Make Waves During Shark Week
Tomorrow, the Discovery Channel hosts its annual aquatic fright-fest, Shark Week. Just when you though it was safe to get back into the water, you’ll get to see footage of these fierce predators of the sea. When you imagine a shark, the great white shark is probably the first fish that comes to mind. However, there are actually 440 species of sharks ranging from the 6.7 inch dwarf laternshark to the 39-foot whale shark. Why not dress up in a shark costume to portray one of these underwater wonders?! Who knows, maybe you’ll get invited to host Shark Week next year.
From the big screen, the most famous shark of all time is Jaws. This great white shark stalked the fictional beaches of Amity Isle and frightened real life swimmers right out of the water! There are hysterical shark costumes that will remind you of the wrath of Jaws including the Halloween costume that features a foam sheath that resembles a shark with the jaws opening up around the mouth – out of this are the swim trunks and legs of a gobbled up surfer!
You can also easily make a shark hat to wear during your marathon shark television watching week. Simply take an old baseball cap and cover with a grey-blue colored craft foam that you’ve cut out to taper into a long shark snout. Use white craft foam that has been cut into a long zig-zagged strip to glue on as the multiple rows of teeth. Glue on big, google eyes and staple right onto your baseball cap for the quickest-ever shark costume.
Shark mascot costumes are another popular option at sporting venues, corporate events, amusement parks and more. Nova Southeastern University has a shark mascot as does Cronulla-Sutherland with Hammerhead and Reefy as mascots. Full-body mascot costumes are typically made of plush fabric that covers the wearer from the top with a ventilated mask to the bottom with coordinating boot covers. With all these great shark costume ideas, there’s no reason not to make “waves” during Shark Week or your next Halloween party.
Anything Goes in Costumes at Anime Expo
Earlier in July, the Los Angeles convention center was host to the 2010 Anime Expo, the largest event of its kind in the United States. Drawing in crowds from around the world, this gathering of industry professionals and fans was all about this very popular Japanese pop art form that is found in television, films, video games, books and more. Organizers of the 4-day convention report that more that 100,000 attendee visits were counted and spectators say they saw nearly as many costumes on display.
A rainbow of wigs and outrageous outfits added color to the exhibit halls as costumed-fans perused merchandise, attended workshops and generally just hung out cosplay-style with each other. If you’re not into manga and anime, you might need to be informed that “cosplay” means “costume-play” in world-wide teenage slang. If you didn’t know better, just glancing around the expo would lead you to believe that you’ve landed on another planet. But attendees report that the Expo is their new reality – so welcome!
One of the most popular events during the Anime Expo is always the Masquerade – although with all the costumes, everyday could be considered a masquerade party day! The Masquerade event is like a huge costume-talent show where individuals or groups get on stage to perform as their favorite anime, manga or Asian-origin video game characters. The anime costumes are judged based on craftsmanship on a three-tier system – novice, intermediate and master! This way, everyone that comes to the masquerade from newbie to seasoned showman all have a chance to win prizes in their category.
Even if you never have a chance to rub shoulders with the most die-hard of anime fans in LA, you can still host your own cosplay event by inviting your buddies over for video games and hanging out. From Naruto and Sailor Moon costumes to the characters from Bleach and Full Metal Alchemist, there should never be a shortage of mens and womens costumes to slip into.
Out-Of-This-World Costumes for the “Rosw-alien” Experience
Looking for a place to land and let your freak flag wave? Try the “Roswell UFO Festival” in New Mexico that happens at the beginning of each July. With the alleged 1947 UFO landing, recovery of alien corpses, and subsequent government cover-up as the impetus, this long-running festival has something for every being, terrestrial or not. From serious-natured symposiums on the existence of life beyond Earth and black-tie galas to a tongue-in-cheek BBQ cook-off where a prize is awarded to the best recipe for “how to cook an alien”, this four-day event is a wonderfully outrageous overload of outer space.
Two of the most popular events are the UFO Festival Parade and the costume contest. This is where you will see some of the most amazing sights and will make you think of the phrase “you’re from another planet” in a whole new way. Prizes are awarded for the scariest costume, TV and movie alien costumes, and most creative costumes. There is even a category for your interplanetary canine friend. These are not your typical Halloween costumes, many are elaborately designed and handmade – you know this must be the banner event of the year for these UFO enthusiasts.
