Costumes3

11/18/2021

IT'S TIME TO BUY YOUR SANTA CLAUS SUIT

Halloween is over, and now it’s time to start Christmas shopping; at least for a new (or maybe replacement) Santa Claus costume. That’s one Christmas purchase that shouldn’t be left until closing time on Christmas Eve. Around Thanksgiving, we will go into more detail about what you need to know about Santa Suits, but this is just a reminder about Christmas and Santa.

What does a typical Santa suit consist of? Most Santa Claus costumes will be nearly complete with a coat, pants, hat, belt and boot tops, sometimes called leggings. Sometimes an inexpensive wig and beard will be included, and sometimes not.

Of course the Santa suit, pants and hat will be red, although there is quite a range of fabrics and qualities available.
The coat will generally have a 3-4″ wide stripe down the from and around the bottom of the coat and matching cuffs. The hat will have white trim around the base of the hat and probably a white ball on top of the hat.

The least expensive suits are made of felt or a non-descript fabric, and both the suit and the trim are made of the same fabric.
To enhance an inexpensive suit, adding a plush trim over the existing trim will greatly improve the costume. Of course, that involves a trip to a fabric store and additional costs, but the appearance of the suit will be immeasurably better.
Unfortunately, both the quality of the belts and the boot tops/leggings could be better, as both are normally made of high gloss, cheap vinyl material. Santa’s belt (about 4″ wide) buckle offsets this somewhat as it sometimes is the focal point of Santa’s midsection.

Oh. Boot tops. What are boot tops? They are a black glossy vinyl (or another type of plastic) leg covering that starts at the knee and extend below the ankle to simulate boots.
Wig and beards. Or is it Beards and wigs? You might find a set, or just a beard, in the carton with your newly purchased suit. More likely you will need to purchase it separately, but depending upon your need, the maybe enclose hairpiece and beard will suffice.
On pricing. A cursory glance at a few sites indicates that you might locate a suit for as little as $50 or thereabouts. On the high end, you probably don’t want to know; but think four digits.

As a longtime owner of a theatrical, masquerade and Halloween costume business; I have extensive knowledge and background in all areas of costuming. Our blog site is a clearinghouse of costume ideas, suggestions and information as it relates to your costuming needs. With Christmas coming and Santa, too; we can help you select a Santa suit, and dress for the occasion properly.
For ongoing Santa Claus and Seasonal costume ideas, please visit our site at: http://www.costumescostumescostumes.net

10/28/2021

THRIFT STORES

THE CHEAP...UM...ER...CREATIVE WAY OUT.

I can’t afford to buy or rent a Halloween costume this year. I’ve looked in my closet, garage and basement and don’t have anything that I can convert to a Halloween costume. What do I do? What do I do?

When I was active in the costume industry, it was routine to haunt the second-hand stores or thrift stores for something useable, convertible and nicely priced.

The local ‘Salvation Army’ or ‘Goodwill Industries’ might have a store near you that might help you solve your problem. There, too, are a scattering of upscale thrift stores near the more affluent areas. Since you never know what will be in any one store at a given time, visiting several might be a good idea.

A double-breasted suit can be easily converted to a ‘gangster suit’ with a black shirt and white tie. Add a plastic machine gun and a fedora and you are ‘Al Capone’. A business suit and a beret or tam and you can be “Al’s’ gun moll.

A prom dress? Bwala! A princess! And you never know what you might be able to build out of a few accessories.

For more, visit us at costumescostumescostumes.net

10/27/2021

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.

OH MY GOSH! (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?

For more, visit us at costumescostumescostues.net

10/26/2021

MASKS FOR HALLOWEEN

Not always the most comfortable of disguises, but masks can create interest and mystique. And the range of masks is wide-spread from a simple black eye mask (ala the ‘Lone Ranger’ to very large heavily plumed, and/or feathered masks.

Sequined masks always have an appeal not only because they are pretty, but just a glint in the right lighting might catch the eye of the beholder (you know, the guy you are interested in).

