It’s late September – which means Halloween stores are opening up all around and we all start debating our costumes. Well, if I’m being honest, I started this debate November 1 of last year! Halloween is definitely one of my favorite holidays – not only because of the parties and delicious treats (which I do love!), but because of the costumes. It is a holiday specifically dedicated to becoming someone else for one night, utilizing creativity and skill to assemble an impressive costume.
When I begin my long process of deciding on and then creating my costume, it never crosses my mind to buy a prepackaged costume. A big part of the fun is making your costume yourself – whether through buying separate parts or sewing it yourself. I like to visit the Halloween stores to brainstorm or search for necessary pieces for my costume, but not to just buy a bagged costume to go.
Now there is nothing wrong with people wanting an easy costume, but for those of us who take Halloween a little more seriously (go ahead, laugh!), it becomes frustrating to see some of the costumes we have made become prepackaged items.
So, imagine my distate upon seeing a prepackaged Fionna costume on the shelf at my local Halloween store this year – GASP! While this obviously isn’t one of the most intricate costumes, it does hold a special place in my heart as my Comic-Con cosplay and a character that is more obscurely known to Adventure Time fans. My gut reaction was that of “oh dear god, I can never wear my costume again…” At that moment, I felt like so many hipsters must.. I don’t want what I love to turn into something that mainstream that it is literally prepackaged! Seeing this costume has literally spoiled the enjoyment of my costume in the future.
But alas, that seems to be the constant struggle with cosplay and Halloween – constantly looking for something I am passionate about and want to make that has not been done.. and overdone! Each year, I play a game – what will be the “douchebag” costume of the year. This means what will be the go-to costume for those party-goers who can’t be bothered to spend time on a costume but still want to look like they are down with pop culture to look cool to their friends. In years past it has been The Joker, zombie versions of recently deceased celebrities, and Lady Gaga. My fear is that soon costumes of character I love will pop up on the “douchbag” costume of the year list of possibilities. Regardless of if they do or not, I will obviously continue loving the source material.. just not the costume!
So here are my tips for choosing a Halloween costume:
1). Choose to dress up as something you love or would love to be! – You’ll have more fun if you know about the character or can get into character for the night!
2). Try to choose a costume that isn’t overdone. Or if it has been done a lot, add a new twist to it.. make it your own! – I know I love seeing new costumes, and I’m sure you do too!
3). If you do choose a costume that has been either done by a lot of other people or prepackaged, DO IT BETTER THAN THEM! – Add details and play the part so that you will look and feel authentic.
4). Have fun with your costume! – Don’t choose based on what will be cool or sexy or whatever… seriously, have fun with it and embrace the spirit of dressing up as someone/something else for a night – cool be damned!
So… want to know what my costume will be this year?.. here’s a hint:
If you have had a similar experience to mine with prepackaged costumes or have a prediction for the “douchebag” costume for this year, comment!
