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Don't Shop for A Costume - Just Open Your Closet
I bet you didn't even know it, but you probably already own several Halloween costumes! Just open your closet.
Here's a list of five costumes that most people can put together using items they already have on hand. Or if there's an item you need that you don't already own, you can probably borrow it from a friend or pick it up with a quick trip to the thrift store.
Tourist:
Just about everyone owns a Hawaiian shirt. Add some Bermuda shorts, a visor, a camera (or two) around your neck, and sandals on your feet (socks optional). For a funny effect, stuff the butt of your pants for that extra-dorky look. Find or make some brochures and tickets to stuff in your pockets and you're good to go!
Gypsy:
Wear your funkiest colors. Girls: layer two or three skirts on top of each other, with a peasant blouse and lots of jewelry. Guys: wear loose pants tucked into boots, with a shirt unbuttoned to reveal several gold necklaces (plus a vest if you have one). Wear a scarf around your head and another around your waist, and boots on your feet (or just go barefoot).
Pirate:
Start with a bandana around your head. Boots are very helpful but you can make boot tops by wrapping dark fabric around your lower leg flapped over at the top. Women--wear a skirt with a ragged bottom. Men--either tuck some loose pants into your boots, or cut the bottom into a ragged edge. Wear a loose shirt unbuttoned at the top, with a vest (it's easy to make a vest by cutting up an old shirt). Wrap a piece of fabric around your waist for a belt.
Cowboy:
Everyone owns jeans, and chances are good you own some kind of western or plaid shirt and boots. If you can get your hands on a cowboy hat, that's great. Accessories like a gun belt, lasso, bandana around your neck, chaps or vest add to the look.
Nerd:
Easiest ever. Just wear your clothes a size too small, with your shirt buttoned all the way up, and pants pulled up too high, over white socks and Grandpa shoes. Add a pocket protector, fake zits, and gel in your hair to make it look extra-geeky.
Costume Ideas: Advice & Inspiration
- When Sexy Becomes Scary
- Pun Intended: Costumes with a Punch Line
- Couple Costumes for Men Who Hate Costumes
- Traditional Characters Never Get Old
- A Hollywood Halloween
- Use Your Closet for Costume Inspiration
- Teen Trends in Costume Design
- Disguise Yourself as the "True You"
- Get Guts and Go Gory
- Surefire Ways to Create a Bad Costume
- Make-Up that Makes a Masterpiece
- Needle Shy? Well, Give This a Try
Sandwich Costume Idea
Buy two square pieces of white foam, cut into the shape of slices of bread, and darken the edges by dipping them into watered-down brown dye. Make sandwich fillings (cheese, lettuce, etc.) out of felt and attach to the inside of the front slice. Hang the slices over your shoulders with straps. Top it off with a decorative toothpick hat.
Idea submitted by CarliJ
Photo submitted by BlcBery
» more costume ideas
How To Win A Costume Contest
Costume contests are great fun, and entering them is even better. What's that? You want to WIN!? Well here are some tips and suggestions to help you put together a winning Halloween costume:
Get ready....
- Before you begin planning for the costume contest, you'll want to know how you're going to be judged. What are the categories? Will the audience determine the winners or will there be a panel of judges?
- Can you get your hands on pictures of winners from previous years? That can give you an idea of what kinds of costumes are likely to be winners this year.
- For school costume contests it's really important to know who'll be judging. Kids and teens are probably going to choose differently than parents and teachers. For contests at work, think about what is going to make people laugh. And for contests at bars and parties, something outrageous or sexy is probably going to shine.
Get set....
- Now it's time to brainstorm. Once you have an idea for a costume, research it on the web, sketch it out, and ask your friends for ideas and input.
- Know your strengths. If you are handy with tools, you can create a complex homemade costume with bells and whistles. If you know how to sew then you have a leg up in that arena. But nonetheless you'd be surprised what you can do with a glue gun and stapler!
- Have a budget. Don't forget about extras like jewelry, make-up or accessories.
- Be careful not to pick a character or idea that is too obscure. You probably won't have a chance to "explain" your costume when you're up on stage.
- Use your judgment before choosing a costume that is risque or politically incorrect. With the right audience, these can be sure winners...but...your boss might not be amused. And they're probably not a good idea for the school carnival!
- In any case, try to implement an element of surprise: funny, cute, outrageous, sexy, etc. Originality always wins points and garners votes.
- Try out your costume, including make-up, ahead of time.
Go....
- If the audience is selecting the winner then you have a great opportunity to drum up support before the contest even starts. Make sure you enter the event in full character and try to make contact with as many people as possible. People will be more likely to cheer for you if they interacted with you before the contest.
- Originality is usually the key to winning most costume contests. This doesn't just mean what you wear, but HOW you wear it. Get into character and stay there.
- It's your turn on stage? Elvis, be ready to shake those hips and pout those lips! Marilyn, start twirling. Do what you need to do to stand out in the minds of the audience and judges.