How to Pull Off a Couple’s Halloween Costume

Current events influence how adults select Halloween costumes, so it's no surprise that the top 2009 Halloween costumes are dead celebrities. Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and infomercial pitchman Billy Mays are among the season's top searched-for costumes, according to CNN.

"People like to be current," and no matter how grim, "we don't judge our customers," says Jalem Getz, president and CEO of Buy Seasons Inc., the parent company of BuyCostumes.com.

"Cosmopolitan Magazine" echoes the trend by noting that last year's "Dark Night" Jokers are this year's Michael Jackson impersonators, but Cosmo takes it one step further by suggesting alternative "clever and timely" ideas. Some favorites are the couple-inspired acts like Kanye West and Taylor Swift -- proving that couple's costumes don't have to be cutsie.

Whether you're rolling with your honey or your pallie -- here's how to buck the dead celebrity trend and pull off a couple's costume on the biggest charade night of the year.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Practice Due Diligence
   
   Take this quick quiz to help narrow down the costume candidates:
   
   • Location: Are you going to a work party (skip the sexy style), college scene (yes on the sexy style), hanging with the kids (no heels, no super scary) or going trick or treating (comfortable)? Will you be outside or inside?
   
   • Crowd: Will you be with a big crowd or just with your tight-knit crew? The bigger the crowd the more mainstream you want to go to avoid the "who are you?" question. Quirky and obscure will work with more intimate parties.
   
   • Practicalities: Are you up for wearing a mask, or do you want to have your face showing? Hairstyle or hat? What do you already have in your closet that you can build your costumes around?

2. Look at Pop Culture
   
   You can hardly channel or web surf without catching a piece of the Jon and Kate Plus Eight (plus the TLC) drama. The saga is ripe for Halloween parody. Cut a blonde wig into Kate's famous 'do and go for an Ed Hardy T-shirt and receding hairline look for Jon. Pull a wagon filled with eight dolls. For extra credit, hang a sign on the wagon that reads: "Notice: No film crew or production staff from TLC is permitted near this wagon under penalty of trespass."
   
   Twitter. Sexy Twitter Bird costumes + Halloween Girls Night = singles delight! Wear blue dresses (accented with feathers from a craft store), bright yellow thigh highs, wings and a sweet beak. Print up cards that read: "Follow me @______" (insert your Twitter username) and pass them out to the "Three Musketeers" that have been checking you out all night!

3. Keep in Mind That Opposites Attract
   
   Sports rivalries are classic. Go old school and dress as New York Yankees and Boston Red Socks fans or football players from the New York Jets and New England Patriots, or how about as the famous boxing rivals Mohammad Ali and Joe Frazier?
   
   Celebrity spats are smeared over headlines making them mega fuel for Halloween spoofs. The Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell rift was so hot tempered that it's still fresh in the pop culture memory. Wear a business suit, comb-over wig and pass out fake money to be "The Donald," and a double-breasted jacket, white men's shirt, shoulder-length brown wig and name tag that reads: "Queen of Nice" will mimic Rosie's vibe.

4. Mimic the Perfect Pairs
   
   We've all seen them: "Mr. and Mrs. Perfect." We love to envy them -- and dress up like them!
   
   Heidi Klum and Seal: For her, red carpet gown, super model blond hair and makeup and a sash that reads, "You are out!" For him, bald head, scar on face, black suit and a big smile (he's married to Heidi Klum!).
   
   Hugh Hefner and Blonde Girlfriends: For him, silk pajamas, smoking jacket and a pipe. For her, platinum blonde wig and either a Playboy bunny look or lingerie with wings, sexy style.
   
   Michelle and Barack Obama: For her, comb through the J. Crew catalog for inspiration. Slim skirts, cardigans belted and accented with broaches, shoulder-length dark brown wig and a super bright smile! For him, don a Barack mask, a classic suit and bring a mug with the presidential seal to sip your cocktail from!
   
   Twilight: Good news! The clothes to dress up like Bella Swan, the Cullen Coven or the Volturi are in fashion, so you can wear them after Halloween. Check out the looks (see link in Resources below). See what you already have in your closet before heading out on a shopping spree; you may just need to accessorize with some golden contact lenses!

5. Remember That Stupid Funny Always Works
   
   A couple of store-bought Hooters Girls and a Plug & Socket getup lead the way to stupid but funny territory.

Tips & Warnings

• Reasons to Get Excited:
• Halloween is Saturday this year! That means the parties start on Friday and keep going until Monday morning coffee!
• It's a low-on-stress, high-on-whatever-kind-of-fun-you're-looking-for kind of holiday geared toward a naughty, sweet, crazy, big group or party of two!

Resources

• Stupid But Funny
• Twilight Costume
• Cosmo's Celeb Couple Costume Ideas
• CNN's Halloween Costume Trends

[sallyemaycreate]

on 10/31/2009 Very creative ideas...thank you for sharing. 5*

[fcornelius]

on 10/29/2009 Great article.

[bonsueb]

on 10/29/2009 Great ideas! I'm might do a version of the Twitter bird! Thanks!

[YourFutureBoss]

on 10/29/2009 Great article. 5 stars and reccomended. Now only if I had a girl I could do this with. lol.

[mooby18]

on 10/29/2009 Terrific article and fantastic ideas on how me and my guy can win this year's Halloween couple's contest. Watch out here we come! Highly recommended and 5 star for sure!