Holidays
Halloween Costumes: Movies
Oct 22nd
Bubble World
Coming in July 2013 from Henry Holt
Hooray for Hollywood! In addition to the Zone diet, lip injections, over-sized sunglasses, and the Arquettes, Hollywood has given us movies. Where better to search for costumes than in the land of make-believe? And who better to inspire you for the creepiest of holidays than Alfred Hitchcock. Yup, that’s Tippi Hedren from “The Birds” and Norman Bates from “Psycho.”
Want to cross-dress without getting scary? There’s always “Hairspray.” If it’s good enough for Travolta . . .
Of course, if you’re looking to tune in to your inner Travolta, you can always go for his “Saturday Night Fever” look, or you could be Danny from “Grease.” Plus, wasn’t he an angel once? “Michael,” maybe? In fact, you could have an entire John Travolta-themed party, where everyone dressed as one of his characters!!!! Or not.
Next up, scary movies! Okay — more scary movies. I already did Hitchcock. But frankly? I’m busy here and don’t have time for that thing known as “organization.”
“Nightmare on Elm Street”: Freddy Krueger never gets old. (Actually, he does.) Way more original: “A Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Don’t forget about kids movies: “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” “The Wizard of Oz,” any classic Disney film. And don’t be afraid to add your own twist. I, for one, would love to see Ariel the little mermaid gone bad.
More Ideas:
Halloween Costumes: In the News
Halloween Costumes: Television Shows
Halloween Costumes: Rockers and Pop Stars
The Best Halloween Costumes You Never Thought Of
Lame Costume Ideas for the Truly Desperate
Halloween Costumes: Television Shows
Oct 16th
Bubble World
Coming in July 2013 from Henry Holt
One year my husband (very reluctantly) agreed to be Kevin Federline for Halloween so I could be Britney, and I told him that the next year he’d get to pick our costume. So what does he come up with? Klingons.
I am a bad wife. When I said I’d be anything, what I really meant was that I’d be anything that was not, you know. Unattractive. So that year, he was a Klingon, and I was a Miss America contestant — Miss New Jersey, to be exact. He still holds it against me, I think. But come on. Klingons? He did look great. And I got to wear a form fitting gown with sequins ($12 on eBay), curly hair extensions, sparkly rings, and a tiara!
Television has been a great source of costume inspiration over the years. At one party, “Richard Simmons” led an exercise class on the dance floor.
That same year, we had two sets of Batmans and Robins, which, given the costume’s inherent cheesiness, only made if funnier.
This? Is one happy superhero.
Retro television shows work especially well if, like my friends and me, you are, shall we say, “of a certain age.” I Dream of Jeannie. Gilligan’s Island. The Adams Family. Other stuff that I can’t think of right now. (We women of a certain age suffer memory lapses at times.)
More recently, television has given us such gems as The Powerpuff Girls, Barney the Dinosaur, and Dog the Bounty Hunter.
Who says culture is dead?
Other Halloween posts:
Halloween Costume Ideas: In the News
Halloween Costume Ideas: Movies
Halloween Costumes: Rockers and Pop Stars
Song of the Week: Werewolves of London
The Best Halloween Costumes You Never Thought Of
Lame Costume Ideas for the Truly Desperate
Halloween Costumes: In the News
Oct 15th
Bubble World
Coming in July 2013 from Henry Holt
I initially wrote this post in 2011, but it’s getting a lot of traffic, so I thought I should make it a bit more timely.
POLITICS: You sure you want to go there? Really? Okay. Just understand that half the people at your costume party will think you are an A-hole — but that’s the price you pay for living in a democracy. So here goes.
DEMOCRATS can dress as Big Bird, Binders, Arnold’s Baby Mama, or a Republican Convention person in one of those embarrassing cheese hats.
REPUBLICANS can dress as . . . as . . . oh, gee, sorry — I’m fresh out of ideas right now. Try back later.
OLYMPICS: Misty May & Kerry Trainor: no need to go half naked. Did you see them layering up this summer in chilly London? Another possibility: a procession uniform from a random country no one has ever heard of. Or that musical couple at the end of that bizarre opening ceremonies act. Or a hospital bed.
ROYALS: Not feeling “in the mood” for Halloween this year? Go as Queen Elizabeth II! You won’t even have to feign enthusiasm. Or what about Prince Harry? You don’t even need a costume, just a sign that says, “What Happens in Vegas . . . oh, shit.” Speaking of clothing-optional, you could channel poor, sweet Kate (who was totally violated, don’t get me wrong) by wearing panty hose and . . . that’s all.
REALITY TV: Saving the best for last. I didn’t initially want to post this idea because I thought I might use it, but my seventeen-year-old daughter said it was too gross. Yup, I’m talking about Honey Boo Boo. Blond hair, tiara, exposed belly, tutu, cowboy boots, and a bottle marked “go-go juice,” and you’re all set.
Still not inspired? Here’s what I came up with last year:
Are you going to a party this year? Are you excited? Have you put your costume together? No??? Are you serious? It is the middle of October, and everyone else going to the party has been working on their costumes since July. What were you thinking, waiting this long?
Never fear! I am here to help you. Just follow my advice and your costume will be, if not the best at the party, at least one that will elicit a few chuckles and make you stand out from the crowd. (If this novel writing thing doesn’t pan out, I’m totally going for a career as a life coach.)
Okay, truth: I don’t have any real advice. But I do have some themes, the first of which is IN THE NEWS. Alternately, RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES. Or, much of the time (but not always), THE TRAINWRECK OF THE HOUR. According to the media, the hot costumes this year are Charlie Sheen and Anthony Weiner. How could anyone possibly dress up as Anthony Weiner? (Oh, God, I just got an image.) One online article suggested a Casey Anthony costume, which is about the least funny thing I’ve ever read. Please do not dress as Casey Anthony. Amy Winehouse is crossing the taste barrier, too, but not as badly.
Current events can spark some of the best costumes. At a party in 2008, we had two John McCain/Sarah Palin pairs (I do live in Orange County) and one stand-alone Sarah Palin (who looked so much like the politician she really had no choice). 
Physical resemblance helps — even if it’s broad. During the height of the Gosselin frenzy, a Causasian friend and her Japanese-American husband only needed a wig and a few well-chosen accessories to be the funniest costume of the night. That same year (I think), I saw Octomom on Halloween. No, not someone dressed up as Octomom — the real thing. She was clicking through the Albertson’s deli section in her high heels. And no, she did not have any children with her.
Scan the headlines (Michele Bachmann? Lindsay Lohan? Tea Partiers? Occupy Wall Street protesters? Kate Middleton and Prince William?) and the reality TV listings (Snooki? Top Chef?) — a great costume idea might fall into place. And if it does? For God’s sake, get moving!
More Ideas:
Halloween Costumes: Television Shows
Halloween Costumes: Rockers and Pop Stars
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