Costumes

The Tin Man is a character from the popular film "The Wizard of Oz." Learn about handmade Tin Man costumes with help from a professional costumer and tailor in this free video clip.

You can make a handmade Carmen Miranda costume right at home using the careful application of the appropriate tools. Make a handmade Carmen Miranda costume with help from a professional costumer and…

The way people in ancient civilizations dressed reveals information about how they lived and what they valued. For example, people who wove cloth for clothing lived a more sedentary life than those…

"LittleBigPlanet," released for the Sony PlayStation Portable in 2009, features downloadable content. This content comes in the form of additional costumes that the main character, Sackboy,…

"Battlestar Galactica" is a science fiction TV show from the 1970s, but it enjoyed a resurgence in 2004 with a remake of the series, which ran through 2009. The story begins when a race of…

Washing a foam costume can be done at home rather than taking the clothing to a cleaner. The important thing is to avoid washing the foam with anything abrasive. Foam costumes are resilient and can be…

Dabble in dress-up all year long. As a costume wholesaler, you will be purchasing costumes in bulk from a supplier and reselling them to retail establishments. You will be the middle-man who finds the…

Before heading to a toga party or trick-or-treating, it can be tempting to simply wrap oneself in a white sheet and call it a day. Rather than having the most boring costume at the party, decorate…

Show off some pride this Halloween with a costume inspired by the brave men and women of the U.S. Navy. The sharp-looking uniform worn by sailors provides a great look for trick or treaters or…

Dressing up as a superhero is a popular and inspirational way to celebrate Halloween. Superman, Mr. Incredible, Spiderman and Batman are all great options for children and adults alike. Some…

The theory that opposites attract proves true throughout nature, with the passive flower and the stinging bee serving as just one example. You can easily spot pairs of opposites, not only in nature,…

Recital costumes are often worn during more than one performance or passed to new dance students each year. Keeping costumes looking new and clean can be a challenge. They are often made of delicate…

Satin fabric is known for its high luster, elegant draping and rich texture. All of these elements last only with regular and painstaking care and cleaning practices. Heat is a commonly known threat…

Applying a trim made of sequins to a costume adds a touch of personal flare and makes the costume eye-popping. Sequins are small shiny disks that are applied to fabric with a special type of glue. Use…

A costume is good when it is creative and you have fun with it. It's even better when you can actually assemble it from old clothes and other items you had hidden in your closet. From old pajamas to…

"LittleBigPlanet" is a PlayStation 3 game where players control a sack boy or girl, to create and manipulate the game world. A player can outfit his sack character with different clothes,…

Adding patina to metal, whether it be an antique or a costume, is simply a matter of introducing different elements to the metal that will accelerate the discoloration of the metal or approximate the…

The cartoon "Metalocalypse" is set in a world in which one heavy metal band dominates global music. Though mature in both visual content and language, "Metalocalypse" has captured…

A number of people this Halloween will be dressed as a “Jersey Shore” cast member, a Tea Party presidential candidate or a Black Swan. That means it's a good time to get back to the…

When Halloween rolls around, parents usually have a lot on their minds, like who’s going to take the kids trick-or-treating or what they’ll take to the neighbor's Halloween bash. But…

Costumes are defined as the artistic composition of clothing to represent a person, place or thing. A costume can be made to resemble or represent most anything imaginable, and imagination plays a big…

Whether you're attending a costume party as mob boss or a retro go-go dancer, hard hair completes your look and helps your style last for the entire evening. A variety of methods harden hair from the…

Jazz is a staple of the American music scene. Some dancers choose to take jazz dance classes to expand on their dance experiences. Jazz dancers perform to jazz music using movements that are a…

Blogger offers several free templates for you to install automatically from your Blogger Dashboard. With a bit of technical knowledge, you can customize your blog further, adding your own template or…

Catherine of Aragon was the first of the Tudor English king Henry VIII's wives. Artists depicted her wearing a hat with defined square edges and a square cut bodice. You can make a Catherine of Aragon…

