The Halloween Toga Costume

Toga costumes are not so obvious a choice for Halloween but for simplicity you can't beat them. Since the days of John Belushi and the Animal House movie, these costumes have become associated with college Toga parties all over the world. But that's no reason not to consider as a viable choice for Halloween - maybe with a few twists.

Forget The Old Sheet Idea

White is the most common color for toga costumes because people commonly throw on an old sheet they have lying around the house. However, sheets aren't the best material to use as their shape is too square. You are better off with a long and narrow strip of fabric. Also, if you don't have old sheets lying around you'll find that it's usually cheaper to buy a piece of cloth from a store than it is to buy a new sheet. So, all in all, buying some cloth from a fabric store is a better option.

Go For A Length Of Fabric

Most instructions for making a toga recommend that you buy between 4 and 6 yards of fabric. Most people find that 4 yards is sufficient but obviously it will depend upon your size and how sure you want to be of covering your bits! Allow for 3 feet of cloth to wrap around your waist. If you're working with a toga that starts from the waist and goes over the shoulder, you'll need to wrap it around one and a half times and then have fabric to spare to throw over your shoulder. A good rule of thumb is to buy about 1 yard of fabric per foot of the wearer's height, taking 6 yards as the maximum.

To make the toga more suitable for Halloween you could choose an orange or black fabric or one of those patterns that comes out specifically at this time of year - a pumpkin or witch design for example.

Assembling Your Halloween Toga Costume

The next consideration for your toga costume is what you are going to wear underneath it. If, anything! Long t-shirts and shorts are usually a good idea, especially if, like me, you live in a colder climate. Also, you'll be free to revel as much as you like without fear of your costume falling off at an inopportune moment.

The Man's Toga Firstly, pin one end of the cloth securely around your waist. Then wrap it round least one more time, leaving the length hanging down to your knees. Pin the toga again at the waistline so that it stays in position. Throw the rest of the fabric over one of your shoulders and, apart from a few accessories, you're ready to go.

Complete your outfit with leather sandals, wrist bands made from cardboard, a corded belt around your waist in which to stash a plastic sword, a shield and a laurel leaf crown also easily made from a piece of cardboard.

The Woman's Toga Creating a toga costume for a woman is similar to that of a man's but begins under the armpits rather than the waist. Start by pinning the material just under the armpits ensuring that the cloth hangs down to the knees. Wrap your fabric around your body again and pin into place making sure the fabric is secure. Drape the remaining cloth over your shoulder and your toga is ready to acessorize.

Take advantage of your feminine shape by using small horizontal bands made from chain, leather or ribbon to accentuate your bust (using a criss-cross) and your waistline. Wear high-heeled shoes if you're comfortable in them.

Whether male or female, adding orange and black touches will ensure your toga costume has a Halloween flavor.

Pauline Travers is a mother of 3 and avid fan of Fancy Dress both for herself and her kids. For more Halloween costume ideas visit her halloween costumes websites where you will also find accessories such as the pneumatic halloween casket, wigs and masks.

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Why Wear A Wig With Your Next Costume?

A good costume wig will complete any costume. They can transform the mundane into something attractive, or, if you wish, they can do just the opposite by making something very ugly that’s normally beautiful. After applying your wig, (which only takes a few seconds), it will draw attention and admirations for the entire evening. Party goers have used wigs for centuries to recreate a certain era, style, or idea, and today they’re as popular as ever. In fact, they’re available in party stores and online super shopping centers—making buying a wig that meets your tastes, needs, and budget easier than ever before.

Wig prices range from almost nothing to hundreds of dollars. The cost variation is due to the fact that costume wigs are made out of a variety of different materials. The cheapest wigs are made out of synthetics that appear to be similar to real hair, but don’t act or feel like the real thing at all. They’ll be good for a couple of parties or so, but after that they’ll be so ragged and disfigured that you’ll have to get a new one. Better wigs are made out of Japanese Kanekalon fiber which is soft and supple and provides a natural look and feel. But the best wigs are, of course, made out of real hair. You’ll pay to wear one of those wigs, but many think it’s worth the cost because it makes their costumes seem very realistic. And if properly cared for, real wigs will last a very long time.

Where is it appropriate to wear a costume wig? Costume wigs are great for Halloween parties, theatrical costumes, dress ups, Mardi Gras, and being fun and crazy on a Friday night. They can even be worn during religious and ceremonial events to attain a traditional look.

What kinds of wigs are available? It depends on where you look. Selections in traditional bricks-and-mortar stores are limited, but it you look online, you’ll find pretty much anything you want. And I mean anything! Afros, witch wigs, mermaid wigs, Elvira wigs, Marie Antoinette wigs, Colonial wigs, and celebrity look-a-like wigs, such as Halle Berry wigs, Ahslee Simpson wigs, Snoop Dog wigs, are all easily accessible on the internet. In addition to wigs, there are costume beards and moustaches for men.

No costume is complete without a quality wig. It will reconfigure you’re hair into something completely crazy, beautiful, classy, or unexpected—it’s your choice.

James Arthurs writes extensively about costumes and party hosting. Read more about costumes at AbbaCostumes.net.

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Halloween Traditions: Should You Choose a Scary Halloween Costume?

Halloween is often one of the favourite times of year for families, children and parents alike. It is an excuse to get dressed up, have fun, and eat candy. If you are going to be around young children (younger than eight) or if you are a parent to a young child, should you be choosing a scary costume?

Tradition

The Halloween tradition is to dress up as ghosts and goblins. This was to frighten the souls that were walking the earth on All Hallows Eve.

American Halloween is now a far cry from that. While there are still some aspects of the old traditions, including pumpkin carving and costume wearing, there is now much less of an emphasis on scariness and much more of an emphasis on candy!

Internationally

Halloween is not celebrated globally. What Hallowe’en is now in America—an excuse to have masquerade parties and get together—would be called a “fancy dress” party in Australia or New Zealand.

England is where the traditions surrounding All Hallow’s Eve began, but they still do not celebrate with the same door-to-door trick-or-treating that North Americans associate with trick-or-treating.

When giving out candy

Children enjoy being scared a little bit, but don’t ever make them feel truly unsafe. It is fine to decorate your house, put on a costume, and even play scary music…but know that if a child is really getting fearful, you need to perhaps take off your mask or turn on a light to help the child be less scared.

When dressing up your child

If your children are too young, they might not want to dress up in scary clothes or be scared. Consider other alternatives for these kids such as ballerinas and princess or cowboys and superheroes. (And remember if your child wants to have a gender bending costume, that is perfectly normal for children and you should support their decision).

Older children might want to dress up in scary costumes. They will also probably want to hear the scary traditions from around the world, or about historical moments (such as witch-burning) that seem particularly gruesome. However, if they want to have a lighter costume, it is also up to them.

When taking your child out trick-or-treating

Never stay too far behind your children, and always let them know that you will be there at all points. Of course, you shouldn’t let your children eat any candy until after you have inspected it (but that’s no reason not to inspect some of the candy while you’re making the rounds!)

Have a fun and safe Halloween, and good luck choosing your costumes!

If you choose to do superhero costumes, get the low-down on how to make or buy the best superhero costumes of all! Visit The Guide to Costumes for more information.

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