Cheap Butlins Fancy Dress Ideas (Under £20 / £30 / £40)
Cheap Butlins Fancy Dress Ideas (Under £20 / £30 / £40)
You don’t need to spend a fortune to look on-theme at a Butlins Big Weekender. Most of the best looks are just a solid base outfit (tee/denim/black) plus one or two strong accessories. This guide gives you outfit formats by budget that are comfortable, photo-ready, and group-friendly.
How to look “planned” on a budget
Budget outfits work when you focus on what reads instantly in photos: the head (wig/glasses/hat), a signature prop, and a shared frame if you’re in a group (tees or colour scheme).
Base outfit (cheap + comfy)
- Black/white tee + jeans
- Denim jacket/shirt
- Leggings/shorts + hoodie layer
Theme “switches” (what makes it work)
- Wig + glasses (instant era)
- Hat/bucket hat/bandana
- One prop (microphone, inflatable, sign, etc.)
Cheap Butlins fancy dress ideas: Under £20
Under £20 is all about accessories. You’re not buying a full costume here — you’re buying “theme signals”.
1) Wig + glasses combo
Fastest way to look 80s/90s/00s without changing your outfit.
- Wear: plain tee + jeans
- Add: wig + bold glasses
- Works for: 80s, 90s, Ibiza, 2000s
2) One shared group accessory
Make everyone buy the same thing. Done.
- Same hats OR same glasses OR same wigs
- Everyone wears black/denim as base
- Looks coordinated in photos
3) Bandana / bucket hat + chain
Easy throwback, especially for 90s and 2000s.
- Base: tee + jeans/shorts
- Add: bandana/bucket hat + accessory jewellery
- Comfort: high
4) “Theme face” only
If you’ve got nothing: do hair + headwear + glasses. It reads instantly.
- Wig OR hat
- Glasses
- One loud prop
Cheap Butlins fancy dress ideas: Under £30
Under £30 is the sweet spot for a “looks like a plan” outfit: a better base + stronger accessories.
1) Personalised tee + 1–2 accessories
The best value look. Your tee becomes the base, accessories become the theme.
- Tees unify your group (names/nicknames)
- Add: wig/glasses/hat/prop
- Re-wearable all weekend
2) “Half costume” outfit
One standout piece + normal clothes.
- Example: jacket/vest/top + accessories
- Base: jeans/leggings
- Comfort: higher than full costume
3) Coordinated colour theme
Cheap and effective: pick a colour and commit.
- All-black / all-white / neon highlights
- Same accessory for everyone
- Optional: personalised tee for the group
4) “One hero, rest simple” group plan
Someone goes full effort. Everyone else supports the theme.
- Hero: costume or standout piece
- Group: tee + matching accessory
- Photos look great
Cheap Butlins fancy dress ideas: Under £40
Under £40 is where you can do a full costume (if you want) or build a genuinely strong look with extras.
1) Full costume (but choose the right kind)
Go for dance-friendly costumes that won’t annoy you after an hour.
- Pick breathable, easy-movement styles
- Avoid flimsy, fragile pieces
- Bring a backup tee
2) Tees + “full accessory set”
This often looks better than a cheap costume.
- Personalised tee as the base
- Wig + glasses + prop combo
- Swap accessories across nights
3) One headline costume night only
Best way to keep the weekend fun: one big night, easier looks the rest.
- Night 1: tees + accessories
- Night 2: full costume
- Night 3: tees + different accessories
4) Couple / duo outfits under £40
Pairs look “planned” with almost no effort.
- Matching tees + the same accessory
- Or: one theme prop each (e.g. glasses/wig)
- Comfort stays high
Budget ideas by theme (quick picks)
These combos hit the theme without needing a full costume.
Ultimate 80s
- Neon tee + sweatbands + loud glasses
- Big wig = instant 80s
90s Reloaded
- Bucket hat + rave glasses + chain
- Bandana + sports cap look
We Love Ibiza
- Bright tee + glow accessories
- Rave glasses + neon prop
Back to 2000s
- Novelty sunglasses + bandana
- One loud accessory item + normal clothes
Budget group outfit plan (that people actually follow)
If you’re trying to coordinate a group, don’t overcomplicate it. Here’s the most reliable budget plan:
| Budget | Group plan | Why it works | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under £20 | Same colour base + one shared accessory | Fastest, cheapest coordination | Accessories |
| Under £30 | Matching personalised tees + one accessory | Looks intentional, comfy all weekend | Tees + Smiffys |
| Under £40 | One costume night + tees the rest | Big impact, no burnout | Smiffys + Tees |
FAQs
Can I do Butlins fancy dress without buying a full costume?
Yes. A base outfit (tee/denim/black) plus a wig/glasses/hat/prop often reads more “on theme” than a cheap full costume—and it’s more comfortable.
What’s the best budget group outfit?
Matching personalised tees plus one shared accessory. It’s the easiest way to look like a group and it gets worn all weekend.
What fancy dress brand do you mainly stock?
Smiffys is our main fancy dress brand. We stock Smiffys outfits and accessories alongside personalised tees, so you can build your look to fit your budget.
Want a budget outfit that still looks planned?
Start with a personalised tee, then add Smiffys accessories to hit the theme.