Make Me Mason
September 24, 2014 3:33 PM
Since my most recent haircut has made me look a bit like Mason Verger off NBC's Hannibal ( proof) I've decided to make it my Halloween costume this year. I want to focus on his first appearance in the white fur-trimmed coat. ( Like this ) What the hell is he wearing and where can I find a reasonable look alike within the month? Something cheap enough that I don't have to work it into my daily wardrobe to justify buying it.
Also taking suggestions for ways to "sell" the Mason look, like holding a stuffed pig or martini glass filled with contact paper squares.
Also taking suggestions for ways to "sell" the Mason look, like holding a stuffed pig or martini glass filled with contact paper squares.
Well it seems you're off to a good start, ideas-wise. As far as the coat, I think you might be better off looking for a women's fur-trimmed coat at Goodwill and similar (faux fur, I would assume), because his coat smacks of "I'm wearing a man's coat with fur but you'd only be able to buy this if you're very, very rich".
I would imagine you'll have to devote some time to hitting the pavement and visiting some second-hand/vintage clothing stores.
As far as being the character, I would model my behavior from three memorable things he's done:
1) "I feel like... STRADIVARIUS." Start to say something normal and then do an unexpected, weird burst.
2) "You have a GLOW about you, Margot" Make innocuous comments seem menacing, and speak as though you have marbles in your cheeks.
3) Remember when he stabbed Hannibal's expensive leather chair with his special knife and then caught himself and laughed, saying he could bill him? Act a little unhinged and then reel yourself in.
I think the script and re-watching Season 2 Episode 10 would be helpful, his conversations with Margot are key here to his menacing (yet comical, with a light touch) performance.
(Good YouTube video here for brushing up.)
(Would not recommend a knife as part of your costume. :) You can pull it off, you're halfway here when you style your hair right.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 3:57 PM on September 24, 2014
I would imagine you'll have to devote some time to hitting the pavement and visiting some second-hand/vintage clothing stores.
As far as being the character, I would model my behavior from three memorable things he's done:
1) "I feel like... STRADIVARIUS." Start to say something normal and then do an unexpected, weird burst.
2) "You have a GLOW about you, Margot" Make innocuous comments seem menacing, and speak as though you have marbles in your cheeks.
3) Remember when he stabbed Hannibal's expensive leather chair with his special knife and then caught himself and laughed, saying he could bill him? Act a little unhinged and then reel yourself in.
I think the script and re-watching Season 2 Episode 10 would be helpful, his conversations with Margot are key here to his menacing (yet comical, with a light touch) performance.
(Good YouTube video here for brushing up.)
(Would not recommend a knife as part of your costume. :) You can pull it off, you're halfway here when you style your hair right.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 3:57 PM on September 24, 2014
I'd spend all your time sourcing the coat and then throw on basically any suit and tie underneath. Grey suit and a pale-toned tie, if possible. Extra points if you can find one of those 80s-esque contrast-collar shirts in a pastel. And surely you must have a tie tack, or know someone who has a tie tack.
Any naff wire-framed glasses would work. You could probably pick up some reading glasses from Duane Reade that would sell it, if you can manage living in 25% magnification for the night.
posted by Sara C. at 4:01 PM on September 24, 2014
Any naff wire-framed glasses would work. You could probably pick up some reading glasses from Duane Reade that would sell it, if you can manage living in 25% magnification for the night.
posted by Sara C. at 4:01 PM on September 24, 2014
Not to thread sit but yes, Mason's look sans crazy white coat is pretty generic ..I can pull out a three piece black suit right now, so that fur lined huge lapel white thing is really the thing to get. Everything else is pretty easy to get.
posted by The Whelk at 4:04 PM on September 24, 2014
posted by The Whelk at 4:04 PM on September 24, 2014
You could probably kludge together your own version of the coat with only rudimentary sewing skills. I'd find a thrift store coat that was the same basic color/style, and then hand stitch/hot glue on craft store fur (or get fancy and cut up a thrift store fur jacket) in the shape of the lapels. To get the shape right, trace similar looking lapels on another jacket using newspaper, and use that as the template.
posted by fermezporte at 4:12 PM on September 24, 2014
posted by fermezporte at 4:12 PM on September 24, 2014
It's surprisingly easy to find fur, fur-trimmed, and faux fur coats in thrift and vintage stores. Usually they're very cheap, because they're not sought after items at all. A decidedly un-PC relative of mine who once visited me in NYC bought a garbage bag of old fur coats from one of the mustier thrift stores in Williamsburg because, hey, when you see $10 fur coats, why the hell not?
