How on earth can I use these big black wings for Halloween?
October 8, 2011 3:22 PM Subscribe
I fell in love with, and bought, a big expensive pair of black wings at an anime con earlier this year. I would love to actually get some use out of them and wear them at Halloween, but... as what? Ideally, what could I go as that I wouldn't have to constantly explain what I was supposed to be?
If they had been white wings, I think I would have an easier time of it, but I was all tipsy on sake and the BIG pair for sale happened to be black. They are gorgeous, and enormous, and they've been in the closet ever since. A silly purchase, all the way.
The one thought I had was "harpy". But I think the wings should look more skanky, feathers missing etc. for that; also, I'm not bold enough for bare breasts. :) I haven't completely ruled the harpy idea out, so I would be happy to have any suggestions there.
But what else could I dress up as? What would you do for Halloween, if you had these big ol' black wings?
If they had been white wings, I think I would have an easier time of it, but I was all tipsy on sake and the BIG pair for sale happened to be black. They are gorgeous, and enormous, and they've been in the closet ever since. A silly purchase, all the way.
The one thought I had was "harpy". But I think the wings should look more skanky, feathers missing etc. for that; also, I'm not bold enough for bare breasts. :) I haven't completely ruled the harpy idea out, so I would be happy to have any suggestions there.
But what else could I dress up as? What would you do for Halloween, if you had these big ol' black wings?
Best answer:
this should go to the google image search for angel of death.
posted by bilabial at 3:29 PM on October 8, 2011
this should go to the google image search for angel of death.
posted by bilabial at 3:29 PM on October 8, 2011
Natalie Portman in Black Swan.
posted by goethean at 3:32 PM on October 8, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by goethean at 3:32 PM on October 8, 2011 [3 favorites]
Oh my god, yes. Basically what you do is this:
Wear anything you want that looks cool with the wings. Any conversations can then go like this:
"So tomboko, that's a really cool costume! What are you?"
"Uh, fucking awesome?"
For me personally? I would try to put together a vinyl and/or leather outfit with lots of shiny buckles and stuff and then wear a cloak or a cape or something over that. Especially as you're a lady, you could rock a long black skirt with this, which would (I think) look amazing. Heavy, stylized eyeliner and a very, very dark luscious lipstick would be important too.
posted by kavasa at 3:35 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
Wear anything you want that looks cool with the wings. Any conversations can then go like this:
"So tomboko, that's a really cool costume! What are you?"
"Uh, fucking awesome?"
For me personally? I would try to put together a vinyl and/or leather outfit with lots of shiny buckles and stuff and then wear a cloak or a cape or something over that. Especially as you're a lady, you could rock a long black skirt with this, which would (I think) look amazing. Heavy, stylized eyeliner and a very, very dark luscious lipstick would be important too.
posted by kavasa at 3:35 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
Lucifer from Assault Girls (the plot summary on that page is absolutely, laughably incorrect).
posted by bricoleur at 3:35 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by bricoleur at 3:35 PM on October 8, 2011
A fallen angel. You could then make the outfit that went with it as sexy/risque as you wanted. Anything from ethereal and well covered or wear a suit and be a fallen banker angel or go full on slutty fallen angel. I'd carry a bottle of Jack and a long strip of condoms for added authenticity. . . but that's just me. Remember to include dented and tarnished halo tipped over one eye at a rakish angle.
posted by wwax at 3:36 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by wwax at 3:36 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ryuk from Death Note
posted by Ad hominem at 3:37 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by Ad hominem at 3:37 PM on October 8, 2011
I thought raven, too, but I also thought it would be amazing to nod to a pacific northwest depiction of the raven and incorporate stylized red and black linework on your face for makeup, maybe with a necklace of the moon?
I lived in the PNW (Port Angeles) for years surrounded by this art, everywhere, and the ravens and whales were always my favorite.
posted by rumposinc at 3:39 PM on October 8, 2011 [7 favorites]
I lived in the PNW (Port Angeles) for years surrounded by this art, everywhere, and the ravens and whales were always my favorite.
posted by rumposinc at 3:39 PM on October 8, 2011 [7 favorites]
A friend and I went as white swan and black swan to an underground warehouse dance party in May. It was an excellent costume, and very easy to put together. Amazon has cheap effective tutus, and a black leotard is very easy to find. Work up the makeup, and attach some feathers to your leotard and you're golden. Huge black wings would only be more fantastic. Add a tiara and you're set. Bonus points if you can find a white swan to come with you. Seriously I think I had my picture taken like 400 times. It was brilliant fun.
posted by jph at 3:42 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by jph at 3:42 PM on October 8, 2011
A bat?
posted by raccoon409 at 3:45 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by raccoon409 at 3:45 PM on October 8, 2011
Nightmare Moon.
