Help me figure out a costume! What's a costume? I have no idea…

May 20, 2010 11:44 PM

Help this costume-newb be amazing.

So I got invited and plan to go to a costume party next week but I'm at a loss for ideas. I haven't dressed up in a costume in years (I've always kinda hated Halloween but never could explain why) and have no real costume supplies. I only have regular clothes (t-shirts, jeans, more dressy clothes, etc.) and random toys (multiple broken slinkys, tinker toys, etc.) and a few hats. Not much to build a costume out of. It'll be a bunch of mid to late 20s geeks hanging out, so I don't want to go scary or anything, but I've no clue where to take it. Details: Male, 25, blond hair/blue eyes, lack of costuming skill.

Ideas?

posted by fishmasta to clothing, beauty, & fashion (12 answers total)

The best costume idea I ever heard (and I actually may have stolen it from Metafilter!) was some guy who went in normal clothing, but holding a toy plane. When asked what he was, he said 'Aircraft Carrier'.
posted by citands at 12:00 AM on May 21, 2010 [2 favorites]

I stole this Tony Stark costume idea a few Halloweens ago. Very simple, and topical again. The blonde hair might not be authentic, but I don't know if people will care.
posted by jozxyqk at 2:21 AM on May 21, 2010

Carry lots of slinkys and wear several watches on both arms. Tell people you're the god of springtime.
posted by itstheclamsname at 3:07 AM on May 21, 2010

Suit + hair gel + briefcase = Phoenix Wright
Bonus - you can yell OBJECTION at everyone.
posted by geekchic at 6:16 AM on May 21, 2010

For Haloween last year my son went as a Bad Idea. He wore a cardboard lightbulb on his chest and then devil's horns. I've got to admit that not a lot of people got it.

In my opinion the really great costumes are not really elaborate. The great costumes are either immediately recognizeable or just really original and witty. Puns are usually good, maybe this site will give you some inspiriation.
posted by TooFewShoes at 6:23 AM on May 21, 2010

I grew my five o'clock shadow out, put curlers in my hair, smoked a stubby cigar and wore a bathrobe and slippers. I was Your Mom.
posted by electroboy at 6:24 AM on May 21, 2010 [2 favorites]

No real creative ideas, but once you decide, local Goodwill stores are fantastic for finding items. And they are very inexpensive, too. AskMeFi helped me out immensely when I posted a similar query a few weeks back.
posted by mnb64 at 6:27 AM on May 21, 2010

I made a fairly cheap costume for Halloween last year.

Black Canvas Pants, black dress low cut boots or shoes that had metal bits on them, white dress shirt, long wide strip of random bright fabric from the thrift store, some dangly clip on earrings, plastic swords, a little eyeliner and black nail polish.

I used the strip of cloth to make a waist wrap/belt and a matching bandana and tada I was a pretty awesome $25 pirate. It was Halloween time though and I got a good deal on a cheap Hat and plastic swords. If you cant find a hat, do a bandana/eyepatch combo.

OR

Make a Ninja Mask out of a black tshirt. You could probably put together a passable ninja outfit.
posted by PlutoniumX at 7:15 AM on May 21, 2010

Abuse the local thrift and craft stores for fun, fast costumes:
1. Buy some white clothes from the local thrift store (painters pants, white button-up, etc.). But large ugly polka-dot or striped bow-tie. Buy an old, cheap, small, and white teacup. If you can find an old green or tan jacket, get that too.
2. Buy yourself some green fabric paint.
3. Paint big checkerboard squares on your newly-bought clothes. Polka dots may also be acceptable.
4. Make large top hat out of cardboard (cereal boxes, whatever) and tape; paint that, too. Stick a paper tag on the side that says "in this style 10/6". Alternately, buy a hat from the thrift store and "extend it" upwards with cloth and a regular old staple gun.
5. go as the Mad Hatter.
posted by introp at 8:06 AM on May 21, 2010

Do you have a black suit? Get a white dress shirt and a black tie from the thrift store and some fake blood. Splash the blood all over the stomach area. Go as Mr. Orange from Reservoir Dogs.

Admittedly dated, but hey, it's cheap and easy if you have the suit.
posted by Atom12 at 9:42 AM on May 21, 2010

Foil and cardboard box robot is always win.
posted by lhall at 9:55 AM on May 21, 2010

Don't underestimate the need to be comfortable/sit in a chair, to be able to hold/drink a drink and go to the washroom.
posted by metaname at 10:10 AM on May 21, 2010