Recession Depression (candy is dandy)

19 03 2009

Alrighty then, I am out of audio books and that means that occasionally I listen to the radio…huge mistake!  Doom, gloom, good old boys getting richer, families struggling, fat cats skimming the hard earnings of everyone, and bad news abound.  I am raising my hand right now to say that I would not turn off the radio for good news…that there are stocks doing well, Mrs. (insert your name here) has met their financial obligations and then found time to volunteer at the local seniors center/nursing home/meals on wheels.  This is happening….good things are all around.  Why just this morning I got the greatest email …that the All Candy Expo is at MccandyCormick Place in Chicago on May 18-21.  Now I have been to a lot of conventions but wow, this would be a fun one.  I can just smell the sweet scent of sugar in the air.  My taste buds would go on overload, my inner child would awaken, and I might even want to open another business. 

What does this have to do with the recession you wonder?  Well…it’s just this.  Businesses are still open for you (all of them have not gone under or robbed you of your life savings or borrowed from the government), people are still working and earning and living (the whole work force has not been laid off), schools are still educating our children, we are still planning our summer vacation or home improvements though perhaps a little gingerly, my dog still loves me and I am still able to help my friends who are struggling right now in my small way ….and there are still Candy conventions, Easter eggs, bake offs, scholarships for hard working students, children,  chocolates, another day….so enough with the doom and gloom already.  We have enough in our own lives to manage…do not give me an overload of it in the media.  Can good news have equal billing please?????

Wake up…the world is an opportunity not a problem…and I am checking out more books straight away!:0)


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St. Patrick’s day is coming March 17th…5 reasons to wear green!

2 03 2009

OK, we all try to wear green on St. Patrick’s day and our Costume Shoppe definitely has you covered with wigs, tattoos, hats, gloves, full costumes and so much more!  However, a little known fact is that it was once blue that was the colour of this day. (in Ireland)  Many say it is the shamrocks that we try to emulate…some say it is the green in the Irish flag or the color of their Lassies eyes…but for whatever reason, green is the color of the Irish celebration!

Though I never need a reason to wear a costume, most of you do so St. Paddie’s day is a great holiday for this in the Spring… so

Reason 5 – Spring is coming so wear green!

Reason 4 – You might get pinched if you do not wear green…ouch! (no fun to be pinched)

Reason 3 – If you work in a bar and wear a cute green costume you definitely will get lots more tips….so spice it up!

Reason 2 – Green is the color of money and good luck and we could all use more of that

Reason 1 – You look great in green ….admit it….

So boogie on in and look at the great stockings, garters, ties, buttons, sashes and more that we have to spice up your day…or head on in to your local store for your green scene!Good-Luck-Charm-Halloween-Costume

“May your house always be too small to hold all your friends!”…an Irish quote


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All I ever learned about history was in my costume Shop; History comes alive in Costumes

1 03 2009

So, just 5 years back I learned about wax museums…I knew about the ones that have wax figures that you pay an admission price for, that are works of art, but this was different.  This was children acting out the part of a historical figure in history as a school project.  Now we are not only talking about presidents, astronauts and heros that we know but many others too.  People that I hadn’t heard of before (or slept with my eyes open during that lecture) were many and so I learned from the children that came in to chose a costume…some of these people in history that I had never heard of were inventors (Elijah McCoy), early warning riders (Sybil Ludington), and pioneers (Queen Bess Coleman)  I never heard of these wonderful folks before the little people came into my shop requesting costumes…they have delighted and educated me as to the huge world of fun history out there. (and I continue to learn)

In case you don’t know (and I didn’t ), here’s how a wax museum works:
1. the teacher gives the child a character in history to portray (or the child gets to choose)
2. The child does research into the character and time in history wherein they wish to portray their character
3.They dress like the character in a wax museum program where parents and other students visit. (which is where I come in with my Costume Shop)
4.  The visitor to the museum pushes a button or tag placed on the child (wax figure standing very still) and they come to life as the historical figure…i.e. – I am Sybil Ludington, known as the female “Paul Revere” .  I was born in …
5.  The child goes on for about a minute and we learn and are entranced with history (which I always found to be a bit of a bore as a youth)…the child has history come alive with insight and color…the observer is delighted by this mini museum of knowledge that is fun and much like a play.conductorcomposercolonial

This is one more facet of “the costume shop”…we are not just Halloween…we exist for much more….plays, school projects, business presentations and so much more.