That wig maker will probably make wigs on request. I've bought two from her, and currently own a "Nightmare Moon" type wig with long black curly locks and silver unicorn horn.
posted by DisreputableDog at 3:47 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
That wig maker will probably make wigs on request. I've bought two from her, and currently own a "Nightmare Moon" type wig with long black curly locks and silver unicorn horn.
posted by DisreputableDog at 3:47 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Black swan or angel of death. Easy peasy.
posted by emd3737 at 4:00 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by emd3737 at 4:00 PM on October 8, 2011
If you do go the Angel of Death route, you might draw some ideas from Hellboy's personal AoD in Hellboy 2. The full get-up would be a stretch, but you could do nifty things with the eyes in the wings.
posted by McCoy Pauley at 4:17 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by McCoy Pauley at 4:17 PM on October 8, 2011
An avian victim of an oil spill? You can fill a bottle of dish soap full of glitter or confetti and ask people to sprinkle it on you.
posted by kitty teeth at 4:41 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by kitty teeth at 4:41 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
This really amazing costume. (requires Facebook login, but try this cached version perhaps.)
posted by mkb at 4:57 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by mkb at 4:57 PM on October 8, 2011
The Death of the Grave Digger is a nice image to work with.
posted by louche mustachio at 5:01 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by louche mustachio at 5:01 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
Do you have short dark hair? Get a long black coat, cut holes for the wings, carry a toy male lion and go as Magritte's Mal du Pays.
posted by brujita at 6:53 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by brujita at 6:53 PM on October 8, 2011
You could be an awesome Blackwing pencil. Shape your headpiece as a Blackwing ferrule with an eraser top; wear a black bodysuit and write "Blackwing" vertically, in silver/gold glitter; give yourself a dangly but sharp point at your waist; and carry some beautifully-written (in pencil, of course) quotations/sayings ("The pencil is mightier than the sword") to give out to interesting people.
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:06 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:06 PM on October 8, 2011
You could attach the wings to a plastic spine, as something, perhaps evil, that you killed, in whatever guise you prefer: office worker with letter opener, wolfman, unicorn, etc. You just carry around the gore to impress people.
posted by rhizome at 7:25 PM on October 8, 2011
posted by rhizome at 7:25 PM on October 8, 2011
Howl in bird form (either with black or blonde hair) from Hayao Miyazaki's film Howl's Moving Castle.
Oh god I can't stop thinking of things now.
posted by DisreputableDog at 8:29 PM on October 8, 2011
Oh god I can't stop thinking of things now.
posted by DisreputableDog at 8:29 PM on October 8, 2011
Harpies [some of these links NSFW] aren't always tore down; often being obviously evil means looking awesome. For example for much of greek mythology Harpies are portrayed as beautiful women. And there are lots of example in PG media that wouldn't require going topless.
There are lots of examples on Winged Humanoids at TV Tropes. Though none of the examples jumped out at me as being explanation free. They also have a page on Fallen Angels.
Some Valkyries are portrayed as winged warriors.
posted by Mitheral at 8:47 PM on October 8, 2011
There are lots of examples on Winged Humanoids at TV Tropes. Though none of the examples jumped out at me as being explanation free. They also have a page on Fallen Angels.
Some Valkyries are portrayed as winged warriors.
posted by Mitheral at 8:47 PM on October 8, 2011
A flying monkey from the Wizard of Oz.
A garuda from China Mieville's Perdido Street Station though I think it breaks your "don't ask questions about my costume" clause. That picture isn't from the book, but it's the closest thing that works, since the garuda is actually from Hindu mythology.
Crowley from Neil Gaiman's Good Omens.
You don't -have- to say where you're from if someone asks about this one. You can just look over your glasses, give a little smirk and say, "I'm the very first bad angel."
posted by DisreputableDog at 8:51 PM on October 8, 2011 [3 favorites]
A garuda from China Mieville's Perdido Street Station though I think it breaks your "don't ask questions about my costume" clause. That picture isn't from the book, but it's the closest thing that works, since the garuda is actually from Hindu mythology.
Crowley from Neil Gaiman's Good Omens.
You don't -have- to say where you're from if someone asks about this one. You can just look over your glasses, give a little smirk and say, "I'm the very first bad angel."
posted by DisreputableDog at 8:51 PM on October 8, 2011 [3 favorites]
What about Hawkgirl? I went as her in 2007 and it was a big success (I went as this version, not the pic on the wiki article).
