Halloween Costumes
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Ariel
My daughter has her heart set on being Ariel (from
Disney's Little Mermaid) for Halloween. Does anyone
know where I find an Ariel costume? I'm not adverse to
making one, but I don't have the time to make anything
too complicated. Ideas on where to purchase a pre-made
costume or suggestions on where find the
materials/pattern to make one are most welcome. Thanks.
I saw one at Target in El Cerrito last week, but there was only one. They
might have more now. It was $29.99, and I don't know if it included the hair
or not. Good luck.
Burleola
The web might be a good place to start. You may wish to try one of the
following
The Disney Store at http//disney.store.go.com,
ToysRUs at http//www.amazon.com,
eToys at http//www.etoys.com,
All of them sell Ariel costumes -- although they are a little pricey.
Bernie
have you tried the Disney stores. There's one in Hilltop mall. They have
beautiful costumes somewhat pricey but really well made. The Mulan
costume we bought held up for years and was worn as dress-up
throughout the year. Also sewing stores usually have patterns for
popular costumes this time of year. I know have seen mermaid
costumes in the mail order catalog's as well. good luck
lynn
My niece was Ariel last Halloween...We found a pretty good ready-made
costume for her at Toys-R-Us. I'm making my niece's costume this year.
When we were searching for a pattern at JoAnne Fabrics in Emeryville, I know
that I saw a pattern for a mermaid costume. I also noticed that JoAnne
Fabrics also sells ready-made costumes. There may have been a mermaid/Ariel
costume among those costumes.
Good luck!
Shannons
Try the Disneystore web site. There are a few Ariel costumes to choose from.
We got the mermaid tail one last year and my daughter still uses it for
dress up.
JV
To the mom who was looking for an Ariel costume for
her daughter, I was just at Target and saw some little
mermaid costumes there. They were very cute, can't
remember the price, but think it was reasonable. I
was suprised, at what a large selection of Halloween
costumes they had. Lynn
Batman
From: Jennifer
Years ago my stepson did the batman thing, and we dressed his dad as robin,
and it was very funny and very fun for all to switch boss and junior roles.
green tights, green leotard, a yellow belt (I still have it if you'd like
it), sew on a quick Robin symbol, a yellow cape (we cut open a yellow
silk-ish pillow case, pulled string through the hem, tied it around the
neck, it's long gone now, alas), a green mask and you're really set (of
course, that's the coloring for robin-of-yore, if you want an up-to-date
robin, I suppose you need a costume of titanium metal or something, and I
can't help you there....).
From: Deborah (9/98)
What we did for my son's Batman costume at about that age was buy black
sweatpants and a black long-sleeved shirt and use yellow fabric paint to
paint the bat symbol on the shirt. (you can also buy t-shirts w/ the batman
symbol already on them). Then we bought a cape at (I think) one of those
big Halloween superstores that pop up in vacant buildings. He of course
wore the pants and shirt all the time as regular clothes afterwards, so the
expense for those went in the clothes budget! And it looks like my 3 yr old
daughter will be wearing the cape this year!
September 2002
Does anyone have good costume design ideas for a raptor/bird of
prey? My 4.5 year-old son has set his heart on being a
peregrine falcon, and I've looked all over the internet for
costume ideas. I think if I just had a good suggestion for the
wings (some kind of cape?) and the head, that I could manage the
rest. I look forward to hearing the creative ideas that pour
forth on this one!
Jane F.
Have you tried FamilyFun.com? Do a search for ''bird costumes.''
They might have some ideas that you could adapt to a falcon.
Helena
Ok, this is not hard. My daughter is this very minute making
''wings'' for a fairy, both upper and lower with a coat hanger for
top and bottom covered with nylons and tied with wire at bottom.
Then, take paper, maybe thick cardboard type, cut into feathers
(appropriate colors and size of course) and secure with thick art
wire or bead wire at top and bottom through nylon materail.
Safety pin on shirtsleeves at top near shoulder and bottom.
Next, make a beak with cardboard and put
elastice around it to cover nose (with holes) and do up his face
and eyes with makeup from the halloween store. Pants, bird
colored with shoes from thrift town painted with yellow bird
claws.
Let me know what you think and by the way, this is all from my
daughter being a artist all, all the time as we are home
ed/unschoolers, she is the one who comes up with this stuff!!!
She is 12.
