What to be for halloween?

October 20, 2009 8:25 PM

Where in NYC can I buy or get the materials to create a simple (easy to wear and not too expensive) Halloween costume? I also need to think of a simple historical or pop-culture figure to be. Thank you, hive-mind!

I'm in Harlem. I'm a young, average height/weight white guy. Bonus points for any original ideas. Thank you!

posted by ac to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (10 answers total)

There is a fabric store called Save-A-Thon between East 104th and 105th on 3rd Avenue in East Harlem. The fabric is affordable and they have a ton of notions, trims, and patterns. I used to go there for all my sewing needs. Have fun - it's a fabulous hidden gem :)
posted by lolalivia at 8:33 PM on October 20, 2009

Suit and tie + nerdy glasses = Clark Kent. Beat up jeans and tshirt = any random number of beat poets and/or rockstars before they got famous.

I'm personally a fan of the random type costume. Something like wearing all black and a name tag that says "They", like "They said..." Or really torn up clothes covered in blood and mud and a toy gun and say your the lone survior of a zombie attack. Or wear normal clothes and carry around one of those cat toys on a stick and a can of tuna and say your a professional cat herder.
posted by teleri025 at 8:40 PM on October 20, 2009

I'm thinking a big silver balloon, or lots of small silver balloons. Balloon Boy.
posted by AlliKat75 at 8:44 PM on October 20, 2009

Response by poster: Hahaha! Excellent...keep them coming!
And what do you think of "Pope Michael Vick"? Where can I buy a Vick jersey and a mitre (tall pope-hat) in NYC?
posted by ac at 9:13 PM on October 20, 2009

A lab coat makes you a scientist! They were $22 for the low-end model here in LA earlier this week (when I got mine).
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 9:22 PM on October 20, 2009

Googling for mitres brought me to a couple of prop rental stores. Maybe give 'em a call? (Basically google "prop rental nyc".)

I think a Vick jersey might be tougher! Champs Sports has a branch on 125th and shows Vick replicas on their site. Give 'em a try.

I would avoid going as Balloon Boy. This Gawker article pretty much nails why.
posted by greenland at 10:35 PM on October 20, 2009

I still think it's funny. It's Halloween. It's fun. It's not a competition.
posted by AlliKat75 at 11:07 PM on October 20, 2009

You could go as The Dude.

Just need a cheep blondish wig, facial hair, sunglasses, grubby t-shirt, bathrobe, etc.

Plus you get to drink White Russians all night long.

If you happen to smoke dope, well, that's in character too.
posted by OilPull at 6:58 AM on October 21, 2009

Army/Navy Supply Stores always have a ton of random, cool uniforms, sailor hats, etc. Just google one in your area. You'll be surprised at how much Halloween-worthy stuff they stock.
posted by np312 at 10:29 AM on October 21, 2009 [1 favorite]

If you can find a survival blanket, that's a cheap source of mylar. Wear it as a poncho and go as balloon boy. Bonus if you get a hula hoop and tape it on to get it nice and round.
posted by theora55 at 12:45 PM on October 21, 2009