Hong Kong Sevens: 7 costume ideas for the fancy dress aficionados

Fancy dress fans in Hong Kong have been largely denied a sporting chance to shine for three years, but that’s all set to change with the return of the Sevens next week.

Covid-19 restrictions will sadly still be in place at Hong Kong Stadium over the three days of action on November 4-6.

The usual raucous travelling contingent are unlikely to make the trip this time, too, with PCR tests and amber codes perhaps repelling some would-be visitors.

It looks like it will be mainly local fans filling in. But beer – and, thankfully, food – will be served in the concourses, with more than 25,000 tickets already sold.

So hopefully there will still be plenty of punters indulging in the annual tradition of donning a costume in the South Stand.

Halloween is just around the corner, anyway, so why not get some extra use out of your outfit?

Here are seven fancy dress ideas for the return of the Hong Kong Sevens.

Liz Truss

We’ve seen that the Sevens is not afraid to get political, with Donald Trump masks all over the shop in 2017.

So maybe we can expect to see Liz Truss being lampooned in true South Stand style, after resigning as UK prime minister in a record 45 days – just bring a blonde bob, some clip-on hoop earrings and a suit dress.

Boris Johnson, with his own signature blond mop, might be just as easy for fans to send up, while we can also expect a few patriotic tributes to Britain’s new ruling monarch, King Charles.

Top Gun

Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick was a huge hit with moviegoers this summer, and we’re certain we will see more than a few pairs of Aviators and khaki jumpsuits.

Cheap, quick and easy to assemble, you can expect the shops of Pottinger Street to be well stocked with gear for Captain Pete Mitchell.

You can even take your pick from Cruise’s titular protagonist, or Miles Teller’s Rooster – with distinctive moustache to boot.

Ted Lasso

This is the SCMP Sport desk, and we are talking about a sporting event, so we need to chuck in a sport-related costume. So how about Ted Lasso?

Everyone’s favourite American soccer coach returned for a second season of his hit show on Apple TV+, with creator and lead star Jason Sudeikis winning Best Actor at the 2022 Emmy Awards.

You’ve probably already got the building blocks of the outfit in your cupboard, too – a retro sports jacket, football, some Ray Bans and a visor. Now just add a can-do attitude.

Ability to grow your own facial hair a bonus.

Full Covid kit

We’re going to have to wear masks anyway, so why not have some fun with it?

Hong Kong loves its PPE. So perhaps go the whole nine yards with a baby-blue hazmat suit and some rubber gloves, and complete the look with a plastic face shield and matching hairnet.

You’ll be having fun, and prioritising health and safety at the same time.

Stranger Things

OK, it’s latest season came out about four months ago, but Stranger Things is still easily the best thing on Netflix in 2022.

You can bet there will be an army of Eddie Munsons lining the stands, curly haired wigs and all.

Grab your Hellfire Club t-shirts and denim jackets, and get ready to bust out your best air guitar solo.

Squid Game

In lieu of many other monster pop culture hits, maybe you can just recycle your Squid Game costumes from last year’s Halloween.

On a rare occasion when people were allowed to have some fun in Hong Kong in 2021, the streets of Lan Kwai Fong and Soho were filled with those iconic green and pink jumpsuits at the end of October.

The helmets for the guard uniforms can even potentially double up as your face mask – it might make it a little difficult to enjoy a beer, mind.

Hocus Pocus 2

We don’t normally get a Sevens this close to Halloween, so why not party like it’s 1993 and go full on trick or treat in the South Stand next weekend.

Kathy Najimyin, Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker have reprised their roles from the early 90s flick, and while a full-length cape and ruffled sleeves could present some challenges, you’ll certainly make a splash.

Plus, if you bring a long a broom stick you can help sweep away all those empty plastic beer glasses as you stagger home.