Fancy dress suggestions - I am going to a murder mystery party

[Greedyfly]

Hello guys

I have been invited to a fancy dress party which is a murder mystery game set in the 1940's. My character is Judy Graceland and her decription is - A child star just a decade ago, you are young and beautiful but it looks as though your best years are behind you. Costume suggestion is: Dressed slightly younger than your years, in an attempt to recapture your youth.
What shall I wear? I am googling images from 1940s and see some great ideas but am struggling to find fancy dress shops that have anything suitable. I am hoping to not spend much money if possible.

Thanks

[Greedyfly]

Hi thanks for your answer - I know what sort of clothes I need just need to find them. Eba has proven fruitless.

[sophj-26]

vintage flea markets

I picked up a 1920's hat in m&s once and wore it to a murder mystery event. Got alot of compliments! And they still have them!

[boxtops]

Shirley Temple would be great, blonde curly wig, flouncy dress made of curtain material. Or Judy Garland (as in Wizard of Oz, hair in bunches and a big pinny, and of course the red shoes. Try your local charity shop, you would be amazed what they have behind the scenes, somewhere like Claires is good for fun wigs.

[Sachs]

Some theatres hire out their costumes! Worth asking?

[boxtops]

PS don't got to fancy dress shops if you are economising - do you have a local amateur drama group? Ours often lend or hire dresses etc for a low rent for parties or one-night events.

[sophj-26]

sorry, meant to say 1940's style hat, but yeh, a wig would be fun!

[AlBags]

Here's a good one ...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk...K?hash=item3a4f4d5392

[ethandron]

we've hosted, and been guests at, a number of murder mystery parties. it's far more fun making your own costume up from what you have, or borrowing stuff from friends, than hiring a costume. you'd be amazed what you can come up with if you have a good look in your own or friends/familys wardrobes and cupboards.
it's more about capturing the essence of the character than trying to look absolutely perfect. all the murder mysteries we've been to have decended into hilarity after a couple of drinks and no-one cares what they or anyone else looks like, the more over-the-top and ridiculous the better. have fun :)

[mollykins]

Many trendy things now, have a vintage look, its just the way you put an outfit together. Places like newlook have some floral tops and skirts that look trendy now if you wear them with jeans/ leggins, but if you were to wear a vintage hat with a old-fashioned hair style and a plain coloured pencil skirt, and court shoes, you would look very vintage.

[mollykins]

and then afterwards, you could wear them with jeans etc and look trendy.

[Quentin_Crisp]

You could go as Mary Jane Hudson from 'Whatever happened to Baby Jane' flick - she looks gorgeous - although i think it could be a geezer inthe pic ( ????? )

http://www.mariannemu...assions-Dec2001-4.jpg

[sara3]

that link should have a warning with it.

I am disturbed!

[ChuckFickens]

you could go as boy george.

[Quentin_Crisp]

Morning sara,

Looks like one of my old schoolteachers - frightening really. You ok today, and what you up too?

[sara3]

Chuck, I'm pretty sure that's illegal.

Q, good morning. I still don't know who you are..

[Quentin_Crisp]

Really? You will

Good morning Chuck