Fancy Collection (#36)

Carnival Scene in Havana, Cuba Date: circa 1910s

Sorcerers Costume
A rather camp Sorcerers costume, in brown and yellow velvet! Date: 1930s

PARTY WEAR
A cheeky young woman, sporting a mini boater hat, an eye mask and holding a glass of bubbly - perfect for that naughty fancy dress party! Date: 1930s

Ideas for Christmas presents for children, 1930
Page of ideas in The Tatler for Christmas gifts for children, including a pretty party frock from Rowe, a toy motor-car from Selfridges with Flip the Frog and his family, a toddle cart

Two boys playing at riding a Carriage. One urges on the team of four piebald hobby horses with a whip, while the other sends forth a blast on his horn announcing their departure. Date: circa 1910s

Hamleys Fancy Dress costume advertisement
Advertisement for inexpensive fancy dress costumes available from Hamleys world-famous toy shop on Regent Street, London. Featured costumes include a Chinaman, minature golf and Micky Mouse

Sketch cover - Mrs Charles Sweeny as the Queen of Light
Mrs Charles Sweeny, formerly Miss Margaret Whigham and later the Duchess of Argyll (1912 - 1993), pictured as the Queen of Light in the Pageant of Industries at the British Industries Dinner Ball

Prince of the Carnival - Cologne, Germany
Prince of the Carnival - The Rhine Wine Feast held in Cologne, Germany - February 1939. Date: 1939

Polish Scouts performing at an event circa 1930s

Tatler front cover, 2 March 1960
Front cover of The Tatler featuring a girl in a fancy dress mask, getting changed behind an antique screen, a fur coat and bouquet of roses lying on a chair nearby

Chiaous Bashi, Official of the Sublime Porte
A Chiaous Bashi, an official of the Sublime Porte. He was in charge of the court messengers and announced those wishing an audience with the Sultan, amongst other duties and responsibilities

Latest dance records, 1923
An advertisement for the latest 10 inch, double sided records from the Gramophone Company. Date: 1923

Sketch front cover - Lady Pamela Smith as Camargo
LADY PAMELA SMITH (1915 - 1982), younger daughter of the 1st earl of Birkenhead. In 1936 she married Hon. William Michael Berry, Baron Hartwell, and was later styled Baroness Hartwell

Rationing - WW1 - Fancy Dress Costume
Rationing was introduced into Britain at the tale end of World War One - in February 1918. Rationing was introduced in response to an effective U-boat campaign and during World War One

France - French Women perform Japanese Dance
France - French Women perform a Japanese Dance, wearing a very Euro-centric interpretation of Japanese costume. Date: circa 1904

Five Pierrot Ladies Date: 1910s

English Merchant 1599
Sir Nicholas Mosley is a clothworker, who this year has been chosen Lord Mayor of the City of London : his clothes are smart, but nothing fancy Date: 1599

Preparing for Masquerade
Preparing for a Masquerade: people in traditional costumes including Harlequin, Mr Punch, Pierrot, a nun and a monk Date: circa 1825

Fancy Breads
Fancy breads of fermented sweet dough Date: early 20th century

Pierrot Entertainers
A seaside concert party group of pierrot entertainers Date: early 20th century

Violet and the Doll Fairy, showing a little girl called Violet with a life-sized doll who comes to life as a fairy and takes her to a fancy dress party. Date: 1900

Expert Ice Skater 1930S
A young woman shows off some fancy moves, a small crowd watches with interest. Date: 1930s

Pierrot costume
A couple dancing in pierrot costume 1924

Eggenberg Castle, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Graz, Styria, Austria, Europe

Europe, England, London. Gilded gate outside of Kensington Palace

Britannia and Eve Christmas cover 1940
Front cover illustration featuring a beautiful 1940s woman wrapped up in a Santa robe, her alluring smile peeping out from within the hood

Masquerade Ball
Ball, Twelfth Night Masquerade, Stevens Residence

Peg Woffington
Suggestion for a fancy dress costume for a late Victorian party goer - Peg Woffington, a well known Irish actress of Georgian London

Watteau fancy dress costume
Suggestion for a fancy dress costume from 1884 for a fanciful 18th century heroine from a rococo painting by Watteau. Reproducing the picturesque and charming beings from Watteaus work

An Incroyable
A fancy dress costume from 1884, suggesting an Incroyable from 1798. She wears a short red, white and blue skirt, blue satin coat with tails and revers at throat; the lappet

Mrs Balchristie
Fancy dress costume idea from 1884 for Mrs Balchristie, a character from Sir Walter Scotts Heart of Midlothian. The costume comprises a dark dress, plain skirt, low square bodice

