We're gearing up for Halloween weekend around here with decidedly mixed enthusiasm.
Today I saw off to school a medieval princess (with a cell phone--sort of like that time traveler in the Charlie Chaplin movie), a sushi chef and a Princeton graduate. Of course they all have the idea that they'll be dressing up as something different on Halloween--and one of them isn't sure he's going out trick or treating at all. He's only 10 though. We'll see what happens when darkness falls on Sunday night...
In the meantime, I was looking over our pictures from Halloweens gone by and dang it, we've had some cute costumes. Our best family costume was back in 2002 (pre-digital camera and I don't have a photo handy to scan). We totally rocked an Alice in Wonderland theme. Ebby was Alice, Bobby Law was The Mad Hatter, I was the Queen of Hearts and the boys were, wait for it, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum! I cobbled together all the costumes with the exception of the Alice dress which we borrowed from a friend. When your kids are 5 and 2 you can do stuff like that. Not so much anymore...
Now, I rather pride myself in cobbling together Halloween costumes using a combination of thrift store clothing, fabric, fun foam and felt. Along with pertinent props. That's not to say we don't also purchase costumes from time to time, but I find the d-i-y ones much more creative and appealing.
Here are some of our greatest hits {so to speak}:
Aw, so cute. And eco-friendly since I pulled most of the embellishments out of the recycling bin
Yes, the dress is a re-used Sleeping Beauty gown, but the crown and the feather trim fleece cape were all my doing.
A part of the Royal Swan Court, this costume all started with the hat.
I love that this was his idea
Smarty Jones' jockey, Cuyler 2004
We were big horse racing fans that year. His helmet must've been lost in the leaves.
I thought she looked quite lovely. My first hand glittered shell bra!
I impressed myself with this one, constructing a white fleece unitard using only a pair of pants as a pattern.
Not sure what I think is more clever, the bulging eyes or the net full of plastic flies...
Captain Underpants, Cuyler 2007
Yes, he was wearing shorts under his underwear.
Here are some of my top tips if you're creating a semi-handmade costume of your own:
- Most anything can be attached with hot glue. Though it's always good to have a sewing machine on-hand as a back up.
- It's all about the details: I like to use thematically appropriate badges or pins and clever props to help "sell" the costume and up the cute factor
- Never underestimate the power of tulle. Or felt. Or fun foam. Or sparkly face glitter...
- It doesn't have to last forever, it just has to last long enough to look good in pre- Trick or Treating photos ;-)
Happy Halloween to all, whatever costume you may wear!