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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to go to a hen party but not dress up for the theme?

189 replies

ncob · 24/06/2024 10:07

It's a theme I own nothing for already and not keen to splurge on fast fashion for an outfit and accessories that I will never use again. Keen to attend the event though and paid for it already. WWYD?

OP posts:
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14
Ivymom · 25/06/2024 18:02

I would wear denim bottoms, solid top and a bandana. You can often find fancy bandanas and cowboy hats at party stores.

Grammarnut · 25/06/2024 17:51

ncob · 24/06/2024 11:30

Thanks for the suggestions all! Maybe I'm just useless at fancy dress.
Live in a small town and already raided local charity shops- so needs to be bought online. Any suggestions for "glamorous" cowgirl options which I think is more the style?

Get a cowboy hat with glitter on it. Wear a chunky belt over the check shirt and jeans/shorts. Make-up - think Country and Western.

Mintchocco · 25/06/2024 12:25

HadEnoughOfBears · 25/06/2024 10:41

Wondering if I know you...

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haha maybe although thinking about it, probably a fair few upcoming brides with the name beginning with H and a cowgirl theme hen!

HadEnoughOfBears · 25/06/2024 10:41

Mintchocco · 24/06/2024 13:13

brides name doesn't begin with a H by any chance 🤔

Wondering if I know you...

tabulahrasa · 25/06/2024 08:01

If you don’t want to go down the denim route, a floral sundress or one with a square neckline and a cowboy hat would also work.

TiddlyCove · 25/06/2024 05:50

Have you tried eBay for something cheap and second hand? Agree with pp that you should go with the one or two obvious accessories approach. Cowboy hat; waistcoat with sheriff badge on it (you could make one out of tin-foil) normal denim jeans or denim skirt; ankle boots. Or channel the film 'Parenthood' and make some chaps out of an old bathmat 😄

erinaceus · 25/06/2024 05:43

I also loathe fancy dress and take the “take one obvious accessory along and you’re done” approach. Try one of these:

  1. Do you have access to any rope? Dismember a skipping rope? Or if you’ve got enough chutzpah even some string? Make a lasso and twirl it around your head.
  2. Do you have DC or friends with DC who would loan you a toy horse? Or find one in a charity shop. A cuddly toy would be good but even a plastic horse from a play farm set would do. Give it a name and when people say “where’s your costume” wave it around enthusiastically and say “I brought an entire horse, meet Jessie. Neigh.” A hobby horse would also work.
  3. Use some tinfoil to make an oversized belt buckle and some spurs for your boots.

Good luck, let us know if further suggestions are needed.

autienotnaughty · 25/06/2024 04:32

I went to a cowgirl hen do recently. People wore jeans with vest tops or check shirts, flower dresses, denim dresses. With either boots or hat or both.

I'd buy a cowboy hat and find something in my wardrobe

But yes everyone dressed up

BadLad · 25/06/2024 04:18

I went very last minute to a monopoly theme party. I wrote a card with 'community' and tucked it into my bra strap.

Seems everyone else ignored this or didn’t get it, but I laughed.

Needanewname42 · 25/06/2024 04:06

Do you have any scouts in your life, borrow their neckie, wear it bandana style

Checked or denim shirt

Hat

Most photos will be waist up I wouldn't worry about Jeans if you don't have them

ooooohnoooooo · 25/06/2024 03:55

I'd buy a cow mask and be done with it 😬

Sparklybutold · 25/06/2024 01:54

Dear OP, i have attended hen parties in thr past and have chosen not to get dressed up because I felt so subconscious of how I would look. The fact that I would be the only one not dressed up didn't make up for how awful I felt about myself. Money and stress also contributed to not being able to get in the right head space. I was also aware of missing out on the memo, I saw mums and daughters dressing up
Together but I just couldn't get on board, but then I've always felt painfully on the outside looking in.

For me there was something about not feeling worthy enough to get dressed up? It felt pointless and my low mood just couldn't budge from how utterly sad I felt. Just going took everything out of me!

Castle0 · 25/06/2024 01:48

katepilar · 24/06/2024 11:58

Must own a pair of denim shorts?

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Must own as in, surely do?
not
Must own as in, you HAVE to!

Coatsoff42 · 24/06/2024 20:35

ncob · 24/06/2024 11:30

Thanks for the suggestions all! Maybe I'm just useless at fancy dress.
Live in a small town and already raided local charity shops- so needs to be bought online. Any suggestions for "glamorous" cowgirl options which I think is more the style?

Google Kate moss at ronnie woods Wild West 50th. Suede top, denim shorts, ordinary ankle boots, fake pistol. Fag optional.

RampantIvy · 24/06/2024 20:23

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Clearly, no-one's opinion bothers you, but your lack of moral compass bothers me and a number of other posters on this thread.

TheTripThatWasnt · 24/06/2024 18:26

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Easier and more convenient for you to put in the bin... where it will then sit in landfill for the next few generations.

Your recycling presumably gets collected every 2 weeks? All you'd have to do is put it out with that.
If you're listing on Vinted then photographing, listing, packing up, taking to the post office etc is considerably more effort than simply putting an extra bag out with your recycling.

EC22 · 24/06/2024 18:17

A token nod to the theme is all that’s required. If you make no effort apart I think it looks like you can’t be bothered.

S0livagant · 24/06/2024 18:14

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Salvation Army or similar bin in a supermarket carpark? Ridiculously quick and easy.

ThisNaiceLemonSloth · 24/06/2024 18:09

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ThisNaiceLemonSloth · 24/06/2024 18:08

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Poppysmom22 · 24/06/2024 17:03

I bought what I thought was going to be a cheap crappy Stetson for a similar thing it came it was superb quality and looked so good on I wore it for years and I rocked that hat

RampantIvy · 24/06/2024 16:56

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Are you really as lazy, thoughtless and self centered in real life as you are on this thread?

TheTripThatWasnt · 24/06/2024 16:32

@ThisNaiceLemonSloth What is it about the slave labour that doesn't bother you?
I get (even if I don't agree) that people don't care about the environmental aspect. I know there's a lot of 'I'm not doing my bit because China etc etc etc', but the likes of Temu, Shein etc have truly awful practices in the way they use child labour etc.

Many councils collect fabric scraps/rags/used clothes as part of their standard curbside recyling programme. If you can't be bothered to take to a charity shop, would you at least be bothered to check your council's website (will take 2 mins max) and then put your clothes out for recycling (if they do collect) rather than putting it all in landfill?

ThisNaiceLemonSloth · 24/06/2024 16:17

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ThisNaiceLemonSloth · 24/06/2024 16:03

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