If you've always wanted to go bar hopping in a Halloween costume and haven't yet, you're missing out. It's fun to dress up like a kid again. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Halloween costumes are great, but keep in mind that everyone else is going to the same costume shops that you are. When picking out a Halloween costume, it's usually best to try and think about what everyone else might be doing and attempt to be a bit unique. You don't want to be the hundredth person in the bar dressed like Austin Powers. It's also best to stay away from classic costumes that have been done to death, including the clichéd vampire. If you do go as one of these types of characters though, then at the very least try to come up with a new angle for it.
It's often times more rewarding to make own Halloween costume from scratch than buying or renting one. If you go this route, then be sure to give yourself plenty of time and have a back up plan. Sometimes the best costume ideas don't work out and you don't want to be running around town looking through picked over costumes at the last minute.
There are a few essentials you need to consider before going out in your new Halloween costume. Perhaps the most important is that you need to make sure it's easy to get into and out of so you can use the bathroom, especially if you plan on drinking. You also want to make sure that your Halloween costume doesn't have cumbersome pieces that stick out such as large wings or shoulder pads. In a crowded space it's a recipe for irritating everyone around you when you've accidentally knocked over drinks.
You also don't want your Halloween costume to have too many layers, or you face the danger of being a sweaty mess before the end of the night. Likewise, you might not want to go too skimpy if you live in a cold weather environment where you'll spend any amount of time outdoors. The last thing you want is frostbite! Removable costume parts are helpful in this regard, such as a cloak or a cape, just be sure that the pieces aren't too big so you won't trip on them.
A hard learned lesson is that want to make sure that you have a place for essentials like car keys, ID, money, etc. Not all Halloween costumes come with pockets. A plastic Halloween bucket like a pumpkin or cauldron kids use to go trick-or-treating can fulfill this purpose nicely. Be creative and try to incorporate your personal items container into the costume.
Going out in a Halloween costume can be a fun and rewarding experience. It's the one time of year you can dress up like practically anyone or anything you want and not be considered a weirdo, so why not do it? You might even win yourself a costume contest while you're out.