At any costume shop, you will see a wall filled with every monster mask known to mankind. Some are face masks (which cover the entire front, but not the back or sides), some cover ¾ of the head, and some are overhead masks. The mask of the incumbent President and some of his predecessors will be featured on these shelves or walls. Perhaps another politicl figure. An assortment of cartoonish characters may also grace the ‘wall of infamy’. Most of these masks are made of vinyl or rubber.

The caveats to wearing a vinyl/rubber mask are many, but the main two are the inability to drink (other than through a straw) comfortably; limited vision because the openings for visibility might be an inch or so from the eye. And lastly, because of the materials used, and depending upon how much of the head is covered, these masks can be very, very warm. But then again, some people like it hot.

There are clear plastic frontal masks of a young man or woman, or an elderly man or woman. Clear plastic is opaque so they allow the skin tones to show through but distort the features of the wearer.

There are also ‘hoodwink’ masks that have no eye openings at all. Sorry, I forgot. These are used by those people who need total darkness when they sleep. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!

for more, vdisit us at costumescostumescostumes.net

10/26/2021

YET MORE MOVIE CHARACTER COSTUME IDEAS!

There was a harvest of romantic comedies and musicals in the 1950s, many of which were based on Broadway productions. There, too, were the epic Biblical movies such as ‘Ben Hur’, where a simple toga or a Roman soldier costume might fare well.

Along with the likes of "On the Waterfront" and ‘Marty’ (neither will provide you with a good Halloween costume idea), were several Broadway musical productions converted to film. ‘Carousel’, ‘Oklahoma’, ‘Kismet’ and ‘South Pacific’ to name a few, and costume ideas are plentiful in this genre.

There were movies like ‘Rebel Without a Cause’, ‘Blackboard Jungle; and another musical ‘West Side Story’ that were based on teenagers and teenage gangs of the fifties. Poodle skirts and black leather jackets would fit well (more or less) for a Halloween costume from these movies.

For more, visit costumescostumescostumes.net

10/26/2021

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!

For more visit costumescostumescostumes.net

10/25/2021

Makeup and Accessorize 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 them in with the rest of your face. Green grease paint 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 costume shop.

10/25/2021

MOVIE CHARACTER HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

Sometimes a role is defined by the actor/actress, and sometimes the actor/actress is defined by the role. Are you Scarlet O’Hara or are you, Vivian Leigh? I think that Scarlett O’Hara is the more recognized name. Clark Gable might be better known as Clark Gable, rather than Rhett Butler. Either way, you want to be recognized, even if you have to tell the other guests who you are.

Dressing as copyrighted characters are usually a big no-no; but you might assume that wherever you get a famous character costume, whether it be from a costume shop, a retailer, or from the net, that the licensing fees have been bought for whatever character it is that you choose.

Movies open up another world to your imagination. You might take the movies by genre (westerns, musical comedies, gangster, war) or you might just to back to the silent movies or perhaps the decade that you grew up in. 20's Film Star: Charlie Chaplin Adult Costume

Or as mentioned in the previous paragraph, pick a star and the movie that that star was most famous for.

Lastly, is there a costume you might buy, rent or assemble from your favorite movie? And was your favorite move, “Wizard of Oz?”

10/25/2021

HALLOWEEN HISTORICAL

Wow! History takes in a looooooog, loooooong period of time. Eons of time. From the Cro-Magnon or Neanderthal days up to today. History probably goes back to Adam and Eve (a nice couples costumes, BTW), but I don’t know if they were pre or post Cro-Magnon. Hmmmm…..let me see. What periods of history can I recall? Roman, Greek, Biblical, Medieval, Renaissance, the French Revolution period , Early America, the Civil War, the Turn of the Century (NO!, not this past one, the one before it), the Roaring Twenties, the Thirties, the Forties, the Fabulous Fifties and the list can go on and on.. Also consider your own history, which might take in the Sixties and the following decades. Throw in the Tool Age, Bronze Age, the Iron Age, the Computer Age.

