A woman who has worn a different fancy dress outfit every day for 200 days is aiming to complete a full year in costume.
For most people fancy dress is reserved for Halloween or parties, but for Lisa Hughes, 52, from Farnworth, in Bolton, dressing up has become a part of her everyday routine.
After having the idea at the end of December, Lisa entered 2026 with a goal of dressing up in a different costume everyday, to raise money for charity. So far she has dressed up as Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders, Marge Simpson and Cupid.
“I am always in fancy dress,” she told BBC Radio Manchester. “At first it was a bit weird, people stop me in the street to ask me what is going on.”
Lisa, who goes by ThatFancyDressWoman on TikTok, has attracted much attention, with daily posts showing off her various different outfits.
Lisa said she decided to take on the challenge to raise funds for three charities – animal charity The Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter, bereavement support charity Winston’s Wish and Sussex Beacon, which supports people living with HIV. After posting her efforts online, Lisa attracted support with people reaching out to provide her with new costumes.
“Someone who sells theatre costumes got in touch with me and asked if he could send me some outfits,” Lisa said. “It was fantastic. I was expecting five or six outfits, and he sent me 65.”
Lisa said after returning the 65 outfits, the costume seller then offered her a further 60 to borrow.
Lisa’s quirky efforts have also seen her gain support from her local community.
“I have some brilliant support around me,” she said. “A lady I saw in Lidl knew I was struggling for costumes at the very beginning and she just handed me a bag to borrow.”
Lisa is a regular at The Millstone pub in Bolton, where her outfits have become a talking point.
“The locals love it,” she said. “They wait every weekend for me to go in and to see what what I am wearing.”
Lisa said while fundraising efforts have slowed down over the summer, she has raised £3,700 so far for her chosen charities. She added: “I hope to raise £10,000 before I give it to the charities at the end of the year.”
By BBC News
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