Help me come up with the perfect Hugo Chavez outfit for Halloween

October 7, 2010 4:06 PM

Help me come up with the perfect Hugo Chavez outfit for Halloween

I am willing to spend some money (not a ton, but some) to make this outfit high quality and authentic.

First question: which look should I go for? I love his red beret, but beyond that, which look? Man of the people? Man of the military? Man of the police?

Second question: where do I get whatever you think will make the best costume?

I usually don't try to dress up as anything so help make this happen!

posted by wooh to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (4 answers total)

I always imagine him in the solid color military style button up shirt, in red or khaki or olive drab. The kind that Castro wears, with the two flap pockets on the front and you don't tuck in. I think simulating this type of sash would be good for cluing people in as to who you are. As for where to buy, military surplus stores you have probably already thought of. Might also try hunting/sporting goods stores or feed/supply stores if there is one in your area (i'm thinking some of the hunter attire might overlap with military attire.)

make sure you get some good mileage sniffing the air and saying it smells like sulphur! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5365142.stm
posted by dahliachewswell at 4:54 PM on October 7, 2010

So often you just see him in a red button-down shirt that, if you wore it, wouldn't really signify anything. So I think the beret is a must, and I'd opt for a military style shirt, either olive drab or camo. Either would be easy to find at the army surplus store. In a pinch just go with a hunter green button down from anywhere. What would really transform that outfit from any-random-generalissimo into Chavez might be the Venezuela flag sash. You don't have to have the crest, just the stripes in the right colors. Here's a good example. Also if you can talk for six hours straight, that would really sell it.
posted by Askr at 6:01 PM on October 7, 2010

Hrm, I mean I was thinking about the sash but I have no idea where I'd find one...
posted by wooh at 7:08 PM on October 7, 2010

At any fabric store you could buy broad ribbon in yellow, blue and red and either sew it or, frankly, just duct tape it together on the backside. You could print out the venezuelan seal in color at kinko's at duct tape that on too, for good measure.
posted by dahliachewswell at 9:31 AM on October 8, 2010