Freddy Krueger — He’s Back!
Ready to reboot the slasher franchise, a remake of Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street was released on April 30, 2010 to fans of the horror film genre. The plot, basically the same as the 1984 original, revolves around a group of teenagers that are being stalked by the serial-killer villain, Freddy Krueger. Disfigured heinously be a fire as the result of his evil crimes, this burned bad guy hunts down the kids from the community that spurned him by getting into their dreams. Since horror costumes are always a hit at Halloween, Freddy Krueger costumes are sure to make the proverbial killing this upcoming season.
Halloween costumes based on this villain from Nightmare on Elm Street have been popular for the last 25+ years and are available in styles to fit men, women, teens and children. Freddy Krueger has a horrifyingly memorable look, from the red-and-green striped sweater to his signature fedora, but perhaps the most memorable parts of the Freddy costume are his hideous face and gloves.
Jackie Earle Haley, the actor that plays Freddy Krueger in the remake, underwent quite a bit of time in the makeup chair each day preparing for his role – up to 4 hours a day. Wearing encumbering prosthetics designed to look like a real burn victim, CGI technology was also used post-filming to create some of the more awful special effects such as the open wound on his face. In conjunction with the makeup and computer effects, contact lenses designed to look cloudy and bloody were also worn and gave him partial blindness (for the film only, of course).
Folks who want to dress as Freddy Krueger for Halloween, of course can’t typically retain their own expensive Hollywood makeup artists and computer whizes. But, never fear (or do fear), because most Freddy costumes come with a latex mask that depicts all his gruesome glory. Instead of a costume mask, face paints and special wound kits can be used to recreate the look of burns.
In addition to his burned face, Freddy Krueger also suffered burns along his hands while being set on fire by an angry mob. To carry out his evil intentions, a pair of clawed gloves is always worn over his nubby fingers. Every Freddy Krueger Halloween costume must have the signature gloves to complete the look. Some Freddy costumes come with basic plastic gloves, but fans who want to get the “sharp” look can purchase replica Freddy Krueger gloves made of leather and metal, much more like the real weapons this evil guy wore on his hands.
Star Trek Fans Set Records in Costume
On May 1, 2010, more that 250 Star Trek fans showed up at a sci-fi convention in Tampa, Florida dressed in up in authentic costumes, shattering the recently set Guinness Book world record of 90 set mere months ago in London. These self-proclaimed geeks and Trekkies were wearing a range of Starfleet uniforms, with green face paint for the aliens, and Cornish pasties stuck on their foreheads to represent the Klingons.
Wearing a Star Trek costume isn’t strictly limited to breaking word records, of course. Give in to the desire to suit up as your favorite character from this wildly popular sci-fi franchise – you know resistance is futile! Dressing up in Star Trek costumes is an obvious choice for science fiction conventions, other conventions such as Comic-Con as well as Halloween and cosplay events. Everyone will look out of this word and feel out of this world in a genuine-looking Trekkie costume.
Old school fans of this 44 year-old franchise may enjoy dressing up as Captain James T. Kirk and anyone from the crew of the Federation Starship Enterprise. Kirk, played by William Shatner, was known for his mustard-yellow shirt with a black crewneck. The other signature character for the original series, Spock played by Leonard Nemoy, and was most usually noted for his bright blue uniform and sever black hairstyle and eyebrows. Montgomery Scott, known as “Scottie”, was the Scottish engineer who wore a similar Star Trek costume except with a v-neck red shirt.
There are also plenty of Star Trek costumes for women, the costume for Uhura is a good choice as she was a main character in the original series and many of the following Star Trek films. As the communications officer on the Enterprise, the character of Uhura was quite groundbreaking because not only was she female, but she was also African-American. Typically, Uhura is shown wearing a Star Trek costume styled as a mini-dress in red and black with the signature Star Trek command badge on the chest. Other costume ideas for this Uhura costume include a pair of tall black go-go boots
Action Packed Costumes for Gamers
Apparently, playing video games is the new national past-time! According to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), more than 65% of American households play computer or video games and in total spend more than 9 billion dollars on games, a three-fold increase since 1996. Everyone loves to play video games, not just the kids; EAS reports that the average game player is 35 years old and has been playing for 13 years. And, not all fit the male “gamer” image – 40% are women.
When Halloween or a video game convention rolls around, gamers always seem to want to dress up as one of their favorite characters. Spending so many hours playing video games, it’s no wonder why they are influenced! While some people might frown on the influence and even put limits on “screen time”, 63% of parents believe that video games have a positive impact on their children according to EAS. So, go ahead and dress up in a video game costume and enjoy all the fantasy and fun.
