Back in the day before costume shops became a favorite place to shop, whenever there was an occasion for which to dress up, you had to make your own costume out of materials available in the home. Depending on the family budget as well as the members in the family, it could be a fun and exciting time to put different things you found around the house to use as you figured out how to make your own costume.

Others that have more skills with a sewing machine may be tempted to make your own costume by using a pattern available in many fabric shops or discount stores. After looking through the available selections of patterns you can find the one that screams out that it is really you, buy the necessary material and head home and get to work on your costume. There are a wide assortment of patterns that will enable you to make your own costume look as though it came from a costume shop.

If you do not have the needed knowledge to run a sewing machine, you might be able to find a friend or relative to help you make your own costume, but you will want to swear them to secrecy so that what you are going to wear remains a secret.

Occasion Can Help Determine Costume Design

Your need for a costume will help decide the type of costume you make. Typically, when people talk about having to make your own costume it is for Halloween or some other form of costume party. With others expected to be at the party you will want to look your best, while wearing a costume that did not set you back too much money. Visiting a thrift store that offers used clothing is another place to find ideas for costumes.

Many times, some of the older clothing that is available can spark your imagination in ways that you can make your own costume to represent someone from a bygone era. Some times you will get luck and find a costume as well as accessories in the same shop, but it may require a visit to different locations to put together the perfect outfit for the occasion.

If you know anyone that works with a theater, some of their old costumes may be available and a few alterations may allow you to wear a professional looking outfit without the need to make your own costume from scratch.

When one thinks of a maid costume, chances are that one thinks of the most popular (and revealing) version, the French maid costume. However, for those who are more demure, a lovely maid costume to wear is that of the Country maid.

The Country Maid Costume Has a History

In the Victorian era, photography and stories were rife with pastoral scenes. For example, a young innocent shepherd girl would be sitting in a grassy knoll tending her sheep. These scenes were to reflect purity, and to chastise women who were tempted to compromise their virtue.

The shepherd girl costume and the country maid costume are basically one in the same. However, it is the accessories that really make a country maid costume the most interesting, and this a hit at a costume party.

The basic components of this kind of costume include a mid-length skirt with a corseted bodice, simple boots, and white stockings. The costume is also generally accompanies by a large, wide-brimmed hat with a ribbon encircling it and tying below the chin.

When it comes to the accessories for this costume, the one that absolutely makes it intriguing is the shepherding crook. This can be a tall wooden branch, or a cane. The main accessory to have is a little toy sheep to carry around!

The hair can be done in a variety of different ways. If the woman has long hair to begin with, that is a plus, since she will not have to spend the extra money on a wig. However, if that is not the case, there is the option to buy an already-styled wig.

The most popular hairstyle for this kind of costume is two long braids tied at the end with ribbons. However, other options include two buns, a low ponytail, or hair just cascading freely. The many different options in terms of hairstyles are part of what makes this kind of costume so fun to wear.

For more ideas on accessories to pair with this costume, or even where such a costume can be purchased, look in your phone book for local costume stores. Visit each one in turn until you find the ideal costume for you.

You can also search the internet, and buy the accessories for the costume from several different websites if just one does not have everything you are looking for. With patience and research, you are sure to be the prettiest maid at the costume party!

In many instances it is not necessarily the dress that a person wears as it is the hair color and style that makes it obvious they are wearing a Madonna costume. Since the material girl like to change her style every few years, it is also possible to dress up like the infamous singer wearing a Madonna costume from different eras of her career. One bit of advice though, if you cannot sing a note, you probably should not try to emulate her talent as it can quickly detract from the realism of the costume.

When most people look for a Madonna costume they look for skin-tight and short, but they also gravitate to the wild big hair days of the 1980's to help them look more the part. Big sunglasses and bold golden curls will be necessary for other to recognize the so-called singing icon that you are trying to portray. A pair of black silk gloves can also be added to the Madonna costume to help make the appearance more realistic for the times.

Dressing in the 1980's was not all about the hair and skin-tight clothing as the material girls would also occasionally show up with large, puffed out dresses, cut above the knee in order to establish her bad girl image. To really make the Madonna costume more realistic, you will also need to add a dose or two of attitude to fit the Madonna mold.

