Give a short, descriptive title like jingoistic trope October 30, 2017 6:41 PM Subscribe
This Halloween, if you could dress as anything or anybody from a story or painting, what would that be.
Or tell us your plans or costume.
Happy Halloween MeFi.
Or tell us your plans or costume.
Happy Halloween MeFi.
I want to dress as a cat wedged in a scanner. I have no idea how I'd do it, or why.
posted by jozxyqk at 7:06 PM on October 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by jozxyqk at 7:06 PM on October 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
Thanks clavdivs. Glad some traditions are still alive!
posted by latkes at 7:23 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by latkes at 7:23 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
I’d dress as the iconic painting “The Persistence of Time.” You know, the one with the guy screaming on the bridge. It’s a Picasso.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 7:50 PM on October 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by Barack Spinoza at 7:50 PM on October 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
I will be nothing this year, but my latest idea is to be Carl Spackler in Pool Sterilizer mode, handing out Baby Ruths.
posted by rhizome at 8:00 PM on October 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 8:00 PM on October 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Something from The Garden of Earthly Delights, like bird-pope with cauldron on head eating naked man who has smaller birds flying out of his ass. Wish I’d thought of that sooner, maybe next year.
posted by rodlymight at 8:08 PM on October 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by rodlymight at 8:08 PM on October 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
I would like to go as a contorted shadow, or the shadow of a crow.
posted by Oyéah at 8:19 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Oyéah at 8:19 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
I have a date tomorrow night. I am so clueless, she asked if we were dressing up, and I replied, "No, it is a casual restaurant." I guess then I am dressing up as a clueless old man, but if I were to dress up, it would be as Edwin Lefevre. Or maybe Jesse Livermore.
posted by AugustWest at 8:27 PM on October 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by AugustWest at 8:27 PM on October 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
Marcia Overstrand, ExtraOrdinary Wizard. If anyone ever sees purple python skin boots that look wizardly, drop me a MeMail—they’re a necessity for the costume.
posted by epj at 8:29 PM on October 30, 2017
posted by epj at 8:29 PM on October 30, 2017
On Saturday morning my three-year-old got to try on the Batman costume he’s been dying to wear and we went outside so he could ride his push scooter around town and “fly,” i.e. make the cape flutter grandly behind him. I’m skateboarding with him down the sidewalk, because there is no way I can keep up with him on foot, when we pass a gentleman who calls out, “It’s Batman... and his very big sidekick.” It’s not much of a costume but I’ll take it.
posted by not_the_water at 9:16 PM on October 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by not_the_water at 9:16 PM on October 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
Presidential stroke
posted by mr_roboto at 9:50 PM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by mr_roboto at 9:50 PM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
どうもありがとう
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:12 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:12 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
You’re welcome
posted by mr_roboto at 10:16 PM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by mr_roboto at 10:16 PM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Flying Head from Zardoz
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 10:44 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 10:44 PM on October 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Truth Coming Out of Her Well To Shame Mankind
posted by Grandysaur at 11:03 PM on October 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by Grandysaur at 11:03 PM on October 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
Now that we know Trump is afraid of stairs and ramps everyone should dress as a short flight of steps or a mild incline
posted by ActingTheGoat at 12:00 AM on October 31, 2017
posted by ActingTheGoat at 12:00 AM on October 31, 2017
Someone or something from a Clive Barker story so probably Pinhead from the Hellraiser stories, as he looks appropriate but also someone you could enjoy a nice cup of tea with.
posted by Wordshore at 1:32 AM on October 31, 2017
posted by Wordshore at 1:32 AM on October 31, 2017
Too-Ticky
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:39 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:39 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
The kraken is going as Paddington Bear so she's dressing up as someone from a story. I hope she stays still long enough to get a picture.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 5:54 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 5:54 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
I already did this once, for a friend's New Year's Eve party! My husband and I dressed as Lichtenstein pop art characters. That was one of my favorite costumes ever.
posted by cooker girl at 5:59 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by cooker girl at 5:59 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Happy Halloween! No costume this year, because I didn't have a party go to, and my job only informed us Friday that we could dress up today, and I couldn't do anything this weekend.
