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Women’s Fancy Dress

Our women’s fancy dress range has you covered for birthdays, hen dos, themed nights and every seasonal party in between. Think sequinned 1920s flapper dresses, neon 80s workout gear, superheroine costumes, red, white and blue Union Jack dresses, witches and even a festive Mrs Claus.

Most ladies’ costumes start from around £7, and you can browse by era in our decades costumes or pick up finishing touches from our party wigs.

Buying guide ↓ Men’s Fancy Dress Kids’ Fancy Dress Women’s Halloween Costumes Decades Fancy Dress Hen & Stag Fancy Dress
Woman in a superhero costume on a blue background
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Buying guide

How to choose women’s fancy dress for any occasion

Start with the brief. Most parties have a theme, and it narrows things down fast. If there isn’t one, pick a costume you’ll feel confident in all night, whether that’s sexy, silly or somewhere in between. A costume that looks great but needs constant adjusting soon gets old. Think about the venue too: a big dress is fun at a house party, less so on a packed dance floor.

Most adult costumes in our range come from familiar names like Smiffys, Rubies and Amscan. They’re made for a few nights out rather than years of wear, so fabrics are lightweight and some come as kits you build on. That keeps prices friendly for adults on a budget, but it’s worth knowing before you order.

Decades and pop icons

Fringed 1920s flapper dresses suit Gatsby nights, so see our 1920s costumes. For neon leg warmers, tutus and pink workout gear, our 80s range has the lot, and a pop girl group look is brilliant for a group of friends.

Superheroes, princesses and characters

Female superheroes are great for groups, so browse our superhero costumes. A grown-up princess or an Alice in Wonderland look is a fun, less obvious pick.

Halloween and seasonal

Witches, zombie nurses and scary looks live in our women’s Halloween costumes, while hen party sashes and matching kits are in hen and stag.

IdeaGreat forStyling tip
1920s flapperGatsby parties and weddingsAdd a feather headband, pearls and long gloves
80sBirthday parties and discosGo big on neon, side ponytails and leg warmers
SuperheroineGroup costumes and charity runsChoose a cape you can sit down in
Zombie or witchHalloween nights outFake blood and face paint do the heavy lifting
Union Jack or internationalSports events and street partiesRed lipstick and a flag-print accessory

Sizing tips for a ladies costume

Costumes often run small, and plenty of female outfits are one size only. Always check the bust, waist and hip measurements on the retailer’s listing against our costume size guide, and go up if you’re in between. Short dresses can be shorter than expected, so a pair of opaque tights is a handy backup.

Finishing touches and more themes

A good wig or hat makes even a simple costume look finished. Have a look at our party hats and novelty glasses for easy upgrades. For festive dos, our Christmas range has elves and Mrs Claus, and for a book character, see World Book Day. Need a costume for the other half? Head to men’s fancy dress, or shop the full list of ideas by theme.

In this guide

  1. How to choose women’s fancy dress for any occasion
  2. Popular costume ideas for women
  3. Sizing tips for a ladies costume
  4. Finishing touches and more themes
  5. Questions people ask

Shop related

Not sure on size?

Costumes often run small. Check our guide before you order.

Size guide →

Questions people ask

Quick answers about women’s fancy dress: sizing, quality and what to buy. Still unsure? Our size guide and theme pages have more help.

Browse all themes →
What are good fancy dress ideas for women?

1920s flappers, 80s workout looks, superheroes and witches are reliable crowd-pleasers. If you want something different, try a celebrity, a historical figure or an Alice in Wonderland character.

What is a simple costume for women?

An 80s accessory kit with a tutu and leg warmers, or a flapper headband and pearls with a black dress you already own, takes minutes. A witch hat and some dark lipstick works too.

Do ladies costumes come up small?

Often, yes. Many are cut slim or come in one size, so check the measurements against our size guide and go up a size if you’re unsure.

What should I wear to a themed party with no costume?

Pick one strong accessory that matches the theme, such as a wig, hat or pair of novelty glasses. It’s quick, cheap and still shows you made the effort.

What are funny costumes for women?

Animal onesies, clown outfits and inflatable costumes are guaranteed to get a laugh. They’re also comfy, which helps on a long night.

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