Imaginary superhero/supervillain costume

October 17, 2009 2:39 PM

I have a week to come up with a superhero(ine)/supervillain costume. This should not be an existing character.

I can draw or paint anything, and I have access to any realistic craft or art supplies. I cannot sew more than a poorly done hem or a button. I'd prefer to be able to wear something over clothes I own: jeans, mostly black bottoms (skirts, leggings, etc). I can get a plain shirt in any colour or style. I'd prefer not to ruin bottoms but am happy to get a new top to do something to. I can also get tights of any colour etc.

I'd like the costume to be relatively clever, but since I don't know most of the people going, not too obscure. Clever is more important. I'd like it to be fairly comfortable. I do not know if this will be a shoes or no shoes party.

I'd prefer to avoid the sexy superhero genre. I am fine with being a sidekick as well. I am female, early 30s.

posted by jeather to clothing, beauty, & fashion (13 comments total)

The Ditherer. Wear part of a costume, or a mismatched costume, or a double costume (skirt and pants for example) and make no firm descisions all night.
posted by gofargogo at 3:05 PM on October 17

Also known as The Procrastinator. I've contemplated doing the same when I've been without an idea.
posted by JaredSeth at 3:21 PM on October 17

The Uninsured Avenger. Make a belt with holders for band-aids and hand sanitizer. Wear healthcare awareness buttons, e.g. Cancer Sucks and Flu Fighter. (Nerdy, I know, but I work in a hospital. We actually have this stuff laying around.) Fun project!
posted by ShadePlant at 3:22 PM on October 17

Personally, I'd go Supervillain. You can do more with your hair and a can of mouse/gel/hairspray to connote evilness. You can utilize your black clothes (particularly leggings, which are warmer than tights). Villains tend to dress more garishly, so there's that, too. You could accessorize based on your villain. Mrs. Madoff would have different accessories and clothes than if you went as the Muse of Athletic Disapointment or The Spirit of Crappy Birthdays or Dr. Destruction (make a handheld device that you can use to simulate ruining things, and dress like a mad scientist, a smooth spokeswoman/spinner, or a crazy cat lady).

You could go for an alien/podperson undertone by attaching a tail or a fin coming out of your back or an extra eye from the top of your head, and then dress fashionably for an era that is not this one (e.g. like a hippie or a flapper or some archetype). Introduce yourself as running for office and speak semi-robotically a la Kang and Kodos.
posted by julen at 3:29 PM on October 17

2 roommates my freshman year of college went to a superhero party dressed as:

#1: Thong Girl! (Normal clothes, but with many thongs pinned all over you) "Every pantyline's worst enemy!"

#2: Spoof Girl! (Brown clothing, but nothing unusual. Get some dryer sheets and pin them all over you.) "Every stoner's best friend!"
posted by sperose at 3:46 PM on October 17

Am I the only one thinking of ThePinkSuperHero?? Yes, she is an existing SuperHero on Meta, but what about elsewhere?

I imagine her being very femine, decked out in all pink with a cape, maybe a pink/lacy leotard with heels.
posted by 6:1 at 4:22 PM on October 17

Superdyke! Get a plaid cap, pin a huge D to your shirt, maybe some rainbow streaks in your hair, and carry around a power tool. BEST superheroine evar.
posted by kthxbi at 4:22 PM on October 17

I went to a superhero party once as "Bizarro Supergirl," which, as real-Supergirl's opposite, was sporty instead of slutty with red shorts, tall baseball socks, a blue tanktop (I printed out a backwards S design onto cardstock and taped it to the shirt).

A friend was "soup or gyro" which took me forever to get, because on her chest she had a circle (also
cardstock) with a drawing of a bowl of soup and a gyro with "or" inbetween. She won the cleverest costume by far.
posted by a.steele at 4:44 PM on October 17 [1 favorite]

The Bad Seed.

Give yourself villain hair, wicked arched eyebrows, a green eye-mask...and a giant seed packet to wear, sandwich-board style. Google "seed packets" or "vintage seed packets" for the basic design. If you can draw or paint anything, you can certainly come up with a malevolent plant for the picture. Possible slogan: "You don't need a green thumb...just a touch of evil."

Green cape optional.
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:45 PM on October 17 [3 favorites]

*Votes for the bad seed.

"if you wear brown heels you can say they are the root's of all evil.
posted by elationfoundation at 5:04 PM on October 17

Alas, most people I know pronounce gyro not like hero. And since I am straight and single, I do not want to give people the wrong idea about my availability, ruling out the fantastic SuperDyke.

The Bad Seed completely appeals to me. Off to imagine some evil looking plants, which will hopefully be less inspired by Plants vs Zombies than the ones I first thought of.

I suppose I will see next week if someone else at the party reads AskMefi.
posted by jeather at 5:11 PM on October 17

the bad seed is genius! you could also wrap yourself in strands of fake ivy
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 5:44 PM on October 17 [1 favorite]

While you're coming up w/ your design, whatever theme you choose, you should check out Project Rooftop for additional ideas. This site is all about redesigning existing superheroes and is routinely awesome.
posted by EatTheWeak at 6:16 PM on October 17 [1 favorite]