How to Make an Original Masquerade Costume

Whether you are going to a Mardi Gras party or celebrating Halloween in style, you can get high marks for originality. Making a good masquerade costume is doable for anyone with a little imagination, an attic full of old clothes and access to some gaudy costume jewelry. Think big and outrageous, and you can have people talking about your great costume for a long time.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Think about your costume before you even begin to look for the pieces. Once you have a good idea in your mind or on paper of the kind of impression you want to make, putting it all together is a lot easier.

2. Rummage around in your attic or your closet for clothes and jewelry that you already have. Use clothes for your costume that are disposable if you plan on using a lot of makeup or other effects that could ruin the clothing.

3. Consider how bulky or comfortable the costume will be during the party or event you're attending. Don't wear layers of wool or leather if you're going to dance or get too hot. And be warm enough if you end up making a costume that is revealing or gauzy.

4. Start with a comfortable base, such as a leotard or a plain dress. Layer on the rest of the costume with the pieces you've found. Use belts, scarves, wraps and jackets to achieve your look. Exaggerate your costume with extreme costume jewelry and makeup that definitely projects the character you are creating.

5. Find out if the masquerade party you are going to has a theme. The hosts often suggests that costumes follow a theme, such as historical characters or science fiction figures.