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Woman Discovers A 1986 Costume Book Thrown Away, And It Has Some Of The Weirdest DIY Costumes Twitter Has Ever Seen
Halloween’s still more than half a year away in the distant, mysterious, and far-off realm of Late 2021 (I wonder what that’s going to be like?), but some internet users are already thinking about what Halloween costumes they’ll be wearing and gathering intel early. And it’s all because of one little Twitter post that went viral.
Twitter user Alina Pleskova found a book abandoned and lonely on the curb and decided to rescue it, bringing it back home with her. She couldn’t help but share the photos from Jane Asher’s ‘Fancy Dress’ book, which has dozens of brilliant, wild, and hilariously bizarre costumes for kids and adults alike.
Check out the photos below! I don’t want to sound too cheesy, but prepare your cheeks for smiling way, way too much. Remember to upvote your fave pics, too! And be sure to drop us a few comments telling us how you feel about the outrageously awesome costumes featured here.
More info: Twitter | AlinaPleskova.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
This is actually very clever. However, it does looks difficult to walk in, and I can't even fathom how you would got to the bathroom.
Pearl Of the SeaWing RainWings 4 years ago
This is really cool! Maybe not a good Halloween costume, since it's probably hard to walk in, but for a play it would work!
RELATED:
#2
Jumilicious 4 years ago
After long weeks of metamorphosis, Herb was finally feeling himself again.
Well-known English actress Asher wrote and published the book back in 1986, but it’s still relevant today. And with a byline like “Over 100 costumes for children and adults and how to make them,” the book’s got our interest piqued to the max.
Personally, I found the Sandwich Man costume to be the best of the best. Even someone as costume-shy as I am is just itching to put that together and try it on. There’s just something deliciously graceful about it, don’t you think?
#3
Terry Jones Sex Object Iteration 2
Hilary Mol 4 years ago
He should be the only person allowed to wear this since it's clearly been made with his input. (You can't not love Terry Jones.)
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Giles McArdell 4 years ago
This is so totally Terry Jones, if you watch Python carefully you'll notice hr is mostly either A) In drag or B) Naked
Tiny Dancer 4 years ago (edited)
Okay, you warned me about the smiling, but you forgot to mention the possibility of tears :-( It's only been a little over a year since we lost the marvelous Terry Jones (Monty Python member) at 77 and I'm still not over it. It was heart-breaking to see that incredible mind fade away thanks to dementia. He couldn't speak at all for the last few years. His fellow Python, Michael Palin, used to visit him every week. There were rare days they would laugh together at old memories, but they mostly just spent quiet time together. Terry didn't always know who Michael was. Seeing this totally over-the-top pic of Terry I've never seen before has made my night (even though it has opened the tear ducts). RIP, Terry, you crazy old sod!
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago (edited)
Hah hah, it looks like the birthday suite costume is paying homage to much-loved Welsh actor "Terry Jones." He may be well before your time, but was a famous comedian, actor, and writer who was probably best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy troop (you may be familiar with "Monty Python and the Holy Grail.) In many of the Monty Python comedy sketches, Terry would often appear in "drag" (drag is really popular in British comedy...I still don't know why) or in his "birthday suite" (aka nude).
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#4
Donald Pleasence as a judge in a toilet roll wig
Mary Peace 4 years ago
Begging your pardon, your honour, but are you aware your wig is now a valuable commodity?
Asher’s ‘Fancy Dress’ looks like the embodiment of GameStop stocks when they were at their peak. In other words: drops of liquid gold! The book is incredibly expensive on Amazon, switching between ‘unavailable’ to exorbitant prices in the US (we’re talking about hundreds of dollars, sometimes rising to above a thousand for a used copy).
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the price is far tamer. It’s still expensive, but 60 or 70 pounds is something that a vintage book collector or fancy dress lover wouldn’t balk at paying.
#5
cassiushumanmother 4 years ago
The Pied Piper was a demented story. Hypnotising children with his flute to lure them into a cave because of the greed of their parents... YAY!
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Jackie Nettleton 3 years ago
This looks great I’m really impressed by the ingenuity that they had to design and make it
Dorothy Cloud 4 years ago
Yes, I can see them getting tangled. Maybe have a couple crawling up the legs & on shoes. That might work!
#6
InvincibleRodent 4 years ago
Yeah, this looks like it'd be pretty damn hard to make, actually.
