Preposterous Presents

This old-school jape player’s paradise has been an Upper Street stalwart for over 30 years. It started as a business profferring alternative postcards, expanding to stock humorous gifts and then fancy-dress garb. Today, it’s a den of fripperies and fancy-dress that supplies whoopee cushions, water bombs, itching powder and a whole load of fake blood. The staff know their stuff, and can help you find the wig or mask of your wildest dreams. The place is unsurprisingly packed out around Halloween, with skeleton outfits, witches paraphernalia and axe in the head-type special effects a speciality, but it’s also excellent for fancy-dress garb of all kinds, with a whole host of moustaches, eye-patches, wigs, ‘Thatcher years’ masks and more. The place to visit any time you’re feeling in the need of a lift. Or a flower that squirts.