I would have dressed up as Yzma from the ... uh .. story ... Emperor's New Groove.
posted by kimberussell at 6:07 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I would have dressed up as Yzma from the ... uh .. story ... Emperor's New Groove.
posted by kimberussell at 6:07 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
If my wife and I end up with two kids (or I can borrow some), we are definitely re-creating Laocoon and his Sons.
posted by notorious medium at 6:12 AM on October 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by notorious medium at 6:12 AM on October 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Oh! Also, the year before last my daughter dressed as Coraline and my husband and I were Coraline's Other Mother and Other Father.
posted by cooker girl at 6:13 AM on October 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by cooker girl at 6:13 AM on October 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
This year, I am Wonder Woman with her alter ego, Diana monkey Prince. I also have a polka-dot dress where I covered each polkadot with googly eyes, but I'm not sure if I'll have an opportunity to wear that or if I googly-eyed in vain.
posted by ChuraChura at 6:32 AM on October 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by ChuraChura at 6:32 AM on October 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
If anything, Judith and Holofernes. First thought was Carivaggio but Lucas Cranach's got a better hat.
In reality, nothing.
posted by Diablevert at 6:36 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
In reality, nothing.
posted by Diablevert at 6:36 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I got roped into the office's plans of dressing up. I'm here in striped Breton sweater, grey jeans, black boots, sunglasses, a crazy silver wig, and carrying a Campbell's soup can.
The office responses, in order:
-- Who are you?
-- What's with the soup?
-- Who are you?
-- Is it true that blondes have more fun?
Answering that I'm dressed as Andy Warhol has led to plenty of blank stares.
Philistines. JFC. A silver wig and carrying a Campbell's soup can. Is it really that fucking impenetrable an idea? APPARENTLY SO.
Kill me now. Where's Valerie Solanas when I need her?
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:07 AM on October 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
The office responses, in order:
-- Who are you?
-- What's with the soup?
-- Who are you?
-- Is it true that blondes have more fun?
Answering that I'm dressed as Andy Warhol has led to plenty of blank stares.
Philistines. JFC. A silver wig and carrying a Campbell's soup can. Is it really that fucking impenetrable an idea? APPARENTLY SO.
Kill me now. Where's Valerie Solanas when I need her?
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:07 AM on October 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
We were supposed to go to a party on Sunday night but as of Saturday neither of us could think of what to dress up as. When the weather forecast started talking about a big Nor'easter that was going to hit us on Sunday, my wife suggested we go as that.
So, Sunday morning we got out the hot glue and the soldering iron and went as the coming storm. (Amy had a similar cloud on her head but neglected to take any pictures.)
For my dream costume I would like to one day go as a sexy... something. Look, I just want to be sexy just once in my life, ok.
posted by bondcliff at 7:09 AM on October 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
So, Sunday morning we got out the hot glue and the soldering iron and went as the coming storm. (Amy had a similar cloud on her head but neglected to take any pictures.)
For my dream costume I would like to one day go as a sexy... something. Look, I just want to be sexy just once in my life, ok.
posted by bondcliff at 7:09 AM on October 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
I would like to dress up as bojack horseman, but the horse head costume is cliche now, and besides it is already 11:30pm here on Halloween night, so I kind of missed my window.
posted by Literaryhero at 7:19 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Literaryhero at 7:19 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Something from the works of Alphonse Mucha! Maybe the Zodiac or Reverie or La Trappistine.
posted by capricorn at 7:25 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by capricorn at 7:25 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
I would like to dress up as bojack horseman, but the horse head costume is cliche now, and besides it is already 11:30pm here on Halloween night, so I kind of missed my window.
I bailed on my bojack costume this year in lieu of Richard Simmons because dancing, drinking and conversing at a party in a horse head is actually a huge pain-in-the-ass. Upside, though, is we have a horse head around for general use (such as leaving a horse head in one's bed when one wakes up before one's wife.)
posted by notorious medium at 8:28 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
I bailed on my bojack costume this year in lieu of Richard Simmons because dancing, drinking and conversing at a party in a horse head is actually a huge pain-in-the-ass. Upside, though, is we have a horse head around for general use (such as leaving a horse head in one's bed when one wakes up before one's wife.)
posted by notorious medium at 8:28 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Normally I’d be Hermione, natch. But now that my hair is short and my body too puffy to wear my Hogwarts skirts etc I’m trying to decide if I can muster the courage to be Harry instead.
