Add some bookish charm to your All Hallow's Eve

So because we’re not really in to the whole lingerie on Halloween phenomenon that’s all the rage (read: plagueing) most university campuses, here’s are the best DIY Halloween costumes that are equal parts literary, fun, and inexpensive.

Lizzie Bennett/Mrs. Darcy: This basically only works if like me, you have your grandmother’s old “prairie maid” dress upstairs from her days as a volunteer at the pilgrims’ museum. You could probably fashion something out of similarly toned long sleeve shirt and bedsheets. Though not exactly the same as regency era attire, I think with a modest bun, and maybe a book in hand, people would figure it out. 

A Clockwork Orange: White pants and top.  Black bowler hat, which you could fashion out of cardboard and hot glue and of course, fake eyelashes.  Or if you want to be funny, take a pumpkin costume (usually made out of orange felt, cheap at places such as Walmart) wear it inside out and affix the arms of a clock and a couple of gears to the front.  

Paper bag princess and dragon: You can either glue together about fifty lunch-size paper bags (as I did) or mould one giant paper bag (mostly used for disposing leaves, found in the yard work section of stores) to make a dress.  Tussle your hair, add a lopsided crown and even some singe marks if you’re feeling daring.  Your dragon can wear sweats and a hoodie in a matching colour, with poster board triangles glued/taped down his back.  Face paint would take this costume to the next level.  Really neat PBPrincess photoshoot here

Alice Munro: Couldn’t be simpler!  Put on the clothes of your classy grandmother, a curly gray wig, and hang a big, fat “Nobel” medal around your neck.  Read in to everything from the beads of condensation on the glasses, to the colour of the tile in the bathroom.

Harry Potter: There’s a plethora of Harry Potter costumes to be bought, but you can make your own out of a black sheet or cape, pipe cleaner glasses and face paint for his famous lightning bolt scar.  If you don’t want to shell out for the licensed Gryffindor scarves, just print the crest off the internet and pin it to your chest.  Any stick can be a wand.  Bonus points if you have a stuffed or plastic snowy owl strapped to your shoulder, or if you can convince a friend to go with you as Fluffy.

Gimli and Legolas, Lord of the Rings: For Gimli, you’ll need an insane beard.  If you didn’t start growing one in March, let me suggest brown wool, or picking one up at Value Village (which has a spooktacular costume department).  He wears armor, which you can buy or make out of cardboard, spray paint and tin foil.  Don’t forget a grumpy demeanor.  For Legolas, you’ll need green leggings, and a green tunic, which you could fashion out of an XL t-shirt from the Salvation Army.  Don’t forget a bow and arrow, and pointy elf ears to complete this look.  You can re-use the elf ears at Christmas time!

Scarlett O’Hara, Gone with the Wind: If you don’t want to purchase the “Southern Belle” costumes easily found at Walmart and Toys R Us, try making a skirt out of a bed sheet and a hula hoop, in a co-ordinating colour with a corset-type top you already own.  Alternatively, buy a prom dress from the Salvation Army.  Put your hair in ringlets and use a wide-brimmed sunhat with a light scarf as a bonnet.  Use this FancyDress.com example as your inspiration.

Asterix and Obelix: We’re pulling off this particular feat this Spooky Season for mere pennies.  We made mustaches out of cardboard and wool.  For Asterix’s costume, we happened to have red leggings and a black t-shirt on hand, as well as a plastic flask.  We’ll be completing the outfit with a dagger, a belt, and a winged helmet,  made out a plastic knight's helmet ($3.99 Value Village) and bristol board.  For Obelix’s attire, we ran out of money.  Instead of buying the white pants and top I wanted to spray paint, we opted for white Bristol board ($0.50 at Dollarama) which I’ll be wearing around my body.  I doubt it’ll be comfortable, but it will create Obelix’s signature silhouette of skinny legs and broad body. 

The Little Prince: Green pants, green shirt, blonde wig and a crappy drawing of a sheep.  Good to go!

Gotta book it for now; until next time!

JEM