10 Budget Ideas For Fancy Dress Costumes

If you are looking for a cheap idea for a fancy dress outfit, you should not have to look far. It is simple, painless, and fun to throw together fancy dress costumes even when money is tight and times are hard. With the whole family pulling together to find the best costume, it can come together in a matter of minutes and it can be a fun adventure that your family may repeat for many years to come. So here are some great ideas for cheap fancy dress outfits:

Fancy Dress Costumes - Female

1. Fairy Godmother
Find any party dress from a local thrift store or the back of one’s closet. An inexpensive tiara and wand can be easily purchased at any place that sells costume supplies. Fairy wings can also be added, either purchased or handmade out of cardboard and glittering spray paint.

2. Witch
Witch clothes do not have to be all black! The same party dress can double as a witch costume if a black dress cannot be found. Simply pair with a black, pointed hat and black boots.

3. Mermaid
A girl who owns a single-color leotard can easily be transformed into a mermaid. Over the leotard and tights, loosely wrap green tinted cellophane over the legs. Glue on purchased shells throughout, placing some in the child’s hair as well.

4. Ragdoll
The easiest of all costumes, the most troublesome piece of the ragdoll is the hair. Clothes can be salvaged from the back of the closet or from a thrift store, but the wig should be made from gathering together red yarn, cut short in the front for long bangs. The child’s face should be painted with heavy makeup, resembling that of a clown.

5. Angel

This is a fun outfit for young ladies looking for Christmas fancy dress outfits.
A white dress paired with either a bought or homemade halo and wings (such as those for the fairy godmother) are all that are needed for an angel. To make a halo, use a wire hanger, bent into a circle on one end, wrapped in Christmas tinsel.

Fancy Dress Costumes - Male

1. Pirate
One of the most popular costumes for boys these days is a pirate. Pirate costumes consist of little more than ripped pants, a striped shirt, and a vest. All of these items are easily found at thrift stores. Purchase an eyepatch, a pirate’s hat, and a plastic sword to complete the ensemble.

2. Elvis Presley
The Elvis costume takes a bit of ingenuity. Consider using a jumpsuit, if one can be found, or a pair of pants and shirt that are the same color (black works great). Add a sequined belt - the bigger the better. If your child does not have enough hair to tease into a pompadour, an Elvis wig can be purchased at costume shops.

3. Cowboy
Play cowboy hats are very inexpensive if your child does not already own one. The rest of the outfit can likely be found right in his closet! Use a button down shirt, a vest, a pair of jeans, and some boots for the ensemble. Add a red bandana tied around the neck. For little ones, stick horses can add a lot of fun to the costume.

4. Vampire
A white shirt and black pants are the only clothes required for a vampire. Purchase vampire teeth and the outfit is done! For makeup, use white powder on the face, dark eyeliner around the eyes, and red lipstick. Slick his hair back for added effect.

5. Sports Hero
Most little boys are wild about one sport or another, so finding sports paraphernalia in his closet should not be difficult at all. Simply raid the closet and pull out his favorite jersey or t-shirt and add the matching equipment. This is the least expensive and easiest of all dress costumes!

If you are looking for plus size fancy dress costumes, then why not go as a ghost or the ever popular Father Christmas.

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