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago (edited)
"Look, I am a princess. Are you a princess too? -No! I am Elizabeth the first, queen of England by the grace of God, defeater of the Spanish armada, murderer of Mary, queen of France and Scots!" But seriously, this costume is impressive.
Demongrrrrl 4 years ago
I would wear it, but I sure as hell couldn't make it!
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Crazy Meerkat Lady 4 years ago
She looks like one of those dolls that covers the extra loo roll at your grandparents' house
So if you just have to have the book, pray that you can get your hands on a UK version because the US one makes healthcare costs seem paltry in comparison. Or you could trust your luck and expect to find a copy of the book on the curb just like Alina did!
#7
It’s made from several lampshades
Louloubelle 4 years ago
At the ripe old age of 60, I learned recently that no where is it mentioned that Humpty Dumpty is an egg. That's mind blowing.
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Hilary Mol 4 years ago
A parent must be absolutely confident their child has an empty bladder before putting them in one of these.
Pearl Of the SeaWing RainWings 4 years ago
You know, nobody ever said Humpty Dumpty was an egg.
Hugh Walter 3 years ago
Those bloody awful Habitat (et al.) paper lampshades, the Devil's work, hideously expensive (for what they were) and usually ripped while installing!
#8
Alison 4 years ago
The guys face is priceless 🤣 " is this really my calling in life? I'm a manwich"
Jessica Shookhoff 4 years ago
Oh my god, I'm dying! "Manwich". Priceless!
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Charlotte Hukvari 2 years ago
Well. He certainly won't be coming into the kitchen asking for someone to make him a sandwich.
Hugh Walter 3 years ago
Where's Doyle when you need him! "I'm not supposed to be in 'The Prisoner'!"
Babs Beach 4 years ago
Martin Shaw was offered the role of Bond, James Bond, but he turned it down. He didn't want to be type cast. I love his acting, how can I unsee this? I must go back to Terry Jones and all is right in the world.
Alina’s thread got over 165.5k likes on Twitter at the time of writing (it’s been climbing steadily since I started writing this article, so expect that number to be getting higher and higher!). The thread also got around 22k retweets (including those fancy quote retweets that Twitter rolled out). And who can blame anyone who’s so excited to see photos from the book? You can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be fitting in some of these photos whenever the context is right while chatting with my pals online.
#9
Hilary Mol 4 years ago
"Next in our group of available bachelors, Admiral Package! He likes outrageous sweaters, hats worn mainly by the blind, and late night walks under the sea."
Steve R 4 years ago
Yep. Famous in the UK for the classic sitcoms The Likely Lads and Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads. Both of which were fantastic.
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#10
Kisses4Katie 4 years ago
He's ready to party hearty (Like a hearty soup oh I slay)
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... 4 years ago
For some reason I find his legs the most hilarious thing in this pic. Is he wearing pantyhose?
ComfyPanda 4 years ago
Yes. Yes he is!!! I thought his legs looked rather nice in panty hose.
Load More Replies... Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
This photograph gets weirder the longer you look at it. Is that a cigar he is smoking? Why is he wearing stockings? Where in the world did his other arm go? Is he drinking a good Chianti? Is he going to a vegan dinner party? Are they making fun of people with red hair by secretly making them dress up as carrots? So many questions...
Ricardo Flower 4 years ago
Need to find out who this guy is - basically, he's my doppelganger.
King Joffrey 4 years ago
Love the fact the guy is smoking and drinking... Why would you want to be in costume otherwise?
David Beaulieu 4 years ago
Things I love about this picture: 1 arm, drink and cigar. Hat stays on how? Panty hose. No shoes. Thank you.
As for Alina herself, well, she’s incredibly talented. The Moscow-born woman is currently living in Philadelphia. She’s a poet and an editor by trade. Her collection of poems, ‘What Urge Will Save Us,’ got published by Spooky Girlfriend Press in 2017, according to her website. So she’s a professional in her field.
#11
This costume was titled “The Future”
ZZAM 4 years ago
Yeah... nobody is wearing that now every day, and I don't think they ever will
Draco Malfoy 4 years ago
this looks like when my siblings and i got ahold of bubble wrap when we were 8 xd
#12
The wings are made of a broken umbrella
Jumilicious 4 years ago
Final step: glue your child to the ceiling and enjoy the party getting smashed like you did back in '83.
