If anyone reading this hasn’t yet seen the movie then I suggest you go and watch it now! Or if you haven’t seen it recently, watch it again! It will give you so many ideas for fantastic ideas.

The Moulin Rouge fancy dress theme is sexy, colourful and fun! It’s over the top, it’s a performance, it’s wild and it’s got all the makings of a great theme party. This theme is currently very popular for hen parties and Moulin Rouge costumes are perfect for burlesque club nights or parties also.

The Moulin Rouge is a theatre in Paris and, along with the Folies Bergeres, was one of the venues that wowed society with their very risqué performances and scantily clad showgirls. At the end of the 1800s the fashion on the street was floor length skirts and full cover so the sight of bare legs in the theatre was a shock!

For women the Moulin Rouge fancy dress theme gives you the chance to dress up in fabulous can-can dancer outfits, as a saloon girl or as any other performer such as a trapeze artist, a mime artist, a lion tamer or any other circus or cabaret act you can think of. Some of the great burlesque acts of the ages were performed at the Moulin Rouge and many of the showgirls became stars, consorting with Princes and famous writers and artists. Any burlesque costume would also be suitable for a Moulin Rouge theme party.

Men you could go as one of the gentlemen who visits the Moulin Rouge such as one of these famous artists or noblemen in top hat and tails, a trapeze artist (don’t quote me on this but this could be the origin of the “mankini”!) or a Ringmaster or any other performer. You could even go as a Madam or as a can-can dancer as many of these outfits come in plus sizes!

This party theme, whether in a club or a private party, is a great chance to go as a group and put on your own performance, whether as a dancing troupe or a lion tamer with lion!

By: Kay Bornham

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