So as much as I thought I was done learning my ABC’s and the history of our world, I am not, thanks to my little shop and the wonderful folks who continue to educate me…my customers!

(shown left is one of them…can you guess who he might be…a famous composer)

Till next time…this is the local Queen of Costumes saying History can be fun!

Happy regards,

Nacheska


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Costume Quality Differences 101

11 02 2009

Greetings to all you make believe peeps from the local Queen of costumes…Have you ever bought a costume that didn’t last the whole party?  Have you ever tried to wash a costume that you paid half of your last paycheck for and it came out a wadded mess?  But then, have you bought a costume on sale and gotten lots of uses out of it?  Have you ever rented a costume and been the best dressed one at the party?  Well believe me, as I sit here at my first Halloween buying session (in January)  these are the same questions I ask when touching and examining the costumes that are offered up by the 100’s of vendors here. 

As a costume Shoppe open all year…I face my customers in the local grocery, restaurants and out and about in public so I have to be able to hold my head up high and be proud of what is in my tiny Shoppe.  Since we are an all year store of brick and mortar, we need to have something that the public wants.  I do not try to compete with the big chains …Walmart, Party City and Target but neither do they compete with me.  There is no way that they will sit down with a customer and work out what is needed for their project or play and put it together.  They also do not carry the deluxe high end costumes all year that one needs for specific endeavors such as theater, business events, costume parties, promotions, and renaissance faires… and I do not carry household items:0)

But I digress….this article is not really about the costumes we rent and that are our own designs or about chain stores but about what is “ready made” by the mass costume producer/suppliers.  Many of them have 4 levels of costume….
the 1st and lowest level we at our store call  throw away…it is an inexpensive, get your child or you through trick or treating night-don’t look too close kind of costume (lots of times made with substandard paper/cloth)  We don’t carry these as they are Halloween mass market styles that we cannot compete with nor want to carry in our specialized Shoppes. 
The second level is a one or two time use costume…made with better materials but not hemmed in a lot of places and very fragile but look good or great on. We carry these at a competitive price all year not just during Halloween.  This one is a bit more expensive but still within a low budget. (25-50 dollars)
The third level is a deluxe costume, well made, can often be washed used over and over and looks close to the real thing. (probably can get 8-10 wearings or more) 
The final costume is a supreme…it is often what we rent in our store…movie quality (looking like what the same item would look like in a movie)  Yes, the suppliers make these but the demand is lower from the general public so the large chain stores do not handle them….they have great benefits to rent because they look amazing and you do not have another item in your already limited space closet…and each time you rent an item of this quality, you can return it (without washing) and get different great one next time.

So there you have it….the Supermans, Witches, Spidermans, Hippies are not all made the same even if they are made by the same manufacturer.  It is about what the public wants the costume for, who is carrying the costume and what the client wants.  The client that goes to a chain store usually looks for a convenient quick buy and something cheap.  The person who walks into a Costume Shoppe wants a real fabulous costume and cares how they will appear or about a little more quality for their dollar…

So if you see 4 jedi knights at the same party and they all look slightly different but similar, it is because the licensed manufacturer makes different “levels” of the same costume.

 

Till next time ….Have too much fun!

Your costume queen,

Nacheska


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The Driskill Hotel at New Years…Gala and Ghosts?

5 01 2009

My husband and I have always been in agreement that staying home is safer on New Years Eve. The next best thing is to party and stay over.  But in our 8 years of marriage, we have never been out on New Years eve.  Since my gorgeous daughter lives in Austin and I want to have a divine 2009, I searched my Internet sources and mind for something fun to do there (in Austin) so I could visit family on New Years day and get 2 days of play for the price of one.   I had spotted the Driskill Hotel years ago when I was a younger 6th street reveler and loved the look of this vintage hotel and it was decided we would go and stay there for our New Years adventure.  My friends who had stayed in the hotel mentioned that is such a gem of Texas rich driskill_hotelin old luxury  and ghosts ( http://whatwasthen.com/driskill.html) that I knew we had made a good choice.