posted by Hermione Granger at 8:32 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Hermione Granger at 8:32 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
I was going to be the monster from It Follows but I already played that card when I was (pre-reveal) one of the final five Cylons.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 8:44 AM on October 31, 2017
posted by OverlappingElvis at 8:44 AM on October 31, 2017
Lucy Westenra as a Klimt painting, via Eiko Ishioka
posted by crush at 8:50 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by crush at 8:50 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I would like to dress up as bojack horseman, but the horse head costume is cliche now
You have just answered a question for me. mrsozzy found my (only) suit jacket in the coat closet last week and neither of us could remember how it got there. I just remembered that I dressed as Bojack, briefly, two Halloweens ago, which should tell you all you need to know about how often I wear a suit (roughly never).
posted by uncleozzy at 8:56 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
You have just answered a question for me. mrsozzy found my (only) suit jacket in the coat closet last week and neither of us could remember how it got there. I just remembered that I dressed as Bojack, briefly, two Halloweens ago, which should tell you all you need to know about how often I wear a suit (roughly never).
posted by uncleozzy at 8:56 AM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I was so inspired and tickled by this Ask that I'm going as Ruth Vader Ginsburg tonight.
posted by MonkeyToes at 9:37 AM on October 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 9:37 AM on October 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
If I was going anywhere tonight other than slumped in front of Netflix I would be dressed simply as A Plate Of Beans.
posted by Chairboy at 9:39 AM on October 31, 2017
posted by Chairboy at 9:39 AM on October 31, 2017
If we're in the same sort of political mire next year as we are currently, I'm seriously considering something from the Garden of Earthly Delights, possibly torch-bearing bird-headed person, though now even that looks more sinister, what with the (tiki) torch it's carrying.
Today, I'm a business sloth, with an "Adult Onesie Sloth Costume Halloween Pajamas Cosplay Costume" (Amazon search link), wearing a blue tie and brown dress shoes. It's pretty warm, which is by turns nice and too much. I'm the only one dressed up in my office, but it seems this year is not a great one for Halloween, what with the ongoing horrors of the real world.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:59 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Today, I'm a business sloth, with an "Adult Onesie Sloth Costume Halloween Pajamas Cosplay Costume" (Amazon search link), wearing a blue tie and brown dress shoes. It's pretty warm, which is by turns nice and too much. I'm the only one dressed up in my office, but it seems this year is not a great one for Halloween, what with the ongoing horrors of the real world.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:59 AM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
If I ever grow my beard long enough again I’m gonna be Postman Roulin (possibly just for Halloween but I suspect once I get that hat I might want to wear it pretty much always).
This year in "costumes that take a surprising amount of time yet look low-effort & last-minute, and that few if any will recognize as a costume at all": I'll be dressed as the guy in High Maintenance, with a scrupulous recreation of his owlish bike helmet & my regular plaid shirt & messenger bag.
posted by miles per flower at 11:59 AM on October 31, 2017
This year in "costumes that take a surprising amount of time yet look low-effort & last-minute, and that few if any will recognize as a costume at all": I'll be dressed as the guy in High Maintenance, with a scrupulous recreation of his owlish bike helmet & my regular plaid shirt & messenger bag.
posted by miles per flower at 11:59 AM on October 31, 2017
Definitely Judith Beheading Holofernes, though it's a tough call as to WHICH version.
posted by drlith at 12:08 PM on October 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by drlith at 12:08 PM on October 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Giant tardigrade ("Ripper") from Disco Trek, wearing a Disco Trek T-shirt.
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:16 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:16 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oops, broken link due to unkind comments. :(
Here it is again. I’m pleased with it, screw the haters.
posted by Hermione Granger at 12:28 PM on October 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
Here it is again. I’m pleased with it, screw the haters.
posted by Hermione Granger at 12:28 PM on October 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
A Well, Actually.
posted by grumpybear69 at 12:52 PM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by grumpybear69 at 12:52 PM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
everyone should dress as a short flight of steps or a mild incline
I'm mildly inclined to do so.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:53 PM on October 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm mildly inclined to do so.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:53 PM on October 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
If it's any consolation, Capt. Renault, I got it immediately.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:00 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:00 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I was the Babadook - I even won the office costume contest!
posted by too bad you're not me at 1:27 PM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by too bad you're not me at 1:27 PM on October 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
I always last-minute mine. This year I had a sloth head and it's chilly outside. I dug around in my costume bin and found an old Time Technician jumpsuit I had. So I came up with this idea. I'm pretty okay with it.
posted by jessamyn (temp) at 1:36 PM on October 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (temp) at 1:36 PM on October 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
jessamyn, you look like you're this guy
posted by phunniemee at 2:06 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 2:06 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I don't know how I'd pull it off, but I have always wanted to go as a Balrog for Halloween. Roaring and flaming and flailing my flaming whip around - that is good times. By god, I'll do it someday.
