At last it's that time of year when for one night, at least, we can all pretent to be something or somebody else. We can simply put on a halloween costume, add a few accessories and get into the part. But for even more fun why no take complete control over who you want to be and make your own halloween costume. With a little bit of extra effort you can easily be the star of any halloween party or trick-or-treating expedition.
If you're going to make your own halloween costume you'd better get started. The sooner you get going the better. Leaving yourself plenty of time means you can relax and have fun collecting the bits and pieces you need to make your own halloween costume.
So, where do you start?
Well, before you can make your own halloween costume you need to decide who or what you want to be. You could have a famous hero or an icon – think about your favorite TV programs and movies. Who do you admire from history? Which musicians appeal to you?
Or you could go for the more traditional halloween costumes – ghosts, witches, pumpkins, ghouls and monsters.
Once you've decided on who or what you want to have it's time to search for items that can be used to create your own halloween costume.
The easiest place to start is at home. Look around from room to room and see what things you can find that might fit in with the halloween character you've chosen. There are the same items like wedding and bridesmaids dresses, prom gowns or formal suits that make outfits such as halloween fairies or angels. But do not be too fussy at first, just grab anything that catches your eye – unwanted clothing, shoes, gloves, pieces of fabric, garbage bags, boxes, ties, socks, old towels, sheets etc. etc. The possibilities are endless.
By spending a little extra time you should be able to come up with something a little more exciting than the hobgoblin outfits that all your neighbors will be wearing.
Maybe you could dig through the closets of your older relatives looking for clothing that has gone out of style. An old double-breasted pin stripe wold be a great base from which to make your own 30s gangster halloween costume.
Vintage clothing can be used for 60s hippies, 50s beatniks or 40s film stars. And if you do not have and relatives with cluttered closets who can help you make your own halloween costume you can always try your local thrift shop or second-hand store.
There's probably a goodwill outlet near you where you can pick your way through the rails and check out all the clothing for more halloween costume ideas. Maybe some old shoes or a purse will inspire. Sometimes an odd piece of fabric or a belt will get your creative juices flowing.
Do not worry if you can not find exactly what you're looking for. If you're feeling a bit stuck just start with anything that appeals to you and you'll get more ideas as you go along. Remember, a halloween costume only needs to represent the character you want to portray. It does not have to be an exact match. You're not looking for perfection when you're making your own halloween costume.
Do not forget to look for your halloween accessories as well – toy gun for a gangster, beads for hippy, wigs, contact lenses, hair dye, make up etc.
Once you have a number of choices start trying things on and see how you can use the items to make your own unique halloween costume. Better still, get a friend to help so you can swap ideas. Then once, you're ready for the big night, there's only one thing left to do – get someone to take a photo so you back with pride on the year you decided to make your own halloween costume.