Holly Allen 4 years ago
I live in Nebraska. Umbrellas will break every spring. We guarantee it
What’s more, Alina got the Leeway Foundation’s 2020 Art & Change grant. She also hosts poetry workshops, events, and panels for a variety of organizations, from Rutgers University to the Institute of Contemporary Art.
#13
GFSTaylor 4 years ago
It's definitely at firework. I think the model is the actress, Susannah York.
StrawberryParfait 4 years ago
Firecracker! Cute, but if she trips, she's landing straight on her face.
If that wasn’t enough, Alina is also the founding member of the Cheburashka Collective (loving that name!) which is a group of “women & nonbinary writers who are emigres/first-gen/refugees from the Soviet diaspora.” But even while she’s editing literary magazines and coordinating festivals, she also finds the time for her day job in higher education communications. Do we wish that we all had the amount of energy that Alina has? I’ll say!
#15
Roll up, roll up to the circus, I am the only clown inside
Horse lover 4 years ago
I read that in a 1900’s television woman’s voice 😂
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Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 4 years ago
That creepy eyed clown peeking out. I don't know what else to say about it.
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
Yes, this circus one, thats the one i meant b4 re: being suitable for pregnant women! I wish they'd included the suggestions of who can wear it/what occasion to use it for, it's gold
JenMiddleChildSmith 4 years ago
This is when I realize I def should not be looking through this post while I'm coming down from the nitrous the dentist gave me earlier. Wtf
#16
Kisses4Katie 4 years ago
I..have vague memories from 80's halloweens seeing this. I think this was a thing.
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago
Does a good job of building your pecs AND keeping you away from candy.
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Clare Ashton 4 years ago
Teddy bear's picnic. I entered the village fete fancy dress competition in this costume back in early 80s. My mum must of had this book.
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
Why not add a few other teddy bears at the other seats? I thought "bit random those ears, it's a picnic so an ant or wasp would be the expected invader but that's loads extra work so fair play", it didn't click that it was the song.
Load More Replies... Wally Mahar 4 years ago
We need to talk about the ears. WHY. What don't I get, that, without them, this costume would mean nothing.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
Wally, I think the costume is a clever interpretation on the popular children's rhyme/song "The Teddy Bear's Picnic"
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Janine Hunt-Jackson 4 years ago
If you go out in the woods today, you're in for a big surprise.....
#17
Louloubelle 4 years ago
Or breathe. But hey, that might be a good costume now.
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Sunee Days 4 years ago
We have this book. It's one of my treasured possessions. My mom actually made this costume for me for my fifth or sixth grade Halloween party at school. I have a clear sesame street umbrella we used. It was perfect for Iowa Halloween weather because I could bundle up in my heavy coat, pants, and boots. I still love flipping through it occasionally.
Abbyboudreaux 4 years ago
And people nowadays complain about wearing a breathable cotton mask fora few minutes. Why, in my day we walked around neighborhoods in the dark with no adult supervision, fully enveloped in plastic that prevented us from receiving any fresh air for gas exchange, occluded our vision, impeded or range of motion and getaway speed, and also trapped us in with our own farts for hours!
Babs Beach 4 years ago
Ah the good old days of Thrifty plastic Halloween costumes, pillowcases to hold the candy, and of course the farts. Who could forget those.
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Lucy Skinner 4 years ago
I was a jellyfish once. I looked like that, but with lights in it. My eyes have never been the same...
Hilary Mol 4 years ago
The good news is when this kid bumps into every wall, signpost, piece of furniture and doorway, the bubble wrap will absorb most of the impact.
Molly Block 4 years ago
All this needs is some battery powered LED lights inside of it. Maybe in blue?
#18
Pearl Of the SeaWing RainWings 4 years ago
Reminds me of that one kid who wanted to be "pants" for Halloween
Russell Ellwardt 4 years ago
Wasn't there, in another thread, a kid who wanted to be "pants" for Halloween?
#19
Edward and Emilia Fox, more successful father and sister of alt-right knobhead Laurence Fox
Grumble O'Pug 4 years ago
Wow!!! Edward Fox...The Jackal and Amelia will ever be Georgiana Darcy.
Wings of Steel 4 years ago
The best Pride and Prejudice dramatisation ..mainly due to the deliciousness of Colin Firth as Darcy 😍
Load More Replies... Louloubelle 4 years ago
Is that truly Emilia Fox? The one from Silent Witness? I'm in the US, so pardon me for only knowing her from that. And since I've only seen Laurence in Lewis, what has he done to make him a k******d?
