Fancy dress conundrum (PPR Christmas Party)

With the silly season upon us an array of fancy dress parties abound and with them the ever present conundrum … to dress up or not to dress up? The issue is compounded when the invitation is to one of ‘the’ corporate parties of the season, dress code … P or R. Hopefully the following tips may help should you find yourself in the same situation.

From the age of three to 16 I eagerly anticipated nights when I could don a disguise for the annual dance recital. Actually ‘eagerly’ may be too strong a word, as crushing nerves were more often the norm.

Thankfully the stomach butterflies would start to dissipate as each layer of thick character makeup was applied. While others vied for the princess crown I cherished the chance to hide away in the wolfs costume, and if it had a mask all the better. So I’m not averse to the odd dress up, but in a corporate situation, especially one that extends beyond your immediate peers … hmmm?

The invitation to the PPR Christmas party arrived in plenty of time to ensure the date was firmly cemented in my diary. The more than adequate lead-time also meant I should’ve been able to dream up a killer outfit. But work commitments took hold, which meant it was the usual rush to think of something a day or two beforehand … well that’s my excuse anyway.

Driving to the venue (the Llama Bar in Subiaco) I pondered whether I’d made the right choice.

Original ponderings extended to a white lab coat and black glasses, accessorised by a red and blue pen (clearly my time at the Perth Fashion Festival had paid off). However the sea of colourful costumes in Doyles Fancy Dress shop brought on the backstage memories, and consequently the white researchers coat looked way to dull. The punk shirt with patches, chains and additional fake piercings was far more alluring.

As I raced to get ready I pondered … this being a corporate gig how far would the word ‘fancy’ be stretched? Would a feather bower and a top hat suffice, or would they go all out? I was banking on the fact that as a PR company they’d be sure to have some highly creative types on board? Surely it wouldn’t be all suits and joke ties? It wasn’t long before I had my answer.

As I passed Lords Sports Centre on Hay Street I spied a man wandering along in what looked like a backless, orange boiler suit. Glancing in my rearview mirror I could just make out the blur of a mouth shield …just your average Friday in Perth really, Hannibal Lector out for a stroll …nothing to see here folks.

Okay I think I’ll be alright.

Exiting the car park a pirate wench looked over and, rather than ignore me she tipped her hat to say hello.

Inside the upgraded Llama Bar, Hannibal had arrived in tact and was in heavy discussions with The Riddler.

A sea of pirates had taken up various vantage points around the room, no doubt circling the crowd just incase things turned mutinous. The punks began eyeing off each others fake piercings. Clearly the solo policewoman was going to have trouble.

Thankfully she could turn to Private Ryan, who’d brought along his custom-made bazooka, and the smattering of priests of various denominations. If things really got out of hand there was always the Pope to turn to … and Santa who wisely kept vigil on high from his throne.

But the evening belonged to one man …Post Box Man. Made from recycled material the detail was amazing, including a ‘large parcels only’ opening strategically placed (see photo above). Just brilliant.

Watching the crowd I pondered the following tips:

Always run a costume check to make sure you’ll be able to drink, eat, and go to the smallest room. It was immensely frustrating watching one guy try to get his beer up to his mouth, over a large cardboard tray-like bib he’d created. Frustrating and if I’m honest somewhat amusing.
Clearly you can never have too many priests, pirates or punks at a party. But if you do go as a punk avoid the bowler Clockwork Orange look, as without the eye makeup, it can conger up images of Boy George … evidently … unless ofcourse that’s the look you’re going for.
If you do find yourself fully kitted out at a fancy dress party, when few others are (as I did the next night), just hold your course and go for it.
My hat (bowler on this occasion) goes off to all those who get organised enough to make an original outfit. For the rest of we mere mortals there’s always Doyles.
But most of all I was thankful that none of the pirates or punks had any last minute oversized overseas parcels to post. Otherwise there could have been a few Hail Marys heard and not just from the Pope.