If you haven’t come up with a costume idea by now, you may as well pack it in for this Halloween season, right? Come on, your mama didn’t raise any quitters! There’s still time to be the hit of the masquerade. Dig these handy tips for the sartorially stumped, plus a few suggestions for getting the gear.
Girls gone wild
Everybody loves a bad girl, especially at a party. Like anything, badness comes in different degrees. You can throw on a teeny-tiny party dress, Photoshop a few traffic tickets and leave the undies at home for an interchangeable Lindsay/Britney/Paris ensemble. Too classy for that? Grab a stylish cocktail dress and borrow a baby or two and you’re working the Angelina tip. Or step it up another notch by ordering a tailored pantsuit and making your significant other hide in the shadows — hello, Hillary!
Pop culture
When the chips are down, an instantly recognizable pop culture reference is sure to get you props from the masses. The boys of “Superbad,” for instance, couldn’t be more costume-ready, from Jonah Hill’s mushroom cloud of curls (below) to the infamous McLovin vest. If you prefer the comedy canon, Homer and Marge Simpson are back as the go-to costume concept for double daters, thanks to their summer blockbuster. And those with a mean streak can always pull on a Bears jersey and affix a hunk of pine to their backsides for an uncanny Rex Grossman ensemble.
Concept costumes
Conceptual costumes rock, if you don’t mind answering the question, “So … what are you supposed to be?” With a simple tagboard frame, some scribbled control buttons and a few achingly mundane rants about your personal life, you’re an instant YouTube celebrity, a la Chris Crocker (below). Or douse yourself in silver paint, slap some orange streamers on your head and give Chicagoans a flutter of hope as the elusive Olympic torch. For the ultimate in obtuseness, don an attractive suit and some concealed water pistols, then soak your friends when their guards are down. Who are you? Why, the sub-prime mortgage rate, of course!
Girls gone wild
All of these ladies have a classic style of sorts, so turn to Broadway Costumes (1100 W. Cermak Rd. 312-829-6400), with a 90-year history of decking out well-heeled maskers.
Pop Culture
There’s a reason Fantasy Costumes (4065 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-777-0222) is a Halloween juggernaut. It’s near impossible to browse the store’s massive stock and not come away with a dozen ideas.
Concept costumes
If you can fight through the swell of last minute DePaul shoppers, Chicago Costume (1120 W. Fullerton Ave. 773-528-1264) can get you all made up in no time flat.
Girls gone wild
For sheer selection, it’s tough to beat the venerable Brown Elephant (5404 N. Clark St. 773-271-9382, and other locations). Plus, a portion of proceeds go to HIV research — a very celeb-worthy cause.
Pop Culture
The perfect melding of kitsch and thrift, Land of the Lost (614 W. Belmont Ave. 773-529-4966) runs the gamut from classic disco duds to retro T-shirts to hard-to-find jock jerseys.
Concept costumes
Less picked-over than many of its peers, Bridgeport’s Unique Thrift (3000 S. Halsted St. 312-842-0942) boasts a big selection and rock-bottom prices, even by thrift store standards.
Girls gone wild
From Angie to Britney, babies are this season’s hot new celebrity carry-on. Accessorize your accessory with some hip infant gear from Shorty’s (1410 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-252-4012).
Pop Culture
American Science & Surplus (5316 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-763-0313) is Chicago’s alpha and omega of obscure gadgetry, perfect for cobbling together some last-minute costume accessories.
Concept costumes
For crafty costume-makers, Brudno Art Supply (29 E. Balbo Ave. 312-294-4100, and other locations) provides a wide range of glues and glitters that put commercial costumes to shame.