In an earlier post, we mentioned that assigning names to costumes and playing that role was a major part of having a great time dressing up. The ‘putting a name of a character on the costume’ theme will resonate in many of the subjects to follow. From the Roman period, maybe a Marc Antony and Cleopatra; from the French Revolution perhaps Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine.

How about an Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln from the Civil War era, or Bonnie and Clyde from the 1930’s? Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton made a nice 60’s couple, and you even tie them back to a movie (‘Cleopatra’) they co-starred in.

Interchangeability is also a keyword in these posts. People from one category might also be associated with another category.

So dig out those old History books, and while you’re at it, can you also find the book from Freshman Geography 101?

10/15/2021

Plus Size Halloween Costumes PLUS-SIZE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

Wear to find great Halloween plus size costumes? OK, that’s a joke, I know how to spell “where”. The answer is as close as your laptop or desktop. In the case of the flapper costume shown below, I did a Google search and found this listed under "plus size costumes for women" at Amazon.com.

And there are myriads of costume shops that also carry plus sizes. Just visit your local costume shop.

10/15/2021

OLD TELEVISION SHOWS AND TELEVISION PERSONALITY COSTUMES

From ‘Mr. Television’, Milton Berle (oh, you never heard of him?) and his outlandish, clownish costumes and makeup to M*A*S*H and its assorted military characters from the Korean War, come another huge category of possible Halloween costume ideas. All from old television shows and television personalities.

There was a rash of Western TV shows (‘Bonanza’, ‘Rawhide’, ‘Gunsmoke’ with Matt and Kitty) and their assortment of western garb, replete with a six-shooter or two) in the ’50s, ’60s.

For you futuristic fans, remember ‘Battlestar Galactica’ or ‘Star Trek’? Costumes from these kinds of productions might be on the pricey side.

The ‘Addams Family’ and ’The Munsters’ can provide you with several characters each that might feed your ghoulish personality.

The Munsters Herman Munster Adult CostumeThe Munsters Lilly Munster Adult CostumeThe Munsters Eddie Munster Adult Costume

A medical smock might be all you need to play a part from ER or Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey, or ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.

Buffalo Bob, Clarabelle, Princess SummerFallWintersSpring are a few characters from ‘Howdy Doody’.

But Howdy, himself might be a bit of a challenge. Unless of course, someone has a wooden head and looks like him. (He was a marionette.) So, just go back to those golden days of television or ask your Mom or grandfather about some of the shows. Google works, too!

10/15/2021

CARTOON CHARACTER COSTUMES!

I love cartoon character costumes. Big, and baggy, and goofy, and kids of all ages love them. They are horribly uncomfortable but are usually the delight of any Halloween costume party.

Most of the famous cartoon characters that you see on TV, in the movies, and even sometimes on a box of cereal are copyrighted and not available to rent or buy, at least for adults.

But at most all-season costume shops, there likely will be a variety of really cute and funny characters.

Cartoon animals, cartoon cute monsters, and cartoon comic strip type characters are the most fun!

Although they can be ‘air conditioned’, most are stuffy and hot. One way to reduce the heat is to put an ice pack or two into a bag and strap it over your shoulders so as to be a little lower than your armpits.

Watch your shoes and feet. The coverings are usually larger than your own shoes and can cause havoc going up or down steps. Many a character has been ‘tripped up’ by their own feet.

10/15/2021

FAIRY TALES / GEOGRAPHICAL COSTUMES

The brothers Grimm wrote many fairy tales, and most are depicted by costumes of their country of origin (Germany) at the time they penned their works. Usually, these costumes are peasant costumes of the period. Hansel and Gretel come to mind. Sometimes royalty serves well. How many Princesses are there out there?

There are some fairy tale costumes that don’t necessarily fit a period or geographical location, though; such as ‘Red Riding Hood’. Of course, a wolf as in the ‘Big Bad Wolf’ is common to many countries and many periods in history. And Beasts abound throughout history.

