when you want to shimmer under the strobe lights. You could even go all-out with a mirrored frock or jumpsuit, or dig out something with loads of silver sequins – you’ll become a human mirrorball and be the centre of the dancefloor, literally.

The dressing-up-box might be just a childhood memory, but we still love dressing up as our fave kids character. A red-and-white striped shirt, jam jar specs and bobble had is a quick Where’s Wally look – and you definitely won’t disappear in the crowd. Or how about dungarees, red and green caps, and ’staches for instant Marios and Luigis? Great for on the go-karts (no throwing tortoises please).  

Scooby Doo, Shaggy, Daphne and the gang are a great group choice for fancy dress – and really it’s only Scoob’s dogsuit that takes any real effort. Got more people in your party than you can fit into a Mystery Machine? The others can totally tag along as g-g-ghosts. Alternatively, if you have a surplus of green hair dye and orange pan-stick, throw on some white threads and come as the Oompa Loompas – a great excuse to hang out in our on-resort sweet shop…

Each decade has its own unique fashions, so why not have your own Eras Tour? Take a time machine back to the era that suits you best, or fit your Big Weekender? Unleash your inner hippy with some 70s flower power, groovy tie-die, peace signs and bell bottoms, or dig out your shiny satin shirts and copious amounts of hair gel for some retro rave style.

Prefer to look like a million dollars? Nail the noughties hip-hop superstar look with baggy jeans, oversized bomber jackets, backwards baseball caps and enough fake bling to blind the DJ. Or keep it a bit more simple with some fun printed t-shirts starring icons of the time – it’s the ultimate, easy, go-to nostalgia look.

Well, sometimes you’ve got to look professional – and who doesn’t love a costume with a touch of authority? A classic Big Weekender fancy dress moment came courtesy of a crossing of lollipop ladies – bright white macs, hi-viz vests and homemade stop signs (not that anyone stopped raving).

Looking for some more energetic ideas? Grab the pom poms and scrunchies to form your own cheerleader troupe. Slap on the make-up, red noses and colourful curly wigs, and give your Big Weekender that big top flavour with a clown or mime costume. Or swap the face paint for war paint, and come in camouflage as a platoon of soldiers.

For those who like to go rogue, here are some ideas that are gloriously feral – and perfect for a Big Weekender where anything goes. Want a costume that will stop traffic? Come as a group of traffic cones – you’ll certainly stand out in your very own festival line-up. Or, if you’re more into rainbows, sparkles and mythical beasts, a unicorn onesie will make you feel like the fantasy creature you truly are.

Back in the real wild world, how about a creature costume? A catsuit is all well and good, but wearing full animal print is a grrrrreat choice for fancy dress. Finally, if you want to look truly delicious, pick up a bag of popcorn costume for almost less money than a real one in the cinema – a snack-tacular choice.