CARA VAN METER
Assistant Editor
Goblins and ghouls and ghosts, oh my. Halloween is just around the corner and already fans of the spooky holiday are anticipating a night full of fright, fun and, of course, fantastic costumes.
True, Halloween celebrants have probably been planning their costumes for weeks and will need only to add the final touches this weekend. However, if this hard-to-miss holiday has sneaked up on you this year, do not worry. There is still time to create and execute (no pun intended) the perfect Halloween costume.
STEP ONE: Think Outside the box
Original costumes are usually more budget-friendly than pre-fabricated facades, and they are also a lot more fun. Do not limit your brainstorming to the typical bland Halloween fare of witches, skeletons and ghosts. Evaluate your assets. To what sort of costumes do your natural characteristics lend themselves? Do you look like someone famous? Do you have the height to be a basketball player? Are you great at impersonating a particular voice?
Also, consider your resources. Do you have a penchant for rock star style? Does your wardrobe lend itself to a particular theme?
The more specific your costume, the better. Do not just go 80s — go 1984 Madonna. The character you create with your costume should be immediately recognizable to the general public, or, if you plan to celebrate in a special venue, your costume should at least be recognizable to the crowd present.
Now, add a twist. Some of the best costumes make a statement, whether it is political or social satire or just general exaggerated humor. It is possible that your costume idea will evolve, but you will be better off starting out with a concrete idea than nothing at all, even if you have to change that idea later.
STEP TWO: Collaborate with friends
Start with a key garment from your own closet or a prop from your collection of (no longer useless) stuff, then extend your search range to build onto your costume.
Before raiding your roommate’s closet, make sure you have his or her permission. Talk to your roommate, suitemates and friends about your costume idea and ask for their input. They may have items that would add the perfect touch for your costume. If you borrow, though, be sure to return the favor and add your own contributions to your friends’ costumes.
STEP THREE:Visit the thrift store
Rarely will you find all the pieces of a perfect costume at home. Attempting to do so always ends pathetically when you are forced to resort to a lame white sheet ghost or bathrobe Bible character. You can do better. This does not mean you have to spend a fortune. It just means you have to shop with an open mind and a keen eye.
Visit your local thrift store and spend some time wandering through. Try not to go in with a preconceived notion of the perfect purchase. Let the thrift-store treasures speak to you. You might never think of purchasing a rusty old barbell, but dress it up with some gigantic black cardboard weights and it could be the perfect prop for your “Governator” costume.
STEP FOUR: Pay attention to detail
Pay attention to detail. Accessories and props can really make or break a costume, and the power of face-painting should never be underestimated. This may be the point where you have to give in and splurge a little.
But since your creative resourcefulness saved you so much on the bulk of your costume, it will not hurt too much to cough up the extra cash for that overpriced — but ideal — wig or set of false eyelashes.
STEP FIVE: Get in character
The final step in assembling the perfect costume is all about how you wear your creation.
Just keep in mind the three A’s: accent, action and attitude. These three factors must be consistent with your character the entire time you are in costume. They may seem like minor concerns, but they have a weighty impact on the believability of your costume. You simply will not be able to pull it off without them.
10-26-2006