"LittleBigPlanet" players who want new outfits for created characters can download a costume based on Kratos, the main character from the "God of War" series. The Kratos costume gives your Sackboy…

Spain is renowned for its extravagant and decorative costumes. Traditional Spanish costumes include flamenco dresses worn by the women whilst performing the traditional dance. Strong traditional…

The popular image of the flapper is that of a young, care-free dancing girl in a short dress and even shorter hair. The flapper movement of the 1920s was a rebellion against the oppressive,…

Whatever inflatable mascot you want to don -- whether it's a college mascot to cheer on the home team, or Smokey the Bear to promote awareness of fire safety -- chances are it will be easy to put on…

If you have a full beard or are planning to grow one, it's probably better to flaunt it than cover it up when it's time to don a costume. Instead of worrying about how to hide your beard, pick a…

"Suikoden Tierkreis" is a role-playing game for the Nintendo DS handheld gaming system. The original "Suikoden" game was released in Japan in 1995, and attained popularity among gamers for the…

"Assassin's Creed 2" allows gamers to follow the exploits of fictional assassin Ezio Auditore, a young man mired in political corruption in Renaissance-era Italy. "Little Big Planet" and its…

When it comes to cleaning food stains or accumulated dust off a costume, you have to take a little extra care. Throwing a costume in the washer or even taking it to a dry cleaner can deteriorate the…

Playing through the story mode in "Assassin's Creed II: Brotherhood" can take the most skilled gamer between 10-15 hours. However, if you want to unlock the bonus costumes in "Assassin's Creed II:…

Your church or school might decide to hold a Madrigal dinner as a way to bring in funds or to bring the community together. The dinner guests pretend that they are dining long ago during a time period…

"Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction" is a third-person action game for the Xbox and PlayStation 2. Each of the three characters in the game has a second costume to wear. Additionally, there are…

Costuming a Broadway-style show begins with a costume plot. A costume plot is a spreadsheet or table that organizes which costume each character will wear for every scene. Although individual costumes…

In the Wii game "Scooby-Doo: First Frights," players take control of Scooby, Shaggy and the rest of the gang to solve three different mysteries. Throughout each level, Scooby collects Scooby Snacks,…

"LittleBigPlanet" is a platformer game for the PlayStation 3. The player controls a character called Sackboy as he explores a number of cartoonish worlds, collecting items with which to customize…

"Little Big Planet" is a platform game, developed for the PlayStation 3, in which players control customizable avatars known as "sackboys" and go on adventures through a large number of user-created…

Whether you lived through the 1970s or not, you'll likely have an opportunity to dress up in a costume inspired by this decade at some point, at a 70s-themed party or disco, for example. Luckily the…

"Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy" is a Facebook game set in the same game universe as the "Assassin's Creed" series. One of the benefits of playing this game is the ability to unlock two additional…

The modern circus has links back to the Roman era, where soldiers and prisoners demonstrated their skills for an audience. Roman circuses were dangerous, however, and bloody displays of violence were…

The Joker is one of Batman's most evil villains brought to life in movies and made popular in the Batman comic book series. The late actor Heath Ledger won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor…

The term "fancy dress" is a British one that can mean multiple things. Most often, it refers to costume dress: a "fancy dress party" is what Americans call a "costume party." However, because the term…

Playing dress up is a never-ending source of joy. Making clothes from the Bible, for example, serves to boost the appeal of Sunday school lessons and religious theatre. Get together with friends,…

"Twelfth Night" is a beloved Shakespeare comedy about mistaken identity. Many theater groups who put on the play use traditional Elizabethan costumes, which include long dresses with bustiers for…

The poem "Humpty Dumpty" is a popular children's rhyme, with the earliest traceable publication in 1810. The term "humpty dumpty" was originally used in 15th century England as a term for an obese…

The year 1848 brought many visitors to California. However, the visitors were not in California to enjoy the Pacific Ocean. Each male, female and child came to strike gold hidden in the mountains and…

While a national character dance generally represents a country or region, such as Russian ballet or Highland Fling, a demi-character dance tells a specific story, such as the tale of a saucy…

