Costume ideas: 6 Tips and Tricks

Halloween is coming.

And whether you celebrate or not, dressing up in a costume always equals a good time.

Over the years there have been some costumes that I have been especially proud of and some that were borderline disastrous.

Feeling the pressure of getting a stellar costume together?  Worry no more!

1) Look for inspiration in pop culture

Flo: White apron, jeans, white shirt, headband.  Name tag, logo and I <3 Progressive button printed on copy paper and taped on.  Tease hair and add red lipstick and a big personality.  Done!  

Where's Waldo and Mrs Waldo?: White shirt and red duct tape.  Mrs. needs some sweet striped socks and some glasses.  Mr Waldo needs a hat and the essential cane and glasses.

2) Be inspired by a theme

I believe this was 70s/80s day at work.  The crazy part was I already owned most o these items.  I just needed to put them together and add a LOT of makeup.

70s girl: Belted mini dress and scarf as a headband.
80s girl: Layers!  Leg warmers, leggings, mini skirt, oversized bright shirt, bangels lage earrings, big hair and a lot of bright eye shadow.

3) Be classic

Being a princess also requires the attitude.  I was a guest princess for the girls' birthday party.  So fun.  

Fake Cinderella: "Cinderella" type dress from a costume shop, choker (ribbon from Hobby Lobby), matching blue headband (headband "frame" and ribbon from Hobby Lobby), ballet flats or glass slippers if you haven't lost them recently.

4) Look in your closet

Like the 80s costume, you never know what you can find in your closet (leg warmers were compliments of my mother's closet)!  A simple cowgirl outfit would require a plaid shirt and some low pigtails.  If you have boots and a hat even better.  Go for the innocent cowgirl and add some freckles using an eyeliner pencil.

5) Buy pieces carefully

Part of the problem might have been that I waited until the last minute to pull this costume together.  The other part of the problem is that pictures on packages lie.  In the picture the dress went past her knees.

Fail picture. Fail

Sibylline Sisterhood from Doctor Who's the Fires of Pompeii: Red cape, red dress, bangles, eyes on hands with eyeliner pencil.

6) Not feeling creative? Check out some online markets.

You never know what someone else has already created that you can just buy and look amazing without all the hard work.

Check out the Etsy store of Passage to the North for some vintage costumes and some recent beauties like the Mirror Mirror inspired dress pictured above.

And there you have it!  

Dare to be creative when pulling together a costume. 

Stepping out with the Doctor

Last night I had a fabulous time with a few friends and a Doctor.  You heard me right a Doctor!

Doctor who? You ask.

Yes, I reply followed by giddy laughter.

Why do you look confused?

Last night I spent some quality time with Doctor Who. 

Oooohhhhhh.  Who?

He's not for everyone, only those lucky enough to enjoy British humor smashed with science fiction.  It really is a random show.  But I love it!

Last night was the premier episode for season 7.  We had a small gathering of Whoians and watched it together.  We know how to have a good time..

What's a party without food? I can't take any credit for the creations in the next two pictures you will see.  That credit would all go to our hostess.  My contribution was (Gold)fish and chips. Not super creative.  But these.....another story.

"Fish sticks" and "Custard"- A cookie covered in graham cracker and pudding in a chocolate bowl. So good!  If you are a Doctor Who fan then you know that this was the perfect dish for the 11th Doctor. {The Eleventh hour (Eleventh Doctor, 2010)}

Baby Adipose! - made with marshmallows and chocolate sauce, these little guys are simply adorable...and yummy.  {Partners in Crime (Tenth Doctor, 2008)}

I may not be creative with food, but I can be creative with costumes....

Out of context this looks so random and weird!!  For the few and proud Doctor fans though we are straight out of Pompeii.  {The Fires of Pompeii (Tenth Doctor, 2008)}   Lol!


If you aren't a Whoian, this blog post may seem like a bunch of weirdness.  Maybe you are a fan and you just don't know it yet.  You can see seasons 1-6 on Netflix instant watch, or check out your library. 

Some suggestions: Want a creepy episode?  Check out the Weeping Angels in Blink (season 3) or Silence in the Library (season 4).  A lighter, funnier episode and one of my favorites is with Donna and the 10th Doctor in Runaway Bride (Season 3).

Let me know what you think!