It’s almost Halloween. Is it time to dust off the ubiquitous Dracula costume, gory-looking mask and robe, witch hat or fairy wings? Maybe not. With some creative tinkering, this year’s costume doesn’t have to be the same one worn in sixth grade to gather candy.
Brett Shanley, a freshman anthropology major, suggests that people try to think outside the box.
“It’s not really that exciting to go as the same thing that everyone else has done for 50 years,” Shanley said. “Some costumes are just tired. I would say that people should try to get a costume that reflects their interests, and people should realize that it doesn’t have to be expensive. This year I’m going as a Russian soldier from the Cold War. I found this incredible woolen coat and soldier hat at a sidewalk sale, and the entire (costume) cost me $4.50.”
Paul Andersen, who is studying theater arts at the University, also hammered home the concept of creativity.
“I’ve never really done a lot of work in theater that’s involved really heavy costuming, but Halloween is everybody’s chance to be a costuming expert,” he said. “You get to design whatever you see fit. Besides, you want to stand out, be different.
“I don’t think there’s anything worse than going to a party and seeing someone else with your costume,” Andersen said. “If you go as a Moulin Rouge girl, you’re just asking for disappointment.”
While some might consider Halloween costumes childish, costume parties have become increasingly popular with adults, according to local professional costume rental shops, such as Antrican and Imaginaries.
Andersen suggests letting a childish nature be the guide for interesting costume ideas.
“I would try something like your favorite cartoon character as a kid or something else from your childhood. Nothing could be funnier than the ’80s right now. Maybe go as Rainbow Brite or as Billy Idol,” he said.
If creating this year’s costume is out of the question, there are several costume shops that will rent out cutting-edge costumes that might be a perfect fit. Nobody’s Baby, at 365 E. 13th Ave., has been renting costumes for more than 15 years and specializes in costumes with a creative flair.
Amy Clancy, who has been a saleswoman and customer at Nobody’s Baby, has seen just about everything.
“We get weird requests, but usually the weirdest (costume requests) tend to roll in last-minute, just before Halloween,” she said. “I once had a guy request a costume for a blade of grass.”
The shop not only takes weird requests, but also provides unusual offerings to choose from.
“I think that our ‘Blarney’ costume is the most screwed-up. It’s a bootlegged ‘Barney’ (the dinosaur) costume that is all ill-fitted, and the head is all messed up,” Clancy said.
According to Clancy, it is important to wear costumes appropriate to the environment so the wearer is comfortable.
“When someone comes in and says they want a costume, we drill them on what they are interested in, but also what the party is like,” she said. “You don’t want to be going to someplace inside that’s going to be really hot wearing a Chewbacca costume or something skimpy to a party outside. You’ll freeze.”
Steven Neuman is a freelance reporter
for the Oregon Daily Emerald.