Happy October! I know we're two weeks in,
but man, fall has just bum-rushed me this year. Halloween is my favorite
holiday, so time for some serious costume talk!
This year, I started making my costume in AUGUST. Granted, I didn't intend (at first) for this particular project to become my Halloween costume; it just kind of evolved. I ran into a picture of a rave-type dragon dress online. It was made of silver mermaid-scale holographic spandex, and it had wings -- and everyone knows I love dragons. The-run down version: I've loved them my whole life. My greatest, most unrealistic dream would be to suddenly become a dragon rider. But that's beside the point.
I shared that dragon dress on Facebook and my friend Calyn took up the challenge. She coaxed me into a project so cool and up both our alleys that it got a little over-creative. The problem with so much excitement about an idea is that it tends to run away with you. Big wings could be bigger and more bat-like; to tail-hood or to not tail-hood; and, most important of all, where to place the spikes -- all time-consuming complications and alterations. When we manage to finish them, our dragon dresses will be magnificent, but that has yet to happen.
But without further ado, here's my pros and cons list for a do-it-yourself Halloween costume.
Pros:
1. Your imagination sets the limit.
Do you want bigger wings and a longer tail? Then draft those bigger wings and longer tails!
2. FABRIC!
Making your own costume means picking your own fabric. No cheaply made, wrinkly bag dresses, my friends!
3. One size fits... One.
Your costume will be custom-made! None of this one-size-fits-all nonsense.
4. Embellish away!
This is your costume. If you're trying to stay true to a specific character, no detail is too small. It's the little things that matter.
5. Bragging rights.
You MADE those incredible, beastly dragon wings you're wearing?! Oh yeah, relish in that creative triumph, you master-artist, you!
These positive reasons for making your own costume are responsible for all of the amazing costumes and cosplays we see all over the internet, but there are still risks and negative reasons why you might not want to make your own costume. Sometimes store-bought is just easier.
Cons:
1. Money pit.
Remember that those little details, as important as they are, will cost you. Each new grand idea can push up the price of your masterpiece, so keep an eye on expenses as you go. I know when Calyn and I were drafting our dragon dress, I intentionally stopped caring what it would cost me. (There's a reason the dress isn't done yet!)
2. Hardware.
If you don't have a sewing machine, making your own costume is much harder! I got lucky that Calyn is a master craftswoman, prepared for all. Plus, she's a skilled seamstress. Pick your partners wisely, people!
3. TIME. (Like, holy crap.)
Do not underestimate this. Remember, Calyn and I started our dragon dress project halfway through August, and two months later it's still not done. Great art takes time.
4. A very specific set of skills.
If you don't have what it takes, how will you ever get it done? Well, that's my main worry with my dragon dress. I can't sew! Or so I think. When in doubt, try it anyway; you never know if you will succeed or fail unless you try.
5. After all we've been through, you still might miss that deadline.
Disaster can strike any project, be it a thoughtless cut of limited fabric, a rampaging sewing machine, or even a late delivery of materials. You may get through all of the above challenges and your costume still may not be done in time.
Don't lose faith, though. You can always wear your costume to another party! I mean, if we're being honest here, I'll end up wearing my dragon wings a lot more than I probably should.