Not All Costumes Point To Madonna

It is not always necessary to replicate her apparel in order to be considered wearing a Madonna costume as many times the singer has appeared wearing costumes for their shock value. She once showed up wearing a nun's habit to go along with one of her songs, "Like A Virgin" and really upset a lot of religious believers.

She is also well known for her desire to wear off-the-wall types of clothing and accessories that make finding Madonna costume almost a scavenger hunt as finding a tight dress that appears to be fitted with funnels on the bosom can be a challenge, unless you are capable of making your own Madonna costume.

For most people, sticking to basics of tight Capri-style pants and a cropped top, wearing a curly blonde wig, big sunglasses and an attitude can be representative of a Madonna costume. The walk, the talk and do not forget the wad of chewing gum can transform anyone into the 1908's singing legend.

You did not have any plans for Halloween, but all of a sudden you got a call from a friend inviting you to a party. You really want to go, but it is a little late to run out and buy a costume. So, you need some other last minute costume ideas.

Last Minute Costume Ideas in Your Closet

Of course, when looking for last minute costume ideas, the first place you are going to look is your closet. You take pride in your feminine closet, and all of those accessories that you were wondering what to do with can be incorporated into various last minute costume ideas.

The first last minute costume idea that you can try is that of a rocker chick from the 80s. Begin by finding some tights (leggings) and colorful socks – preferably two different colors. Find an open-necked sweater and a gym bra, toss a lot of gel in your hair, put on bright lipstick and lots of blue eyeshadow, and you are all ready!

Another last minute costume idea is one that is a bit revealing, and should only be incorporated for a party that you know has that kind of a theme. Specifically, you can go as a lady of the night. For this, look through your lingerie drawer, and find a nightgown that covers just enough. Put on some jewelry, high heels, and a light robe, and your look is complete.

If you are a more conservative kind of person, a last minute costume idea to try is the academic look. Keep your makeup very plain, except for a hint of blush and clear lip gloss. Find some fashion glasses, pull your hair back in a bun, find a conservative skirt, blouse, and shoes, and you have yet another look for the party.

Another costume idea is to go dressed as a man. For this, what you will need are the most masculine clothes you have. Once you have chosen the clothes, pull your hair back and tuck it into a hat (again, it needs to be masculine!). Put on some sneakers, and add some facial hair with an eyeliner pencil.

If you would like more costume ideas, all you have to do is go on the internet. Various websites will give you ideas from the simple to the elaborate. It really all has to do with how comfortable you are wearing the outfit you choose, as well as the overall theme of the party.

Dressing the part of a native American can be tricky, as different tribes from different parts of the country wore different types of clothing. There are a number of stigmas about what an Indian costume should be, and, while some of them are almost realistic, there are many others that revolve around what the popular perception of how Indians dressed in the past. Most people consider brown leather topped off with feathered headgear and carrying a hatchet to be an official Indian costume, but different positions in the tribe also dictated how they dressed.

Before going out wearing an Indian costume, it would be best to research the type of clothing worn by the various tribes. Many different ones wore long pants, and some in areas where the temperature was high all year around, may have wore shorts, but rarely with a hem. Simply because they lived in what is called the wild west, was not reason enough for the clothing to appear dirty and unwashed.

Too many times, especially with Indian costumes for females, clothing is made from the same pattern as some of the racy lingerie in brown cloth and referred to as appropriate dress for squaws. While this type of Indian costume can garner the wearer a lot of attention, it is not realistic.

Accessories Add Realism To Costume

Many of the available costumes do not include accessories, which can make the dress seem to be more realistic. Remembering that as a tribe member's status improved within the ranks of the tribe, their headgear also changed. It would be out of character for a warrior or a young brave wearing an Indian costume that includes full headdress of feathers. Even during celebrations and dances around the campfire, the number of feathers worn in the headband was indicative of their official standing within the tribe.

Another common error when attempting realism with an Indian costume is the type of shoes worn during the era. Moccasins made of leather were the most common throughout most of history, with some tribes wearing boots during inclement weather, so a squaw showing up in an Indian costume with six-inch stiletto heels or the brave wearing Italian leather loafers would not fit into any tribe.

However, attending parties wearing an Indian costume can be fun, especially those parties to which a wild west theme is part of the evening, putting the apparel together appropriately can add to the realism of the Indian costume and may even garner a top prize in any judged contests.

