by: Mason Gentry
Halloween is approaching quickly and even with less than a week, there is still plenty of time to prepare.
The first thing to think about is costume choice! Haylie Denzer, a Parkland student who works in the costume shop here at Parkland, said that, “I think it’s really just about finding what you like and your own interests that you have.” In other words, your costume choice should be self-expressive.
A costume doesn’t always have to be elaborate; it could also be a casual, cost free piece. Denzer said that she and her friends chose costumes that fall under the category of “Disney Bounding.” “If you want to go as a Disney character, it’s really just taking the main colors of different Disney characters. You can find those colors in the closet, and you’re suggesting that character, but very casually.”
Sheri Doyle, head of the costume shop, told the Prospectus that the first place you should start is at a thrift store. She said that right now, the Savoy location of Goodwill, “has an amazing display of Halloween costumes out; and they’re cheap; they’re like $2.99 or $3.99.”
Doyle went on to say that almost costume idea you can think of, you can find at resale shops like the Salvation Army or Goodwill locations. For an affordable price, you can get creative with your costume designs as you can likely find almost any article of clothing to fit whatever your costume design may be.
“Use your creativity and craftsmanship to avoid being the third Spiderman at the party”
Doyle also said that, “you can find clothes there that you can cut off and do everything to and you’re going to spend like two or three dollars on each of the outfits.”
The costume shop stressed that you don’t have to rely on finding a premade or a store-bought costume, especially in the few days before Halloween. Instead, use your creativity and craftsmanship to avoid being the third Spiderman at the party. By building your own costume, you have both freedom and a guaranteed uniqueness.
If you plan to go to an event with your friends, you can also coordinate your costumes.
Denzer said that you can go to a store and, “Get a couple of colored t-shirts and cheap felt, and you could do a group costume of M&Ms or Skittles really easy.”
One thing to remember when making a costume is to make it comfortable.
Doyle said that wearing a Halloween costume is just like wearing a costume on stage. “You’re not going to be comfortable going to a Halloween party if your costume’s falling apart, and you’re worried about that all night.” One of the liberties you have in making your own costume is creating the best experience for yourself.
One of the things you should also watch out for is going overboard. Doyle shared an anecdote of one girl who wore a papier-mâché horror mask but forgot to give herself enough room to breathe. She began to hyperventilate and was forced to tear the thing off so that she didn’t pass out. Comfortability is key!
You don’t want to be inappropriate or offensive with your costumes, either. Denzer said that, when creating a costume, “There are societal standards too. You have to know what’s appropriate and what costumes can go too far.”
The final step in the process is to flaunt your costume idea. You can always wear your costume to Parkland. But you better start thinking; Halloween is in 7 days!
For more information about the costume shop or more Halloween costume ideas, feel free to drop by Parkland’s costume shop located in the C-Wing.