The white is going to be tough, because who in New York wears a white coat, let alone men's white coat. (Could you handle a woman's coat? Not sure how big you are?)
That said, if you could find a white or cream men's coat and then trim it with faux fur yourself, that could be a little easier.
posted by Sara C. at 4:16 PM on September 24, 2014
The white is going to be tough, because who in New York wears a white coat, let alone men's white coat. (Could you handle a woman's coat? Not sure how big you are?)
That said, if you could find a white or cream men's coat and then trim it with faux fur yourself, that could be a little easier.
posted by Sara C. at 4:16 PM on September 24, 2014
You need a woman to go along with you and play your sister. If done right that would sell it.
posted by cjorgensen at 4:25 PM on September 24, 2014
posted by cjorgensen at 4:25 PM on September 24, 2014
You know what? I bet that coat is a woman's coat and the props department switched the buttons in some clever manner. You should troll around on ebay for vintage fur-collared women's coats - I used to have a seventies-ish one not unlike that. Fifties ones will be too swing-y in shape, but late sixties and seventies ones absolutely. And it will be easier to find a light colored one. The only trick will be your shoulders - are you especially broad-shouldered? You'll want to know your measurements and get the measurements from the seller. But that character's coat seems to fit really tightly anyway.
Also, based on your photo I think I could go as the Whelk for Halloween. I was going to be Young Professor X from X-men: First Class, though, since I have lots of cardigans and the ability to raise one eyebrow while frowning, so I might stick with that.
posted by Frowner at 4:42 PM on September 24, 2014
Also, based on your photo I think I could go as the Whelk for Halloween. I was going to be Young Professor X from X-men: First Class, though, since I have lots of cardigans and the ability to raise one eyebrow while frowning, so I might stick with that.
posted by Frowner at 4:42 PM on September 24, 2014
If you find a coat at the thrift store or on eBay that you otherwise like, but it doesn't have the fur collar, old fur stoles and collars are an easy thing to buy separately.
posted by MsMolly at 5:29 PM on September 24, 2014
posted by MsMolly at 5:29 PM on September 24, 2014
I'd actually hit etsy.
It looks like they have a good variety on the site -- both in terms of looks and in terms of budget. I actually wonder if you could commission a coat from one of the tailors on there, though that might run up against your budget constraints.
In terms of styling, PLEASE have a big carrot sticking out of your pocket. Also, I love the stuffed animal pig idea.
Is there some way that you want to incorporate his eel?
posted by rue72 at 5:42 PM on September 24, 2014
It looks like they have a good variety on the site -- both in terms of looks and in terms of budget. I actually wonder if you could commission a coat from one of the tailors on there, though that might run up against your budget constraints.
In terms of styling, PLEASE have a big carrot sticking out of your pocket. Also, I love the stuffed animal pig idea.
Is there some way that you want to incorporate his eel?
posted by rue72 at 5:42 PM on September 24, 2014
Goodwill online is another way to hunt around.
A martini with a square of cloth in it could be another 'fun,' iconic touch.
posted by nicodine at 11:48 AM on September 25, 2014
A martini with a square of cloth in it could be another 'fun,' iconic touch.
posted by nicodine at 11:48 AM on September 25, 2014
I could not for the life of me find a decent white fur wrap in my size that wasn't terribly costly - so I went with another character.
posted by The Whelk at 10:45 AM on November 2, 2014
posted by The Whelk at 10:45 AM on November 2, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Stacey at 3:52 PM on September 24, 2014