Okinawan Pop Band Halloween Costume Advice

October 29, 2007 10:00 PM

HalloweenCostumeFilter: My band has a gig on Halloween in the East Village of NYC. Can you help me complete my costume? I can't use my hands, because of the instrument I play. I usually wear a black suit, bowtie, and bowler hat, and I am looking for minimal detail that can be added to make a quickly and commonly identified costume. Last year I wore some terminator makeup on my head and that was enough. Any recommendations?
posted by billtron to clothing, beauty, & fashion (16 comments total)

I'd go CLOCKWORK ORANGE with it and keep the hat.
posted by Gucky at 10:17 PM on October 29, 2007

Alex from Clockwork Orange? First thing I thought of, but the bow tie might be weird.
posted by thebrokedown at 10:17 PM on October 29, 2007

The clockwork orange idea is good, if I can find a giant white codpiece.

I should mention that because we are an Okinawan Pop band most of the bandmembers will be dressed in Anime-style or traditional Japanese/Okinawan outfits. I wear the suit to stand out, so something crazy only blends in more.
posted by billtron at 10:22 PM on October 29, 2007

How about a fake green apple attached to a wire attached to the top of your hat so that the apple hangs down in front of your face.
posted by Brittanie at 10:32 PM on October 29, 2007

Add a mustache and you can say you're Charlie Chaplin.
posted by meadowlands at 10:34 PM on October 29, 2007

Add a moustache and keep quiet for the night and you're most of the way to Charlie Chaplin.
posted by cardboard at 10:34 PM on October 29, 2007

How about the John Steed from The Avengers
posted by gen at 10:35 PM on October 29, 2007

Why not go John Steed from the Avengers? Though you can't use your hands to carry an umbrella, you might hook one over your arm when you come out -- and add a carnation to your buttonhole?

Alternately, a grease-paint mustache and some ill-sized shoes could turn you into a passable Charlie Chaplin.

Batman's 'The Riddler' wouldn't need anything more than some sticky-tape appliqué question-marks on the bowler, and a very loud necktie.

If you're of the portly persuasion, a cigar, a pocket handkerchief and a gluttony of medallions might swing the vote toward Churchill.

Finally, with a potato in your pocket and a newspaper under your arm, a slender cane, a gut full of booze, a penile tumescence, and a heavy heart you could sing under the heaventree of stars hung with humid nightblue fruit like good ol' Leo Bloom. (Just avoid the girlies on the Strand)
posted by mr. remy at 10:43 PM on October 29, 2007

My band was going to be Team Zissou until our Halloween gig got canceled. But I have the whole costume and I'm using it that night anyway.
posted by The World Famous at 10:53 PM on October 29, 2007

I was going to say John Steed as well- a waistcoat, regular tie and red carnation would do the trick.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:35 PM on October 29, 2007

KISS makeup.
posted by amyms at 12:32 AM on October 30, 2007

If you go Clockwork Orange, you do't actually need a codpiece. A white jockstrap will do well enough to give the point. And drink white russians all night.
posted by notsnot at 3:59 AM on October 30, 2007

Amish
posted by nineRED at 6:07 AM on October 30, 2007

The Charlie Chaplin look is what first occurred to me, as well. To do it correctly, however, your jacket needs to be a bit too small, the pants and shoes a bit too big, because, remember, he was "The Little Tramp" and it's safe to assume that he wore whatever clothing he could find. Also, dark eyeliner, and then the Hitler-like mustache.
posted by Lynsey at 10:08 AM on October 30, 2007

Ditto to Clockwork Orange.
posted by ms.v. at 10:31 AM on October 30, 2007

Well, I went shopping for a costume today and decided on Oddjob, the James Bond villain from Goldfinger. All I need is a mustache and a golf bag.

Thanks for the great suggestions. They will come in handy for future shows!
posted by billtron at 3:12 PM on October 30, 2007