One last chance….

Written a year ago, but still applicable

Today is the last day of the Halloween costume season (from a costumer’s perspective) even though it’s October 30.  There may be a scattering of parties this Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and even next Saturday but not as many as this evening.

Most wearers of costumes over the past few days were ‘trick-n-treaters’ and those so fortunate as to be able to dress in a Halloween costume at work.  

This evening, no matter what time your local costume shop closes, there will be somebody pounding at their door five or 10 minutes AFTER closing time, begging and pleading to get in to make a ‘quick’ last minute purchase (which usually took a half an hour or more when we did yield and let them in). 

Will that be you?

At this stage, you might want to just take an old sheet, cut a couple of eye holes in it and go as your favorite ghost. 

You might want to wrap that sheet around you, and go as a Roman senator or a Roman goddess.

It’s creative time.  As in earlier posts, put something, anything together and give it a name.  Remembering an earlier post…”if you can name it, you have a costume”.

If you have a party still coming up or you want to prepare for next year, just go back to previous articles on this site for some great ideas.

HORRIBLE HALLOWEEN !!!!!!

NOTE:  Next week we will provide you with a few tips so as to prepare for NEXT Halloween.  Also, we will start our Christmas and Santa Claus costume posts about mid-November….so please come back soon!  

It’s Almost Halloween Costume Party Time…

and OOPS! What About Footwear? 

It’s still a few days away, and most of the final touches have been made to your Halloween costume.  Maybe a tuck here or a minor adjustment there, but you are ready to go. 

OHMYGOSH!  (or use another expletive if you prefer)   You forgot about what shoes or footwear to use with your Halloween costume. 

Not a big problem if you are wearing a long gown or a witches robe, although you should try to match the colors up as best you can just in case someone gets a glance at your feet.  Black always works.  Maybe using a can of spray paint over some old, throwaway shoes might work as well.

 But a prima ballerina in sneakers leaves a lot to be desired.  In this case, not wearing any footwear at all might be the best option.

 Fake boots can be made easily out of a vinyl material and creating a boot cover (no soles or heels, just sides).  Perhaps attaching buckles to a pair of shoes might create a Louis XIV type of shoe wear.

No old throwaway shoes?  Perhaps a visit to the thrift store?

What’s in your closet?  

A Halloween costume, perhaps?

What Halloween Costume is in Your Closet.  You can create a terrific costume by using things you have in your closet with the addition of some make-up and accessories.  How easy is that?

Do you have an old graduation robe?  A tube of green make-up, a scraggly black wig, and a witch’s hat – Voila!  If you’re really feeling adventurous, add a fake nose & a wart or two.  Grab a broom & you’re ready to go.

Bridesmaid’s dresses are usually shoved to the back of the closet.  Bring them back out into the open!  Add a sash and some smeared mascara and you just became the loser in a beauty pageant!

Your torn, paint-splattered work clothes can turn you into a slasher victim.  Wrap some bandages around your body; add some fake blood and you are ready to go.  Word of warning: fake blood will stain clothing and skin – so don’t wear anything you don’t want ruined!

Make-up, wigs, and hats can turn the most basic wardrobe item into a costume.  Let your imagination run wild!

Makeup and Accessorize 

Paint on a mustache with a black greasepaint stick, add a pair of horn rimmed glasses and a cigar….and there you have it.  Groucho!   A short blond curly wig and a bicycle horn (a white or tan duster if you can find it).  And there you have Harpo.

A little makeup here, or a special hat there, or a cane or a pair of red suspenders.  It takes a little imagination, and not much money to come up with that perfect Halloween costume.

A trip to your local costume store?  Probably a great idea to get great ideas for makeup and accessories.  While you’re there, look at the makeup display case and see what you can see.

Nose putty?  You can build a new nose, or re-shape your nose, or just add a wart or two.  With an adhesive like spirit gum, you can even rebuild your chin.   Your new nose and chin will need some makeup to help blend it in with the rest of your face.  Green greasepaint or a water soluble cream makeup or pancake helps make a great witch or Frankenstein.

If you want to be a clown or a mime, then a tube of clown white will do the trick.  Put it only very lightly though, and suddenly you become very pale in appearance….almost Ghostly or Vampirish.  Clown White can be cream base or water base, each having its own advantages.  Some shops might also carry it in pancake.

