Halloween used to be about scaring the daylights out of the real monsters by pretending to be one yourself. The holiday has grown quite a bit since those early pagan times. Still, I like to think of it as a day best enjoyed with a little old-fashioned creativity. Making your own costume is an art form and nothing is more fun or true to the Halloween spirit. So make it funny, make it sexy, or just downright gruesome! No matter your level of complexity, a little ingenuity can go a long way. Here is a quick and dirty guide from a do it yourself costume aficionado.
So you probably saw five Harry Potters running around last year alone. And lets not forget the classic triumvirate: vampire, ghost and witch. Let’s dig up some inspiration, shall we? First of all, no one’s to say you can’t go for the Halloween favorites, but add your own twist. Remember, all these characters come from world legends and mythology. The vampire we think of is the one made popular by Hollywood and early films, yet exists in many cultures under various forms. Doing a little research will open you to a whole host of creatures both gruesome and bizarre that make for excellent and yet unseen costumes.
Want a quick fix? Type “List of Legendary creatures” into Wikipedia for a fascinating array of legends. You’ll find Ghouls, three-legged crows, shape-shifting badgers and a variety of vengeful Japanese spirits. Spanning Ancient Greece to Native American folklore, this list is a great resource for even just the curious.
Literature, or the movies in general, is a good place to search for inspiration. Look for characters that you really like and focus on the details. In cases where it’s a literary figure, say Alice in Wonderland, you have some freedom to make it yours and put your own spin on it. This can be more rewarding than replicating an existing model because no one is trying to compare how closely you do or do not look like the established model. Unless you really are going to put that much effort in copying something exactly, it is better to create your own original creature so that your costume is judged on it’s own merit. Still, in both cases, accessories are what tie the illusion together. Never underestimate the little things.
Theatrical body paint stays put all day unlike grease paint. A single cake can last you several years, come in basic colors, are bright, go on even, and are under 10 dollars. Careful with painting your face and forgetting the back of your neck! If you are going to cover any portion of your skin some sort of color might as well go all the way.
For zombie costumes or anything that involves wounds, decaying flesh, etc. there are tons of helpful step-by-step tutorials on YouTube. For those of you who are allergic to latex you can still create similar effects with what is called modeling putty or wax. To build body, a cheap solution is a little cotton underneath. For scaly effects, word is oatmeal works quite well. Regular eye makeup is surprisingly effective in coloring wounds or creating bruises. Remember, try to keep textures organic and keep some basic anatomy in mind. If you are wearing prosthetics, try to blend edges into the skin well for a smooth look using latex or putty and some make up on top.
Buying a pair of fangs? Get quality! Reusable individual fangs that mold to your canines aren’t too expensive, are comfortable to wear for extended time periods, look more realistic, and can be used for another costume down the line. Recommended are the canines over at www.draculafangs.com. They even come nestled in their own little coffin! Sexy Bites $19.99
Never underestimate a good couples costume. A witty combination can go a long way. Find a friend or a sweetheart and get them to be the Walrus to your Eggman. Don’t let a good costume go to waste! Find a costume contest at your local bar, throw a party, or just go around scaring the bejeezus out of the kiddies around the neighborhood!
If you are creating a character, you have to make sure you are head to toe that character. And trust me, this doesn’t have to break your bank. Take a look around the house, around your friends house, and when all else fails, head to the thrift store. Some of the trendier areas tend to have areas dedicated to costume shopping. Reporpose clothes with some stitches, some glue and some paint. Be creative with wire, glue guns and materials you never considered part of the crafts spectrum.
Have a happy and safe Halloween!