Miss Hardcastle
Fancy dress costume suggesting the character of Miss Hardcastle from She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith. The outfit comprises of a short skirt of olive green made plain

Monte Carlo fancy dress costume
A fancy dress suggestion of a costume representing Monte Carlo. The dress is half red satin and half black velvet with one red shoe and the other black

Aesthetic maiden
A fancy dress costume idea from 1884 - an aesthetic maiden. The costume comprises a loose flowing half skirt and a half high classical bodice with ribbon belt around the waist

The Hornet
Fancy dress costume suggestion for 1884. Why not go as a hornet. All you need is a short black dress, black satin boots, a tunic pointed front and back of black

The Witch, fancy dress
Fancy dress costume suggestion for 1884. To go as a Witch it is suggested to wear a quilted petticoat touching the ground, a chintz tunic open at the front and bunched up, a muslin apron

Sangers Circus parade, Haverfordwest, South Wales
Street scene, showing part of Sangers Circus parade during a visit to Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Dyfed, South Wales. This elaborate horse-drawn carriage includes a lion and a lamb

Sangers Circus visiting Haverfordwest, South Wales
Street scene, showing Sangers Circus visiting Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Dyfed, South Wales. There are two elaborate horse-drawn carriages, with riders dressed in fancy costumes

Dancing Couple by Susan Beatrice Pearse
Two children at a fancy dress party dance together, he in a striped suit reminiscent of the French Revolution and she in fairy style tutu

Pierrots at Langho Colony, Ribblesdale, Lancashire
The Blackwites pierrot troupe at the Langho Colony in 1925. The colony, at Langho in Ribblesdale, Lancashire, was set up in 1906 by the Chorlton

Christmas Lanterns
Two small children dressed in party finery hang out a line of pretty Chinese lanterns

Dressed for a Charade
A small boy dressed in a confusing variety of historical fancy dress items presents himself for an elaborate game of charades

Christmas cracker box design
A jolly design for a box of Christmas crackers featuring three children; two are taking wicked enjoyment in pulling a cracker and frightening an innocent looking little blonde girl

Fancy Dress Costume in the Snow by Elsie Harding
A couple in fancy dress (Harlequin and Columbine) try to keep warm next to a rather small fire. Not quite sure how they ended up in the middle of nowhere in the snow

Briggs and the King Wenceslas Spirit by Graham
Strip cartoon Graham showing a loyal and put-upon butler helping his employer to dress in a Father Christmas costume, and heaving a huge sack of toys towards a childrens party where Father Christmas

1920S Fancy Dress Party
A group of revellers smoke, dance and wear fancy dress at a typical Bright Young Things party of the twenties

Tatler Christmas Number 1910
Front cover of the Tatler Xmas Number 1910 designed by William Barribal. A jolly young woman looks ready for a party with her hair adorned with bells and a jester, as well as jester earrings

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Step into a world of elegance and sophistication with the captivating allure of "fancy". From the regal Fancy Pigeon Breeds, adorned in vibrant plumage, to the iconic Sobranie cigarettes advertisement that exuded timeless glamour in 1963. Transport yourself to the enchanting Regatta and Carnival Week in Fowey, Cornwall, where festivities filled the air with joyous melodies and colorful costumes during that memorable August of 1993. Witness the breathtaking sight of racing pigeons taking flight as they embark on their journey towards victory. Immerse yourself in an era gone by with The Bright Young People's mock Rayner-Ponsonby wedding. A whimsical celebration reminiscent of a bygone era filled with opulence and grandeur. Marvel at an antique map showcasing Victoria or Port Phillip in Australia, adorned with exquisite vignettes that tell tales from distant lands. Travel back to New Year's Eve Party at Chelsea Arts Ball in 1923, where revelers danced under shimmering lights while embracing the spirit of merriment and new beginnings. Experience the pulsating energy of The Carnival in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad - a kaleidoscope of colors and rhythms that ignite your senses. Unleash your creativity with a pirate knitting pattern - a delightful twist on traditional crafts for those seeking adventure even within their stitches. Discover hidden gems through William Heath Robinson's masterpiece "The Sites of London, " capturing both architectural marvels and charming nooks tucked away amidst bustling streets. Marvel at The Carson Mansion standing tall like a beacon of Victorian splendor amidst Eureka, California - its intricate details whispering stories from another time. Step into Princes Park during Liverpool's extravagant fancy fair held in August 1849; witness stalls brimming with treasures as laughter fills the air. "Fancy" encapsulates moments frozen in time - each hint offering glimpses into worlds steeped in beauty, imagination, and the pursuit of refined experiences.