Lucinda
I happened to be browsing through Martha Stewart's Baby
magazine in the checkout line today (really!), and there were
pages of child costumes of various birds. None were a falcon,
but there was a bald eagle and others. Perhaps a place to get
some ideas.
Claire
Dear Jane F.-
My 8 year old son was a falcon last Halloween and I have a couple
of ideas about it. It was fun building the costume, but it proved
unwieldy to trick or treat in, largely because the wings were too
long. We made the wings out of sheets of cardboard scavenged
from a refrigerator box. At Michael's art supplies in
Emeryville, we purchased feathers and glued them on to the wings.
We carved a beak out of Styrofoam, and attached it to a plastic
mask, painted and glued feathers to it. All these supplies can
be purchased
at Michael's. Happy flying.
David F.
Looking for costume ideas, I just picked up the most recent
Martha Stewart Baby magazine. While there is no falcon
costume in the issue, there are costumes for owls and
other birds. You could probably come up with a good wing
design from what's featured in the article. Good luck.
Julie
Just thought of another touch for your son's costume. Maybe a
black stretchy knitted cap (street vendor in S.F. or Target?)I
think the black hats are particular to falcons only, in
captivity to block their eyes from distraction or something like
that. Another version would be to wear the cap just over the
eyes, eye holes cut out to see, and then you or your son could
stitch a beak cut from posterboard or cardstock on the rim of
the cap and the beak would fall just over his nose.
My daughter chose to be a flamingo at age 2, she would not have
left a beak on, so we sewed yellow eyes and a posterboard beak
onto a pink feathery hat (EASY, I am not inclined to handyness)
the beak was above her forehead but it worked, anyhow your son
would probably wear a beak and want more realism at his age;
Also posterboard talons or claws could be taped around regular
shoes with clear mailing tape, just don't let the claws hang
much past the toes of shoes because they will get bent up when
walking.
Happy Costuming.
Chris
Sept 2005
My 7 year old daughter is in a dolphin phase right now and wants
to be a Dolphin for Halloween. Usually I put together her
costumes myself but this ones hard. Any suggestions on how to
make a dolphin costume or where I can find one?
Thanks,
Dolphin's mama
I saw a few types of dolphin costumes on ebay the other day for under
$20 (deliverd). Good luck. We are going as a talking Dinosaur!
DiAnn
Hi - you can find dolphin costumes on eBay! I just got a dragon costume
for my toddler, last year I got a frog costume for him, and the year
before got a pumpkin. I just looked and there are several dolphin
costumes up for auction. It's really easy and I've always had good
experiences. Good luck!
eBay lover
Try CostumeExpress.com. They have cute animal costumes including an
orca and shark but I'm not sure about a dolphin.
Happy Halloween
It's funny how little kids get obsessed about different topics...my son
is on a Bob the Builder kick. OK, this is not a dolphin costume, but it
looks very much like a cousin to the
dolphin- it is an Orca costume that fits over your waist and has that
same dolphin shape and look, but it is black and white rather than gray.
You might look online and see what else they have, because they also
have an orange clown-fish costume. The place I saw it is in the Birthday
Express catalog, but they also have a website: www.BirthdayExpress.com
and the name of the theme where the costume is is called ''Sea Life'' It
also has birthday supplies that feature an orca and a dolphin. That
might be fun for her birthday party!
all the best with your search
hi -
I did a dolphin costume last year for my 5 year old and we thought he looked great.
I got a silvery unitard at a dance store, and cut out flippers and fins from stiff cardboard, painted them with glittery blue and green paint and pinned them on his legs and arms. We also had a few very little stuffed animals - the Rainbow fish, and two dolphins and safety-pinned them to him too. Good luck!
karenlynnc
Oct 2003
Anyone have any suggestions for how to dress our son as a ''motorcycle
man'' for Halloween? Any creative ideas out there?
harlan
If by motorcyle man, you mean biker dude, I just saw directions
for such a costume at the web site for Family Fun magazine,
familyfun.com. All the costumes are make-it-yourself - and some
are really great.
go hogwild
Race Car Driver
My son has aspirations to be a "race car driver" for Halloween. Can anyone
suggest where I can find racing related sew-on patches like Nascar or STP,
etc? Also I need to find a helmet with a face shield or something close. All
I have seen of the helmet variety are for bikes and more $$$ than I am
willing shell out for limited use...
