What to compliment a Venetian Mask in terms of costume...

October 10, 2006 5:38 PM

Halloween Filter: I'm planning on wearing a Venetian paper mache mask...

...and I'm very excited with the idea (nixed Steve Irwin, Nixed Count Chocula) but I don't know what else to wear with it. I was thinking Eyes Wide Shut tux/cape, but if i'm in a less reputable party, I'm worried about my nice clothes getting scuffed. Any suggesions?

Looking for something that's flexible between an outdoor frat party to an indoor posh club? Regardless, I might wear the tux to the club, but I need something for the college parties!

Thanks

posted by stratastar to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

You could rent a period costume to go with it. ( Think Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt in Interview with the Vampire).
posted by -harlequin- at 6:23 PM on October 10, 2006

Response by poster: That sounds great! I'm going to definitely look into its feasibility ($$)
posted by stratastar at 6:26 PM on October 10, 2006

Which Venetian mask is it? Some of them aren't too tough to recreate, costume-wise. If it's the plague doctor, for example, all you need is a hat, a black coat, and a stick. And some stinky herbs in the schnoz for that extra edge.
posted by bink at 6:34 PM on October 10, 2006

Response by poster: Which Venetian mask is it?

I'm still finalizing whicch one I will be ebay'ing, but most probably something of the comdey/tradgedy variety (full facial, not just eyes). The heavily embroidered ones are real nice, but expensive. I'm on a pseudo-budget.
posted by stratastar at 7:07 PM on October 10, 2006

Response by poster: I just purchased it. The picture can be seen right here
posted by stratastar at 7:14 PM on October 10, 2006

I'd start with a white dress shirt and black pants (or a dark-colored suit). After that, go nuts. Maybe look for Victorian-era masquerade costumes? Tricorn hat, frilly collar? A cape, definitely.

I think one aspect of the "costume" that's more important than the clothes you wear is the persona you adopt. A mask (especially this type) is meant to hide your identity. Try to communicate as much as possible with body language, and speak as little as you can. Think "V for Vendetta" with the sound on mute. It gives you a bit of debonair and mystique that the girls should fall for.
posted by backseatpilot at 7:40 PM on October 10, 2006

If it's the one with the closed lips, it's from the Pierrot character, so you could go with the rest of that costume.
posted by occhiblu at 8:15 PM on October 10, 2006

there's authentic, and then there's touchable. either of those scream velour suit to me. there's usually at least a few to choose from in a good-sized good will or other new-life-for-old-clothes store, at a low enough price you won't be concerned about their future. purple or maroon would be perrrrfect!

(this image was so compelling that i finally signed up for an account, and posted even though you may never see this...)
posted by n y my at 6:14 PM on October 11, 2006

Response by poster: I appreciate it greatly n y my
posted by stratastar at 3:58 PM on October 12, 2006