Halloween Costume Case Studies

Here is a description of one of the worst Halloween costumes I ever wore: I showed up to a party dressed normally. Halfway through, I went into the other room, put on a fake moustache, and covered myself in fake blood. I let out a blood curdling scream, then went back to the party where I heavy-handedly tried to convince everyone that I was the same person I had always been. If you haven’t figured out what I was, don’t worry, no one else did either. I was my evil twin who had killed, and eaten myself halfway through the party and was trying to take my place without anyone knowing. This violated several rules of costuming.

First of all, this wasn’t even some obscure character that only two people would get but would love when they figured it out, this was an idea that existed solely in my own mind. Not only did no one figure out who I was, but nobody cared either. The closest anyone got was, “That jerk with the moustache.” It wasn’t close enough to make the whole thing worthwhile.

Second of all, this was way too elaborate. In order for this to work I had to rely on people caring enough to remember that I showed up normally, but then changed into a costume later. This might have worked if I was part of a murder mystery, but at a regular party people just assumed I showed up in costume. Why wouldn’t I have?

Third of all, avoid fake moustaches. Every time I wear a fake moustache to a party, I end up eating half of it by accident. If at all possible, grow your own moustache.

Here is a description of one of the best costumes I ever wore: I got a bunch of cheap grey and purple workout clothes, then splurged on a Batman mask and cape. I printed out a copy of the bat symbol and taped it to my chest. For a utility belt I got a yellow fanny pack. Unsurprisingly, I was Batman. This upheld several rules of costuming.

First of all ,the costume wasn’t restrictive. A lot of elaborate costumes hinder the ability to move around well. If I had gotten a heavy rubber bat-suit, it might have been more detailed but I would have had trouble standing and sitting, let alone navigating bathroom logistics. By basing this around workout clothes I didn’t have to worry about any of that and could comfortably relax in style.

Second of all, I compensated for the lack of pockets by adding the utility belt. A lot of good costumes don’t have pockets. This isn’t typically obvious until you’re heading out the door and have no place to put your wallet. The fanny pack might have looked dumb, but it fit with the costume and it held my wallet and keys.

Third of all, I was part of a group. Batman by himself would have been pretty good, but I was also with Superman and Robin. The fourth member of our group was dressed like a giant spider because he ordered his costume too late, and it was the only thing he could get in time. People immediately guessed that we were the Justice League, and thought he was Spiderman. He told them he was Man-Spider. This might have been stupid, but a group of people dressed like idiots are usually going somewhere fun.

Here is a description of an offbeat costume I wore: I got a cheap, Elvis jumpsuit and then wore a full horse head mask over it. I was Horse Elvis. This… skirted the line around several rules of costuming.

First of all, Horse Elvis isn’t well known, but unlike the evil twin above it was easy to guess. This was stupid idea, but I wasn’t in a group. My friends that year were all dressed up like Waldo from ‘Where’s Waldo,’ and I don’t remember Horse Elvis being in any of those books.

Second of all, the jumpsuit was comfortable, and I made up for the lack of pockets by wearing gym shorts underneath. The downside was that every time I needed to get my wallet or keys I had to fish around in the jumpsuit. The horse mask was uncomfortable and hard to see out of. I kept taking it off, but nobody cared.

Third of all, I enjoyed it. The truth of the matter is that I didn’t plan to be Horse Elvis. I had the jump suit from the time I dressed up as Fry from Futurama when he was ‘Captain Yesterday’ (Nobody got who I was that time either, see previous rules), and I had the horse head mask because I was bored one day and ordered it online. I forget to make a costume, so I combined some things I already had. If you’re cool with having to explain what you are to everybody, go for it. If you’re content to carry around your keys all night, more power to you. And if you don’t mind accidentally eating half of a fake moustache while you’re dressed as Ron Swanson, then I hope you have a great time.

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