Letter Related Parties

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 L. 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.

Lady Beefeater- Traditionally, this was a male orientated role. Beefeaters 'guard' The Tower of London, although, they are mainly ceremonial and used to guide tourists around the famous site. Lady Beefeater's would wears a tunic-style costume in red & gold or black & gold, with a decorated hat.

Lady Bracknell- The most memorable character from Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. Lady Bracknell is first and foremost a symbol of Victorian earnestness. Wear a long dress with a high collar, white decorated blouse, large hat and parasol.

Lady Brimstone- Aka Devil's Consort, a costume consists of a red short or long dress, belt and collar.

Lady Caroline Lamb- A novelist and British aristocrat, wife of William Lamb. Best known for her tempestuous love affair with Lord Byron in 1812.

Lady Emma Hamilton- Best remembered as the mistress of Lord Nelson.

Lady Godvia- Wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia. Well known for riding naked on a horse through Coventry in 1040. Costume is therefore minimalist, use a flesh coloured body-stocking and long blond wig.

Lady Luck- Fictional character used to represent luck being on your side. Costume is open to interpretation, use symbols of luck such as horseshoes and shamrocks. Elements of gambling such as dice and cards can also be Incorporated.

Lady Macbeth- Wife of Macbeth and accessory to the murder of Duncan the King of Scotland. After being ridden with guilt, she experiences nightmares that cause her to sleep walk and constantly wash and scrub the blood from her stained hands. An ideal costume would be a long nightdress with fake blood on the hands.

Lady Shallot- A pretty young Maiden who in Arthurian legend, died of a broken heart after her love for Sir Lancelot was not reciprocated. A painting from the pre-raphaelite period depicts Lady Shallot in a white, floaty medieval dress with long hair and headband.

Lady of the Lake- Related character who play integral parts in the Arthurian legend. Different writers give her names such as Nimue, Viviane and Nyneve. Her costume is based on blue, green and silver flowing fabrics.

Lady of the Lamp- Also known as Florence Nightingale the pioneer for modern nursing. famed for carrying a oil lantern on night rounds, a lantern will be an essential accessory to accompany a long dark dress with apron and nurses headdress.

Lady Pimpernel- Wife of fictional character Sir Percy Blakeney also known as the Scarlet Pimpernel. An Ideal costume would be one suited to a lady during the French Revolution or a female version of the Pimpernel himself.

Lady Pirate- Typically recognised as being a male dominated environment, female pirates did exist! possible role models may be Geena Davis as 'Morgen' in Cut-throat Island, or more recently Keira Knightly as 'Elizabeth Swan' in Pirates of the Caribbean. Costumes are generally open to interpretation with plenty to hire and purchase.

Lady Sailor - Many female sailors were stow aways disguised as men.

Lady Viola - Gwyneth Paltrow's character in 'Shakespeare in love'. Two possible costume ideas would be a Medieval dress with long blond wig, or a male equivalent of that time to represent the male role she played to become part of Will Shakespeare's theatre group.

Lady Bird or Lady Bug - Red and black spotty Insect frequently used in childrens stories, nursery rhymes and films. Costumes available to buy include short dreeses with tutu skirts and wings, or basque, tutu, red stockings with black spots.

Lamb - Not a common ready made costume but can be easy to create with white fluffy top and trousers with black gloves and socks as hooves. Some headbands are available with ears and nose attached called 'Head bops'.

Lamplighter- An occupation from Victorian times where someones duty was to light the gas lamps in the street at dusk. A poor Victorian costume will be suitable for this character.

Lancelot - One knights of the 'Round Table'. He is considered to be one of the greatest and most trusted of King Arthur's knights. A 'chain mail' fabric tunic, black trousers and hood or helmet are suitable for this costume. Accessories such as swords and armour can complete your outfit.

Land Army - During WW1 the government established The Womens' Land Army. Their work was hard and dirty. A typical costume would be khaki breeches/dungarees, blouse, headscarf and wellies.

LAPD Motorcycle Cop- Best known from the tv series 'Chips' as well as a member of the Village People. A black shirt, trousers and a few accessories can easily make up this costume.

Lara Croft - Angelina Jolie brought this character to life in the 2001 in the film Tomb Raider. Lara is known to wear a green or black tight fitted top with black shorts and black boots. Twin gun holsters and a long dark plaited wig can also be bought to help with the look.

Latin American Dancer - Latin Dances were created and embraced into Latin culture as early as 1791.

There are a number of Latin dances, and each has its own costume:

• Mambo - short elaborate dress
• Salsa - long slim fitting dress
• Rumba - long dress with layers/frills of colourful material
• Flamenco - long dress flowing bouncy dress
• Samba - elaborite bikinis, big headresses, lots of feathers and jewels

Laughing Policeman - Childrens Favourites radio programme of the 1950s/60s. This costume can be recreated by using a 'Jolly-Wobbly' police outfit.