 We set off early New Years eve., got to Austin in about the normal 3.5 hours and after a late lunch set out for the hotel in some fairly impressive New Years Eve. traffic arriving at the hotel at around 4:30 p.m.  Now I must tell you that we signed up for a fairly pricey hotel package (which I justified dividing it into 8 New Years eves that I had not celebrated) which included a deluxe Senate room and a 7 course meal and dancing…I was excited and planned to make the most of this historical hotel and evening…

Parking in the 6th street area of Austin, TX  is never easy and you can imagine how it was as the festivities on the street were being set up.  There is an arts parade and celebration on New Years eve along with the amazing clubs and music offerings so peeps walk along the streets and celebrate all night…(http://www.firstnightaustin.org)

But after a few minute wait jam packed behind some other vehicles, we were valet parked by a very nice low key gentleman who was amazingly cool and collected though cars were arriving faster than they could be parked.

As I walked into the lobby which seemed fairly European in nature, small, opulent, amazingly quiet I was not so much impressed as pleased.  We experienced a quick check in and all was well.  I noticed two very tiny Victorian chairs sitting next to checkout, seemingly very random but definitely a conversation starter.  My husband said they were for children but they seemed even smaller than that, for ghosts perhaps???

My first impression of the hotel, was how small and intimate it seemed…how dark it was but still pretty nacheska and uncle Jessewith the small christmas lights sparkling along the garland laced bannister.  Actually there are 189 guestrooms/suites and the hallways ramble forever.  Here I am on the main stairway with Uncle Jessie (My nickname for Jessie Driskill, the original owner of the hotel) After we got our luggage in our wonderful room, we did “recon” and I discovered Uncle Jessie first thing…

The room was wonderfully large with a huge king size bed…the bathrooms are fairly tiny with a little alcove connecting it to the bedroom/suite…I have read that it was not until the early 1900’s that each room had it’s own bathroom…read the history of this hotel here  http://www.austinpostcard.com/driskill.html

So we return to our room to ready ourselves for the New Year’s Gala…I must tell you that we weren’t quite sure what to expect as the email from the hotel was fairly vague so when we called, here is what we gleaned 8:00 cocktails, 9:00 7 course Dinner with accompanying wine, Dancing afterwards…with a midnight balloon drop.  When we arrived on the Mezzanine (it looked fabulous with elegant table settings), there was a table set up to check the Gala Guests in.  My husband and I decided suit/tie, tea length dress would probably be the ticket since nothing was mentioned anywhere about attire.  The young woman manning the table could not find our name, inquired as to whether we were in the right place (there was another event in the hotel…dinner only) and we said we were certain we were New Years Gala Dinner Package…she told us to come in and have a seat and she would assign us a table later….Hmmm….I do not know about you but when I am spending several hundred dollars for a room and dinner, I might like to know I am going to get that dinner. (and not be treated like a long lost country cousin who has just dropped in out of nowhere to stay for vittles)  This was our first disappointment.new years eve photo at driskill  After the complimentary glass of champagne (considered the free cocktails) my sweet honey went to check and “insist” we get a table assignment as many were meandering to their seats.  To my relief we were accomodated at table 7  and we met the sweetest young couple there soon followed by another….the 3 sets of us enjoyed the many courses and wines with fun banter and appetite though I must say that three of the courses had shellfish.  Though I adore shellfish, I found this odd, considering how many people dislike and are allergic to shellfish…the wines were well picked.  The entree was lamb???(in cattle country?) We all tried it but I noticed no one was hugely keen on it, though it was excellently cooked (where’s the beef?)  Another challenge was  the dessert which sat untouched by all at the table but Moi….it was a Vanilla Bean cheesecakie concoction….I think something chocolate or fruit, cookies, mousse….might have been received better.