Part of the magic of the stage is that of the quick costume change. In seconds, a performer is changed from one character to another or presented in a new flashy costume to change the visual tone of…

As many iconic movie characters become major sources of inspiration for costume parties, cosplays and even weddings, many people look for ways on how to find, buy or make these costumes. There…

The Renaissance movement spanned centuries and provides modern theater companies with a vast array of intricate and fascinating costume ideas for period plays. Children's plays based on fairy tales…

Renaissance by definition is the rebirth and renewal of concepts of literature, music and art. These integral parts of human existence experienced an emergence from the depression of the Middle Ages…

Starting in 2009, a television game show that was popular decades ago, "Let's Make a Deal," was brought back with Wayne Brady as the host. People dressed in crazy costumes fill the audience, aiming to…

Tudor is a style of architecture first found on houses in England during the early 1500s following the Gothic period. The style is most well-known for features such as high-pitched roofs and…

Do you want to travel to the stars, see other planets, and meet alien civilizations, but don't have the budget of NASA or the Starship Enterprise? If you're primed and ready for travel to the galaxies…

Movies provide hours of entertainment for us in many ways, be it comedy, drama or action. One thing that all movies have in common are costumes. Designers spend their lives creating the perfect…

The Renaissance Era marked the transitional period between the Middle Ages into the Elizabethan Era, roughly between the 14th and the 17th centuries. During this time, advances in science, art, and…

During the Elizabethan era, the populace was subject to English Sumptuary Laws, which limited not only expenditures on clothes but also colors and fabrics. While the aristocracy dressed in silk,…

Batman first appeared in Detective Comics issue #27 in 1939. The character is appealing; he takes crime into his own hands but resists killing the criminals. He's a vigilante, but also a detective.…

Whether it's that perfectly conceived Halloween getup or costumes for your theater's extras, remember that safety precautions should figure prominently in your planning. Fire safety is certainly at…

Thrift stores, yard sales and discarded items at the back of your closet can provide inspiration and material for biblical costumes. Re-fashion old bathrobes, tablecloths, used drapes, colourful…

Costumes with blonde wigs range from popular cartoon characters to adult characters in movies. There's a perfect costume match for whatever style blonde wig you have--whether you're going for a sultry…

Costumes used in medieval plays vary widely depending on the type of production you are giving; it can include costumes for males and females of all classes and professions and even some non-humans as…

If you wish to depict the way an ancient Israelite male dressed, create a costume based on descriptions from the Bible. Although most men wore the same style of clothing, the fabric, embellishments…

Senior photos are a tradition of graduating, as they document the mark from childhood to adulthood and moving on to the next step in a person's life. Senior photos need not be boring though. In fact…

Right through the 20th century and beyond, pop music --- whether in the form of rock and roll, grunge or rap, to name but a few genres --- has been linked closely with youth culture. With many of the…

The sixteenth century in Europe was one of the most influential periods in costume history. Clothing began to be a way to express personal style as modern ideas regarding fashion began to develop. The…

A burning bush is a phenomena in which a bush is on fire, but the combustion does not reduced the bush to ash. In the book of Exodus, Moses is said to have encountered a burning bush in the desert.…

Beginning in the late 19th century up until the 1970s, the circus often featured a human freak sideshow, which showcased people who suffered from extreme physical abnormalities. Today, freak…

Cleopatra was an Egyptian queen born in Alexandria in 69 BC. Famous for her beauty, charm and seductiveness, the queen has been an inspiration to many for centuries. While depictions of the queen have…

Fancy dress ideas for the circus develop from its iconic images, characters and performances. Inspirations for the designs can come from the red and white striped circus tents, the ringmaster in his…

If you want to make a nature-themed costume for a social event or your child's stage debut, you can make a tree costume to fit your needs practically, inexpensively and with little effort. Since tree…

Stanley Kubrick's film, "A Clockwork Orange," is a cult classic that was released in 1971. The film, based on the novella of the same name by Anthony Burgess, tells the story of Alex, a hooligan, and…

