Thrifty Costume Design 101

It's that time of year again where little goblins invade our streets in search of treats for their little jack-o-lanterns or big pillow cases. Halloween happens to be one of my favorite holidays; not for the gore and spirit factor but mainly because it is a time that people can show off their creativity. Growing up I always enjoyed participating in costume contests and throwing a Halloween party, and still do.  


Today Halloween has become quite a money maker. A survey from the IBIS World shows that an average family spends $22.50 on Halloween candy. I can attest to that as I spent $20 today at the grocery store picking up candy. 


On an average 6 billion dollars was spent on Halloween last year; averaging out to be $66 per person. Although those are some scary figures my intent is not to be a Debbie Downer but rather to inspire you to be thrifty and creative.






Princess Beatrice Photo: Courtesy of Reuter



For instance do you want to be Princess Beatrice (she's the one on the right)? Go to your local thrift store and hunt for a small plastic wall mirror that has an ornate ribbon like design to it, take out the glass, spray it tan and viola, you have the front of her hat. Couple that with a dress donated from someone's grandma's closet and you have a Princess Replica. Total cost probably $15 

Garden Gnome

How about being a garden gnome? Simply create a red hat from hard paper stock, cut a mustache/beard out of white felt, belt your favorite blue blazer, and you are well on your way to Gnomeville. If you don't have any of those items at home, no worries, you can surely find them at a thrift store for under $10 

Want to be a Smurf? Goodwill has the white pants to start your costume out right. Add a blue shirt and a pointy white hat made out of felt and you have now transformed yourself into a Smurf. Total cost under $10


Whatever or Whomever you choose to look like this Halloween enjoy yourself, be safe, and be thrifty. 

I'm Going Bananas

Yesterday I Stopped Along The Way at a thrift shop in Gloucester, MA. It's really more than a thrift shop, it's like walking into the backstage of a costume designer's studio. If the stage performance calls for feathers, Banana's has it. How about some costume jewelry and vintage gowns?, they have it. Need some shoes and purses, just name your color and style, Banana's has it. Yesterday they had such a sophisticated display of hats in the window, and since I'm a sucker for hats I decided to stop. I have several vintage hats of my own that I often display in my home and wear on occasion. As of recent they seem to be getting a lot of use as dress- up musts. When I saw their display it reminded me of Easter Bonnets. I wondered where the tradition of getting an Easter Bonnet came from, so I did a little bit of research.

You can dress me up but you can't take me anywhere

European traditions of wearing flowers on a hat to celebrate spring were quite popular and as time went on ladies would wear bonnets to celebrate Easter and as a way to show off to family and friends. The bigger the bonnet, the more colorful and decorated, the better.

In New York City, starting as a spontaneous event in the 1870s, Irving Berlin began a New York Easter parade. It became increasingly popular into the mid-20th century—in 1947, it was estimated to draw over a million people. Although its popularity has declined significantly, drawing only 30,000 in 2008 this tradition still continues. This year if you're in New York on Easter Sunday (April 24) you have the opportunity to see Easter bonnets as "paraders" wander along Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Streets. The area around St. Patrick's Cathedral is apparently the ideal place to see the parade. 

In your Easter bonnet
with all the frills upon it,
You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade.

(Berlin, "Easter Parade", 1933)

Bananas

78 Main St
Gloucester, MA 01930

(978) 283-8806 

A Delightful Discovery

I've warned you about my addiction to consignment stores right? I can't simply walk by especially if they have nice upscale merchandise at a fraction of the cost. This past weekend I happened to be at the mall,not a lover of malls, but I had to make a stop. As I walked in I saw a consignment store. Oooh now that's a clever idea, and a stop I don't mind making. As I browsed around I found several wonderful things, but only bought  a pair of flats that I really needed for the spring. Deal! The two girls working the shop were so nice, helpful, and a real pleasure to chat with. As I paid for my merchandise I mentioned that I should feature this stop in my blog. One of the sales people then mentioned a design blog that her brother had just started too. We enjoyed our conversation about blogging and design. I briefly thought that I remembered her face but couldn't place where. I guess after you reach a certain age everyone seems to look familiar, so I began to walk toward the exit. The sales clerk said "what's your name?" I told her and she immediately said I think I know you. My name is not common so when she said that she knew me I had to reenter the store to try to solve the mystery. I'm glad I did because we did know each other. She happened to be a sister-in-law of a friend of mine. We had met on several occasions, but it had been a while since our paths had crossed. What a delightful stop this was. Not only did I get a great pair of gold flats, but also an opportunity to re-connect with a long lost acquaintance. 

Click here for Second time Around - Resale goes Upscale at the Burlington Mall

Click here to visit my friend's brother's blog