  During dinner I noticed that a single elevator kept stopping with revelers off to the side of the tables, so in between dinner and dancing my honey and I took off to find out where it went….just another elevator in a rambling hotel and we got out on our floor and walked and walked and saw the most interesting artwork and doorknobs going nowhere and there are books nested along the walls for reading and was that a ghost?….no just another quiet hotel guest wandering the halls.  This is indeed a hotel of character.  Back to the ballroom we went and my husband worked on his “swing” steps with me and we danced 3 songs and poof, the New Year came and after a kiss, we walked outside to the balcony on the mezzanine to look at the 6th street party folks…it was fairly quiet, very few were out at this midnight moment and we presumed everyone headed into the clubs for the midnight toast….it was chilly that night.

Should you go to the Driskill?  Oh yes!  Lyndon Johnson and Ladybird would agree!  Would I go again….perhaps in another 8 years…but say hi to Uncle Jessie for me.  He really had a hard time of it starting a luxury hotel in the Wild West….and thank you Austin for keeping his diamond in the rough….


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Do it yourself Costumes…pilgrim or colonial boy

22 12 2008

Currently I am in Kauai on a visit/holiday with my husband and it occurs to me that many people cannot get a costume easily out of the Autumn season and if you are on the island or away from a big city with a costume shoppe…it is difficult to get a costume easily  even when it is Halloween season.  Of course you can visit the internet and costumes site such as my online site odysseycostumes.com .  Look in your local phone book or online yellow pages and you might be lucky enough to find a friendly neighborhood shoppe to help you with an affordable sale or rental; but what about things that pop up at the last minute or if you are on a limited budget and shipping along with the costume eats up well…your dinner budget so here are some tips to ease a few costume needs that may come up….so I am going to write a few posts to help some do-it-your-selfers…

School projects:  Now a lot of us do not sew much but we are creative and crafty so let’s think about this…if you have children, chances are they will be in a school play, program, or history project that will require some type of costume.  Your child might even need to be a “turkey”….ouch! That will be another blog post but below are some ideas of things you might have in your closet or can borrow from others or find in a thrift store…or put together with pieces from a shoppe that will make a wonderful pilgrim and colonial male.

Pilgrims and colonists can be tricky in some ways, but not too bad in others…pilgrims need to wear black, grey or brown…the look of a pilgrim man/boy is the collar and cuffs (white felt) so now you look around for basic black (sweats?, sweater, black long sleeve t-shirt) and cut a square style collar and some little cuffs and attach them like bracelets (this can be done out of white felt/fabric obtainable at any craft store )….the pants can be had by finding sweats, old church pants that are too short or a thrift store or hand me down value…then shortened several ways…my favorite no-sew way is to tie elastic around the leg under the knee and tuck them up…utilize long white socks (from mom, sis, athletic style) and voila…you have a pilgrim…the hat is trickier…so perhaps you should just be an indoor pilgrim. (hee, hee)  Our hats for pilgrims are only 7.99 – 9.99 so adding it that to your home made costume might just be the cherry on the sundae.appleboy.gif

The male colonist is similar…but no collar and the color scheme can be black, brown, blue, grey or even a dull green.  Now the shirt should be a white oxford covered with a vest borrowed from mom, sis, bought at a thrift store and at the throat use a lace handkerchief/napkin/or lace square of fabric (grandma’s doily?)  gathered with a strategically placed safety pin.(think John Adams)  The hat here would be a tri-corner, named as such for the three corners it has.  You can find easy patterns on the internet, for instance there is a nice one at

www.fi.edu/franklin/birthday/tri-corner.hat.pdf

But remember, with the money you saved making a cute colonial out of a button down shirt, lace jabot at the neck, baseball pants or short sweat pants, knee socks, you can buy a $10 hat. Baby powder or bath powder can be used on hair to get the “powdered wig” effect.  So go for it…add your personal touches to a “bought” costume or create your own!colonial boy


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I met a butterfly at the Texas State Fair

14 10 2008

I cannot remember too many magic moments in my life but this year at the Texas State Fair I experienced something amazing which I would like to name a “heart toucher”. 

