Many costumes take lots of research and much planning to create. These elaborate undertakings must be started well in advance of the party day. But some of you create costumes in the same manner as you buy Christmas gifts- last minute. This article is for you.
Decide first what you want to be and then try to figure out a costume for it. Look at everyday items and seldom worn clothing with a discerning eye. Be daring, be creative, try to think 'out of the box' as they say. You need to see things in a new way.
An old white sheet is a wonderful item that can be used in so many ways. You see a sheet and think of a ghost, a couple of holes for eyes and you have the beginnings of one. Take that sheet and wrap it toga style for a Roman Caesar, drape it for a Greek Goddess, tatter it for the start of a ghoulish creature, tear it into strips and you become a mummy. It can be the start of a cape, a sarong, a monk's habit, and once dyed, sequined, fringed, glittered almost anything you desire.
A pair of black tights can be part of a cat, a French maid, a can-can girl, a knight, Robin Hood, or beatnik. Color wrong-dye them. Black socks can become boots for many a costume.
Turn lingerie into gowns and fur pieces into animals. White socks might become rabbit ears or a tail. The red bandana takes on the correct personality when it is added to the rest of the costume. You can tie it round the neck of a cowpoke or around the head of a pirate. Change the angle and it suddenly is perfect for the gypsy, fold it and it is the right accessory for the biker, or the punker.
Gold chains of all kinds and sizes from necklaces to the ones you tie the dog out with are great accents for many costumes. Ghosts need chains, as do convicts. Lots of glittery chains will bring your Hollywood starlet to life. Cleopatra and every other royal personage could benefit by the addition of chains.
Cardboard, poster board, and Styrofoam can be changed into a wealth of items with the addition of silver or gold paint and glitter. Shields, swords, platters, stars, halos, moons, crowns, and hooks for arms. All manner of boxes, containers, baskets, and trunks can become something else and the perfect accessory for your outfit.
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