Costume Dictionary: 20 terms you'll encounter with costumes, masks, and party wear
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
6 min reading time
One size, mesh fabric, wetlook, 3-piece, bulk packaging: the terms on a party and fancy dress product page explained, with an example for each term. This way you know what to expect beforehand.
You order a dress with "one size" in the title, a tight fishnet outfit arrives, and you wonder if this is correct. Or you buy a three-piece role-play set and find that the stockings are not included. This is rarely the webshop's fault: the words on a product page for party and fancy dress clothing have a fairly fixed meaning, but nobody explains them. Below are the terms you will most often encounter in this assortment, with an example so you can immediately see what is meant.
Sizes: one size, S/M, and "2 sizes"
One size literally means one size, but in practice, it often means one size fits most: made of stretchy material, intended for a broad middle range. This is the case for the Tight Bodystocking TL18 One Size Black (€ 19.95). Stretchy does not mean unlimited: with a tight fit, the stretch will eventually give out.
S/M and L/XL are seen for pantyhose, stockings, and leggings. These are two broad size groups instead of four separate sizes, as with the Panty with Leopard Print (€ 9.95). If you are on the border, choose the larger group: with fishnet and pantyhose, a size larger mainly prevents ladders.
"2 sizes" in a title, such as with the Neon Green Leggings - 2 sizes (€ 9.95), means that when ordering, you choose from two variations. Always check the variations before checking out.
Excluding is the word that causes the most disappointment: it means something is not included. A Balloon Arch (excluding balloons) (€ 30.00) is just the frame; the balloons must be ordered separately.
Fabrics: fishnet, wet look, lace, and felt
Fishnet is openly woven and stretches in all directions, as with the Open Fishnet Bodystocking TL17 Black (€ 19.95). Be careful with sharp nails and rings when putting it on.
Wet look is shiny, elastic material that looks like wet leather or latex but is not. The Wet Look Tight Dress TL102 - One Size (€ 24.95) falls into this category. Shine also means: warm, and visible creases if stored folded.
A wig sits on your head with an elastic cap; models with a fixed shape, such as the Mohawk Iroquois Wig (€ 4.95), naturally maintain their silhouette. A diadem or tiara is a half-band that you place on your head, often part of a set such as the Leopard Fancy Dress Set with Tiara Ears, Bow, and Tail (€ 14.95). A headband goes all the way around and usually stays in place better while dancing.
For masks, there are three main types. A Venetian mask covers the upper part of your face and leaves your mouth free, like the Black Venetian Mask (€ 5.95). A full-face mask or animal mask covers your entire face, like the Rabbit Mask - 5 colors (€ 19.95) — more effect, less visibility, and more warmth. And a nose mask, such as the Fancy Dress Nose Masks (€ 4.95), is a minimal variant that you can keep on all evening.
Goggles are the glasses-shaped accessories often associated with a steampunk look, such as on the Steampunk Top Hat with Goggles (€ 18.00). They are decorative: you rarely actually look through them.
Wings are often indicated by their wingspan. The Angel Wings 105 cm - Black and White (€ 39.95) are over a meter wide: great for a photo, difficult in a crowded living room. Suspenders, such as the Leopard Print Suspenders (€ 9.95), are usually adjustable and thus the easiest way to give an outfit a theme.
Finally, two practical terms. Boob tape is skin-friendly adhesive tape that holds clothing or shapes in place, often with separate covers included, as with the Boob Tape Sandy with Nipple Covers (€ 10.00). And stockings are separate hosiery up to above the knee or thigh, in contrast to pantyhose that go up to your waist; the Black Stockings - 2 sizes (€ 9.95) are an example of this.
How to read a product page in a minute
First, look for the size indication: one size, S/M and L/XL, "2 sizes" or a size in centimeters.
Count the components: how many parts are included, and does it say "excluding" anywhere?
Check the fabric: fishnet and wet look are tight, felt and plush hold their shape but are warm.
Look at the packaging: gift box or bulk packed determines whether you still need to wrap it.
Translate centimeters to your own situation: does that mask or those wings fit in the space where your party is?
Get started
Once you know what the words mean, you'll choose faster and return fewer items. Browse Fancy Dress Accessories for individual parts, Masks and Hats & Wigs for headwear, and Body Stocking or Sexy Clothing if you're looking for clothing with one-size sizing. For the upcoming season, you'll find complete looks and individual accessories in Halloween and Carnival. If you have any doubts about the size, set contents, or material of a specific item, feel free to email info@verpakkingdeals.nl — we'll be happy to help you before you order.
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