How Cruella can I be?

September 27, 2010 1:35 PM

How do I spiff up my Halloween costume?

I've been "assigned" a Halloween costume at work. (All employees will be dressing up, but I wanted to pick my own. Sigh.) Anyway, I've been given Cruella De Vil garb and hideous wig. How can I make the most of a costume I didn't want? There are no other choices; the manager had a specific number of donated (or handmade) costumes and handed them out; I was at another meeting, and came in at the end when only Cruella was left. I really don't want to go to the pound and strap little spotted puppies to my cape, and I'm on a really tight budget.

posted by Smalltown Girl to Grab Bag (9 answers total)

Cigarette holder, red gloves, red shoes, "diamond" jewelry, white fur stole, fake nails.....so many ideas. Just image google Cruella Deville.
posted by iconomy at 1:43 PM on September 27, 2010

If you really want to spiff it up and make it scary, I suggest fake bloody puppy skins.

That will also teach the powers that be not to assign you a Halloween costume in the future.
posted by brand-gnu at 1:49 PM on September 27, 2010

A couple of stuffed (toy) dalmatians in a basket with a cover that you could slam closed every now and again would also help establish your character. You could also secret them around your workspace and try to collect them throughout the day.
posted by quin at 1:54 PM on September 27, 2010

There are these little Dalmatian "FurReal Friends" toys that make little whimpery noises and move around a bit. You could keep one in your bag, or in a pocket or stuffed down your cleavage, then after often and loudly asserting that you've reformed and wouldn't dream of stealing puppies, subtly activate it and when someone notices and asks about it, be horrified to find it on your person.
posted by peagood at 1:56 PM on September 27, 2010

you can find stuffed animals really cheaply at thrift stores. dalmatians are not uncommon finds. adding those to your person in whatever fashion you find comfortable/interesting would likely do the trick. while you're there, you can find glamming options to make the piece your own for a minimal investment.
posted by batmonkey at 2:26 PM on September 27, 2010

You could also spiff it up by combining Cruella with the Lost Puppy costume.
posted by peagood at 5:37 PM on September 27, 2010

Stuffed dalmations seems key. Also I think you can really have fun by glamming it up - fake nails, glitzy costume jewelry, etc. Cigarette extender is key. I mean she's a horrible bitch, but a glam bitch.

If you don't like your costume, maybe hit up the thrift store to find a better coat, etc?
posted by radioamy at 7:54 PM on September 27, 2010

Response by poster: All of your suggestions are superb. I'm trying not to play favorites, but I do love the "FurReal Friends" idea (thanks, peagood), and quin's suggestion about stuffin' stuffed puppies in a basket. What would I do without Ask MetaFilter? Don't even want to go there. Y'all rock.
posted by Smalltown Girl at 7:58 PM on September 27, 2010

I would get a Mexican wrestler costume, make a cape and hood out of Cruella's finery, and use the wig for some chest hair.

But then, I am like that.
posted by Sallyfur at 5:00 PM on September 28, 2010