Lawrence of Arabia - is a 1962 epic film based on the life of T.E Lawrence. The film pictures Lawrence in Arabia during WW1, his emotional struggles with violence in war and the conflicts between arab tribes and the death of the Turkish Army. The costume would consist of a long white robe and headress/turban.

Lederhosen Male - Classic bid and leather shorts look., white t-shirt, short socks and boots. To complete the ensemble use a brown or green hat with a small feather.

Leelo- A Character from the sci-fi film 'The Fifth Element'. Wear a white jumpsuit with silver belt and an orange wig.

Legolas- One of nine elf members of the Fellowship in 'Lord of the Rings'. Costumes consists of a brown/green tunic or jerkin, dark trousers or tights and a long blonde wig. Legolas is also known to wear a bow and arrow.

Leonardo da Vinci- Italian artist, architect, inventor and visionary. It is primarily as a painter Leonardo was and is renowned His two paintings 'Mona Lisa' and 'The Last Supper' occupy unique positions as the most famous. most reproduced and most parodied portrait and religious painting of all time.

Leopard - A jungle animal which can also be found in 'The Jungle Book'. The leopard is popular for would-be feline females. A patterned fur or body suit would be an ideal costume or a bolder option is face and body paint. A face bop is available to purchase.

Leprechaun - Great costume for St Paddy's Day. Anything emerald green would be suitable for this costume. Many accessories such as beards, lucky coins, pots of gold can help complete your outfit. There are also a few costumes available to buy on the market.

Lifeguard- Costume involves Speedo swimsuit, swim cap and the float container for rescue equipment.

Lily Langtry - Famed for her beauty, she was known as 'The Jersey Lily'. Costume consists of an elegant Edwardian evening dress. Hire costumes available.

Lion - King of the Jungle. The lion features in many stories such as 'The Lion King', 'The Wizard of Oz', 'Narnia', 'Alice Through the Looking Glass'. Lion costumes are usually easy to obtain from a number of sources.

Lion Tamer - A safari-style outfit and a whip or stick would be ideal for this costume.

Boy Blue - Nursery rhyme character, wear a white t-shirt and blue dungarees to create your look.

Britain- TV sketch show of 2003, created by Matt Lucas & David Walliams. Characters include:

 Dafyd - The only gay in the village Vicky Pollard - A stroppy teenager Bubbles DeVere - obese middle-aged woman who lives at a health spa Andy and Lou - Andy is in a wheelchair and Lou is his care-giver Official costumes and wigs are available on the market.

House on the Prairie - Popular TV programme about US pioneer folk, costumes are mid-western colonial.

Jack Horner - Nursery rhyme character known for his exploits with plum pie.

John - Character from Robin Hood, you can wear a typical Tudor costume (doublet/hose) or medieval wear. 

Match Girl. Hans Christian Anderson character. Wear a tatty blouse and skirt and take a tray of matchsticks.

Mermaid. Originally from Hans Christian Anderson's book 'The Little Mermaid', later named 'Ariel in a Disney cartoon of the story. You will need a mermaid tail or skirt, shell bra top and long red hair.

Miss Muffet. From the nursery rhyme. Normally portrayed as wearing a short dress with bloomers and matching hat. You could take a pie to eat all night too!

Nell. Character from Charles Dickens's 'David Copperfield'. Wear a Victorian skirt, blouse and bonnet.

Red Riding Hood. Originally from The Brothers Grimm. Many red gingham dresses with a hooded cape are available to purchase.

Liz Hurley. British actress. Best known for her role as Vanessa Kensignton in Austin Powers (wear a silver A line dress or leather catsuit ) and the Devil in 'Bedazzled (various outfits from red catsuit to schoolgirl, policewoman)

Lone Ranger. 1950's television programme. White cowboy costume, black eyemask and bandana.

Long John Silver. 18th century pirate from the book 'Treasure Island' (Robert Louise Stevenson. Costume comprises of a crutch, eyepatch and parrot on top of a basic pirate captain costume.

Looby Loo. Rag doll like character from Andy Pandy. Costume has a spotted dress, striped socks, plait hair and doll like make up.

 Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770 - 1827). Standard frock coat, cravat, breeches and an ear trumpet (if available due to being deaf)

Luke Skywalker. Lead character in Star Wars films. costumes are available to purchase or hire.

Liza Minelli. American actress, daughter of Judy Garland. Famous for her roles in Cabaret and Arthur. Cabaret is probably the easiest to put together adn you will only need a tailcoat, top hat and cane. Known for her short, haircut and long, spikey eyelashes.

Lulu. Pop singer from Scotland. Famous hits during the 60s include 'Shout'. Use hotpants and a line dresses.

Lord Byron. Poet ( and lover of Lady Caroline Lamb). Wear a frock coat, top hat, cravat and breeches.

Louis XIV, XV, XVI (of France). Wear a Georgain style costume, complete with pale face and wig. Louis XV, more famous for his affair with Madame Pompadour than his leadership. Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette, eventually both  executed.

Louis Bleriot. First person to cross the English Channel on 25th July 1909. Basic aviator costume willsuffice.