Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned attendee, the below guide aims to activate your creative cortex so that you can put together a costume for the night, regardless of your sewing prowess. If you can’t make it in person, we recommend you dress up anyway and send on some pictures so you’re still with us in (ghostly) spirit.

Oh Mio Padre, while on the topic of ghosts, let’s take a moment to recall the amazing ‘best dressed’ winners at last year’s event who dressed up as Teya & Salena.

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1. Remember that everything can be a costume

For those wondering if a costume is essential to attend, the answer is no – all are welcome even if you’re just rocking up in a black T-shirt and jeans. However, with 68 editions of Eurovision behind us, you may be surprised at just how many simple outfits can resemble those worn by past participants. For example, that black T-shirt and jeans you’re wearing? Why not tell people you’ve come as Spain’s Miki Núñez – you’ll definitely get to lead the La Venda conga line!

Or swap out the tee for a long-sleeved white shirt and pay homage to our guest performer on the night, Luke Black. Fake lobster optional.

If all else fails, wear some merch from past contests.

2. Shop for the staples

Building on the first point, if you’re planning to hit the shops soon, there are some key items of clothing that show up at Eurovision so often that you’re bound to get use out of them for years to come. Here are some examples of investment pieces:

3. Be a sustainability monarch

Before you embark on a spending spree, maybe consider upcycling. Citi Zēni sang all about sustainability (I think…) so why not see if you can borrow from a friend or look at buying second-hand from charity shops/Depop?

Even better, maybe you can repurpose a costume from previous years if you think outside the box. Here’s some inspiration:

4. Don’t bite off more than you can chew

While we love fans who are ambitious with their attire, don’t put yourself under so much pressure that you’re still dizzy on sequin glue arriving to the Odeon (yes, speaking from experience). Instead, it’s wise to focus on building your costume step-by-step, focusing on the key parts and adding some flair if you have time at the end. For example, if you decided to dress up as Silvester Belt, this would be the recommended order of creating your costume:

Step 1: Buy the nose clip (pro-tip: do an online search for ‘silver band-aid nose cuff’). Eurovision fans are the most astute collection of people out there, so they are sure to recognise you as one of Lithuania’s finest by the nasal bridge alone.

Step 2: Add in a red bomber jacket with matching trousers.

Step 3: Don some hair curls and assemble an entourage of backing dancers.

Step 4: Change your name by deed poll – this might be a step too far, although Frank doesn’t award prizes on the night for just anything…

5. Make use of the resources available

Running around the ILAC shopping centre looking for Kateryna Pavlenko’s green jacket to no avail? Let’s make things easier. Tools like Google Lens can help you search an image for similar items available to buy online. Sometimes you might even get an exact match, which once helped me bag The Busker’s sweater for €30.

There’s also a number of tutorials available online, including a Måneskin make-up tutorial and a guide on sewing a Käärijä bolero (good luck with that one). And the best resources of all? Your fellow fans! Brainstorm ideas together or put together a group costume.

When it’s just you wearing a black sequin number and throwing your hair around everywhere? Well, that’s just a standard Eurobash. Get two other people on board? Then you’re ready to stage the most captivating performance of Loco Loco that Harcourt Street has ever seen.

And that’s it…

After all that, maybe now you have too many fancy dress ideas? Well, we’re talking Eurovision here – there’s always room for an interval costume change!