Fancy dress on a budget

[muminthecity]

The thought of fancy dress usually fills me with horror, I can't even remember the last fancy dress party I went to - I was probably about 6!

However, a really good friend who I love dearly is having an Alice in wonderland themed party in a couple of weeks to celebrate a big birthday. Everyone will be dressed up. I have a budget of £40 maximum, I can't be Alice but happy to go as any other character. I've had a look online but I really don't want to pay out for something cheap and nasty looking that looks like it could burst into flames at any moment. Nor do I want to look like a porn star, which limits my options in terms of ready made costumes!

I am hoping someone out there can offer me some inspiration. Thanks in advance for any thoughts/ideas

[muminthecity]

Oh I should've mentioned, I am a size 18 - which again, further limits my options!

[RaeSkywalker]

I went as a playing card to an Alice party! Long white top with card numbers/ symbols on. Black trousers/ leggings. Job's a good 'un. There will probably be lots of hatters/ white rabbits, but a rabbit is easy to do...

One of my friends cut up a blue sleeping bag and came as the caterpillar, it was immense.

[ZaZathecat]

I was also going to suggest the playing card option. You could make it out of an old white sheet.

[muminthecity]

Thank you, I hadn't thought of the playing card option! How could I make it look like I've made an effort? I'm not very creative as you may have guessed!

[RaeSkywalker]

Well you could cut the shapes out of coloured card/ paper and pin on, or fabric pens/ paint.

You'll need a bucket and paintbrush for "painting the roses red"

I've attached a full-on fancy dress image- I couldn't be bothered with going this far though! You could use the picture as an idea source, and copy the card part, but using a a sheet as Za says.

[Pantsalive]

If you have a red or black dress (or can get one from a charity shop), it would be quite easy to be the Queen of Hearts. Just sew, glue or bondaweb some hearts to the dress. Get, borrow or make a crown, adding more hearts if necessary. Maybe some fabric as a cloak.

This website is great for costume inspiration. I expect there are also plenty of things on Pinterest.

(I have know people dress as hedgehogs and flamingos but that might be more effort than you want to go for!)

[Pantsalive]

This is really simple and she hasn't even stuck hearts on her dress. You could possibly borrow one if you don't have one and save even more money.