(as it is, busy as I am I just put on a pair of horns and went as my own evil twin)
posted by DingoMutt at 2:11 PM on October 31, 2017
(as it is, busy as I am I just put on a pair of horns and went as my own evil twin)
posted by DingoMutt at 2:11 PM on October 31, 2017
I bought enough cheap green velvet for a Carol-Burnett-as-Scarlett-O'Hara costume ("I saw it in the window, and I couldn't resist") two years ago. The company where I worked had a huge costume contest every year, and I got rather accustomed to winning, if I do say so as shouldn't. But I'm no longer with the company and don't have anywhere else to wear such an elaborate costume.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:05 PM on October 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:05 PM on October 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
And I've always wanted to do a Headless Horseman costume, but I don't really have the technical skills. Or Anne Boleyn "with her head tucked underneath her arm."
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:09 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:09 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I would dress as Frida Kahlo with the monkey. Because then I would have a monkey!
(Haven't you always wanted a monkey?)
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:48 PM on October 31, 2017
(Haven't you always wanted a monkey?)
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:48 PM on October 31, 2017
Well, no; but you do you.
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:43 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 5:43 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Also someday I'm going to be a guy operating an Ettenauer 5000.
posted by rhizome at 7:20 PM on October 31, 2017
posted by rhizome at 7:20 PM on October 31, 2017
Serene Empress Dork, we dressed my daughter (then 6 months old) as Frida Kahlo last year! No monkey, though. This year she was Janelle Monae--and we went out partying as a family on Saturday as the Quartz-Universe family from Steven Universe (Greg, Rose, and Steven).
Anyway, I came on here to say that 9 years ago tonight, I met my lovely wife at a Halloween party, where I was dressed as a priest, and she was a Freudian slip!
posted by duffell at 7:26 PM on October 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
Anyway, I came on here to say that 9 years ago tonight, I met my lovely wife at a Halloween party, where I was dressed as a priest, and she was a Freudian slip!
posted by duffell at 7:26 PM on October 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
Updated link of my Babadook costume - cause I don't know how to use imgur?
posted by too bad you're not me at 8:28 PM on October 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by too bad you're not me at 8:28 PM on October 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
Mini McGee was Han Solo, Micro McGee was Luke Skywalker (I let him grow his hair out super-long, even, so it'd be appropriately shaggy), and Nano McGee was Princess Leia. She kept yanking her hair off, though, because she is one year old. But they were a big hit!
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 9:05 PM on October 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 9:05 PM on October 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Miles Vorkosigan
posted by infini at 9:56 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by infini at 9:56 PM on October 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
A druid in the vein of the Iron Druid. It's a pretty simple costume consisting mostly of a shirt that shows off the tattoos and a bronze age weapon. The author has made a printable sheet available to allow people to roll their own tattoos.
posted by Mitheral at 10:41 PM on October 31, 2017
posted by Mitheral at 10:41 PM on October 31, 2017
I desperately want to be Pam from Archer, and one day I will, and on that day I will get my spouse to write the entire tattoo on my back.
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:35 AM on November 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:35 AM on November 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
I was Rose Quartz from Steven Universe this year; it gave me an excuse to do something with my wedding dress. Went to the Village (Toronto) and I'm pretty sure I was stopped over 200 times for photos (and I think some people even knew who I was. Some, like the tiny little girl dressed as a mouse, just reached out and exclaimed "Princess!") It was awesome.
posted by ilana at 5:51 PM on November 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by ilana at 5:51 PM on November 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
This year I revisited my Lady Loki costume, which left bruises on my forehead from the horns but always gets me piles of compliments. If I had someone else to engineer costume stuff, I would probably go with Talion from the Shadow of Mordor series, but good grief, game costumes are complicated.
posted by tautological at 11:01 PM on November 1, 2017
posted by tautological at 11:01 PM on November 1, 2017
I was also Rose Quartz! Steven Universe is a sweet little family obsession so we went as the Quartz Universes! My human man drove his van right into my heart.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 11:51 PM on November 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 11:51 PM on November 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
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I don't have any plans for Halloween. I'm working till 8pm and then home to rest. But for all you ghouls and monsters, have fun and be safe.
posted by Fizz at 7:01 PM on October 30, 2017 [2 favorites]