subject: Contest-winning Costumes [print this page] When faced with taking part in a costume contest, whether at work or at a Halloween event, coming up with innovative, funny, silly or creative costume idea can be difficult. However, if you are someone who adores dressing up, loves to plan the perfect costume, and is willing to spend time and money to make it happen, one of the following ideas may help you win the next round of costume contests.
What's Happening in the News?
Making a direct reference to recent happenings in the news can produce a fun, inventive costume for any costume party. The latest movies, political characters, popular books or attention-seeking celebrities can provide hours of entertainment and excellent costume ideas. For example, recent popular movie Black Swan features a dancer dressed in a distinctive black sparkly tutu and heavy face paint. This costume is both beautiful and relevant, but would be a funny costume if worn by a man. Pop singers such as Lady Gaga provide ample resources for costumes, including attaching balloons to a ball gown or the famous meat dress. Attention to detail when impersonating a famous character is key. However, this costume does not need to focus on a specific person, but could be an event or general item. Dressing in brown and attaching a bedstead to your back creates a bedbug, which is an oft-covered story in any media circles. Interesting or overused media stories often make the best costumes.
Costumes for Groups of People
Group costumes are an excellent choice in a quest to win a costume contest. Dressing as the Smurfs requires only white clothing and blue face paint. The Seven Deadly sins can be created with household materials, so is quite cheap but fun. Hugh Hefner and his girlfriends is funny and relevant, especially if roles are reversed and a woman plays Heffner and the men dress up in blond wigs and play the girlfriends. Family costumes such as The Incredibles or the characters from The Wizard of Oz can provide hours of entertainment and lovely memories.
Getting Away from Generics
While commercially made costumes include accessories to add dimension to the outfit, many bought costumes are very similar. Adding your own accessories, makeup and hairstyling will differentiate a purchased costume from others that are similar. Theaters make money by renting out costumes during the Halloween season as well. Excellent deals can be made, with wonderful costumes such as dresses from Les Miserables or Sixties clothing from Grease. As professionally designed and produced costumes are made with attention to detail, period pieces are fun and tend to be built for comfort. In addition, local hairdressers or theater makeup artists will hire out their services for costume events to create a costume-winning look.
Keep in mind that simple is best, and understanding the people who are celebrating with you is key. For example, a gentleman who had unfortunately lost sight in one eye and was thus forced to wear a patch, came dressed as a pirate. He lightened a tense mood, and poked fun at himself. He won the contest without much trouble. His comic relief and creativity was welcome.
Creating costumes that are sure to win a contest require planning, timeliness and creativity above simply purchasing a costume at a local store. Current events, a group costume idea , local theaters and understanding one's own strengths and weaknesses can provide excellent resourceful and original costume idea.