A top choice in video game costumes are the characters from Mario Brother’s franchise, especially Mario and Luigi. Suiting up in a Mario costume or a Luigi costume is a “rated everyone” choice that is suitable for the entire family. Get into character the easy way by purchasing a pre-packaged Halloween costume or come up with a homemade version accented by great costume accessories. Mario wears blue overalls with a long-sleeved red shirt and “M” cap and Luigi also wears blue overalls but with a green shirt and “L” cap. Oversized, white cartoon gloves and a faux mustache complete the look.
Another good costume idea for video game events, especially for teens and adults, is to dress up as a character from any of the Halo Games, especially the Master Chief. Originally a DC Comic superhero, this video game character creates a fierce façade for any gaming spree. A replica Master Chief Halloween costume features a fully padded body with body amour and helmet. Because Master Chief is known as a weapon expert, include some intimidating faux weapons with your Halo costume such as rifles, flame throwers, rocket launders and more.
Serve Up Style on National Waiter and Waitress Day
Those not in the service industry don’t realize what a tough job it is to be on the wait staff at a restaurant or bar. Long hours on your feet and little pay, except for tips earned, make this vocation one that can eat up the weak and wimpy. Thanks to National Waiters and Waitresses Day, held every May 21st, patrons every type of dining and drinking establishment have an opportunity to recognize the work these servers do day in and day out.
It is standard protocol to leave a tip of 15% for service in a restaurant and preferably 18 – 20% or more if the service was better than norm. Some people don’t bother paying the tip which is unconscionable considering that wait staff doesn’t even make minimum wage. On National Waiters and Waitresses Day, it would be a nice gesture to leave your server a little something extra along with a smile – something they don’t get often enough.
Here’s another tip; a fun way to celebrate this day of “dishing it up” is to dress up in a waiter or waitress costumes. Dress up in a waitress or waiter costume and “serve” dinner in your own home, imagine the surprise of your family when they order from printed up menus and are tended to with your impeccable manners and service. Hopefully, they’ll turn the tables and do if for you next year.
Waiter costumes run the gamut from casual to formal. The most stereotypical waiter costume consists of a starched white dress shirt, black pants, a black bow tie and a white half-apron tied at the waist. A little, pencil-thin mustache and haughty attitude would add a dose of humor to any event. In October, scary Halloween costumes premised on waiters are popular including a men’s waiter costume that features a head on a platter!
Costume ideas for waitress costumes range from kitschy, retro-diner inspired costumes. Inspired by the character Flo on the 70s television show “Alice”, a diner costume features a uniform-looking, collared dress with an apron. Wear sensible shoes, a huge bouffant wig and smack on gum! Don’t forget to bring along a little notebook for taking orders and stash the pencil behind your ear. You could also don roller skates and be a car hop waitress. Another popular womens costume is to dress as a barista in a coffee shop. Fashioned after the apron-look of employees at the most ubiquitous coffee shop in the country, this barista costume puts a sexy spin on selling coffee!
Anything Goes at Bay to Breakers
The Bay to Breakers 12K race is billed as a celebration of San Francisco’s spirit. While Boston is revered for its famed marathon, New Orleans is always party ready with Mardi Gras and Pamplona is known for the running of the bulls, San Francisco has its own unique event that is known around the world. This 99 year-old road race was named after the original 7.2 mile course that takes runners from the northeast “bay” area of downtown to the “breakers” of ocean beach.
Each year, this running event draws more than 65,000 participants from the area and all over the country, plus another 100,000 spectators. From elite runners to joggers and walkers to those who consider the event a good excuse to dress up costume, this is one very memorable event. In fact a good deal of the masses show up wearing all types of crazy outfits that would put most folks best Halloween costumes to shame.
The event draws some of the biggest running names to race the challenging and beautiful course to world-class finish times. But more spectacular than the competition is seeing the costumes and “lack of” costumes run by. Yes, not only do runners don all sorts of unusual costume ideas for the run, but some also run in the nude! Yes, this is one of the only major road races that turns the proverbial cheek to jogging along naked.
From body painted runners to those literally only wearing running shoes, there is plenty of skin on display at this race. For runners that like to cover up a bit more, there are plenty of guys wearing tutus or superhero capes and women dressed up in all types of silly or sexy costumes. Teams of friends and family often show up in coordinating costumes such as the cast of characters from a popular movie or television show. Really anything goes for costume ideas!
Military Costumes for Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day occurs each and every year on the third Saturday of May (Tomorrow, May 15th this year). This national day of honor was created to salute the loyalty and hard work of American troops in every branch of the military – Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. Up until 1949, each branch of the armed forces had their own day of celebration. Unifying these days of tribute into one event, Armed Forces Day was proclaimed to be a national day by President Harry Truman on February 20, 1950
Fighting for our personal freedoms, members of the United States Armed Forces train hard, work hard and often place themselves in grave danger for the benefit of the greater good. America’s military is one of the largest around in terms of manpower, second only to China, with nearly 1, 473,900 active personnel and 1,458,500 reserve personnel. For most of the history of the armed forces, employment has been voluntary although “drafts” have been implemented in various times of war and peace. The US military is a leading force of might and strength around the world with large amounts of high-tech, powerful equipment to provide marked capabilities in defense and creating an image of power.