So many of us cannot find the time out of our schedules to go to our state fairs experience the sights, smells and sounds of our particular/peculiar state and its agriculture, commerce and tastes.  I am certainly no exception.  Every year I set my sights on a day to go to the fair but life always makes other plans and I cannot manage to get off a “whole day” to play.  However, this year (my first year as an empty nester) I grabbed my honey and told him I was taking time off to go to the fair and he was only too happy to come along.(after he picked himself up off the ground from his dead faint)

Now I am certain as I write this that everyone has their favorite “fair thing”…eating a corny dog, fried [insert twinkies, pickles, cappuccino, jelly bellies, bananas, ice cream here] drinking homemade lemonade, and enjoying the gourmet treats each unique state has to offer.  When I was a younger mom, we spent time in the smell enhanced barnyards looking at the baby animals…as a wife, we have to do our time in the “auto show” for our husbands sake. (bleech!)  I like the food and fiber building for the interesting food facts of our great state and to visit the areas that hold the preserves, pies, and culinary delights of people who keep our state cooking traditions alive (cornbread, biscuits, pickles and other canned delights) 

However, now, I really have grown to love the bird show sponsored by the local grocery (Kroger) and have seen it 2 times before.  Animals never cease to amaze me in my life as a city dweller. (though I know quite a few critters live in my yard…that is another blog)  This show has storks with amazing 9 ft. wing spans, eagles that fly down from the Farris wheel to the show circling and weaving…birds that can take money from you and slide it into your pocket, and an amazing owl which you will see here.(yes he was awake in the day time as he needed to get his picture made with me…) At the fair with our new friend

The most wondrous moment of the Fair, though was actually a fabulous surprise.  There were butterflies flitting here and there due to the season and the Monarch migration that comes through Texas  most likely played a role.  As my husband and I  were walking/wandering one of the winged little creatures seemed to be flying along with me so I held out my finger and asked it to come chat with me.  As you probably suspected by the title of this blog and to my utter amazement and delight, it landed right on my extended index finger and stayed there for quite a while.(taking a rest and telling me that this was of the best fairs ever and that I had a very nice comfy finger)  I agreed with him about the fair and complementing him on his lovely wings and after a while he flew away leaving me with the most wonderful memory and a treasured moment. Here’s looking at you kid!


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The difference between a temporary "Halloween Store" and a real Costume Shoppe

12 09 2008

Here I am again my little peeps, your Queen of Costumes to give you some more information about costumes, make believe and Halloween (which is coming soon to a party near you!!)   So you have seen a lot of stores popping up just once a year…what are these about???  Well they are profit-stealing scavenger stores that are open for business for 60 days…are they around when you need a school project costume…well, no.  Do they care about whether you look good or feel good in your costume….well, no.
But if you want something nicely “Halloweenie” at the top most expensive prices…then you should definitely check them out.  They hire part-time seasonal help for 30-60 days that know little to nothing about costuming, accessories and the manufacturers in our business.

When I was at a costumers event this last year, I chatted candidly with a costumer who said …in 60 days I swoop in make 100K and swoop out again leaving me free most of my year…great gig.  He said I work too hard at what I do and should consider this…well, wow, this sounded pretty good…I have never made anywhere near 100K in a YEAR but after thinking about it, I thought…my business is not about the money really…it is a labor of love. I love my customers…they are like family and I care that they have fun in a world that sometimes does not have enough fun.  I love wearing the costumes (that’s me above) touching, designing and re-designing the costumes.  I love the laughter in my shoppe and I like the challenge of coming up with a boll-weevil or mosquito or butterfly at short notice…

But to be fair, I do not carry the large coffins, pails of guts and gore, and full latex masks that look like a car wreck, Friday the 13th or Halloween movie masks…I do not carry low end one time use costumes.  The temporary stores do.  They have lots of scary spooky accessories and lots of space.  If you are doing a haunted house, want to be totally disgusting looking for Halloween…they are great stores.  So check them out…

Our shoppe is Star Wars, Sci-Fi, Glamour, Hunky and gorgeous style well made costumes for adults.(and children)  We also enjoy carrying fun durable super costumes for children that they can play in for hours and hours.  We give things away with purchase, we learn our customers names and about their families and parties and celebrations.  We carry the fabulous super hero you can wear at your child’s birthday party and make a forever memory.  We carry costumes you can utilize at your business or wear in a Parade and take top prize.  We hire family members and warm caring people who learn and know about dressing up and having fun.  We are proud of our costumes and our business and we are here for you all year with ideas and laughter.  You are not just a dollar sign to us brick and mortar stores…you are a valued customer and future friend.

