Giving your guests a letter as a costume theme is quite common and can make for some very interesting ideas for costumes. You have a few options...

• Allow guests to dress up in a costume related to their initials (or just first name if you want to narrow their choices)
• Ask guests to dress up in costumes related to your initials
• Choose 1 or 2 letters that they have to find a related costume for.

To be honest, when you first send out your invitations, many of your guests will be very confused as to what you are asking. I would suggest that in the invitation you do give them a good explanation. If your guests are confused, they may not even attempt to dress up, or worse, not attend your party.

I would inlcude some costume suggestions for various letters, just to get their brain cells working a bit. If you really want to help, why not print out this page, and my other hubs so you have a complete A-Z list of possible costumes.

So, this hub will concentrate on costumes beginning with A. Look further down for links to my other alphabet hubs. If you have any great ideas for costumes for a letter, pop them in the comments box at the end and I will add them in. I really appreciate any feedback on this (or my other hubs) and remember,I can answer all your fancy dress costume questions.

Abba - Popular Swedish band between 1972 and 1982. a great choice for a group of 4.

Absolutely Fabulous -1990 television programme, starring Jennifer Saunders & Joanna Lumley as Patsy & Edina.

Ace Ventura - Pet detective, starring Jim Carey

Acrobat- Circus performer. Use a leotard and top hat and tails. Magda from Octopussy and Circe de Soleil.

Action Hero- Many possible incarnations including: Rambo, Crocodile Dundee, Indiana Jones, Terminator.

Action Man - Camouflage top and trousers or scuba gear.

Adam - Nude bodysuit with strategically placed fig leaf

Adam Ant - Black military style jacket with gold braiding (frogging) on the front, tight black trousers, white frilly shirt, ribbons in hair and trademark white stripe across the nose. You could also use a highwayman costume (Stand & Deliver).

Addams Family- Characters include: Morticia, Gomez, Uncle Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley, Thing & other gothic looking friends.

Aerobics Fan- A 1980's fashion victim. Use also for Olivia Newton John (Physical), Diane Moran (Green Goddess), Mad Lizzie Webb and Jane Fonda. Use any dance or aerobic gear with leg warmers and a headband.

African Man- Open to interpretation. You could go down the Idi Amin style of military costume or a brightly coloured or white robe with pill box style hat. A cat-o-nice tails can be used as a fly whisk.

African Lady/Queen- 'She' played by Ursula Andress high priestess is one option, or full length robe, as African man, but with a turban head-cover.

Air Hostess - Jacket, skirt , scarf, hat and gloves

Air Force Officer - This can be a Biggles style costume or a more up to date version of the Royal Air Force. Uniforms are available to hire for both men and women.

Airline Pilot - Costumes are available to hire or you can sow stripes and wings to a black or navy blazer. Caps are available to purchase.

Air Raid Warden - From WWII - best known from Dad's Army television series.

Al Capone - Infamous American gangster, eventually caught and charged for tax fraud and remains Alcatraz's most notorious inmates. Easy to put together with accessories or complete costumes can be hired.

Aladdin- Originally from the middle east in 1001 Arabian Nights, but the traditional British pantomime sets Aladdin in Peking, China. The Disney version sets it back in the middle east, with Aladdin wearing harem pants, waistcoat and hat.

Albert Einstein - (1879 -1955), best known for his 'theory of relativity'. Go for a white haired, mad scientist approach. White doctors coats and mad professor wigs are available to purchase.

Alex DeLarge- Character from A Clockwork Orange, based on the book by Anthony Burgess. Wear a white jumpsuit or top and trousers, braces and a bowler hat. False eyelash or make up on 1 eye and carry a walking cane.

Alexander The Great -(356-323 BC) King of Macedonia at 20. Use Roman style armour.

Ali Baba -Hero of another Arabian Nights tale. Use baggy harem trousers, waistcoat and hat or turban.

Ali G- Cult character (1990 - 2005). Created by Sasha Baron Cohen. Yellow shell or tracksuit with matching cap, tinted wraparound glasses, goatee beard and bling jewellery.

Alice- Character from Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Alice's Adventures Through The Looking Glass). Use a blue dress with white, full pinny and an 'Alice' band for the hair. Alice has blond hair and also wears white socks.

Alien - Fantasy character. Can be adapted to your own ideas.

Alligator - Possibly only hire costumes available.

Amadeus -Film that depicts Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Wear a Georgian style costume with wig.

Amazon Warrior. Female race that possibly cut off their right breast to become better archers. Use a costume such as Xena or a female Roman warrior for this type of costume.

Amazonian Indian Chief - Use a witch doctor style costume. Can be made up using an Hawaiian grass skirt, fur waistcoat with a feathered headdress. Bone jewellery is available to purchase.

American Cop - One of the YMCA group. Also seen in the TV programme 'Chips' . Cream tight trousers, blue, short sleeved shirt, motorbike boots, 70's moustache, aviator glasses will create the look.

American Footballer - Can be difficult to find in the UK - could adapt an ice hockey kit.

American GI -Green US uniform. GI stands for General Issue. Could use a GI for Elvis in WWII

American Naval Officer- Made famous by Richard Gere in An Officer & A Gentleman.

American Sailor- Doughboy hat, white sailor suit with blue/white trim and bell bottomed trousers. Can be used for HMS Belfast.

Amidala- From Star Wars Episode 1,2 and 3. Amidala is the Queen of Naboo. Official costume is red, black and gold gown with headdress and very pale/white face. In Episode 2 she has retired and is called Padme Amidala. In this film she wears a white combat uniform.