Batman's costume is one of the most iconic. The cowl with its pointed bat ears along with the flowing cape creates a more menacing appearance than most other superheroes, fitting Batman's motivation…

Movie characters are brought to life by several factors during the preproduction and production stages. One of the most essential elements when building a great character is the costume. Thorough…

Star Trek is a popular television series that debuted in the 1960s and spawned many movies, sister shows, games, costumes and legions of rabid fans. "Live long and prosper" has become a catchphrase…

There are some fabulous female film characters to choose from when it comes to costumes. It’s important to keep in mind though that most people do not have the resources or budgets Hollywood…

The history of flamenco costume is closely related to the history of the dance itself. The flamenco dance is part of the Spanish culture, in particular Andalusia, and has an multicultural origin,…

For centuries the circus has attracted young and old, regardless of culture. One of the features that makes the circus so appealing is the fascinating costumes of the performers. Some costumes have…

There has been some debate in history over what the Irish traditionally wore. Misinterpretation of old Irish texts led historians to believe that kilts were part of the traditional Irish dress, when…

After spending days or weeks lovingly crafting a gorgeous costume or wearing someone else's elaborate creation for a special occasion or production, it is natural to feel resistant to moth-balling the…

Halloween allows people to dress up in wild costumes and assume a different persona for the night. Many people opt to pick a costume from general pop culture as their designated uniform for Halloween.…

Renaissance costume fashions will vary by the class of the character portrayed and the country from which he comes. But as much as fashions may vary, there are certain traits that will remain…

Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" has been one of the most popular American stories since its publication in 1885. The adventures of an orphan and a runaway slave and their escape down the Mississippi…

Between the world wars and before the Great Depression came the Roaring Twenties--the Jazz era. The stock market soared, the music was lively and the clothes were like nothing ever seen before. Men…

Show choirs are performance groups that combine singing and theatrical elements of dancing and costumes; they are commonly an extracurricular activity or part of an after-school program. Costumes can…

Gas masks are a neat thing to have lying about. But apart from their intended use, gas masks can be used as part of a costume or other novelty getup. You can find gas masks at military surplus stores,…

One of the most beloved musicals of all time, "Guys and Dolls," first produced in 1950, is a perennial favorite of high school drama clubs and community theatres across the country. Based largely on…

If you are planning to dress up with a group of people, choosing a band as a template is a great way to go. Bands often have particular visual aesthetics that are arresting and identifiable. Your…

Punk rock originally was a rebellion against mainstream music and fashion, but it has become an accepted part of the cultural landscape. Dressing as a punk rocker can be a fun project, and it isn't…

Whether it be for a dance performance, theater arts or singing, when you have a quick costume change, the stress can be paramount. To ease your worrying, steps can be taken to ensure a successful…

From talking apple trees in the Wizard of Oz to the trees featured in school and church plays, trees are almost as common on stage as off. Making tree costumes can be a bit of a challenge, as you need…

Mimes originated in ancient Greece where actors held pantomime performances, though not all were silent. Later, in Medieval Europe, travelling actors would put on mummer plays and dumbshows where…

Most of us can come up with an array of Halloween character costumes using things we have at home. But when you are pregnant, your options might be limited. Mandy Jensen, a costume designer for Rapid…

Every since the movie "Jaws," children and adults alike have had a fascination with sharks. Halloween offers the perfect time to indulge in the love of sharks by making a costume and exhibiting all…

Whether you're attending a costume party or making an appearance at your local comic convention, dressing up as The Joker is one way to grab attention. Batman's archnemesis has seen many looks since…

Ever since Cirque du Soleil burst on to the International scene, circuses have been so much more than elephants and traditional clowns. And costuming is where a true sense of the alternative can be…

In 1596 an Indian princess was born named Mataoaka. She later became known by her nickname Pocahontas. Many stories are told about how she saved the life of a young captain, John Smith. She was…

Combine a craft show with historical reenactment and performance art and you get a Renaissance faire. The setting of a faire is loosely based on a renaissance street faire. And while the actors and…

Whether you plan to play a cowboy in an upcoming school production or need a Halloween outfit, cowboy costumes look great and are easy to make with basic household supplies. As you design your…

