Thread: Why do we dress in costumes?

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When I was younger I think it was just cause it was fun and there was candy. As a teenager I think I did it mostly to rebel. After that I have to blame it on my desire to some day hopefully be a writer. I am always creating new worlds and characters and stories in my head. But I have a lot of difficulty putting those stories to paper in a form that I am satisfied with. Yet once a year this wondrous time rolls around where I am not limited to the mundane medium of paper. Instead I can magically transform into the character of my story. I can alter the world around me to fit with the vision I have created for it in my head. Perhaps that is why my haunt even has a story behind it. As to the alter ego thing, I can see that about myself as well. Two of the characters I have begun creating for Ravenfell Manor seem to be a lot like something I would be in an alternate fantasy reality. In fact as I think about it a lot of the heroes in the books I try to write kind of reflect different variants of myself as well.

i do it for the traditional reason,to not be noticed by the real ghouls on Halloween. many seem to not have a clue why costumes were originally worn on Halloween,thats why you look around and see endless "superheroes",princesses,sc-fi characters,athletes and cowboys. all stuff that has nothing to do with Halloween.

I go along with Hallorenescene: fun putting together your costume, be who you want to be and act silly as you want.

Here are some of my reasons why I like to dress up followed by some pictures of me in costume

Be you favorite historical character - Ben Franklin, George Washington

From the entertainment/music world -Mozart

From Literature ( and Halloween realted) Ichabod Crane

Jest for fun: I let my hair down and be Little Lord Fauntleroy

Get dressed up real fancy: French Aristocat in golden brocade , full makeup and red lips

From the horror genre -An Evil Warlock and a bloodsucking, fancy dressed vampire

Wear a dress ( I am a male) and be Martha Stewart or an Ugly Duchess.



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Like hallorenescene says: act as silly as you want.

I don't know what psychologists think but I am having fun and releasing stress.

TC

Omg, Costumer....these are fantastic! I almost died laughing at the Martha Stewart one LOL

I believe many people dress up for many different reasons. For some it's just plain fun and goofy, for some an escape from their "day-self" and for some something else!

I personally dress up cause it's fun and I can be creative but also because I like to show my own personality and even exaggerate it. My everyday wear can be anything from t-shirt and jeans to gorgeous vintage dress with accessories and hairdo. One day I wear a cute blouse, one day it's a metal band shirt. So I just love to show off my personality and moods with clothing. When I go to a bar on a regular night, I might put on a complete 40's look with pencil skirt and seam stockings or even put on a pink wig or lace bunny ears. So u can imagine when I really have reason to dress up and put a costume on I'm so excited! ;D

When I think of Halloween costumes or costumes generally, I usually don't like to dress up as someone famous or someone from a movie, tv-show, game etc. I love to create my costume just by myself. I usually take inspiration from some character, a make-up I saw on youtube or almost anything and then I start to make it my own. And like Zeeboe said in his first message, I would like to look exactly like the character too. If I didn't I couldn't do it or I wouldn't feel comfortable. I have always loved Marilyn Monroe for example but my face doesn't really look like hers so I don't want to do her. So I guess that's one reason I like to create my own characters.

I don't like costumes that are too covering cause I like beauty and some sexiness. But I definitely would not wear anything too flesh-showing cause that is not sexy at all! (It's also damn cold here during Halloween time ;D) Something a little bit sexy and elegant that can be scary at the same time (for ex. last year I did a 40's pin up girl-like Nazi zombie). I also want to be a woman, a beautiful and powerful woman. Someone who has an ability that we regular humans don't have (this year I'm going as a gothic vampire). I don't like to dress as a man or something that isn't really a man or a woman (big fluffy animal costumes for ex.) Silly things are also not my cup of tea. On Halloween something intimidating/scary and elegant/beautiful at the same time is what I like.

And now that I told about these things I feel a bit too exposed! It's weird like many here have said - who you dress as can tell a lot about you. Psychologists and all kinds of shrinks should ask "what would you wear in a costume party" if they wanted to learn to know their patients, lol.

I love everyone's thoughts on this subject
As a writer, it's gratifying to physically bring a fantasy to life through a costume, showing off my creativity, and pouring myself into my character, or rather, letting those aspects of my character that have a connection with me shine through; costumes aren't always about wearing masks. It's the only time I don't mind public attention, I let people take my picture, and on a few I occasions I've *gasp!* gone out to dance clubs. I love imagining what kind of person strangers might think I am.
Seeing other people in costume is a big part of my enjoyment. It's appreciating their work, and having a brief connection with a stranger through a mutual appreciation of the fun of Halloween. It's a way to give people some happiness by complimenting them on their work. It's another way to see beyond facades, and speculate on what lies deeper.

costumer, i love all your versatile looks. and that picture of martha stewart is my fave. the ugly dutchess and the vampire one are over the top.
lenore, i love a lot of your thoughts. especially the shrink outlook.

I thought people dressed up on Halloween to scare away the spirits or trick them into thinking you were already dead.....more of a tradition like jack o lanterns.....but as to what you choose to dress up 'as'.....that is more of a personal choice.

I dress up for many reasons! I do believe in the old traditions of halloween (I don't necessarily believe that we have to HIDE from the ghosts that walk the earth, but I do believe that the "veil" between worlds of the living and the dead are more transparent at this time). I believe it is a tribute to years gone by, and I believe it is a basis for growing our own traditions with our own families. I dress up because it is fun! I can be whoever I want (or don't want) to be! For me, it is a culmination of the season! the icing on the cake so to speak! There is are feelings of mystery, intrigue, fear, fascination that Halloween is filled with, and if I weren't dressed up, I don't think that I could evoke those same emotions the same if I were just "some lady down the street"

For me, Halloween is a time when we all can feel free to express our individual fantasies, likes, curiosties, or oddities, and not worry that others will look at us in a critical light because of our day to day look. Each year my wife and I give great thought, detail, and imagination to our costumes, and hopefully we delight, scare, or make others laugh at our choice. We are trying to create a reaction, just a reaction, that we don't get from others when we meet under normal circumstances. We host a party each year for 100+ of our friends and they all come in costume and never cease to amaze us with their creativity and imagination. We love Halloween for many reasons!