Sometimes shoes can make the outfit. (Available here.)
Luckily in this underground scene, you don’t have to wait for a themed event to dress up. You can dress up in whatever you want at any time. As non-conformists, it would be hypocritical to judge people for not dressing like everyone else at the club. However, it is always appreciated when you do take the time and make the effort to create a unique outfit. You’ll often find that when you do dress up, you'll have your picture taken by photographers and get thanked by the host. In addition, many events offer incentives for dressing up such as discounted cover and cash prizes and costume contests.
If you don’t have a costume to dress up for a themed event, create something! You’d be surprised what a few small touches like accessories or make-up can do to a regular club outfit. Here are my tips:
1. Go shopping the day after Halloween to pick up great items 50% off. Go everywhere from costume and seasonal Halloween stores to mass retailers like Target and Wal-mart.
2. Bookmark costume sites like BuyCostumes.com. Their peak selling times are the months leading up to Halloween, but they have great sales year round, so stock up during off-peak times.
3. Don’t worry about finding entire outfits. Pick up accessories and pieces here and there: hats, goggles, masks, wigs, special fx make-up, etc. You never know when you’ll be able to use them. And remember that even shoes can make a statement. Many sites, like this one, sell costume footwear year round, for that exotic dancer in all of us.
4. Shop at party stores like Party City. They will often carry items year round for themed birthday parties, albeit most of them are children’s items.
5. Always keep an open mind. You might find a great basic piece at store like Old Navy, like a pleated skirt for a military theme, or a striped shirt for a pirate theme.
6. This probably goes without saying, but Hot Topic always carries dramatic pieces for your wardrobe. Subscribe to their mailing list to get updates about clearance sales.
7. Bargain shop! Authentic and replica uniforms and many other items can be found on eBay. You can also get lucky at thrift stores and the Salvation Army. If you're dressing for a horror theme, you definitely want to pick up your clothes at a thrit store, where you won't mind if your clothes get covered in fake blood!
8. Get in touch with your friends ahead of time. They might have something you can borrow. Even if it is just an accessory like a collar, that one extra touch can really help your outfit.
9. Group costumes always get a lot of attention. Coordinate with your friends to see how they are dressing. If you all complement each other, it will be obvious you are dressing up for a theme.
10. Finally, act the part. It doesn't matter if you have the best costume in the club or just a few accent pieces, if you have confidence in yourself, you will look great!
Now that you know how to dress up for themed events, read my blog on the "What are the Top 10 underground club event themes?" to know what kinds of costumes you should start building in your wardrobe!
Comments
So this hot babe shows up at a medical fetish party without anything medical - She's dressed as a scary Halloween skeleton - Is that allowed? When I ask her, she says she doesn't have anything medical. That can't be, right? Maybe you could give her some advise ?
That Guy--
I talked to her. She said that she was supposed to be a classroom skeleton or a dead body or something like that. She also told me that her dog had been really sick in the upcoming weeks and she found out she had to put him down because of cancer. It was really sad. So she didn't have the time or energy to worry about a costume.
I think she did okay considering the circumstances. And I think she might have been following rule #10! Great mask she was wearing too! ;)
It was a very cool mask
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