As formal events go, masquerades have it all: mystery, intrigue, glamour, and fashion. These inspiring events have been around for centuries and promise an unforgettable evening for all. When choosing an outfit for a masquerade, the goal is to be glamorous and unique, showing your personal flair on the hottest trends. Here are the top five masquerade outfits for fashion lovers.
Traditional Venetian Gowns
Masquerades date back to the Italian Renaissance, starting as a special event for royalty before being extended to the public. Perhaps the most famous masquerade ball of all time is the annual Carnival of Venice, which sees up to three million attendees each year.
Look no further than the traditional Venetian gown to inspire your masquerade outfit. These gowns boasted rich fabrics, a form-fitting bodice with front lace ties, a flowing floor-length skirt, and embellished sleeves. Capture this look with velvet, jacquard, and shades of red and gold. Pair the dress with an ornate half-moon Venetian mask for a breathtaking ensemble.
Tiered Evening Gown
If you love the vintage look but want a more modern vibe, grab a tiered floor-length evening gown. These skirts incorporate layers of fabric that pay homage to traditional masquerade dresses while fitting with current fashion trends.
The tiered evening gown offers a versatile setting for your personal fashion flair. This look pairs well with sequence, ombre, or simple chiffon layers. For a bold look that challenges the norms, opt for a floral print in a luxurious satiny material.
Keep the look simple-yet-elegant with a complimentary lace filigree mask that highlights your eyes or a simple monochromatic and unembellished mask that shifts the focus to your dress.
Lolita Dresses
Lolita dresses have become Haute couture in the Western hemisphere, after being an alternative fashion subculture in Japan for decades. While Lolita fashion is known for being light and feminine, there are also darker, more mysterious subsets within this fashion movement.
Get a dark, elegant Lolita desk and beaded mask to pair with matching gloves for a fashion-forward look. You can get Lolita Fashion Dresses at DevilInspired.com – A Japanese Fashion Lolita Clothing retailer that offers a variety of masquerade appropriate gowns and accessories. Remember, with the Lolita trend, the more elaborate, the better.
MET Gala Recreations
For masquerade outfit inspiration that pulls out all the stops, look no further than the red carpet of the MET gala. While shelling out for Gigi Hadid’s 2018 Atelier Versace or Nicole Kidman’s 2016 Alexander McQueen may not be in the budget, there are plenty of seamstresses and custom dress shops that make recreations inspired by these looks.
Choose an ensemble that speaks to you and work with an artist to create a mask that completes the look. If you want your gown to be the focal point, opt for a simple mask that matches your color and fabric.
Stunning Metallics
Metallics have become a huge trend in both daily wear and bridal fashion over the past two years. The metallic look offers combinations of iridescent fabrics, sequence, and metal embellishments that can be as delicate or edgy as you like.
When you wear metallics to a masquerade, your dress will shimmer and shine, catching the light throughout the evening. You can look beyond the silver and gold shades for metallic jewel tones and pastels. The metallic look is also perfect for those who prefer to swap out a gown for a stunning suit or jumper.
Complete the look with a metallic filigree mask or showcase your best features with a half mask.
There are plenty of options for a showstopping masquerade outfit. Whether you’re heading to Venice or a charity ball, get creative and let your inner fashionista shine through.