Thanks!
Rue
Check out small ads in the back
of auto magazines, such as Road & Track. I've seen some there.
Sharon
Try Thrift Town on San Pablo Dam Road in San Pablo. It's a large used
everything store. They have clothes, costumes, dishes, chachkis, jewelry, all
kinds of stuff for really cheap. Take I-80 To the San Pablo Dam Road ext, go
right off of the exit and it's maybe a mile or two up. I think it's right
after El Portal Road.
June
For race related patches etc. I would try a local car
parts shop. The chain stores probably won't be able
to help you much but I've seen stickers and patches at
privately owned specialty shops. I would also call
Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma. They may have some
stuff for sale or be able to refer you to shops that
do.
Jessica
Tiger Costume
I guess my sweet little 3 1/2 year old daughter is feeling
ferocious this month, because she insists that she will dress
as a Siberian Tiger for Halloween. Anyway, since this is one
of those rare times I have some lead time to make something,
does anyone have any ideas? Can you buy striped furry fabric?
Should I start with footsy pajamas and sew my own stripes?
Are there costume patterns available anywhere? Thanks.
Diane
I suggest that you start your research with
a trip to Poppy Fabrics, or a similar place. Poppy always has
a wonderful selection of fabrics (furry, animal prints, etc).
Leslie
Yes, there is a plethora of patterns out there for tiger
costumes; check out the Simplicity pattern books at any fabric
store. Poppy's is good but a bit pricy; for a selection of
reasonably cheap and very furry striped fabrics, I would
recommend Joann's fabric stores, either in Emeryville or right
by the Hilltop shopping mall. One of my kids wanted a Tigger
costume two years ago, and I had great fun making her costume
even with my limited skills.
Good luck.
Laura
If you're willing to "think small," here's what I did when my
then-almost-4-yo child wanted to be a tiger for Hallowe'en:
Bought furry tiger-striped ears & tail from a costume shop (also
came with "bow tie" which we didn't use).
Took a goldenrod hooded sweatshirt which we already had and drew
black stripes with washable felt marker.
Black sweatpants -- voila! He was completely satisfied, even
without face paint.
Letitia
Several years ago my son wanted to be a tiger. I bought an
inexpensive tiger mask and then got him orange sweats which
I painted with black stripes with fabric paint. I made a tail
out of orange fabric with stuffing and a wire hanger inside.
He was very happy. Another year when he was a little older
he was Garfield. We made a paper mache mask and I did the same
thing, painting Garfield stripes on sweats. It was relatively
easy and inexpensive and much more creative than a store bought
costume. My son helped with the painting (he was older than
3 1/2 though). Have fun.
June
I know you said you were thinking of making a costume, but
thought I'd let you (and others) know I saw a cute Disney
tiger (Tigger) plush costume in the Disney catalog. Infant
$22, Child's $29, Adults $49. The child and adult costumes
have sound saying "Oh, hello, I'm Tigger" and "Well, I gotta
go now. I got a lot of bouncin' to do." I have no idea if
these prices are expensive or not. I don't have kids and didn't
regularly dress up for Halloween as a youngster. Catalog says
these costumes "allows your child full vision." Don't know
if you can order the costume via the Disney web site or at the
stores. Also, not sure if a Siberian tiger is the orange/black
tiger or not. Hana
General Advice about Making Costumes
I just bought a pattern for a lamb costume at Poppy Fabrics
(Broadway between College and 51st St.) They also had patterns
for a cat costume that could easily be made into a tiger by
getting fake tiger fur. I can't remember if Poppy had fake
tiger fur; if not, you could call Britex (I was just there and
they had a lot of leopard fur, but I don't remember tiger...)
or Joann's Fabrics. One caution: it'll will cost a lot more
to make the costume than to buy one, if you could find it.
The pattern alone was $12, and I think I just spent $40 or so
on material and notions.
Alysson
To the person who paid $12.00 for a costume pattern, I have
to recommend buying your patterns at JoAnn's (in Emeryville
at the Powell Street Plaza or by the Hilltop Mall) because all
the big brands of patterns go on sale there very often, and
the sale prices are usually as low one or two dollars. If
you're not on their mailing list (which I don't recommend
unless you sew a lot, because they send a lot of junk mail out
with their flyers) you could call ahead to see what's on sale.
