Fancy dress costume ideas - film

[Persilwhite]

I've been invited to a fancy dress party and the theme is film characters.
Obviously this is a fantastic theme and gives you a great choice of how you want to look. The thing is I'm feeling particularly dumpy and frumpy at the moment and can't thing of anything I'd like to wear.

I'm pear shaped, in my 40s with short dark hair. The bits I'd like to cover are bingo wings, stomach and thighs. Otherwise I'm gorgeous

The other thing is that it needs to be as cheap as possible and I don't want to look as if I've put too much effort in, so something that I'll feel happy and partyish in, that is still comfortable - that's not too much to ask, is it?

Does anyone have any good suggestions?

How about Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction? Long sleeve white shirt, cropped black trousers, party wig and you're good to go.

Just found a suitable wig for 2.63 on Ebay

wig

Taking a lead from how you describe your hair, how about a 1920's Louise Brooks look?
Can't claim to have seen any of her films but the 1920's look is fabulous and v. partyish.

Ooh, suggestions. Thank you.

Lurleene I had wondered about Pulp Fiction but I don't seem to be wearing trousers at the moment too tight and it's possibly the sort of thing lots of other lazy people might go for. Really might have to buy a £2.63 wig though just because.

Littlefiend I had also thought about Louise Brooks as I have a couple of 20s dresses. (Not really spent way too much time thinking about this when I ought to have been working). My hair isn't really the right shape but I could probably do something with it. I used to have a perfect Louise Brooks bob. It was the 80s and was worn with lots of dark red lipstick. One dress would definitely fit. The other might not. Do you think I'd need to know any of her films? I've got a bit of time to research.

White nightie, plenty of smudgy eyeshadow under your eyes....girl from The Ring!

I don't do horror films so I had to look that up. She looks very scary. Would be comfy though! I had wondered about Wednesday Addams.

Or Mary Poppins?

With just a parka, pillow and obscure Minnesotan accent you could be the Frances McDormand character in Fargo?

Or, my personal favourite, you and a friend just need to wrap yourselves artfully in astroturf and you can be the hills from The Sound of Music?

White t shirt, fake blood all over it, Alien written on it with a pen, then make a chest hole and stick a purple minion cuddly toy in it or something similar.

Are you sure you hate your arms because holly go lightly is an easy party look.

Yes, Holly Golightly- just wear a short cardi if you don't want to show your arms.

Yes, persil please do watch a Louise Brooks film or two.

Then come and report back if they're entertaining, please

Loving the more random ideas but I'd like to aim for at least reasonably attractive if not full on glamour. Sorry.

Burnished and BOF - I love the idea of Holly but I think it might be the sort of party where lots of other people will have had the same idea.

Littlefiend - I'll see what I can do.

So no one is keen on the idea of Wednesday Addams or Mary Poppins then?

Wednesday Adams should be easy enough. I think Mary Poppins would mean buying quite a few things that you'd never wear again. Do you have any leather/pleather? Trinity from the Matrix could work with sunglasses and your hair slicked back.

Pirate from one of the many Pirates of the Caribbean?

Ah... so you wan't be interested in my Kathy Bates in Misery idea then OP?

But what about Mrs Robinson from The Graduate? Just need a leopard print coat, cigarette holder, a hint of bra strap, a killer blow dry, and stacks of eyeliner and attitude? (Think I might pinch this one).

Ooh I like Mrs Robinson. I must remember that one.
Madonna from desperately seeking susan would be fun to put together.

Thank you for all your suggestions. I'm sorry if I'm coming across as a bit negative. I just feel very frumpy at the moment and, as I'm not going to know many people at the party, I want to find something that I'll feel happy in.

It would also be good if people could tell who I was, ie I'm not sure I could pull off Trinity although I do have a tiny, 25 year old, pleather top somewhere.

I'm most drawn to Louise Brooks or Wednesday Addams. Perhaps I should see if my 20s dress fits.

I did also wonder about Desperately Seeking Susan. Or Molly Ringwald from Pretty in Pink but when I looked at the clothes it was all a bit of a mish mash and nothing I had in my wardrobe (and I'm not a redhead).

Actually finding it really tricky to think of glamorous ideas! Love the Mrs Robinson idea.

There's always the old chestnut of evening dress = bond girl? Bit stale though...

Not conventionally glam but Diane Keaton in Annie Hall?

1920s idea is good - how good are you at makeup? Depending on what colour your dress is something like this could look amazing. 20s theme could also be Gatsby or Chicago inspired?

This? The polo scene in pretty woman (could maybe add a cardi if self conscious about arms?)

Yellow jumper, beret, pencil skirt, silk scarf - Bonnie from Bonnie and Clyde?

If you have anything vaguely 1940/50s and can get a blonde wig you could be one of Hitchcock's blondes? Add fake birds and you're Tippi Hedren?

You say you've got short hair, with a dark cotton dress, a guitar and an apron could you be maria in the sound of music?

Stepford Wife - 70s style?