Easy Historical Costumes

A Greek toga can be easily crafted with white sheets or fabric.

If you are attending a historically themed Halloween party or your child needs a historical costume in a hurry, there are costume choices that can be made with a few materials from home in a timely matter without a lot of cost involved. Historical costumes can be created for any age group, and while some may involve you to buy fabric, most can be created by using things you already have in your closet, with the exception of a few accessories.

Pirate

Pirate costumes can be created using clothes in your closet or taking a trip to your local thrift or craft store. Old clothes are recommended as they may need cutting to get the right look. Turn a pair of old khaki or black pants into cropped pants and rip the sleeves from a white button up shirt or blouse. Tie a red sash or piece of fabric around your waist and hips, with the ends dangling at your side. Make a black vest from fabric or buy one. Make an eye patch and pirate hat from felt or craft foam and use elastic string to hold around your head. Go barefoot or wear boots, and for a more completed look get the outfit dirty before wearing.

Toga

Become a Greek god or goddess in no time at all by draping large amounts of fabric over your body. Flat sheets for a bed can be used, but only if they are old and will not be needed as a bed sheet again. Purchasing fabric may be less expensive than buying new sheets for the costume. Drape and bunch fabric in white or beige across the body and pin in place with safety pins. Use a gold belt around the waist for females and gold barrettes at the shoulders to complete the look. Females and males both have the option of leaving the togas long or shortening the length with a pair of scissors. Go barefoot or wear sandals for a more authentic looking costume.

Cleopatra

Cleopatra's outfit can be created with a little sewing knowledge, but doesn't require a lot of time. Sew together a simple sleeveless dress, using white or beige fabric, that reaches the ankle of the person who will be wearing the costume. Gold fabric can also be purchase to create cuffs for the wrists, around the neckline and headband, but improvisation can also be used. Try cardboard and gold spray paint if the outfit isn't needed for long, or use gold craft foam. Complete the look with pony beads in the hair, sandals and dark black eye liner.

Cowboy

Cowboy costumes can be made several different ways, but the look is still the same. For a quick and inexpensive cowboy costume dress in jeans, a flannel shirt, boots and a cowboy hat. Complete the cowboy look by creating a vest and chaps using brown paper bags. Use scissors to cut fringe into the side of the chaps and vest. Create spurs and a gun holster with cardboard and spray paint for a more dramatic and realistic effect.

References

• Coolest Homemade Pirate Costume
• How to Make a Toga: Ron Turner
• Costume Pop: How to Make a Cleopatra Costume
• Martha Stewart: Cowboy - Easy Costumes Kids Can Make Themselves