JoAnn's is not my favorite fabric store, but for some things
like patterns you just can't beat their prices. It can still
cost a bit to make a costume once you buy the fabric and notions,
but with the 3 costumes I've made for my son I don't think
I've ever spent more than $20.00.
Zina
Two places I frequent for costume material are Stone Mountain
and Daughter (on Shattuck) and JoAnn's Fabric in Emeryville.
I recently purchased tiger material from Stone Mountain and
Daughter. It was a cotton (not the furry kind) which I used
to make capes for my child's preschool. I added a hood with
ears and lined it with black flannel. I'm sure you can find
a Butterick or Simplicity pattern for a tiger costume at
either place. There is an excellent book published by Singer
on Halloween costumes which has a lion costume and can easily
be adapted to a tiger costume.
The most often used costumes I have made for my kids seem to
be the ones that have taken the least amount of time. A simple
tail (a long stuffed rectangle hooked to a belt) with ears (stuffed
triangles that fit on a headband) have had the most success. We add
some face paint and voila!, we have a fox, snow leopard, or cheetah.
Keep in mind that the extra effort you put into making a full costume
should be for your own pleasure and satisfaction. Last year my two
boys (ages 2 and 4) chose to wear their batman and superman pajamas
for halloween despite the collection of costumes I had made or
collected through the year. I was amused but absolutely okay it.
Happy sewing!
Cynthia
October 2002
Where is a good place to find adult costumes for Halloween? I
tried Stagecraft Studios, but all their costumes are crammed
together on hangars.
Toby
For great Halloween costumes, go to Stop the Clock on Addison
between Shattuck & Oxford in Berkeley. Not only do they have
great stuff, they also give you personal attention, helping you to
accessorize. They are the best Halloween store I've been to and
I've been to them all. They have a lot of put it together
yourself stuff and they also have packaged costumes. THEY ARE
GREAT!
Toby
July 2003
Does anyone know where I can buy a child's wig for Halloween?
I'm looking for a brown ''bob'' style wig for a 3 y.o. Our
daughter has fine blonde hair and I''m too afraid to color it
(even temporarily!). The wig is for a ''Dora the Explorer''
costume. We live in the east bay. Thanks!
Lisa
Wow, are you getting started early! I'm impressed!
Last year my 4 y.o. wanted to be Cruella De Ville so I had to
find a wig for her. I went to one of those big halloween
superstores and they said the adult sizes worked on the kids
because they were elastic.
The size turned out to be fine w/ a few bobby pins. The tricky
part was finding the right style of wig. I bought a white spiky
one, cut the hair a bit, and sprayed it black on one side with
that temporary hair spray. It looked awesome, but the hair
spray stuff does start to flake off after awhile.
You might consider, however, just spraying her hair w/ that
temporary color if you can find it in brown.
I do recall we once received a catalog for children's costumes
that was pretty elaborate and some of the costumes came w/
wigs. They might even make a Dora costume these days. You might
be able to go online to find such children's costumes.
Good luck w/ your search.
elisabeth
August 2003
Hi,
my 4-year-old will speak Italian with me if, as a reward, I buy
her angel wings. I saw some with straps, so they can be worn
over a regular t-shirt. The big stores don't carry them. Do you
know a toy store that does?
Thank you very much.
Laura
If you can wait a month or so, all the stores (Target, Longs,
party stores, etc.) will start carrying costume stuff for
Halloween, including inexpensive angel wings. You can also try
Oriental Trading Company on-line.
R.K.
I have some old ones from a Halloween costume that I am willing
to give to your bellisima bambina. I got them at one of those
temporary Haloween stores a few years back. E-mail me if you
want them.
Ciao,
virginia
Mr. Mopps on Martin Luther King at Rose has wings. I think I've
also seen them at the kids store at the top of Solano (on the
South side of the street).
Carol
I just saw some at pottery barn kids : I think it was wings, a
ribbon crown and wand...fairy custome. it looked like it criss
crossed over what you were wearing. goood luck.
ann
orientaltrading.com has beautiful feather and marabou angel
wings for $6.95.
Ciao, Angelina!
Rhea
Believe it or not, if you go to the Legion of Honor in San
Francisco, you will find the sweetest feathered angel wings for
sale. They are in the gift shop adjacent to their ''Treasures of
a Lost Art'' exhibition (medieval manuscripts), on the lower
level. (And while you're there, I highly recommend the
exhibition, for the kids, too! My 4 1/2-year-old daughter loved
it.) The show closes on the 31st of this month, and I assume
the wings will go away then, too.