Wearing military uniforms is a mandatory requirement to being part of the proverbial team; the styles of uniforms vary from branch to branch and have evolved markedly over time. While official rank and number are required to wear a real military uniform, there are many options in navy, marine, air force and army costumes for even the most ardent of military fans. Wearers of military costumes will command lots of attention dressed up in the replica gear and garments of their idolized men and women in uniform. Some military costumes look realistic down to the last brass button while others are strictly for fun, like the super sexy women’s costumes from the various armed force branches.
Rightfully portrayed as heroes, it’s no wonder that fictional military characters abound in popular culture. From the blazing guns and muscles of big screen, little screen and comic book GI Joe to the Air Force Academy “Top Gun” played by actor Tom Cruise, there are many popular pretend armed forces costumes and costume ideas to choose from. Of course, every army costume, navy costume, marine costume, and air force costume needs costume accessories such as pretend grenades, aviator glasses, army boots, toy machine guns and more!
International Nurses Week: Florence Nightingale Costumes
Nurses care for patients and provide support for families; now it’s time to turn the tables and show nurses just how appreciated they are during International Nurses Week beginning on or around May 12th of each year. Nurses make significant contributions to the quality and delivery of healthcare for all types of people, all over the world. From newborn babies to the elderly in their last breaths of life, nurses provide comfort, care and enhance well-being in hospitals, doctor’s offices, schools and even making house calls to the patient’s home.
International Nursing Week is celebrated each year around the week of Florence Nightingales’ birth, May 12th, 1820.Florence Nightingale’s experiences providing care to casualties the mid-19th century Crimean War helped to more formally define the profession of nursing and her concepts were implemented in nursing schools in the following decades. Also known as “Lady with the Lamp” for her practice of making rounds to check on the wounded solders at night, the inspiring and compassionate spirit of Florence Nightingale lives on as role model for today’s nurses.
Dressing up in a women’s costume of this famous historical figure is a great way to pay tribute to her legacy during International Nurses Week. There are other days on the calendar when you can wear a Florence Nightingale nurse costume such as when speaking at educational events, in acting in school theater productions, role-playing at historical reenactments and even as a do-good choice in Halloween costumes.
Because the role of a nurse was not clearly defined during Nightingale’s early days of nursing, basic m id-1800s women’s clothing would be appropriate attire. While Nightingale objected to photographs and portraits of herself; however there are a few rare images of this nurse wearing a long, full black skirt and fitted, long sleeved bodice that buttoned up the front. A crochet lace color and coordinating hair accessory adorned her simple look and a white apron and simple medical tools were probably carried about.
Later in the Victorian era, female nurses were shown wearing more defined nurse costumes that were styled in fashions of the turn-off-the-century. Now, white was the standard color for nursing costumes and ladies donned long white skirts and with leg-of-mutton sleeves and either a pinafore or apron worn over the ensemble. On the arm, apron or pinafore a red cross was often appliquéd to signify the wearer’s role as a medical care provider. Atop pulled back hair, add a little white hat or a floppy, cotton mob cap to finish up your old-fashioned nurse womens costume.
Spidey Saves the Day
Holy Halloween costumes, Batman! A Bangkok, Thailand fireman recently came to the rescue of an eight-year-old boy dressed in his trusty superhero costume. Inflicted with autism, the young boy climbed out onto a three-story window ledge after being unsettled in the first day of his special needs school. Crying and visibly upset, teachers tried to unsuccessfully coax the child to come back in; however, the fire station ultimately had to be called.
When the firemen arrived on the scene, they were gearing up to save the child with their traditional methods including air cushions and safety harnesses. But, an off-the-cuff comment about comic books by the child’s mother made rescuer, Somchai Yoosabai, think of a better plan – a plan that any little boy would love. Yoosabai ran faster than a speeding bullet back the fire station and grabbed is Spiderman costume out of his locker. Arriving back at the unfolding situation, now dressed as a beloved superhero, the ingenious firefighter climbed out onto the ledge himself. With a happy ending, the awe-struck kid willingly walked back along the ledge and into the waiting safe arms of his rescuer.
A great story, but everyone always asks why the firefighter had a Spiderman costume stowed away at work. Apparently he likes to wear the Halloween costume to liven up fire drills during his many fire-safety visits to schools. When entertaining and educating the kids in his Spiderman costume, Yoosabai also liked to wear a costume of Japanese television character, Ultraman. Who knew that a comic-book inspired outfits could save a real life by building a bond of trust and safety?!