But not all geographical costumes need to be from fairy tales. Some can be taken from movies or a Broadway show, like “Sayonara” or “Sound of Music”.

Some don’t have to be associated with anything at all. Just pick a country, any country, and adapt a costume. If you are Scottish, then a kilt, shirt, and sporran might be just the costume you want to wear to your Halloween costume party. Some clothing costumes are indigenous to countries and locales such as a Muumuu costume from Africa, or a hula skirt from Hawaii.

Again, geography, history, movies and theatre, and literature can be intermixed. The possibilities are endless.

10/11/2021

https://youtu.be/90k5aX9Jt-I

The last of the halloween costume shop tour; and a brief addendum.

10/05/2021

https://youtu.be/ox2PTRgGqOA

Continuing the visit to a costume shop, and a trip through the costume rental aisles.

10/05/2021

https://youtu.be/7s80idvcH6A

Wow! A real live Halloween costume shop. I wonder what they have for me for my Halloween party? Let me take a look around.

10/03/2021

https://youtu.be/v_XkTXZxWVE

An invitation to a Halloween costume party, and a trip to a costume shop.

09/27/2021

COSTUME SHOP OR HALLOWEEN SHOP?
The answer is spirit gum and crepe hair. What?

It’s time to rent or buy my Halloween costume or mask and I don’t know where to start.

Many ideas are swirling through my mind, but where do I go to look and try on a few to see what costumes matches my personality and interests?

Of course, I’ve seen costumes at those large brick-and-mortar chain seasonal stores, and even in my local drug store or grocery store; but I want to move it up a level.

About this time of year, it seems those seasonal Halloween shops emerge to pay their annual visit, but rarely in the same place two years in a row.

Perhaps I should go to an all-year-round costume store. The permanent stores usually carry costumes for all seasons and occasions like Christmas (Santa’s and Elves), Easter (Easter Bunnies, biblical), St. Patrick’s (Leprechaun’s), and Valentine’s Day (Cupid’s). In addition, they support local, high school, and college productions with costumes as well. Did you ever wonder where the costumes from your high school version of “Music Man” or “Crucible” came from? Or who manufactured your college mascot costume?

Costume Shop or Halloween Shop. Where do I go?

The answer is spirit gum and crepe hair.

Both types of shops have similar goods for sale, and the prices are comparable, but the similarities end there.

When I walk into a Halloween shop, I always ask if they carry spirit gum and crepe hair. If it’s not the blank stare that I get, it’s stammering that goes like this “uhhhhhh”

When I walk into a costume shop, I ask the same question and am greeted with “what color and how much do you need?” or something similar to that.

Spirit gum is a liquid adhesive used for fake mustaches, beards, hairpieces and a few other unique purposes. Crepe (pronounced like ‘grape’) hair is a braided woolen fiber that is used to create mustaches, beards, sideburns and that occasional hairpiece or hair on the chest.

A costumer (not customer) knows what spirit gum and crepe hair are and how to use them, and perhaps thousands of other tips and ideas that a Halloween shop doesn’t know. And why? Because the costumer has a broader knowledge, by far, than the Halloween shops. The costumer will also hire permanent and temporary help that too, are knowledgeable. Perhaps theatre majors. To me, that’s ‘value added’.

In addition, the costume shop offers the possibility of renting a better quality (than the packaged costumes) costume. You probably won’t use the costume you are buying this year ever again, anyhow.

Is ‘value added’ a good enough reason to drive a few extra miles?

03/14/2021

LEPRECHAUN HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

The best part of St. Patrick’s Day is that you don’t have to be Irish to participate. Other examples of secular holidays or celebrations where fancy dress is commonly used to portray specific characters would include; Valentines Day (Cupid or Eros) and US Independence Day (Uncle Sam).

Today is nearing the last day to order your Leprechaun Halloween Costumes. Okay, so it’s not really a Halloween costume.

On the other hand, while local retailers will have a good basic selection of costumes, accessories, and a few props, they just can’t compete with the vast selection you’ll get with online costume shops.

