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AIBU?

To hate fancy dress?

50 replies

hatefancydress · 18/02/2017 23:17

I've been asked to a fancy dress party. It's a 50th birthday party. Aibu to think this is a pain in the arse? I'm away with work for much of the time between now and then and to be honest have too many other things on my plate. This particular couple seem to think it's fun to dress up for everything- no one I have spoken to seems to think this is fun. They would be offended if I didn't go. Most people are of the opinion it's an extra hassle for those of us that live in the real world. AIBU and mean?

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WorraLiberty · 18/02/2017 23:21

YANBU and I say that as someone who actually does like fancy dress parties.

I've never hosted one though because I would be very aware of putting people out, because like them or loathe them, they are a pain in the arse until you can sort out your costume.

Having said that, their 'offence' is not your problem, so I would definitely politely decline.

They have no right to expect people to be happy with their choices.

cautiousoptimist1 · 18/02/2017 23:22

Yes I think YABU, you don't have to go.

WorraLiberty · 18/02/2017 23:24

I went to one 2 years ago, dressed as an Oxo cube

Trouble was, I didn't really think the transport through in the sense that I wouldn't be able to sit in a taxi.

I ended up taking the bus with a 15 minute walk at either end, much to the amusement of the general public.

Lesson learned

ShoutOutToMyEx · 19/02/2017 00:00

Worra I had the same problem dressed as a pimento olive.

WorraLiberty · 19/02/2017 00:34

Thank god it's not just me.

And there was I thinking I'm a weirdo

Somerville · 19/02/2017 00:42

Oxo cube and pimento on the bus.

Just make an excuse, OP. You don't have to go if you don't have time for, or dislike, the dress code.

I hate fancy dress. DH loves it. He's talked me into one so far, with a literary theme. I went as Pippi Longstocking and people pulled my plaits all evening. Never again.

ShoutOutToMyEx · 19/02/2017 01:31

Yes, I attracted some stares, probably because my face was painted red (that was the pimento you see). I also had bright red tights on, and a fabric and wire khaki shell.

To be fair though, we're in London, and I sometimes think one could walk down the street butt naked and no one would bat an eyelid.

paxillin · 19/02/2017 01:41

Pirate party for a 5th birthday? Bring it on.

Vampire party at college, aged 20? If you must.

Alice in Wonderland do aged 45, juggling job and kids? Fuck off.

echt · 19/02/2017 01:52

You see, this alone is why you need to move to Australia. It is replete with fancy dress shops, even in regional one-horse towns. Something for everyone.

Why this isn't up there on "Wanted Down Under", with the weather/outdoor life, the weather/outdoor life and er... the weather/outdoor life as attractions, is a mystery to me.

What's the theme?

DonaldStott · 19/02/2017 01:58

I detest fancy dress. My mum is having a 60s theme for her 70th, I am dreading it. For some reason, my dh and I ALWAYS fall out at fancy dress.

It's horrid

Plunkette · 19/02/2017 02:02

I agree I hate them. We live in the US where dressing up for adults is pretty common (especially at Halloween) and getting a costume is easy (if expensive) but I still hate it.

It doesn't make me decline an invitation but it does make my heart sink.

I'm not persuaded that anyone has a better night for being in fancy dress.

pissedglitter · 19/02/2017 02:14

I am a nearly 40 year old female with a Comic Con 21st birthday party soon, what the fuck do I dress up as??
Do I dress up? Do I say fuck it?

LoupGarou · 19/02/2017 02:27

YANBU, it can be pain. I do love fancy dress though, I usually go as Tim Burton's the corpse bride as I have a lot of scars which sort of fit the look. We live in the US so are often invited to costume parties. Toddler DS is with me and loves dressing up, DH hates it and every time we get an invitation the dark mutterings about "forced fun" begin.

LagunaBubbles · 19/02/2017 02:38

My DH had a fancy dress party for his 40th a few years ago, with the theme Disney/ Movie characters. It was so much fun and the effort people put in was brilliant. It was an amazing night.

BadLad · 19/02/2017 02:40

I hate them if the costumes are obvious (animals, super heroes etc) but the last one I went to was a dress-up-as-a-chav party, and it was great fun.

FruSkogKattOla · 19/02/2017 06:47

YANBU. I think that paxillin has hit the nail on the head.

After a rather mortifying experience as a child - I thought I'd won a fancy dress competition because I mis-heard the compere's announcement of the first prize winner, only to be told "not you, dear" - I loathe fancy dress!

I would decline the invitation.

bookworm14 · 19/02/2017 06:53

YANBU - I loathe fancy dress. Bloody organised fun.

TheStoic · 19/02/2017 07:00

My last work Christmas party was fancy dress. I was horrified at the thought at first, but then got into the spirit of it.

PunkrockerGirl · 19/02/2017 07:05

YANBU. Complete pain in the arse.
I'd politely decline the invitation.

DrDiva · 19/02/2017 07:06

I went to one where the theme was villains. I dressed normally then chopped a straw in half, stuck the two pieces to my boobs and went as a fembot.

SallyGinnamon · 19/02/2017 07:32

HATE HATE HATE them. (Sorry auto correct did the capitals!!)

I normally do something bland like add some accessories to normal clothes then admire other people's costumes.

Was invited to a heroes party once. DH wore his DJ as James Bond so I wore a suit and just added 1960s glasses as Moneypenny. Another person wore normal clothes with some Cadbury Heroes stapled to a T shirt.

More recently a friend wore a blonde wig from Ebay with a dress and cropped cardi and said she was Bernadette from Big Bang Theory!

echt · 19/02/2017 08:18

Come on OP, what's the theme?

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HearTheThunderRoar · 19/02/2017 08:28

YANBU, absolutely loathe them. The only themed party I've been too in my adult life was my nephew's 21st party about 15 years ago which Hawaiian themed, never ever again.

I felt so naff wearing my DH tropical beach themed shirt (that he got on holiday many moons ago) as a 30 something mother. It was the best I could come up with it, I certainly wasn't going to wear any hula skirts.

My friend is always hosting themed parties with obscure themes, I always politely decline. Too much hassle and I'm too self conscious.

Izzabellasasperella · 19/02/2017 08:39

I love love love fancy dress! My birthday is around Halloween so I always dress up then.
All my parties have had a theme but I usually choose something simple like a colour.

WhoKn0wsWhereTheTimeG0es · 19/02/2017 08:42

Hate, hate, hate and would seriously consider declining. Luckily most of our friends do not inflict this torture on their invitees.

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