If you are heading to the UFO Festival some time soon, you’ll need to get a head start on your alien costume. In terms of sheer simplicity, just order a tube of green face paint from the costume shop and add a pair of Martian antennae. Or, you can dress as the stereotypical Roswell alien corpse in a white outer space costume with the oval head and dark, sunken and oversized eyes – just don’t pass out, you may end up in some hidden government morgue.
Television and movie aliens abound. Kids will have a blast in a green alien costume from the movie Toy Story – you know, the little green guys piled up in the crane game at the Pizza Planet! Sure to be big at the next Roswell UFO Festival and for Halloween costumes everywhere are the characters from the blockbuster movie, Avatar. These feline-like aliens have blue skin, long tails and hypnotic yellow-green eyes. Other ideas for men’s and womens costumes include any of the non-mortal characters from any of the Star Wars movies, Star Trek movies, or Disney’s Monsters and Aliens.
Love for the Moon Never Waxes and Wanes
What lights up the night sky brighter than any star and evokes a feeling of mystery and romance? The moon! Every year on July 20th, Moon Day is celebrated to commemorate the moment a man first walked on the moon in 1969. Thanks to the Apollo Space program under the Kennedy administration, the first astronauts were sent to take “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Dressing up in an astronaut costume or an outfit that is inspired by the moon makes a fun and fitting way to celebrate mankind’s love for this special satellite of Earth.
Dress up as one of the original Apollo astronaut team, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin Aldrin, Jr. A realistic astronaut costume features a white jumpsuit with moon boots, a completely enclosed helmet, and oxygen tanks hooked up with tubes. Of course, you’ll want to show off your American pride by having patches of the USA and NASA sewn onto the jumpsuit. More modern takes on a NASA costume feature an orange astronaut jumpsuit and you can even find sexy astronaut costumes for more celestial bodies!
Many actors have portrayed astronauts in movies and television, further fueling our interest in this rock that circles the planet. From the early space exploration days with Captain Nelson from “I Dream of Jeannie” to the more current day space stories and real-life astronauts, you are sure to find a fearless hero to portray. Disney fans will love to dress up as a space ranger and fly to “infinity and beyond” as Buzz Lightyear, the endearing character from the three “Toy Story” movies.
Other Halloween costume ideas that can be worn to celebrate Moon Day include Mother Goose’s “Old Man in the Moon” or a great, big moon costume made out of a foam sheath – perfect for a school play. Folks wanting to put an alternative spin on Moon Day can dress up like a werewolf transformed under the full moon, a “moonwalking” pop star, or a moonlight loving witch.
Sorcerer’s Apprentice is Costume Magic
Recently opening in theaters around the country, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a live action, comedy-adventure starring Nicholas Cage in the role of master sorcerer (and student of Merlin), Balthazar Blake. Loosely premised on the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” part of Disney’s animated Fantasia, this film puts a modern-day spell of magic for movie-goer’s to enjoy. If you give a thumbs-up to this film that just debuted last weekend, you may even like dressing up in a Sorcerer’s Apprentice costume this year for Halloween.
Cage’s character, Balthazar Blake, is charged with protecting modern-day Manhattan from the wicked wizard, Maxim Horvath. The despicable Horvath recruits the assistance of an illusionist to help him execute his nefarious plans upon New York City. However, the Sorcerer Blake and his newly-trained apprentice take on the antagonists for a classic and entertaining good versus evil showdown.
Balthazar’s sorcerer costume is more contemporary that the stereotypical image of a magic-making wizard. Wearing black trousers, a dark shirt and a waistcoat (vest) in black with a very fine pin stripe, Balthazar often seen covering up his garb with a long, duster-style trench coat crafted in black leather. In some scenes, Cage’s character is also sporting a fedora hat with his shoulder length, wavy hair – if you don’t have brown hair, wear a wig!
Arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath, also wears a dark costume covered with a black overcoat. The villain is also shown carrying about a walking cane and wears a close-groomed goatee-mustache combo. Dress up as other characters in the movie such as the sorcerer’s apprentice, Dave Stutler, a seemingly average guy wearing a plaid shirt, old jeans and a red zippered hoodie – now that’s a no-brainer, magic costume! For the women, the sorceress costume can be created with a long, gauzy dress and a straight, brunette wig and the apprentice’s love interest, Becky, is an all-American looking blonde.
Or go retro in an old-school Sorcerer’s Apprentice costume. America’s favorite animated rodent, Mickey Mouse played the role of sorcerer’s apprentice in Disney’s Fantasia! and his Mickey Mouse costume features a long red, velvety robe tied with a golden cord, Mickey ears attached to a purple wizard’s hat, white cartoon gloves and a wand.
