Mark Heyes has urged people to embrace fancy dress to boost their confidence and shared his tips on putting together a costume.
Mark Heyes has urged people to embrace fancy dress to boost their confidence.
The celebrity stylist isn’t surprised by research that showed 42% of Brits enjoy a night out more when they are in costume, and a third feeling more confident, while a third also agreed fancy dress creates a more relaxed and playful atmosphere.
Mark said: “This is where people actually have fun. This isn’t about designers or money. It’s about effort, real people and inclusive creativity.
“That’s the magic of fancy dress.
“It gives people permission to step outside themselves. Suddenly it’s not about how you look, it’s about the character you’ve created.”
Mark also highlighted that the standout dress-up looks are being shaped by key cultural moments.
As well as 90s-inspired throwback outfits and viral fashion looks such as Lily Allen’s ‘receipt dress’, revellers are studying major movies like Wuthering Heights and even TV shows such as Gavin and Stacey or I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! to pull together a group look.
The trends were recently showcased at Butlin’s adult only Big Weekender in Minehead, which hosted its first-ever Fancy Dress Fashion Week, a celebration of homegrown creativity that Mark described as “Britain’s answer to the Met Gala”.
Mike Godolphin, Entertainment Director at Butlin’s, said: “Every year, hundreds of thousands of Big Weekender guests arrive in incredible fancy dress.
“It’s a defining part of the experience – a chance to escape, dress up and fully embrace the moment.
“With headline acts, pool parties and non-stop activities all included, our Big Weekenders offer incredible value and a chance for adults to step away from the everyday, dress up and lose themselves in the moment.”
Mark has shared his top tips for the best fancy dress looks, including the importance of accessories, not being afraid to laught at yourself, and not feeling the need to hold back.
Mark Heyes’ top fancy dress tips:
1. Go all out on humour
“Wearing fancy dress is all about having as much fun with your outfit as you can, so use your sense of humour to bring a sense of joy to your look. Whether it’s jumping on a hilarious viral moment or turning something stereotypically serious into a funny fancy dress look, making people laugh is always part of the recipe for a good time. For example, you could take the Met Gala dress code ‘art is fashion’ and add a humorous twist to typically serious fine art by taking a large print-out of the Mona Lisa and cutting out a hole for your face, and accessorising with a large frame from a charity shop.”
2. It’s all about the accessories
“A simple outfit that already exists within your wardrobe can easily be turned into a fancy dress fashion moment with a few simple and affordable accessories – charity shops or Vinted are great for this. Most are available online with next-day delivery and can transform the simplest of looks. Just add a feather boa to a wide-leg trouser or sparkly outfit to create a Harry Styles costume, or accessorise double denim with a cowboy hat and bandana to tap into Cowboy Core. Or even take a recognisable cult film character like Wednesday Addams and add a black plaited wig to an all-black school-esque outfit for minimal effort and maximum impact.”
3. More is more
“When it comes to fancy dress, more really is more. You can never over-accessorise or go too bold, so release your inhibitions and go big. Include props like broomsticks or inflatables to really bring some theatre to your look and create some memorable photos. Something that feels unnatural in the normal world of fashion can also make a stand-out look, like pairing all the different leopard print items in your wardrobe together to lean into the maximalism trend.”
4. Set a budget and be creative
Organising a fancy dress night out and setting a dress code doesn’t mean you have to spend big bucks to look amazing. Set yourself and your friends a £10 limit per person and give everyone the challenge to create effective looks for minimal spend. Vinted or charity shops are brilliant for this! Part of the fun of curating a fancy dress look for a Butlin’s Big Weekender is pulling together clothing and accessories to create something original, so raid charity shops and your friends’ wardrobes, and don’t forget to re-look at fancy dress items you already own from previous occasions”
5. Team up with your mates
“Group looks can really take a fancy dress theme and elevate it to the next level, with many of the most viral fancy dress moments on social media featuring a whole gathering of people in the same outfit. Picture a wall of security guards with black suits and sunglasses on mass, or bold blue Smurfs. Some of the best group looks at a Butlin’s Big Weekender also see everyone take on their own unique character and tap into a cultural phenomenon or the nostalgia trend, like characters from Clueless, Shrek, or Stranger Things.”
Mark Heyes shares confidence-boosting fancy dress tips
