10 Last-Minute (and Painless) Costume Ideas
by
Phyllis Cambria
With Halloween fast approaching, costume party invitations are likely
to be in your mailbox soon. If you�re like many, the thought of heading to
your costume rental store and squeezing into a superhero costume or a
claustrophobic gorilla suit probably has you trying to come up with
excuses for not attending the celebration. Perhaps you�d prefer not to
spend a small fortune on an elaborate costume rental, or it may be a
last-minute invitation and you�re stumped for something to wear. If any of
these situations sound familiar, relax, here are ten costumes you�ll be
able to slip into at the last minute with clothes readily available in
your closet or needing only a quick trip to your local party store or
thrift store for accessories.
Cowboy or Cowgirl: It�s an old favorite because it�s such an
easy costume to implement. All you need are a pair of jeans or a denim
skirt, cowboy boots, a leather belt, plaid shirt and a cowboy hat. Happy
trails to you!
Prom Queen: In case you�ve been wondering what you should do
with that hideous bridesmaid�s outfit you were forced to buy, here�s the
perfect way to get some use out of your expensive purchase. Simply slip on
the dress, add high heels, an inexpensive tiara and carry a long-stem red
rose. Voila! You�re back in high school as the belle of the ball.
Typical Tourist: Dig through your t-shirt collection and find
one from a favorite amusement park. Or, rummage through the back of your
closet to locate an old Madres shirt. Pair it with a pair of plaid or
khaki shorts, sunglasses, sandals, and a baseball cap or straw hat. Hang a
camera around your neck and stuff an amusement park brochure or an old
airplane boarding pass into your pocket. Best of all, you won�t have to
wait on any long lines to have a good time in this costume.
Gypsy Girl: Peasant skirts are all the rage this year. Team
yours with a peasant-style blouse, lots of bangle bracelets and necklaces,
dangling or hoop earrings and sandals. Then, wrap a wild print scarf
around your head. The crystal ball says that this costume is a winner.
Tool Time: Slip on a white t-shirt, jeans or work pants, white
sports socks, work boots or old sneakers, and a loaded tool belt around
your waist. Butt cracks (and jokes) are optional.
Luau Lad or Lady: Top a pair of white or brightly-colored shorts
with your wildest Hawaiian print shirt. Add sandals, a straw hat and a
real or fake lei and a tropical drink, complete with a little umbrella,
and you�re ready to hula. Aloha!
A Law-suit: This worked for Denzel Washington�s character in the
movie �Philadelphia,� and it can work for you, too. Tape a variety of
legal contracts and forms to a basic business suit. �Your Honor, I give
you my law-suit.�
Super Fan: Have a sports team that you love? Great! Here�s a
chance to show your team spirit by wearing a team shirt, hat, and
color-coordinated pants. Then, carry pom-poms, pennants and any team
accessories you have stuck up on your shelf for when you attend a game.
Go, team, go!
Dancing Dan or Magic Man: Dust off your tux and polish your
shoes. Add white gloves, a top hat and cane. Fred Astaire never looked so
dashing. If you prefer, skip the cane and stuff a fake rabbit in your hat
and, abracadabra, in mere minutes you�ve turned yourself into a magician.
Stepford Housewife or �50s Mom: Borrow a shirtwaist dress from
your mother or find one at a thrift store. Add stockings, a pair of
sensible heels, a crisply-ironed apron, a strand of pearls and a rolling
pin. You�ll look like you've stepped out of a �50s TV sitcom.
With these simple and affordable ideas, there�s no reason to turn down
your next costume party invitation.
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