Have a fun and safe Halloween…

signed

The queen of Costumes!


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Creative and Kooky couples costumes

30 08 2008

Greetings once again as I write more on costumes.  It is definitely one of the things we will think about as we head into Autumn and all the events that will demand we be something fun and different.  Of course, I think about costumes everyday so here are some ideas from an expert:

1. Some typical fun ones are salt and pepper, mustard and ketchup, gangster and flapper

2. May I suggest: James Bond and his Martini Jeannie_and Mastershaken not stirred (we have a no longer made martini dress)

3. Chess Pieces – King and Queen of course

4. Madonna and Michael…two singers of choice in the 80’s

5. Sonny and Cher or mixed up Sonny and Cher where he is Cher and you are Sonny

6. Gorilla and Banana

7. Gorilla and beautiful damsel (King kong and his love interest?)

8. Arwen and Aragorn

9. Peter and Wendy…fun in reverse

8. Doctor and Nurse

9. Doctor and Patient

10. Psychiatrist and mental patient

11. Pizza and beer

12. Gomez and Morticia

13.  Witch and Warlock

14. Frog and Princess

15. Gecko and Faerie

16. Faerie and Elf (we have Legolas)

17. the Matrix’s own Neo and Trinity

18. Flying Monkey and the Witch from the Wiz of OZ

19. Dorothy and any of her peeps

20. King Henry and Queen Anne (I have matching…fun stuff if you add blood around the neck)

21. Caveman and Woman

22. Spartan and Queen Gorgo from 300

23.  Any matching superheros…or villians…Poison Ivy and Batman anyone?

24. Pirate and lady or Pirate Captain and Pirate Lady

25. Austin Powers and Felicity or Cleo

26. Doggie and Kitty cat

27. Beerman and Beer girl

28. Playboy and Frenchmaid or Playboy bunny

29. Devil and Angel in any mixture

30. Sailor and Mermaid

31. Zorro and Mrs. Zorro

32. Coach and Football player (better if girl is football player)

33. Boxer and promoter (Don King anyone?)

34. Elvis and Priscilla

35. Tarzan and Jane

36. Lucky and his Lucky lady (Vegas style) or Poker Princess

37. Bell Hop and French Maid

38. Officer and a Gentleman and Geisha

39. Samarai and Geisha

40.Cinderella and Prince Charming (insert any princess here)

41. Princess Leah and Han Solo

42. Amidala and Darth

43. Chewbacca and Jar Jar

44. Speed Racer and Trixie

45. Motorcycle Babe and dude

46. Saloon girl and Gunfighter

47. Indian Princess and Explorer

48. Indian Brave and Indian Princess

49. Nacho Libre and Senorita

50. Nun and Priest

51.  Edward Scissorhands and Poison Ivy

52. Willy Wonka and any candy girl (candy corn, sweet shoppe girl etc.)

53.  Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett

54.  Mr. and Mrs. Potato head

OK, I could go on but you get my drift…so when it is time to rent, buy or make something…here are some ideas!!!

Have too much fun!

Joyfully submitted,

Nacheska


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Ideas for Group Costumes

18 08 2008

Sometimes when you work in a group setting, corporate and have a group of friends or family that want to dress as a theme, I have some ideas from my experience in the industry:

Fruit salad or Fruit of the Loom:  When you are a fruit salad, you can be any fruit such as apples, bananas, grapes (which can be made easily; see below)pineapple, strawberries, oranges…well you get my point.  However, if you choose Fruit of the Loom then you must stick with the criteria of Apple, 2 colors of grapes and Leaf.(which we have in our Shoppe available…) Now if you have a super brave one in your group…then someone can wear the underwear over a leotard or uni-tard to lend a cohesive touch.

