Boy's costume, late 19th century, C002787; Girl's costume, 1953, C002788

European ongoing tradition, leisure activity. Dressing up and appearing at balls or parties in a form different from your everyday self.

The display:
Performance Gallery presents two little fancy dress costumes from different eras. The pearly queen style dress was worn for the Coronation in 1953; the miniature 18th century gentleman adorned a little boy of the late 19th century.
A century later, five-year-olds from an Infant school in Brighton described their favourite fancy dress; two of these paintings form the backdrop to the costumes.

Find out more

- Consider the performance: as Spectator, as Performer, as Maker
- Fancy dress in Brighton Museum's collection
- Find out more about fancy dress

Fancy Dress - SPECTATOR

	"Wallis as Garrick", Fancy Dress Ball 1903, Royal Pavilion, C003957

Have children always dressed up as their heroes?

The little girl is four. It is 1953 and she is celebrating the Queen's Coronation. She is a Pearly Queen today, waving her British flag. She cheers in the crowd, thousands of pearly buttons catch the sun.

The little boy is five. It is 1900 and for this Fancy Dress Ball he is an 18th century gentleman. He wears an expensive suit of rich corduroy, and can't run about much.

Fancy Dress - PERFORMER

	Lilly, 5, as Sleeping Beauty © SIS, Brighton, 2001

Five-year-olds from Stanford Infant School talked about dressing up in 2001:

"I like Vikings because they are not scared of things. Vikings win every battle, except against the sea troll. I go mad when I wear it. I start doing somersaults in the air and things. I wear it only on special occasions. To scare burglars off".

"I have Sleeping Beauty costume and book and tape and video. My little sister is Cinderella. We couldn't find Sleeping Beauty in her size. We bought one for when she's bigger".

"I just know how to do every kind of Slegdron (in the Gameboy). He's really big and when he's chopped in two he fixes himself back together again and transforms. He's a bad guy".

Fancy Dress - MAKER

	Max, 5, as Ssuperman © SIS, Brighton, 2001

"My dad makes my costumes because he is a builder and he knows everything and he's good."

"I bought it from Toys-R-Us. The only suit I need to collect is Robin. I've got Batman and Spiderman and Superman. But I haven't got Robin and I like Robin."

"It used to be my Dad's when he was little."

"I am a knight. All my swords are broken. My mummy knitted me some chainmail. She bought me a suit with breastplate and a helmet."

"I got it on the internet"