Create a Bastille Day Uprising With French Costumes
Americans have just finished celebrating their Independence Day, and a mere ten days later it’s time for France to celebrate its liberation. Bastille Day is a summertime celebration that commemorates the end of the constitutional monarchy and beginning of the democratic republic of France. On July, 14th 1789, the French middle and lower-class masses led an uprising of discontent against the government and stormed on the Bastille prison, a symbol of power and corruption across the land. Today, the holiday is known as “Fete de la Federation” in France and is celebrated with parades on the Champs Elysees, festivals of the arts and wild merriment.
Celebrate Bastille Day yourself with a historical reenactment, complete with French costumes inspired by this tumultuous period marked by the “haves” and “have nots.” Women’s French peasant costumes will be made of simple, tattered fabrics such as full skirts and pleated blouses with a white mop cap. A man might wear plain trousers rolled up, a billowy linen shirt and a red sash tied around the waist. Folks often like to dress up as French prisoners in black-and-white prison costumes accented with a red neck scarf, beret, and pencil thin mustache – not exactly the late 1700s look, but funny!
Of course, no Bastille Day celebration would be complete without a King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette costumes. After the ransacking peasants pillaged and burned down their chateaux, the royal couple took refuge at Versailles until they were eventually captured years later and executed by guillotine for treason. Elaborate French costumes made of rich fabrics and embellishments noted in the 18th century make the perfect aristocratic king costumes and queen costumes. A Marie Antoinette costume should be accessorized with a large pompadour wig, elaborate faux jewelry, a folding fan – and a court of ladies in waiting.
Bastille Day parties also feature every other sort of French costume that you could imagine --- anything that conjures up an image of this colorful country. From a sexy French maid costume and an impressionist painter holding a palette of colors to the stereo-typical Frenchie dressed in a beret and signature black-and-white-striped, boatneck shirt popularized by the low-ranking sailors who swabbed the decks centuries ago. Fun French costume ideas for couples include a larger-than-life bottle of wine paired with a big wedge of cheese! Viva la France!
Totally Toy Story 3
You’re never too old to enjoy a good Disney-Pixar movie and Toy Story 3 seems to be one of those rare second sequels that seems to please everyone! Reports are that it is doing great at the box office. Plus, who doesn’t like to start munching on the popcorn early to enjoy the pre-show short film – this time, “Night & Day”, a flick about what happens when these personified opposites meet. Because of the huge popularity of the first two Toy Story movies and related merchandise, it’s a no-brainer to guess that all our favorite characters (and new ones, too) are going to be must-have choices in Halloween costumes this year.
A Buzz Lightyear costume makes an out-of-this world choice for boys of all ages. Poor Buzz, in this installment of the story, he gets re-programmed by the “bad guy” toys and loses all his knowledge that he really is just a toy. You can try to fly to infinity and beyond in a Buzz costume that features a white jumpsuit with boot covers, a space helmet-style hood and foam wings attached to the back.
Woody is the other character that is a rootin’ tootin’ choice in Halloween costumes. What little boy wouldn’t love to dress up as this western hero, in his old-school style cowboy costume that features a blue jean and checked shirt jumpsuit along with a vest and cowboy hat? Girls can dress up as Woody’s counterpart, the sassy cowgirl Jesse in her cute cowpoke costume and braided hair.
Both of these Toy Story costumes are easily found at any costume shop, but if you really want to stand out of the toy box, you could dress up as one of the second-tier toy story characters. Bo Peep wears a sweet long white and pink gown and carries a shepherd’s hook – or there are many ultra sexy womens costumes for grown-up ladies who aren’t afraid to stand out from the flock. They’ll never guess you’re not as cuddly as you look if you suit up in as antagonist, Lots-O-Hugs, the plush, pink with a purple nose and a sweet strawberry scent.
Boot Up Fun on Video Game Day
Playing video games is one of our most popular leisure time activities in America and Video Game Day (always on July 8th) is the perfect excuse to kick back and enjoy your favorite titles. Know you’re in good company playing video games; according the Entertainment Software Association, more than 65-percent of US households play video games in some form or fashion – on a handheld devices, gaming consoles and personal computers. And it’s not just fun limited strictly to the kids – 75-percent of the players are over 18-years old!
Banish an otherwise boring day by dressing up as your favorite video game character and celebrate the fun of gaming. One of the most popular video games of all time is Halo (an all the other sequels in the franchise) and the trademark character, Master Chief. Believe it or not, a video game costume of Master Chief can be bought right of the (cyber) store shelf and will instantly transform a couch potato into a weapon-wielding warrior.