Star Wars -There are a huge array of characters in this series of movies/books that many people do not even know….so there are literally 100’s of choices…and not in a galaxy far, far, away….in our store

Patriotic – Here you can do anything patriotic; Colonial, Uncle Sam, Military uniforms, red white and blue

Circus/Carny-Not only can you be a hot dog, but the strong man, tight rope walker, tiger, elephant, barker, bearded lady etc…this one is fun for the imagination

Animals of the Zoo- lions, snakes, zebras, tigers, monkeys…well you get the picture

Forest creatures- this lends not only to the normal bears, snakes, bugs such as spiders, dragonflies, caterpillars but also faeries and elves…

M&M’s – Hey the M&M’s are an American Icon in candy…they are colorful, come in many different sizes and are great fun!  You can hand out the candy as you go along and everyone will love you….chocolate is wonderful!

Superheros- Spiderman, Batman, Batgirl, Supergirl, Wonderwoman, Storm, Fantastic 4, She-ra, Xena, He-man, Thor, Spiderman, Hulk, Zorro, Mrs. Zorro…well, you get the picture

Medical- anything to do with medical- doctor, nurse, psychiatrist, patients, scientists

Mardi Gras- go grazy with any colorful costume you could wear to New Orleans; purple, gold and green and beads, beads, beads

Christmas-anything to do with Christmas…I had a group go to a party as Christmas…Santa, Reindeer, Snowman, Santa Belle, Elf…this can be fun off season.

Holiday- have one person dress as a character from popular Holidays; Leprechaun, Abe, Uncle Sam, Pumpkin, Santa, turkey…well you get the picture

Colonial – George Washington, Paul Revere, Betsy Ross, Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson…be historical and slightly hysterical

Pirate- It is too much fun to be bad…you can shred up some clothes or visit a Shoppe; add a hat and bandana, top with a sword and voila!

TV show themed generic or specific – Through the ages characters had a unique flair…Lucy, Superman, Carol Burnett, Gilligan Island characters, Lost in Space, Star Trek, cartoon characters…there are too many to elaborate…go overboard with glasses and wigs!

Movie themed generic or specific – I have seen people do Gone with the wind…I have seen people do famous movie couples…but generic offers more options….Nacho Libre, Napoleon Dynamite, superheros, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely hearts club band, Harry Potter are just a few of the popular options…

Era’s 20’s- Gangster, flapper and speak easy characters are great fun and you can decorate appropriately….making guest knock on your door and give a password…put drinks in the bathtub….etc….

Era 30’s/40’s- This one is extremely difficult due to the war and depression that hit the US hard but there were a lot of colorful characters…Groucho Marx, Mae West, the start of the 3 stooges

Era 50’s- Sock hop, Be bop, too much fun in a poodle skirt or jeans and t-shirt…bowling apparel was popular as well and soda shop apparel

grouppic1

Tropical Paradise – think grass skirts, loud shirts, flowers, pineapple and fun

Era 60’s Hippie- Peace and Long Hair here…you can mini, midi, maxi this if you are a girl and wear colorful garb if you are a guy…remember Viet Nam and be a war vet…or a protester for uniqueness.  Hey the beetles got popular.

Era 70’s- Disco nights, glitter, colorful shirts…flair pants and jewelry…nice short dresser or later the flaired full skirts that led in to the 80’s

Era 80’s- Rock out as your fav’ 80’s star Madonna got her start as well as Joan Jet, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson was still fun… Boy George was unique as well as Guns and Roses and other hard rock bands…remember Kiss?

Animal, Vegetable, Mineral  – Well wow, this would intrigue any scientist….but the possibilities are endless.

Geek  and Toga instead of Greek and Toga – You could mix it up….

All of these would also make great party themes so have fun…Halloween is just around the corner.  Or forget Halloween…just have a costume party for the fun of it!  We need more fun everyday.

Visit Odysseytheatrical.com or Odysseycostumes.com for more ideas…


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