1950s Fancy Dress Costume

A 1950s outfit is a popular and fun costume for a fancy-dress party - and it's an easy one to put together. Scour vintage shops for full skirts and fitted blouses. If you can find a 1950s-style dress then that's even better. Take a look at the characters in Grease for inspiration and if in doubt, just add polka dots! You can check out stores on the high street too and even raid your mum or auntie's closet.

Accessorise with a simple string of pearls or a little neck scarf. You can go for vibrant green, purples and reds or, if you want to look more sweet and innocent, pick a pastel yellow, blue or pink.

If you can't find a dress or want to make your own using basic sewing skills and easy to find items, then follow the steps below.

1 Draw a large circle on the white fabric - take the circle right up to the edges of the material then cut it out.

2 Draw a smaller circle that is 1 foot in diameter in the very centre of the white fabric. Cut this one out.

3 Fold the material in half so the hole where you cut out the 1 foot circle is at the top. It should now roughly resemble a skirt.

4 Fold the top over by two inches and sew into place using the needle and thread. This is your waistband. Make sure you only sew along the bottom of the fold because you will need to thread the ribbon through this next.

5 Cut into the waistband slightly in one place only.

6 Tie the ribbon to a safety pin and take it into the waistband at one side of the gap you just created. Thread it the whole way rounb the waistband and out the other side.

7 Use the red fabric pen to draw polka dots all over your white skirt. Make the dots two inches in diameter and about two inches apart.

8 Wear your polka-dot skirt and tie the ribbon into a tight bow so it stays up.

9 Tie your hair into a high ponytail with the elastic band, then tie the red ribbon in a pretty bow around the base of the ponytail.

10 Wear your pretty pearls and your ballet shoes and you’re ready to rock and roll!