Lauren
Cotton and Company on College Avenue, Rockridge/Berkeley Border.
Call first.
Leslie
Check the Disney Store. I bought my neice a set of wings (I
think they were Tinkerbelle wings... but they didn't have her
image on the wings, just on the package) last year for her
birthday that tied on over clothing. At the time they also had a
tulle tutu (the long kind) which was not character specific
which fit well over clothes too.
Rose
Try Mr. Mopps on MLK near Rose Street. They have very cute
wings for little ones and very reasonably priced.
Candace Sultan
Last Halloween I got butterfly wings at Longs Drugs on 51st and
Brodway. They also had white angel wings (the ones made of metal
and pentyhose material and has two straps). I don't think they'll
carry them again until next October, but it seems pretty easy to
make it on your own.
anon
Just bought a kit that comes with two nylon(?) wings that can be
decorated by the buyer (you or your child). Supplies to decorate
are included. About $15.
k12mcc
Where to Buy Costumes
Septrmber 2002
In response to people inquiring about Halloween costumes I
wanted to recommend Toy Go Round on Solano Ave. in Albany. They
have a large selection of used (and some new) Halloween costumes
in all sizes for as little as $5.00. You can also consign your
old costumes there.
Lori
August 2002
Any suggestions on where to buy Halloween costume for 8 month
old girl? (Either stores or good websites??)
Thanks
I just received the ''Lilly's Kids'' catalog, with a great
selection of costumes, most under $25. 1-800-545-5426 or
www.lillianvernon.com
Also the Sweet Potatoes outlet on Solano sometimes has costumes.
Melissa
A good website for your child's Halloween costume is
www.babystyle.com
Rahsaan
I have 2 little girls and have always found great Halloween
costumes at the Sweet Potatoes website (think it is just
www.sweetpotatoes.com). Didn't buy thru them last year, but
the previous years they had them. VERY cute, but a bit pricey
(I'm a sucker for darling Halloween costumes!). Hope this
helps!
Trish
Sweet Potatoes, on Solano (in Albany), has them, and the same
store on 4th street probably has them, too. Solano is cheaper,
though. Also, you might try some used toy stores (like Toy Go
Round, on Solano).
Mary
My mom made my son's costume last year (lucky boy!) but I've
always admired the costumes in the Lillian Vernon catalog.
(www.lillianvernon.com) Most are for older kids but there are
several offerings in infant and toddler sizes (and some for
adults). That's probably where I'll go if Granny doesn't come
through this year!
If you don't want to spend $30 on a one-time-use outfit, though,
and you don't *have* to get a particular costume, check the
local consignment shops. And eBay.
Holly
Just today I was in the Sweet Potatoes Outlet store on Solano
Ave. in Albany (a few blocks east of San Pablo Ave) and they
were putting out some really cute costumes for $15. They have
sizes starting at small infant.
Kristen
Toy Go Round, on Solano Ave. in Albany, will have a large
selection of used (and some new) costumes when it gets closer to
Halloween. I think they put them out in mid-September.
Lori Berlin
I saw some on sale at Talbot's Outlet in San Leandro a few weeks
ago.
anon
if you live in the berkeley area, the sweet potatoes outlet on
solano often has really cute halloween costumes at bargain
prices. my son wore an adorable dalmation outfit as a one year
old. what i liked best about this costume was that it was made
out of sweatshirt material, so it was very comfortable and warm
at the same time. for his first halloween, grandma purchased
him the cutest pumpkin outfit from target, which i am sure was a
bargain as well. it was basically an orange footed sleeper that
was accessorized with a pumpkin bib and hat. very fun as well.
i've heard that costco already has their halloween line in, but
they are usually bulky, polyester outfits.
have fun!
anonymous
I carry Halloween costumes for babies at my store, Waddle and
Swaddle at Shattuck and Virginia. They are one piece with a hat
or head piece of some kind. We have several styles and will have
more before Hallowe
Linda
The used kids' clothes stores usually have a few costumes.
AND I noticed that the Pleasant Hill Community Center (adjacent to Walnut
Creek) is having a costume exchange on 10/3, but I don't know anything
about it
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