Her clothes are fairly straight-forward/easy to find (yellow bustier, red short-shorts, green leggings). I made a simple belt with wide black elastic and a round silver "medallion" (actually just a xxl make-your-own covered button base). I bought some ridiculous, red, knee-high boots (something like these but with a shorter heel). I used yellow reflective gaff tape to make the stripes on the boots. I made her weapon with a 2" dowel and a large styrofoam ball with nubs glued-on (all painted the same color).
The only toughie was the mask, which I ended up making in paper mache. That was a long/tedious (two+ week) process, but it turned out pretty good. (pic here)
I actually has a super hard time finding giant black wings -- but you're all set in that department!
posted by bienbiensuper at 9:16 PM on October 8, 2011
Her clothes are fairly straight-forward/easy to find (yellow bustier, red short-shorts, green leggings). I made a simple belt with wide black elastic and a round silver "medallion" (actually just a xxl make-your-own covered button base). I bought some ridiculous, red, knee-high boots (something like these but with a shorter heel). I used yellow reflective gaff tape to make the stripes on the boots. I made her weapon with a 2" dowel and a large styrofoam ball with nubs glued-on (all painted the same color).
The only toughie was the mask, which I ended up making in paper mache. That was a long/tedious (two+ week) process, but it turned out pretty good. (pic here)
I actually has a super hard time finding giant black wings -- but you're all set in that department!
posted by bienbiensuper at 9:16 PM on October 8, 2011
Female version of Sephiroth... although you'd only be using 1 wing.
posted by Seboshin at 3:27 AM on October 9, 2011
posted by Seboshin at 3:27 AM on October 9, 2011
Seconding The Raven. Go around handing out little notes that say "Nevermore."
posted by Pallas Athena at 10:32 AM on October 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Pallas Athena at 10:32 AM on October 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
I don't think you have to be something evil or dark to wear black wings- besides, that's what every other person with black wings will be doing. If I had big black wings, I personally would 1) want to create a costume that made me stand out from every other person in black and/or wings, and 2) looked good without wings, because wearing wings is frankly a big pain in the ass, especially if you are at a crowded party. You can be the angel or fairy or patron saint of whatever you want to be- Angel of Afternoon Naps, Patron Saint of Libraries, Pizza Fairy. If you don't mind mucking with your wings a bit you can spray them with colored glitter or use tacky glue (dries to be sticky, but removable) to stick stars or rhinestones to them (test first! I haven't tried this). You can buy peacock or ostrich feathers of different colors and sew them in at the top, or at the bottom, swallow-tail style. Or dried flowers, tiny battery operated lights, glitter wire spirals, strings of sparkly beads, glass raindrops.
Then again, if you don't want to explain what you are, I guess obvious is the way to go, and you should ignore everything above. :)
posted by oneirodynia at 11:49 AM on October 9, 2011
Then again, if you don't want to explain what you are, I guess obvious is the way to go, and you should ignore everything above. :)
posted by oneirodynia at 11:49 AM on October 9, 2011
"Hello, my name is" stickers are the best way to avoid those questions.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 2:58 PM on October 9, 2011
posted by Mister Moofoo at 2:58 PM on October 9, 2011
Response by poster: Thank you, everyone! I have decided to go with Angel of Death. The cloaked skeleton with scythe type, plus wings. I considered the Raven idea too - I'd say nothing but "Nevermore!" all night! - but I think it would be really expensive to do as well as I'd like it done. A few of the suggestions I ruled out because I'm not willing to damage or put stuff on or otherwise do harm to my nice wings (I know they're apt to get banged around a bit, but they're very well made.) And oh lordy, I just don't want to do a girly "sexy" Halloween costume. I get my regular fix of that at Rocky Horror. :)
I would have LOVED!!! to go as Ryuk from Death Note, but I'll be at a Halloween party and not an anime con - I'd be explaining what I am to almost everyone. -- Why am I so hung up on that point? Last year's costume was such a success, I was Cruella de Vil and my husband was a Dalmatian on a leash. EVERYONE knew who we were supposed to be, and I just really enjoyed that.
posted by tomboko at 7:22 PM on October 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
I would have LOVED!!! to go as Ryuk from Death Note, but I'll be at a Halloween party and not an anime con - I'd be explaining what I am to almost everyone. -- Why am I so hung up on that point? Last year's costume was such a success, I was Cruella de Vil and my husband was a Dalmatian on a leash. EVERYONE knew who we were supposed to be, and I just really enjoyed that.
posted by tomboko at 7:22 PM on October 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Maude_the_destroyer at 3:27 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]