Crepe hair is a well known product available at the full service costume shops; and can be used to make mustaches and beards, or even hairy faces like a werewolf.  If you are into monsters and vampires, then makeup is the best way to go about it.

For great makeup ideas, visit your local library and borrow a copy of Richard Corson’s “Stage Makeup”, one of the best makeup books ever published on makeup.   It is also for sale through our Amazon store or Barnes and Noble.  As you scan through this book, you will find numerous ideas that you may want to implement.  Then off to your local costumer.

‘Stage Makeup’ as shown above is available through our Amazon store, and many other booksellers. Earlier editions are also available.

<All makeup items above are available via our Amazon Halloween Store>

Argh!!!!

No need to comment on this article or anything else that has to do with the Honey Boo Boo phenomena.  Oh ye of little or no talent like TinyTim of years ago, I hope it blows over soon .

For more on costumes, and especially the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons just ahead, visit us at www.costumescostumescostumes.net

Honey Boo Boo dresses as a pirate for Halloween

“Honey Boo Boo was a popular Halloween costume this year, but the reality television star — being Honey Boo Boo every other day of the year — had to think of a different outfit. She wore a bright pink and black dress Wednesday. The costume appears to …New York Daily News”
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/honey-boo-boo-popular-costume-year-article-1.1196170

David Lynch’s Dune Hats

Maybe I’m weird, but I’ve always liked David Lynchs stuff…his TV series (Twin Peaks) and his off beat movies.  Dune, however, I didn’t see; but when I cam across this article, I now know why I like David Lynch.  These hats are bizarre.  This is not to say that I like the hats, but it typifies the David Lynch mind.  

Anyhow here is the article and hat photos.

Here’s an exclusive look at a costume detail from David Lynch’s Dune that never made it into the film. Lynch originally planned to shoot outdoor scenes in the city — and the citizens needed some protection from the sun. Here’s a collection of rare pictures of Dune sun hats that were created as a result….More at The Costumes You Never Saw In David Lynch’s Dune

Image by Pink Sherbet Photography via Flickr

The photo above has no relationship with the article.  I just liked it. For more on Halloween costumes, visit us at http://www.costumescostumescostumes.net

Robbers or Revelers?

This stuff really happens. In my career, we were visited by the local police departmeny one time , and the FBI on another.  The police questioned me about whether we rented a gorilla costume on or about a certain date.  We hadn’t, but someone murdered someone while wearing a gorilla costume.  They did catch up with the murderer.  I wonder if he’s allowed to wear the costume in prison?

The FBI paid us a visit because of a bank robbery by George Washington.  Well, it wasn’t George Washington because as you know, he passed away about two centuries ago; but rather a guy wearing a costume of that period.  In this case, as I recall, the costume belonged to us; but I never knew if the perpetrator was ever located.  All I know is the costume was never returned.

Witnesses say robbers were mistaken for Halloween partygoers in Pantego

“Witnesses testified that the three were mistaken for partygoers, with their dark clothes and masks mixing with the ladybugs, SpongeBobs and other costumes at the party on Oct. 30, 2010. When pressed to show their faces, the youths drew guns and robbed …”
http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/07/10/4091390/witnesses-say-robbers-were-mistaken.html

 For more on Halloween costumes, visit us at http://www.costumescostumescostumes.net

Thrift Stores Solve Many a Costuming Problem

Ah, the old reliable backup for a costume emergency, or a costume budget issue.  The thrift store can solve many problems, by taking a little of this and a little of that and making your own.  To be sure, there won’t be any items that will convert to a Superman or Catwoman costume, but for many things, a great imagination will allow you to go far.

5 Doctor Who Costumes, 1 Thrift Store Trip

“The countdown to Comic-Con is on, and if you’re not up for sewing a handmade costume to rival Gallifrey’s best-dressed, a quick trip to a local thrift store or charity shop can provide enough mixing-and-matching options to have you dressed as your.”
http://www.geeksugar.com/Doctor-Who-Cosplay-Costumes-20076416

For more information on Halloween costumes, visit us at http://www.costumescostumescostumes.net