Dress me up Bolly!

I know it's a desire that most of us grow out of - like playing in sand pits and finger painting - but I do love a good dress up. Although these days’ people's parties are generally too highbrow to request fancy costumes in their invitations, hosts are more concerned with showing off their culinary skills, or extensive bar selection... Give me candied-apples and lolly bags any day!

That's why I just couldn't pass up an invitation to a friend-of-a-friend's 'Empire Strikes Back' event last Saturday night. Don't think this was some Star Wars convention either... no, no, no. We're in the London now... it's all about the British Empire, baby. My girlfriend and I thought about our costumes for a good month beforehand. Obviously, we wanted to go all-out (otherwise, what's the point?), but it was vital that we construct a get-up that was not only original, but that made us look hot... after all, no one wants to be the one in the ugly banana suit sitting in the corner of the room. We decided on Bollywood - that was part of the Empire once, wasn't it?

We had grandiose plans at the start... thoughts of buying saris and bangles and bindis and henna tattoos. As the weeks past we downgraded a bit, thinking instead of teaming pashminas with skinny jeans and sky-high heels... but I have to say, our final choice was definitely the kindest on both our wallets - already had the maxi-dress and bindis cost 1 pound for a pack of four - and our feet - dancing for a whole night in stilettos can really do some damage - and we certainly ticked off the 'hot' box... if we say so ourselves!

Check these pics out...