How to Research a David Bowie Halloween Costume

David Bowie has been a musical icon for decades. Known for his ever-changing musical styles as well as his often eccentric fashion and style, Bowie has given the world some amazing music and also made an indelible impression on fashion over the years. Making a David Bowie costume for Halloween is a unique and fun costume idea.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Know your subject. The spiked hair, glittery eye shadow and bodysuit of Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" days have become instantly recognizable, but your costume can be more authentic and memorable if you take the time to know a little more about David Bowie. For example, it can help you to know what inspired the look for "Ziggy Stardust" and the music that Bowie created under this pseudonym. Visit Bowie's official website (see Additional Resources) to know all there is to know about the performer.
2. Choose a look or a time period that you will use as the basis for your costume since David Bowie's personal style has evolved dramatically over the years. Choosing a look from Bowie's earlier days requires a lot of extra makeup and accessories, while opting to pattern your costume after Bowie's mid-eighties look will require finding a skinny tie and slicking your hair back.
3. Learn about the look and how it was created once you've chosen the era of Bowie fashion that you want to base your Halloween costume on. Learn about what materials the outfits were made of and find out if these materials or brand names are still available today. Some improvisation will probably be necessary.
4. Get help from fans who've followed David Bowie's career as you research your Halloween costume. These fans often know the minute details about Bowie and may be able to tell you where Bowie shopped, why he dressed certain ways and how he created specific looks or costumes. Track down some of these "superfans" and get their help to make your Bowie costume truly authentic. Visit a fan forum such as the Bowie forum at Topix to meet up with some of those fans.
5. Find photographs of the signature David Bowie look that you've chosen as the basis of your costume at Bowie Wonder World. Download some of the photos and study them in detail to help you determine what fabrics you will need to use and any special accessories, makeup or details that you need to include in the costume.
6. Be inspired by David Bowie and his work to make sure your Halloween costume is a true homage to the Thin White Duke himself. Watch "Labyrinth" or play "The Man Who Sold The World" or "Let's Dance" to get yourself in the mood to research your David Bowie costume and create a Halloween costume that is as artistic and unique as the man that inspired it.