The fearmongers love Halloween. The 1988 headline: Beware of razor blades in candy bars! In 2009: Excess candy consumption leads to a life of crime!
But what scares you every year is putting together an ensemble that will knock ’em dead.
We asked Where the Wild Things Are costume designer Casey Storm for tips on building a homemade costume box you can use year-round. So you’ll never have to be frightened again.
Get in Character
Don’t limit creativity. If they can imagine a character, it can be part of their repertoire. Begin with the basics — a monster, pirate, princess, scary animal, superhero — to build your costume confidence.
Make It a Family Affair
Boots from your closet work for pirates and superheroes (ditto old tights). Grandma’s fuzzy sweaters make an animal’s furry coat. Grandpa’s outdated specs with popped-out lenses say secret agent, Einstein, or Harry Potter. A vest from a three-piece suit is perfect for a cowboy, cowgirl, or genie. And load up on everyone’s hats. Because hats are cool.
Be Thrifty
Make it a date and hit garage sales with your wee ones for vintage fabrics and jewelry. Things that sparkle turn ordinary items (tees, pants, dresses) into something special.
Stay Close to Home
Old towels and bath sheets can be transformed into capes and cut into strips for armbands and headbands.
And remember, stuffed animals make the best sidekicks.
Where the Wild Things Are opens tomorrow. To find a theater near you, go to fandango.com.
25% off Lil’ Swanky
Get big savings on clothing for lil’ swankies — Lola & James, Kingsley, Little Ella, Okkies, Splendid Littles, and more. Enter code Dckids25; valid thru Oct. 29.
We’ve Got a Case of the Whyzz.com
Kid-friendly explanations to pressing questions, from “Why is grass green?” to “How come I can’t play with my food?” Plus, activities and experiments to reinforce the answers with more than “because I said so.”
Totsy.com Launches
You’re invited to the latest private sale site for kids and moms, where you’ll get 40-70 percent off lines like Kettler, My Vintage Baby, and Twirls & Twigs. Just click the I Have an Invitation Code button, enter DailyCandy in the code field, and fill out your info.
Photos: Matt Nettheim / Courtesy of Where the Wild Things Are; Courtesy of Lil’ Swanky; Courtesy of Whyzz.com; Courtesy of Totsy.com