Since 2004, World of Warcraft and its expansion packs have be the world’s most popular massive multi-person online role-playing game where participants get to assume an alter personality and live a virtual life in Azeroth. Make your avatar come to life by dressing up as your chosen self from this make-believe world that is filled with gryphons, dragons, elves, zombies, vampires and alien creatures. From prosthetic pointed ears to armored clothing, you can find everything you need to complete your World of Warcraft outfit from a costume shop.
A family-friendly game for 2010 is Super Mario Galaxy, proof that you just can’t go wrong with the newest version of this long-time favorite. Dress up in a Mario costume with blue overalls, a red cap, and a big thick mustache – don’t forget the white oversize, cartoon-style gloves. Have a friend dress up as Yoshi, Mario’s dinosaur buddy by making a costume out of an oversized green hooded sweat shirt and pants.
After July’s Video Day has come and gone, there are still plenty of opportunities to wear these fun costumes again. A comic book or gamer’s convention would be the perfect venue to show off your transformation from mere mortal to superhuman video game character. Wear your video game costume once again on “National” Video Game Day which is September 12th of each year (a holiday so worthwhile, it gets 2 nods a year) and then recycle again as an awesome choice in Halloween costumes.
Hot Dog Days Of Summer
Tune into ESPN today at noon EST for Nathan’s International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest, a jaw-dropping display of competitive eating that will make you grab your stomach in sympathy. Held at the Nathan’s Famous Coney Island location in Brooklyn, New York, this venerable chow-down has been going on since 1916 according to legend and boasts 30,000 in live spectators as well as another 1.5 million watching on television.
The event is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, a very real organization that makes sure contestants follow the rules and keep the food down during the 10-minute event. In 2009, winner Joey Chestnut polished off 68 hot dogs and buns to beat out six-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi. Winner of this colorful tradition takes home bragging rights, the coveted Nathan’s Mustard Belt, monetary prizes donated by sponsors – and a couple of cases of Nathan’s hot dogs to take home (ugh)!
Really, July is all about the hot dog. In addition to the contest at Nathan’s, the entire month of July is dedicated as National Hot Dog Month. This is your time to enjoy every type of hot dog you can sink your teeth into from chili cheese dogs to campfire roasted weenies – even a tofu dog will do! Head over to your favorite fast food joint, the county fair or any amusement park snack stand and you’ll probably find some guy dressed up in a larger-than-life hot dog costume. Get into the spirit yourself with one of these hot dog costumes that feature a bun, frankfurter and drizzle of faux mustard right down the front. Sized to fit adults through babies, these food costumes are symbolic of fun summer times.
Uncle Sam Wants You
That finger-pointing Uncle Sam, what does he want now? More taxes, more protesting more problems -- not at all. How about just dressing up as this long-standing personification of the good, ole U.S.A. and heading down to the neighborhood parade to show that being a citizen of this country is still a pretty good thing! Join the kids on their red-white-and-blue covered wagons, bikes and trikes and march like you mean it, God bless the USA!
The origin of Uncle Sam dates back to 1812 when army provisions purchased by government contractor, Elbert Anderson, were under inspection by a Samuel Wilson, a man workmen referred to as “Uncle Sam”. The provision packages were marked with E.A. – U.S. to connote the recipient’s initials and the destination. However, a nearby observer jokingly remarked the U.S. stood for Uncle Sam and ever since, the appellation has stuck as a nickname for the American government.
Uncle Sam has been popular in political cartoons and Army recruitment posters over the years. And, actually, the appearance of the fictional Uncle Sam is said to more-than-somewhat resemble the real-life Samuel Wilson. To dress in an Uncle Sam costume, you’ll need to don a wig, goatee and sideburns all in white to resemble an older gentleman from centuries ago. A top hat decked out in stars and stripes and clothing that resembles the major design elements of the United States of America Flag are also a must.
Sometimes you’ll see an Uncle Sam costume with bright red-and-white striped pants and a bright blue waistcoat in a modern-day interpretation. It also seems that every parade has an Uncle Sam on stilts and this is when you’ll need to order an extra, extra long pair of pants for your Uncle Sam July 4th costume! And, not to leave the ladies out, there are also sexy “Aunt Samantha” womens costumes that feature short, sassy skirts and fitted corsets for a feminine twist on this well-known national symbol.
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