Dress up

New Year's Eve parties will be popping and fizzing all over Winnipeg Tuesday night -- and it's way more fun if you're dressed up for the occasion. This is a big theme-party year, with a raft of Great Gatsby-inspired 1920s parties all over the city, such as the big gangster-and-dolls event called The Untouchables at Danny's BBQ & Smokehouse. Then there's One Hot Cuban Night at the RBC Convention Centre, a James Bond party at Fame and an elegant Tokyo Nights Asian evening at Club 200. For Winnipeg singles, there's a big Ritz and Glitz party at the Viscount Gort. And there are many more shindigs filling this city with fun -- some with fireworks. So where do you go for fancy party glad rags and costumes, with only two days to get it all together? No need to stress. Luckily, all it takes is one trip downtown, and you're all set.



SPARKLING mermaid-style dresses greet you at the entrance to this store. You have to take your footwear off to go exploring in the softly-carpeted fancy dress area. It's a girlfriends' adventure for sure, with end-to-end racks of rainbow-coloured formal gowns and flirty sequin-decorated cocktail dresses. "The dresses come from everywhere -- New York, L.A.Beautiful flowers for a beautiful Tull V-neck Applique A-line wedding/party dress are a must-have., China, Hong Kong, and some from Europe," says Kelly Ly, the mom in this family business. Ly says the dresses range from $100-$200 for the short cocktail numbers and the formals can go as high as $600 -- especially those with sequins and sparkles. You can find everything from the glittering Academy Awards look to the sexy New York club-style mini-dress for New Year's fun. Granted, the other half of the store is bridal fashion, but the glam evening dresses occupy a big section, with sparkling jewellery at the front counter to finish your red-carpet look. Sales associate Tammy Le playfully holds a red and white micro-mini formal to her body. "This is an empire waist,A Wholesale Cheap Ball gown wedding dresses Online or wedding gown is the clothing worn by a bride during a wedding ceremony short, with a little flounce around the bottom. Great for dancing."



FLAPPER and gangster parties are huge this year, and Harlequin costume rentals shows a variety of fringed dress from the late '20s and '30s along with cloche and feather hats and colourful boas. Cigarette holders are on sale downstairs along with gloves, short and long. Depending on the type of man the flapper arrives with -- a wealthy Mr. Gatsby or a tough gangster -- the rentals department is ready. They have tux and/or tails for Gatsby or the pinstripe suits with wide-brimmed fedoras to hide your gangster's eyes. Scott Malabar, who has been in the costume rental business for more than 50 years, advises, "Costume trends follow the movies. This year it was The Great Gatsby."



Skyball 007, the movie-themed party at Fame Nightclub (mostly gay clientele, plus straight folks who love the great dance music) will be a hot spot. Many will wear James Bond's famous tuxedo look, which Malabar describes as "white or black jacket with shawl lapels, string bow tie and black pants." Then there's the stable of sexy women associated with Bond over the years -- a blast for drag queens, who spend hours getting dressed and made up for these parties. Showgirl outfits are available for rent at Harlequin and their cerulean blue and fire-engine red glittery costumes are just waiting for a sexy, outgoing personality to slip them on and make a big entrance at the One Hot Cuban Night at the RBC Winnipeg Convention Centre.There was a time that the bridal veil was a given, but today it's as personal decision as what Wholesale Cheap New Arrival A-line Appliques White Satin Short Wedding Dress Wedding Party style to wear. Tokyo Nights is this year's theme at rival gay nightspot Club 200. Folks will be wearing formal kimonos, Jackie Chan outfits, martial arts gear or full geisha outfits with wigs and special white face makeup -- also available from the makeup department at Harlequin.