COSTUME

[noun] - the set of clothes typical of a particular country or period of history, or suitable for a particular activityWhen we were in Switzerland we saw a group of men and women in/wearing national costume at a local festival. [U]Singers performing Mozart's operas often dress in/wear historical costume. [U]The dancers leading the procession were in colourful and elaborate costumes. [C]The shop has a good selection of bikinis and bathing/swimming costumes. [C]A (fancy-dress) costume is a set of clothes worn in order to look like someone or something else, esp. for a party or as part of an entertainment.Our host was wearing a clown costume.The children were dressed in halloween costumes (= clothes, masks and make-up that make the wearers look frightening).Costume is US for fancy dressThe family was invited to Liz's costume party.(esp. disapproving) A costume drama is a film, esp. on television, about a period in history.A Jane Austen costume drama, Northanger Abbey, is being serialized in six episodes in the autumn.Costume jewellery is jewellery made from artificial jewels, which look as if they are real.