Amigo- Spanish for friend. Mexican character from 'The Three Amigos' who get mistaken for heroes by a community in trouble. An easy costume top put together. all you need is a poncho, sombrero, Mexican moustache, a rifle and bullet belts are optional. all of these items are available to purchase.

Anakin Skywalker- From Star Wars, becomes Darth Vader. Before he is turns to The Dark Side, a standard jedi robe or costume is suitable.

Ancient King- Pre-medieval era. King Arthur would be a great example as could Shakespeare's King Lear and Theoden of Rohan (character from Lord Of The Rings)

Android- Examples include Kryton from Red Dwarf or Data from Star Wars Next Generation. Use a silver or gold suit, pale make up and maybe a tinsel wig or a bald head to create a futuristic look.

Andrews Sisters - American singing trio of the mid 20th century. usually seen in US military (1940's) uniforms.

Andy -Little Britain. A licensed version is available to purchase. Andy is the man in the wheelchair who is not as infirm as his carer is led to believe!

Andy Pandy - 'Watch With Mother' character first seen on UK televisions on 13th July 1950. Costume is a blue and white bodysuit with matching hat.

Angel- Symbol of goodness and heaven. Modern versions have been portrayed by John Travolta (Angel) but most seen wearing a long, white robe with flared sleeves, wings and halo. Popular now as a fallen angel with black versions available on the market. Satan is the ultimate 'fallen angel'. Can be used For The Angel Islington for a London Underground Themed party.

Angel of Death- Named as Azrael, who watches over the dying and takes their souls. Use a black robe, wings and halo.

Anna- From The King And I. Anna Leonowens who had an affair with a 19th century King of Thailand. Use Victorian dresses with a large a skirt as possible.

Anna Boleyn - Second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I who was beheaded. Any Tudor style costume will suffice.

Anne of Cleves - German princess and 4th wife of Henry VIII. Divorced. Use a Tudor style costume.

Annie Oakley- (1860 - 1926) real name was Pheobe Anne Oakley Moses. Part of the wild west show run by 'Buffalo BIll William Cody). The musical 'Annie Get Your Gun' has her dressed in a cowgirl outfit with fringing, tassels and sequin trim but any cowgirl costume will do.

Apache- Native American Indian - Use any Indian costume or some of the many accessories available to purchase.

Aphrodite - Greek goddess of love. Use a Grecian robe with long hair, normally in a high ponytail.

Arab- Normally you would use a long robe with a turban. Looking for a more modern 'Sheik' image? Add Goatee beard, dark glasses and loads of bling jewellery

Aragorn-Character from JRR Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings. Wear a dark medieval style tunic over dark leggings and cloak. You will also need straggly dark, shoulder length hair, beard and moustache.

Archer - Use a Robin Hood style costume

Ariel - Character from Little Mermaid. Long red hair.

Army Officer- Use any US or UK Army uniform- may be able to source at an army surplus.

Arnold Schwarzenegger- Actor turned Californian politician. best known as The Terminator but also as characters such as Conan the Barbarian.

Artful Dodger - Character from Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist'. Wear a crumpled shirt and trousers with a too large jacket and a battered top hat.

Arwen- Character from JRR Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings

Ascot Racegoer- Appears in films such as 'My Fair Lady ' and a 'View To a Kill'. Morning suit is typical for a man and a lady can wear a glamorous summer dress and hat.

Astronaut - Appears in films such as Apollo 11 or 2001, A Space Odyssey

ATS - Auxiliary Transport Services. Mainly women who, in the first and second World Wars provided transport services whilst the men were on the front line. Look for Green Army style uniforms.

Audrey Hepburn- died 1993. Actress best known for her role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's' and Eliza Dolittle in 'My Fair Lady'

Aunt Sally- Played by Una Stubbs, opposite Tom Baker's Worzel Gummidge. Aunt Sally is a doll (fairground skittle) that comes to life. Use an Edwardian style dress with poke bonnet, black court shoes and doll-face make up.

Austin Powers- This character was created by Mike Myers as a Bond-like spoof. Based in the 60's, Austin battles against his arch enemy, Dr. Evil. Many suits are available to purchase, including licensed versions. Use a plain velvet suit (blue or purple) or multi coloured stripes. In 'Goldmeber' he also wears a 1970's pimp costume. Black rimmed glasses, 'Love God' medallion, messy brown hair and horrible teeth will complete the look.

Australian Lady- Or Sheila as they are called in the land of Oz. Famous Aussie ladies include: Kylie Minogue (think of song videos) and Nicole Kidman (think of films she has starred in) and lets not forget the most famous Aussie lady Dame Edna Everidge herself. Dame wigs and over sized glasses are available to buy.

Australian Man- Think Rolf Harris or Steve Irwin. You can wear a safari style outfit and a hat with corks. Russel Crowe as Maximus from the 2000 film Gladiator.

Austrian - Costumes normally derive from folk or national costumes, common to all Alpine countries.

Avengers- 1960's cult television series starring Joanna Lumley (Emma Peel) and Patrick Mcnee (John Steed). Emma Peel wore tight fitting catsuits and John Steed wore a plain suit with a bowler hat.

So that gives you some ideas for an A party. I am sure you can think of many others. If you do, please add them in the comments box at the end to help others.

I am updating all my party theme lists including more letters of the alphabet, so why don't you 'fan' my hubs and be the first to know about them.

Thanks for taking the time to read this hub and don't forget to add any comments you may have.

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