Occasionally, masquerade balls were a game to see who could hide their identity the most effectively.
Masquerade balls have been a time-honored tradition since the 16th century, but their current resurgence in popularity started in North America during the 1990s. The craze soon spread to Europe, Australia and New Zealand, where elaborate annual masquerade balls are held in castles and historic buildings across the country.
Traditional
The more elaborate the mask, the better.
You can't go wrong with a traditional masquerade look: think elaborate, brocaded gowns with full skirts, fancy beadwork and puffy sleeves for women, classic black and white tuxedos with bow ties (or even a more modern skinny tie) for men and, of course, a fancy mask of some sort. Many New Zealand masquerade balls have themes. These themes can range from Darkness and Light to Under the Sea. Plan your costume accordingly. Traditional animal costumes use colors and flowing materials paired with a more straightforward mask to suggest a bird, bear or fish. The brave may even don a full sports-mascot-style animal costume.
Modern
The most appropriate lingerie for a masquerade ball teases instead of flashing.
Although masks at masquerade balls are still popular -- and occasionally required -- sometimes guests at modern masquerade balls replace the traditional mask with elaborate face paint. Sometimes the face paint involves prosthetic noses, ears or other protuberances. The traditional gown or tuxedo is traded in for a burlesque costume or other tasteful items of lingerie -- corsets are popular, as are lacy slips in bright colors accompanied by feather boas, garters and stockings, seamed and seamless.
Costumes
A guest at a New Zealand masquerade ball should always dress to impress. Most balls have strict dress codes and will turn improperly-dressed attendees away at the door without a refund. Denim is forbidden, as is sportswear. Footwear must be appropriate for the occasion -- no sandals, sneakers or flip-flops. Lingerie is considered on a case-by-case basis. While tasteful and attractive lingerie is cheerfully welcomed, anything tacky, see-through or otherwise unnecessarily revealing is frowned upon. Fetish wear -- including rubber and bondage equipment -- is not allowed at a traditional masquerade ball, though those held at fetish clubs are another story.
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