History usually repeats itself. This is especially true at Halloween time when people choose to wear a historical costume. Historical costumes are among the most popular costumes seen at Halloween time. It is very fun to dress up like a famous historical figure. It is also fun to host a historical figure themed party.

One very cool idea is to have all of the guests at a costume party dress like a historical figure. While at the party, you can play some games where the guests have to guess who the historical figures are by playing a game of charades or other trivia games. Having a historical costume party is a unique and fun party idea. If you do have such a party, you will need to choose a historical costume.

Making History With a Historical Costume at a historical party

A historical costume can be a hard decision because the possibilities are endless. When you choose to become a historical figure, you open your possibilities up to a world of cool ideas. You can be a famous president, a sports figure, an inventor or any number of historical people throughout time.

Choosing a historical costume will get you noticed at any costume party. You will be bringing back an important piece of history and possibly teaching all of the costume party goers a thing or two about your historical costume and character. Therefore, choosing a historical costume is a great idea for any type of costume party.

Before deciding on which historical costume you want to wear, you should do a lot of research on the person you are planning on becoming. The more you know about the historical person, the easier it will be to create the costume and play the role. Search the internet for information about the person and the time period in which they lived.

Once you decide upon which historical costume you want to wear for your party, you will then be ready to create it. You can find a lot of the items you will need for this costume at the local second hand store or at the local costume shop. Shop around for all of the things you will need to complete your costume. Shopping for your costume will be just as much fun as it is wearing the costume.

Finally, if you are in doubt or are having problems figuring out what to wear to your next costume party, you should consider wearing a historical costume. There are hundreds of possibilities in this category. You are bound to find something that you will have fun learning about and fun wearing.

Some people plan things months and months in advance. As soon as they know they have been invited to a Halloween party, they start planning their costume right away, asking everyone they know for Halloween costume ideas.

And then there's you, either you get a late invitation to a Halloween party, or you procrastinate and don't get a costume and suddenly it's the day of the party. You need to find a Halloween costume idea at the last minute, based on materials you already have or can easily acquire.

Oversleeping Couple

This last-minute Halloween costume idea is best executed in a pair, either a husband and wife or roommates. All you need is a decent-looking set of pajamas or a nightgown, a bathrobe, and a pair of slippers. The right props are essential to make this a costume and not a cop-out. Carry a mug of coffee, put shaving crème on your face if you're a man, or put curlers in your hair if you're a woman.

Dog Food

This last-minute Halloween costume idea requires that you know someone who has a hungry dog; the bigger, the better. Go to a pet supply center or a grocery store large enough to stock a good variety of dog food, and purchase a 50-pound bag of food. Look for a colorful bag with an appealing graphic or a clever name.

Cut the bottom of the bag off and store the dog food in a clean, dry, container. Wipe the inside of the bag out with a damp towel. Cut a slit in the center of the top of the bag for your head and an armhole on either side. Put on a turtleneck shirt and jeans, leggings, or tights and pull the bag on over your head. Wear an inverted dog food dish as a hat.

Toilet Paper Wedding Dress

With a little ingenuity and a lot – and I mean a lot – of toilet paper, you can create the wedding dress of your dreams. This is one of the most popular Halloween costume ideas ever. You probably won't want to drink much though, because going to the bathroom in this costume is going to be very difficult – though you won't have to worry if your host runs out of toilet paper!

Duct Tape Suit

Covering a t-shirt and pants with duct tape gives your clothing a futuristic look and makes a fast, easy Halloween costume idea. Coat your face and neck with silver eye shadow, and top the outfit off with a tinfoil hat.

Halloween is approaching, and you still have not found a costume. You want a costume that is instantly recognizable and amusing at the same time. After giving it some thought, you have decided that it would be amusing to wear a genie costume.

Genie Costume Components

There are many different versions of genie costumes available – some are more expensive than others, and for good reason, too. The cheaper genie costumes are obvious, with flimsy fabric, and very basic accessories.

The kind of genie costume you choose will have to do with several factors. The first factor is the kind of party you are going to. Will this be a rather formal costume party, or will this be just a relaxed costume party?

Something else you will need to think about is you own budget. Remember, you will probably only wear this genie costume once, so make sure you don't go into debt over it! The ideal scenario is to simply rent this kind of costume from your local costume shop.