Although there are a handful of Irish fancy gown costumes that can be worn at Halloween, it is typically the form of costume that we would affiliate with March 17th, in the kind of the St. Patrick’s Day outfit.

The classic Leprechaun costume clearly makes an excellent St. Patrick’s Day outfit, but if you are seeking a more sinister searching outfit for Halloween, then you can not get considerably greater than the Leprechaun outfit based mostly all around the character from the 1983 horror movie, Leprechaun.

So get out and enjoy your St. Patrick Day Halloween costumes and party. For more, visit us at costumescostumescostumes.net

03/09/2021

NOT ONLY ST. PATRICK'S DAY COSTUMES

Not Only St. Patrick’s Day Costumes. You can search party supplies, wholesale party supplies, wedding supplies, discount party supplies, party favors, bulk party supplies, and searches for different St. Patrick Day party favor phrases include: party favors the first birthday, party favors inexpensive or cheap, and party favors for the sixtieth birthday.

Although beer maiden costumes are frequently featured for Bavarian holidays, green beer maiden dresses are perfect Saint Patrick’s Day costumes since beer is the most consumed beverage on this distinct day.

Featuring an Irish been maiden is genuinely straightforward to do: get a green beer maiden costume and stick or sew a handful of shamrock include-ons to it. That is it, you’re ready to deliver your share of Irish luck to your Saint Pat’s party.

The wearing of the green – a sign of rebellion in Ireland in 1798 when green was the colour of the republican revolutionary movement and hanging the punishment for wearing it – has today morphed into a celebration of all things Irish when worn on St Patrick’s Day.

Mostly seen in young girls and boys, dressing up is a popular activity that many young children participate in. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that children love to dress up in princess costumes, playing “cops and robbers” in a police costume, and even dressing up in infant Indian costumes and stampeding around the house.

And for some great hats as well as costumes and more fun activity ideas go to St Patrick's Day HatS, St Patrick Day Costumes, and St Patrick Day Gifts. Most importantly of all, have a great Saint Patricks Day!

For more, visit us at costumescostumescostumes.net

03/08/2021

ST.PATRICK'S DAY FASHION

Once primarily a religious holiday, St. Patrick’s Day was a holiday used to commemorate St. Patrick, the most well-known of the Irish patron saints as well as to mark the arrival of Christianity into Ireland, but this is all about St. Patrick’s Day fashion as it is today.

There are tons of fabulous St. Patrick’s Day party ideas once you really start thinking about it. If you incorporate just a few into your party, you’ll be able to create a festive atmosphere that is fun and enjoyable for everyone!

As to St. Patrick’s Day fashion.. for companies selling fancy dress costumes, masks, accessories and any other fancy dress decorations required for a theme party, it has become a real business opportunity to be able to advertise their services on the Internet and also sell fancy dress outfits on their own websites.

Accessing specialty websites for fancy dress (aka St. Patrick’s Day fashion) proves to be even more simple than visiting stores with the same purpose in your own town, as the client only needs to place the order and wait at home for the delivery the same or the next day.

You will find fancy dress costumes for children, boys and girls, for men and women as well as for particular party themes like pirate parties, seasonal parties, Halloween and Hawaiian parties, elegant or traditional fancy dress parties for adults, and many others.

Sexy fancy dress costumes suitable for ladies willing to impress with their fancy dress outfit on hen night events are sexy bunny costumes, Kitty cat costumes, sexy country girls, warrior princesses, nurses, French maids, pirates, fairies and other sexy characters.

IF looking for accessories to go with the elected fancy dress outfit, websites offer a wide assortment of gloves, hats, crowns, feathers, weapons, wigs, beards and moustaches, props and fake eyeglasses.

Wearing fancy dress doesn’t mean becoming someone else at all, some people will wear fancy dress for special or silly occasions, such as a hen party where the guests might sport feather boas, sequined caps and flashing badges indicating their status as a vamp”, flirt” or innocent bride to be”. For more, vist us at costumesscostumescostumes.net