If you work with children, consider picking out a Superhero costume that suits your own personality or alter ego. We know that superheroes make some of the best Halloween costumes, but wearing a superhero costume is also a great way to make children feel more safe and relaxed in uncomfortable situations, not just when hanging out on a ledge. Just make sure that you pick a “good-guy” superhero that isn’t scary at all, you’d hate for your selection to backfire and make a little one scared or upset. Batman, Robin, Spiderman, Captain America and Wonder Woman all make perfect save-the-day selections for almost any occasion.
How to Dress for National Hamburger Month
The entire month of May is devoted to one of America’s favorite foods, the hamburger. National Hamburger Month is truly a celebration that will get you salivating just thinking about all the possibilities of burger sampling for the next 31 days. Hit the ground running and order them anyway you like, with cheese, mustard, ketchup, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, onion or what ever else you please.
The Mongols of the 12th century would never have dreamed their little trick of taking meat patties on-the-go to eat for dinner later would become a billion-dollar industry. And, according to the beef industry, ground beef is the number one type of beef sold to consumers at grocery stores making up 60% of beef purchases. Having cook-outs where the grill is heated up and burgers sizzle like a gastronomic symphony is a summer-time right of passage. Think of how much more fun a backyard barbeque could be when you’re dressed up as the main course -- a hamburger.
You’ll be a walking billboard for burgers dressed in a hamburger costume. It’s hard to imagine that you could even purchase a hamburger Halloween costume, but they are actually quite popular in carnivorous crowds. One popular and easy to wear hamburger costume is designed as a foam sheath that you simply pull on over your everyday clothes. Of course, the front and back are cleverly designed to look just like a beef patty sandwiched between two sesame seed buns and loaded with all the toppings.
If you aren’t willing to commit to the full-order hamburger costume, there are other costume ideas that will give just a small taste of America’s favorite food. A hamburger hat is a fun costume accessory that serves up a side of silly humor. Made from felt and foam to resemble the real deal, this too-funny topper is a real treat. For the corporate carnivores, a hamburger tie makes a tasteful addition to any business outfit and will conveniently sop up the burger grease dripping off your chin. The perfect complement to your National Hamburger Day attire, for both burger fans and burger joint managers alike.
My Oh My! Cinco De Mayo Costumes
Cinco de Mayo is a celebration that has become increasingly popular north of the border in the last decades. Spanish for “Fifth of May”, the day honors a Mexican victory over the French that happened way back in 1862. Mexico doesn’t place a great emphasis on this “optional” holiday except in the region of Puebla. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a holiday commemorating Mexico’s independence – that actually occurs on September 16th and is considered by citizens and the government the most important patriotic day in Mexico.
Across the United States, especially in the Southwestern states where there are larger populations of Mexican immigrants, cities will hold special Cinco de Mayo celebrations akin to the festivities of St. Patrick’s Day. In reality, the holiday has transformed from a day honoring a war battle into an overarching recognition of Mexican culture, food, music and other customs. From guacamole and margaritas to brightly colored cut-out banners and piñatas, Cinco de May celebrations can involve everyone from adults to children.
Dressing up in a Cinco de Mayo costume will add a little “ole” to your day! Mexican costuming and national dress has evolved over time. During the Mayan era, women wore a simple blouse called a huipil that was basically a square with a hole in the center for the head and stitched up the sides with room left open for armholes. A colorful skirt would be paired with the blouse and a tzute (a long piece of fabric that could be tied as a shawl, cape or hat) would add practicality and a splash of color. Most all women’s costumes were elaborately embroidered with in significantly important designs. Depending on their social status, Mayan era men would wear loincloths or more European influenced clothing along with a tzute and a hat made of simple straw or one ornately decked out in ribbons and pompoms.
As Spanish colonizers moved into Mexico, their influence over clothing created what many now to stereotype as Mexican clothing. Popular as casual, bohemian dress today, the “Mexican Dress” featured a loose, simple shift opening with a square neck and lots of bright embroidery. The Folklorica Mexican costume was also launched from these historic times. Often worn by traditional Mexican dancers, Folklorica Mexican womens costumes are extremely colorful, multi-tiered skirts trimmed in colorful contrasting ribbons. The hair would be worn in pinned up braids and adorned with colorful flowers. The most famous part of Folklorica costumes for men is the sombrero. This wide-brimmed hat was traditionally made of plain straw and provided lots of shade for outdoor work. However, sombreros made for performance dancing are much more elaborate and may be made in bright felt with gold trimmings. The remainder of the Folklorica men’s costume features black pants lined up and down the leg with gold trim, an embellished bolero jacket and a sash tied around the waist.
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