So, what should you be looking for in this kind of costume? First and foremost, you should look for vibrant colors. The colors that are especially eye-catching are gold and red. Also, make sure that there are some embellishments on the costume as well, such as rhinestones.

What makes this costume so instantly recognizable are the pants. The pants need to be puffed out, and there needs to be a v-shaped belt in the front. Just as instantly recognizable is the vest. Ideally, the vest should be the only thing worn on the chest, but for those who are bashful, a white shirt under the vest is just as good.

Another thing that you will need for the costume is a turban. There are several ways that you can get this if the costume does not come with one. First of all, you can take a medium-sized white piece of cloth, and wrap it around your head. Or, you can get a hat on the internet that you think matches the rest of your outfit.

However, it is important to note that the internet is not always the best place to buy a costume. A costume might look one way on the internet, but look entirely different when it comes. Thus, the best idea is to go to a local costume shop where you can try on the costume first. With the proper research, you are sure to find a stylishly comfortable genie outfit!

You are in need of a costume for a party you will be attending soon, and you want to go as something sultry. A saloon girl is not your style, nor is a flapper, so your next idea is to go with a popular look: the French maid costume.

The Components of the French Maid Costume

The overall appearance of a French maid costume is to convey the feeling that she is not really a maid at all, but actually something more seductive. The French maid costume is simple within itself, but when worn correctly, it can mean much more.

Specifically, the dress of a French maid costume is all black, with a white ruffled petticoat, and a simple white apron. However, the dress itself is very short, and it is low-cut. Aside from the standard outfit, you can add your own personality to the French maid costume, which makes it even more fun to wear.

For example, part of what makes the costume look interesting is the shoes. You can go with a stand pair of high heels if you want to go for more of a classic look. However, if you want to spice the costume up a bit, you can add platform heels or boots.

Something else you need to think about is the stockings. Regular nylon stockings would be rather boring, so why not go a bit more daring with some fishnet or black stockings? You could also add a unique style to your look by wearing white knee socks.

Something else that a French maid needs to have is an accessory. One of the most popular costume accessories is a white duster. However, you can do something different as well by bring a small purse, or perhaps a toy French poodle.

For more information on obtaining a French maid outfit, begin by going to your local costume store. There should be at least one variation of this popular outfit there. Be aware that there are some costumes that are made better than others, so keep that in mind when choosing a French maid outfit.

Remember, the most important thing is that you find a French maid outfit that fits you well and allows you to comfortably enjoy your party. For this reason, consider outfits that do not include a corset. Also, get a black choker and a little white hat to complete your ensemble. With the proper preparation, you are sure to have an excellent French maid outfit!

No matter the occasion, there may come a time when you have to choose a costume that puts you in the limelight and it can be difficult to come up with just the right fancy dress costume ideas to fit the night. Of course, if you are a guy and need to find something you can always raid the closet of your spouse, sister or mother to get the right outfit to fit into the crowd. However, visiting the closet of the opposite gender may reveal fancy dress costume ideas in the form of last year's prom gown or someone's wedding dress.

While even the wicked old witch or the wicked stepsisters wore fancy gowns, there are other scenarios in which fancy dress costume ideas will come in handy. Perhaps playing the part of a princess or a lady of great financial means will require being adorned in the finest that you budget can hold. If your closet is bare of fancy dress costume ideas, consider asking a friend or relative if you can raid their closet or pay a visit to a used clothing store to find what you need.

It is also possible to find a pattern with which to make your own costume and cosume shops usually have a plethora of fancy dress costume ideas. Some of them may not be in your specific taste, but if you are dressing up in a costume, not being something you would normally appear wearing it can add to the surprise of the costume.

Finding Dresses To Fit In With The Crowd

One of the fun aspects of dressing in costume can be when a group gets together to appear at the same party. Used clothing stores often have a selection of bridesmaid dresses that will provide some fancy dress costume ideas for more than one person. Perhaps one can wear the wedding gown and the rest of the group can wear those dresses and attend the costume bash as a wedding party.

There are also stores and other places that display dresses worn by with wives of presidents and you can get fancy dress costume ideas to wear if you are going to a party based on an historical era. Dressing up as the wife of the first president George Washington can be a hoot and you will be the life of the party. But regardless of where you look, you can find fancy dress costume ideas to help you fit into any occasion.