You don’t need to go trick-or-treating to get dressed up. Parties, contests and parades are all great places to show your costume.
NOTE: Some links below are for shopping sites. They are provided for inspiration only.
Steps
Individual Items
1. Masks.
Masks can be made easily or you can purchase them. More decorative masks can be purchased around Mardi Gras while Halloween is a great time to get full-face and scary masks. Templates for some simple masks are provided in the supplements if you wish to make your own.
2. Wands.
Fairies, princesses and even Hogwart students all need wands. You can find directions online to make them in a variety of ways or purchase one that will fit your needs. Look at wand designs and determine which would work best for you.
3. Wings.
Insects, fairies and even monsters might have wings. You can often find these at dollar stores for smaller children. Incorporate wings into your own costume design. Look online to see how others have incorporated this element into their costumes for inspiration.
4. Ears, antenna and more.
You can use a headband and attach ears, antennae, etc. It makes it easy to put on and take off. You can also glue on flowers, hats or more. This little addition can take a normal outfit and make it a costume.
5. Make-up.
You can find so much information on make-up online that you will never need another reference. With your costume design in mind, see what others have done with make-up to compliment the costume. Experiment with your own unique look.
6. Accessories.
There are many more accessories that can make the difference between everyday clothing and costume. Explore costume sites and find items that can change your look.
Full Attire
7. Abstract.
From making a piece of abstract art come to life to taking an idea or word into a costume, these types of costumes take a lot of creativity. Have you thought of being a haunted house or a gumball machine? How would you portray mathematics in a costume?
8. Cosplay / super heroes / movie / television (characters).
While cosplay is normally part of Japanese manga / anime, it can also be used to describe replicating the look of a movie, television or book character. Many of these allow you to wear normal clothing and add a piece or two to make it cosplay. Some are more intricate as you may need cat ears or horns. It helps that you have a guide to follow. Look at your favorite characters and choose one. Can you get / make the items needed to become that character?
9. Ordinary people.
A costume might include dressing like an ordinary person. People will be trying to figure out who you are supposed to be. You can be yourself or perhaps Aunt Mabel. Even dressing as yourself . . . but in the opposite sex . . . is a great costume. Do you think you could pull it off?
10. Occupation.
How many times have you seen someone in scrubs as a costume? Dressing as someone who is part of an occupation allows you to have easy access to clothing and props. What occupation might you like to portray? Do you have the pieces necessary to make the costume?
11. Historical.
Historical costumes are often available as patterns so you only have to choose your fabrics . . . well and be able to use a sewing machine. Depending on how “historical” you choose, you can find discontinued fashions at local resell shops. Check out your closet to see if you have some out of fashion items you can adapt into a “historical” costume.
If you are looking for a period costume (Medieval, Victorian, Edwardian, etc.), see if you can find a group or person that does reenactments or studies the time period. They can help you make your costume authentic and perhaps teach you a thing or two as well.
12. Fantasy.
Instead of following the design of a fictional character, create your own. How do you visualize a fairy? Can you create your own demon face? Perhaps you’d prefer to be a time traveler with a flair for the dramatic. Don’t follow what others provide, create your own fantasy costume.
13. Undead and the supernatural.
If you’re looking for popularity, this is it. With media pushing vampires, zombies and other supernatural creatures, you don’t have to look far to find a costume and all the accessories available for purchase. You can choose to look like a fictional character or make your own.
A Bit More
14. Purchased women’s costumes.
My daughters tend to make their own costumes. They are firm in their belief that the costumes you can purchase are sexist . . . too bad costume providers don’t realize it. Everyone doesn’t have the body to carry the overly sexually explicit outfits and the gap in sizing from children’s costumes to adults makes teenagers look to adult costumes. Be aware of what is available and be prepared to discuss this with your own girls. Have alternative ideas available for popular fictional characters or other costume ideas.
15. Pet costumes.
You may choose to also dress your pet. You may want it to match your own costume or let them have their own look. Check out costumes for pets before deciding on one.
Supplements Available
See the Enrichment Project badge program “Halloween Crafts” for items to help craft items for a costume.
Sites to Explore
- www.instructables.com/halloween
- www.parents.com/holiday/halloween/costumes
- www.diynetwork.com/topics/halloween/index.html
- www.kidactivities.net/category/Literacy-Costumes-Games-Make-Up.aspx
- inspiringpretty.com/2011/10/25/10-original-halloween-costumes-for-this-halloween
- inspiringpretty.com/2011/10/12/cutest-costumes-for-kids-this-halloween
- www.allspecies.org/edu/maskmaking.htm
- www.spirithalloween.com/accessories
- www.partycity.com/category/halloween+costumes.do
- www.halloweencostumes.com/accessories.html
- cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3160/list_15_2.html
- www.pinterest.com/psarts/halloween-costume-ideas
- www.pinterest.com/coolestparties/coolest-homemade-costumes
- www.pinterest.com/aldacur/amazing-makeup
- www.pinterest.com/sarahsteller/artistic-stage-makeup
- www.pinterest.com/pnkkirby/amazing-cosplay
- www.pinterest.com/riotnurse/cosplay
To download a PDF of this badge program, click here: EP_Halloween Costumes
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