Steve R 4 years ago
He's dedicated his life to being a right wing mouthpiece who spends all his time being an anti-masker, anti-woke spokesperson who is trying to become a singer/songwriter despite having no talent in that regard. He blames his lack of acting jobs on "cancel culture" and the SJWs turning on him just because he's racist. He also proves that Billie Piper has THE worst taste in husbands.
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Crissie Laugesen 3 years ago
The odious Laurence Fox is their nephew and cousin. His father is James Fox, Edward's brother.
Richard Portman 4 years ago
I googled Laurence Fox because i never heard of him. Yes, it looks like he is a k******d and a real jerk.
CharliAnn Olney 4 years ago
Much better than the Video game "heroes and villains" of today's kids.
#20
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 4 years ago
The high heels100% make thus costume. Sexy grandma lobster.
So, dear Pandas, what did you think of the ‘Fancy Dress’ photos? Which costume did you like the most? Which one did you think was the wackiest, weirdest, and worth making? Did you get any ideas for Halloween, however far away that might be? Maybe you’ve even got a copy of Asher’s ‘Fancy Dress’ at home? Let us know what you think in the comment section below. We can’t wait to hear from you!
#21
Hilary Mol 4 years ago
Anyone else feel like this could be a rejected costume idea from Godspell? (Or Hair. Or any other 70s musical that may or may not have involved part of the cast, crew, or audience experiencing the musical while under the influence of ... uh... music-enhancers?)
Gabby M 4 years ago
LOL I have seen Hair and Godspell during the 70's and I think you make a good point.
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Sofiia Melnikova 4 years ago
The kid nailed the expression of a moth looking at a lamp perfectly
Kendra Miller 4 years ago
This almost looks like a cozy quilted blanket. I would totally wear this around home. The neighbours might think I'm a little looney though if I answered the door in it
Rachelle Bourget 2 years ago
My grandma made me this costume when I was in grade 4! I remember not being thrilled with how it looked lol, I was picturing a girlier version of a butterfly costume but now I look back on it with fondness because she worked so hard on it for me.
Charlotte Hukvari 2 years ago
This. So 1920's. So 'I don't know who I am but I'm trying'. So fab.
Sarcastic and Proud 3 years ago
My mom made something similar for me and her when I was in preschool.
#22
Bacony Cakes 4 years ago
I'M UNDER FIRE! *ducks behind crates, stealthily pops bubble wrap*
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justanotherBoredpanda 4 years ago
Wait a minute, why are you putting bubble wrap over children's heads?
Hilary Mol 4 years ago
"...it would be a marvelous way for a group of children to enter a party." Mainly because there would be much laughter as four people in a row walked into the door frame trying to come through the front door.
#23
Alison 4 years ago
The guy is definitely wearing tights isn't he, let alone dressing as a carrot
Hilary Mol 4 years ago
Not just tights - this was taken during the days of pantyhose. He's wearing reinforced-toe black pantyhose. I can only imagine the level of discomfort...
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Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
I love this tent one, from memory it was described as good for pregnant women
Jessica Crowner Henley 4 years ago
Would be a great costume for carrot top
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#24
CharliAnn Olney 4 years ago
Would be great for a pregnant woman. (especially if expecting more than one. LOL)
Debora Matlock 4 years ago
This would be a wonderful Halloween costume for a very pregnant lady.
#25
Barb Holland 4 years ago
Mom: why don't you play with the neighbor's kids? The neighbor's kids:
Holly Allen 4 years ago
I dressed my daughter up as a Harlequin one year when she was little....literally stapled construction paper together.
#26
#27
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
Like half the good ones on this list, it looks like it's stolen from a Cronenberg movie... This one for example is from a little-known version of "The Fly", where instead of Jeff Goldblum a medium-sized dragon is in the transmogrifier together with a fly.
#28
I travel. I seek the Parmesan. 4 years ago
No its not i just hate everything lol ITS CALLED EXISTING
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Molly Block 4 years ago
I need this costume for this Sunday, Valentine's Day. With nothing on underneath it.
Tiny Dancer 4 years ago
That has got to be Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones from Doctor Who)! She was 7 years old in 1986, so that certainly fits. And you can't miss that adorable face.
#29
This is supposed to be a “rock salmon”
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
I highly doubt that this costume would have been understood outside of the UK.
