Costume Ideas by Drew Faria

It’s that time of year again; when department stores quickly shift from back-to-school supplies to candy and Halloween costumes. It’s the same thing every year. But what if you’ve had enough of putting on the ol’ white bed sheet over yourself for your parties, events, and of course, trick-or-treating? Aren’t there enough devils, zombies, and Screams to go around already? Fortunately, Halloween will not be déja vu for you! This article will cover some of the culture trends of 2013, and some clever ideas for costumes you definitely won’t find anyone else with.

1. Cereal Killer- This was actually my costume a few years back. I received numerous laughs from dressing up in old cereal boxes and plastic weapons. The more you put on, the more obvious the pun looks. Add some red marker and cereal bits to the boxes for a gruesome effect. However, remember to go for M&Ms while trick-or-treating, and not some Raisin Bran!

2. Minion- The mischievous characters from Despicable Me will certainly get attention from your friends during Halloween, especially if you coordinate the look with them. Grab an old pair of overalls as well as some thick goggles to wear, and obviously, go crazy on the yellow makeup!

3. Walter White- The insidious icon of the AMC hit- drama Breaking Bad, villain Walter White leaves his enemies speechless; you can do the same to everyone you know with this costume. All you need is a fedora, dark shades, and a formal shirt with khakis. Some stick-on facial hair would help seal the deal too. If you know some of his famous quotes, practice saying them with a wicked tone and poof, you’re Heisenberg!

4. Plastic Army Man- A crafty reference to Toy Story, this costume is instantly recognizable, and will be a hit at every event. Any cargo outfit and helmet will work. Of course, you will need to dye all of these items, and yourself, green, but that’s all part of Halloween!

5. Halo- Every gamer’s face is probably grinning with delight after seeing this. Who wouldn’t like to dress up as a super soldier this year? Replicating the unmistakable battle helmet might prove challenging, so your best bet is probably buying that part. Other than that, some spray-painted lacrosse or football armor would serve you well to achieve the ultimate macho-soldier appearance.

6. The Joker- Do you want to know how to get these scars? Find a purple cloak and stock up on white and red face paint to match this villain’s appearance. Some green hair dye would look convincing as well. Remember, the Joker is a clown, so add some pranks like whoopee cushions or joy buzzers and try them out on unsuspecting guests!

7. 50 Shades of Grey- Not exactly what you expect. Make a trip to the paint store and pick up those tabs that contain the range of a particular color for grey. Wear some grey clothes, grey makeup, and stick the tabs all over your body. It may look somewhat crazy at first, but it will only take a second before everyone understands your genius and begins cackling at your originality.

8. Dwight Schrute- Every TV lover knows this eccentric character from The Office for his hilarity on the show. What you will need is a business suit (with tie!), some large-lensed glasses, as well as a brown toupee that parts the hair down the middle of the head. To really sell the look, borrow some of his freaky and intense facial expressions too!

9. What Does The Fox Say?- A recent Youtube hit for its nonsensical song lyrics, this song features a man dressed up as a fox wondering what a fox’s animal noise is. Find a headband that you can use to attach cut-out ears to, and dress in all red and brown. Then, use an old feather duster or the like and paint it to match your clothes. Finally, make a cardboard signreading “What does the fox say?" Tie a string to this, and hang it around your neck. If you want a hip, current costume, this one might just be perfect for you.