How to Be Autumn for Halloween

Think about how autumn smells, looks and makes you feel for a guide to interpreting the season through costume.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Scythes
• Leotards
• Fabric Paints
• Preserved Fall Foliage
• Candies
• Cornucopias
• Pumpkins
• Fallen Leaves
• Craft Wire

1. Create a headband frame of wire, foam or a combination of the two; it should sit like a tiara or wreath. Decorate with real or fabricated grapes, leaves, apples and other harvest materials.
2. Recycle any type of cap and decorate in place of other headgear.
3. Sprinkle fall-colored leaves in your hair and secure with bobby pins or Velcro.
4. Choose a bodysuit; long, flowing dress; leotard or whatever article of clothing for the look you're seeking. Whether you're elegant or ethereal, choose hunter greens, browns, maroons or golds.
5. Decorate hems, cuffs, necklines, waists and plackets with nuts, berries, fruits, vegetables and leaves. Use real and/or fabricated materials.
6. Make and carry a cornucopia, filling it with harvest goodies. Sling it over your shoulder with a rope.
7. Choose trousers, leggings, leg warmers or hose in autumn colors and decorate tastefully - perhaps bands around knees and ankles with leaves, nuts and pine.
8. Cover shoes with brown, maroon or similarly colored socks, and wrap with leather strips for a wood sprite look.
9. Carry a plastic scythe.
10. Collect your candy in a burlap sack.

Tips & Warnings

• Autumn can have many looks: Harvest Princess in taffeta and organza, Rugged Old Man Autumn in shaggy fur and leather, Puckish Wood Nymph in green tights and corduroy jumper or vest, and so on. Pick your look and go with it.
• Dab on patchouli oil or scents like cinnamon, vanilla or earthy musk for the aromatic aspects of your costume.
• A carved pumpkin and gourds would be a great addition to your look.
• Leaves crumble to dust if you collect them too early. Coating them with a glycerine-and-water mix preserves them.