#30
Haunting Spirit 4 years ago
Although I like your reaction, the truth is luckily something else, it's a gaper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaper
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Rob Seymour 4 years ago
My parents made a costume like this once. I put it on one Halloween when I was in junior high and sat on the front porch with a bowl of candy in my lap and scared the people who tried to take too much at once. Best Halloween ever!
#31
Wally Mahar 4 years ago
An impossible Charlie Kaufman screenplay in pictures.Won't do this again.sorry.
Molly Block 4 years ago
Does that one kid, in the blue, look like he's got really long creepy fingers to anyone else?
#32
Mae (just add water) 4 years ago
Omg. Skates are much much cuter than that, the bbys have lil spots they are sooo cute
Davis the Greatest 4 years ago
It’s not, it’s the lighting combined with the paper yellowing
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#33
Ryan Deschanel 4 years ago (edited)
Fun fact : a "fountain woman" is a "femme fontaine" in French, but it also means a "squirter". You can't unlearn it now (evil laugh).
Lauren Caswell 4 years ago
This one is the "fountain", I haven't thought about this book in yonks! I saw it on an older "8 out of 10 cats does countdown" episode
Wings of Steel 4 years ago
She was a famous British actress in the 70s and 80s..can't remember her name though
Katherine Batten 4 years ago
I think that's Emilia Fox's mum, Joanna David
Load More Replies... #34
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
Seems the worst effort/payoff ratio of this whole list. Loads of actual investment (materials, time, skill).
#35
Susan Trevaskis-Owen 4 years ago
I did a Google search for the book & found the page for this one. Apparently, it's supposed to be "The Blob."
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Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
I love how the costumes get increasingly bizarre and more fever-dreamish as you scroll down the list. Is he supposed to be "abstract art". A Joan Miro painting perhaps?
Panda Monium 4 years ago
Miro was my first thought as well. Second thought: a booger.
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Lea VanderStelt 4 years ago
This looks like a loose tampon that's been rolling around the bottom of a purse for a year...
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
I didn't get better than "melting snowman" or "overheated marshmallow".
Load More Replies... Tiny Dancer 4 years ago
This appears to be Terry Jones again. His first picture (ranked much higher) was called "Terry Jones Sex Object Iteration 2", so the armchair detective in me says this might be "Terry Jones Sex Object Iteration 1". Either that or "The Blob" as noted below. Neither one really describes this mess well, lol!
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What do you think ?
Danni 4 years ago
These costumes are brilliant for Covid era. Most are so large they effectively adhere to social distancing rules. Others are so nuts, no one will want to come near you
Iggy 4 years ago
Jane Asher is a well known British actress, which is probably how she got famous people such as Donald Pleasance and Terry Jones to pose for her, although I doubt the late, great Terry Jones would have needed much persuasion!
IlovemydogShilo 4 years ago
She also dated ex Beatle Sir Paul Mc Cartney before he met Linda Eastman. She is also an author but is better known for her line in extravagant cakes.
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Dorothy Parker 4 years ago (edited)
Paul McCartney's ex-fiancee has done very well for herself. These are charming and harmless. Better yet, not overly cliche sexualized, i.e. Naughty Nurse, Naughty Schoolgirl, Naughty Maud ad infinitum.
Matthew Smith 4 years ago
A little FYI, Jane Asher is an English Actress in case you were wondering.
Justyna Neko 4 years ago
Told my friends that next Halloween we can only wear costumes from this book ;P They are already choosing which one they want to wear xD
Danni 4 years ago
These costumes are brilliant for Covid era. Most are so large they effectively adhere to social distancing rules. Others are so nuts, no one will want to come near you
Iggy 4 years ago
Jane Asher is a well known British actress, which is probably how she got famous people such as Donald Pleasance and Terry Jones to pose for her, although I doubt the late, great Terry Jones would have needed much persuasion!
IlovemydogShilo 4 years ago
She also dated ex Beatle Sir Paul Mc Cartney before he met Linda Eastman. She is also an author but is better known for her line in extravagant cakes.
Load More Replies... Dorothy Parker 4 years ago (edited)
Paul McCartney's ex-fiancee has done very well for herself. These are charming and harmless. Better yet, not overly cliche sexualized, i.e. Naughty Nurse, Naughty Schoolgirl, Naughty Maud ad infinitum.
Matthew Smith 4 years ago
A little FYI, Jane Asher is an English Actress in case you were wondering.
Justyna Neko 4 years ago
Told my friends that next Halloween we can only wear costumes from this book ;P They are already choosing which one they want to wear xD
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