I’m a last-minute person.
The person who is frantically Googling a recipe 30 minutes before dinnertime. For those of you who are still undecided about how to dress for your friend’s Halloween party next week, have I got a post for you!
We’re all Britophiles here, so naturally we want a Brit-tastic costume for Halloween. With so many options—most either cheesy or hackneyed—it’s important to put your creativity to work. Here are some tips for pulling off a really wonderful costume:
1. Pick obscure historical figures
We’ve all seen Royal Family Halloween costumes (some more horrific than others), but when was the last time you saw Sir Isaac Newton show up to a party? William Wilberforce? Emmeline Pankhurst? Don’t go for low-hanging fruit. Look up the list of the 100 Greatest Britons and get inspired.
Boudicca Costume: a voluminous bedsheet + red dressing gown + colored rope + Roman soldier’s helmet
Isambard Brunel Costume: frock coat + waistcoat + striped trousers + white stock with black over-bow + sexy top hat
Dress as a fictional character
Whether you are Jane Eyre or Aragorn, you’re going to make a splash when you arrive dressed as a British literary character. Once again, be original! Research popular British literature and make those character sketches from high school English come alive. Some costumes are easier to create than others, but it’s worth some effort if they’re going to be really impressive.
Sherlock Holmes Costume: waistcoat + cape + overcoat + deerstalker + pipe and/or magnifying glass
Harry Potter (and company) Costume: gray jumper + starched white shirt + red and yellow striped tie + black robes emblazoned with the Gryffindor crest + round spectacles
Come with a Pet Sidekick
Who doesn’t love a furry animal dressed in clothes? Create something unique for your dog or cat (or hamster or parrot, if available), and everyone will notice when you walk through the door.
Maybe you need a Union Jack padded jacket, or houndstooth patterned suit (complete with bowtie).
Explore traditional British garb
Dress as your favorite singer
Show your love of the BBC
We all know that British television is the best. Full stop. No question. So why not dress as someone from your favorite show? Fawlty Towers, The Office, EastEnders, Monty Python—they’re all fair game.
My brother pulled off a pretty epic Eleventh Doctor for a reasonable price, and I wore a dress that my Mom made, inspired by the costumes from the Pride and Prejudice miniseries.
Doctor Who (Matt Smith) Costume: floppy hair + bowtie + tweed sports jacket + suspenders + sonic screwdriver + optional fez and/or cowboy hat
Regency Costume (ladies): dress pattern with an empire waist, low neckline, and slightly puffing sleeves + long gloves + curled hair + simple cross or pearl necklace
Come as an inanimate object or place
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