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A fancy dress party or costume party is a very popular way to celebrate just about any event. More and more people are throwing this sort of party, but it can be daunting to get an invitation. Let’s face it: most of us think costumes only around Halloween. While it’s easy to get stuck on what to wear or to spend far too much on a costume, there are plenty of ways to dress up on a budget and even turn some heads while you are at it.

The first step is to find out about the theme of the party. Many fancy dress parties have a specific theme – such as famous movie characters or a specific decade. If the party has a theme, start thinking up costume ideas early. Browse online sites about the subject (not just costume sites) to get ideas for fancy dress. Glance through books about clothing from a specific area or era. The idea is to find something offbeat and unexpected. If a fancy dress party has a Wild West theme, for example, you can be sure that there will be many cowboys and cowgirls there. A little research and you could be an old-timer panning for gold or a Wild West madam.

If the party has no theme, you may actually have a harder time coming up with a costume, since you have no narrowed focus that lets you zero in on costume ideas. A good way to overcome this is to look at your closet. Pull out old Halloween costumes, old dresses and assess what you have. Could some of those pieces be used as the basis for a great new costume?

A formal dress is not just a formal dress. When you get an invitation to a delicious event, there are usually a few words that may create a sense of dread for you. White tie, black tie, creative black tie – what sorts of evening dress should you wear with each? Take a deep breath. Here is the breakdown of all you need to know:

1) White Tie: This is the most ultra-formal possibility, and unless you are invited to a lot of state functions, you often won’t see this on an invitation. White tie events are very swanky events after 6 in the evening. They include events such as balls, operas, and very formal dinners. White tie means you should wear a long gown, such as a ball gown. Pay attention to the rules – some events require you to cover up bare shoulders and backs while others do not. Appropriate accessories for white tie include long gloves and shawls. The most formal of the white tie events require that evening dresses actually be white.

2) Black Tie: This is your standard formal wear event. You can wear a cocktail dress, a long dress or other form of formal dress.

3) Formal: This usually means the same as black tie, although in some circles it means a touch less formal. For women, dressy evening separates can be acceptable, as well as cocktail dresses, long gowns and formal dresses.

4) Black Tie Optional/Black Tie: Another take on formal, this one gives men some leeway to wear a dark suit rather than a tux. Women should still aim for cocktail, long gowns or dressy separates.

5) Creative Black Tie: Here you stay formal but can include any trendy take on it. Short and long dresses are perfectly acceptable, as are any nice evening separates. Some creative black tie events are themed, so that you are expected to go formal but with a twist.

6) Semi-formal: This means cocktail dresses, short dresses or even dressy suits should work.

7)  Business Formal: Tailored dressy suits and dresses you would be seen in an office in. Think formal but professional and stay away from the sexy looks or you will stand out.

8)  Cocktail Attire: Think formal, short dresses.

9) Festive Attire: This usually means semi-formal but with a bit of jazz. A dress with some sparkles or even separates with some nice detailing would work here.