The classic image of a seafaring pirate is part history and part legend--and it's always a popular favorite for Halloween and other costume-themed events. There are many ways to create a recognizable…

Costumes in a movie can often make or break the production. A large amount of planning often goes into giving characters clothing and props that reflect their personality and their environment. For…

Burlesque is a popular form of cabaret that features a variety show and female striptease. It is a performance art that was most popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Burlesque costumes…

Fauns and satyrs are the fun-loving and mischievous goat-people of Roman and Greek mythology. These beings have human torsos but the legs of goats. Like humans they stand on two feet and are generally…

Using an old pair of sweatpants and a hooded sweatshirt as a pattern, you can make a fleecy sheep costume in any size from infant to adult. Because the costume is meant to be fluffy rather than…

Makeup and costumes are part of the "mise en scene," or the aspects of movies that form the composition of the shot. Other elements of mise en scene include the set design, the lighting, the position…

One of the most important aspects in a theatrical production are the costumes. They help identify characters, emotions, and common themes as the play progesses. However, they can also be very…

Batman is one of the most iconic superheroes to ever grace the pages of comic books. Many costuming aficionados and fans want to dress up like their favorite defender of the night. This can be a…

For theater or Halloween, dressing up as the Queen of the Nile has never been easier. Sew an easy Cleopatra Costume and impress others with the realistic style.

One of the main characters in the Batman: Dark Knight movie is the villainous and sadistic Joker. Played by Heath Ledger, the Joker is one of the most popular villains of all time and whether it is to…

Picking out 1940's costumes for a one-woman show. Learn how to act as a 1940's character in this free video on theater and performance.

Making a costume for a one woman show. Learn how to act as a Latin character in this free video on theater and performance.

Sequins and Tassels galore! Learn how to create costume for female country western stage character in this free comedy improv video series.

Renting theater costumes for holidays, parties, school shows or other needs is easy to do. You can go to your local theater or find a company online. Whatever choice you make, your production or party…

Theaters often recycle costumes from one production to the next. Because actors come in varied sizes, alterations must be crafty to allow for maximum costume usage. You can alter theater costumes in…

You're dancing in a waltz competition and you want an outstanding costume. Choose a costume with a Victorian flair for a woman or a traditional black Western outfit for a man and it will help you…

Cosplay or "costume play," unlike Halloween, takes place year-round and acts as performance art social entertainment for anime, manga and video game fans of all ages and all walks of life. Fans…

Comic book, stage or horror movie villains look as nasty as they act. Whether they carry a chainsaw or poison people in some make-believe comic city, villains need a costume that exhibits their…

You don't have to spend a great deal of money to get a good-looking Halloween costume. In fact, you can create a scary ghost with just a pair of scissors and an old white sheet. The trick is learning…

Although you may think that the tricks are the most important part of a magic show, a magician's costume is also key to his performance. Depending on the type of magic that you perform, you can put…

Dora the Explorer is a little girl that is the cartoon star of a Nickelodeon children's show. With her friend, a monkey named Boots, and a backpack full of useful items, she helps people and has many…

Opera costumes can be some of the most ornate and beautiful examples of costumery in theater. The long tradition of lavish opera costumes goes back centuries and evokes a sense of fantasy that only…

Theater costumes are an important part of the production of a play. Sewing costumes for theater productions requires a basic knowledge of garment construction and sewing. Instead of purchasing…

Lawrence Olivier wrote in his book "On Acting" about the importance of creating a character through make-up and costume. Theatrical costume making falls in the category of art because of the creative…

Naruto costumes are likely to be in vogue for Halloween and costume parties for years to come. You can have a lot of fun by living out the Naruto saga for a few hours in full costume and regalia. To…

The cult film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," adapted from a musical that premiered in London in 1973, remains a "Midnight Movie" staple decades after its release. Whether you want to create a…

Elvis Presley was a one of a kind. He will be part of the American fabric for decades to come. And of course another part of the American culture is the Elvis impersonators. They can be found in…