Introduction
When you put on a costume, your goal should be to become the character that you’re embodying. You want to feel amazing and have the confidence, because then it’s not just about how you look—it’s about who you are. But what happens if your costume doesn’t make you feel like a superhero? Whether it’s uncomfortable, unflatteringly cut, or simply not true to who you really are, there’s good news: You can still save it! Here’s how I worked through my first Halloween costume purchase and turned an unfortunate case of “item received is not as described” into something that made me feel unstoppable.
Wear the costume in the daytime without makeup or hair.
When you try on a costume that you’ve purchased or rented, make sure to wear it in the daylight. This will give you a sense of what the costume will look like when your face is not covered in contouring and concealer, nor your hair done up with a curling iron or straightener. You should also wear the same makeup and accessories as you would normally (if any), so that you can get an accurate idea of how they’ll look while wearing the costume.
Finally, try walking around in whatever shoes/boots are appropriate for this particular costume. Even if they’re flats or sandals—and even if they’re not particularly high-heeled—it’s very important to test them out before heading out on Halloween night lest disaster strike!
Then make a list of the things that you love and hate about the costume.
- List the things that you love about your costume.
- List the things you hate about your costume.
- Try to think of solutions for any problems that can be fixed at home, such as loose threads or dirty spots. If a problem is fixable at home but still too much work for you to do alone, consider asking a friend to help—it’ll probably be worth it! Also remember that if all else fails and something really needs fixing while out on Halloween night (like an air conditioner malfunctioning), there’s always someone there who has some scissors and duct tape handy in case of emergency…
Then make a list of the things that can be fixed at home.
Now that you have a list of things to do before Halloween, it’s time to start thinking about the costume itself. If you’re going for something really elaborate and unique, this is where you will want to put most of your focus. But if it’s just going to be some old work clothes or an old pair of jeans, then there are still two important things left:
- Fix any holes in the clothing.
You probably already know how easy it is to get holes in fabric while moving around (especially if they were made by hot glue), but it’s no fun when someone points them out! Make sure everything is smooth and snug so there aren’t any rough edges that might snag on people or objects as you walk around.
- Make sure everything fits well and feels comfortable on your body!
If something doesn’t fit right—if it pinches in strange places or just looks weird on your body—your Halloween outfit isn’t going to look as good as what you had hoped for either!
Fix everything that you can fix at home.
Fixing problems at home is better than taking it to a tailor:
- Fixing problems at home is cheaper than taking it to a tailor. A tailor will charge you more money for the same amount of work, and you still have to pay for the transportation costs (if you live in a big city), which adds up if you have multiple costumes that need some fixing and/or adjustment.
- Fixing problems at home is faster than taking it to a tailor. The best thing about this method is that there are no waiting lines or appointments needed! You can get things done whenever your schedule permits.
- Fixing problems at home is more convenient than taking it to a tailor. You don’t even have to leave your house!
Wear it again with makeup and hair fixed.
If you’re like me and your Halloween costume is the most comfortable thing you’ve ever worn, then by all means wear it again on the actual holiday.
If you have time and some energy left after the big night, fix any remaining problems with your makeup, hair and accessories before you put on that outfit for real. Make sure it fits well and is comfortable to wear; if something about it pinches or cuts off circulation when you breathe or puts pressure in a spot that makes standing up a chore, then take care of that problem first! You want to be able to enjoy this costume throughout the day without being afraid it will fall apart or cause lasting damage.
Fix any remaining problems, within reason.
Now that you have your costume, you need to know if it’s a good one. If you can wear it comfortably and not feel embarrassed or self-conscious about doing so, then great! You’ve made a good choice. But if it makes you uncomfortable in any way, then there are still some things that can be done to make the costume more comfortable.
- Make sure all of the parts fit well together and match up with each other. If possible, find someone who knows how to sew or get them involved in fixing these minor issues before wearing the costume out in public.
- Make sure that nothing is too tight around any areas where you might feel self-conscious about being seen (such as armpits). It can also help to wear slightly looser clothing when possible so that no skin shows through holes in fabric or seams coming undone—this means less chance of getting caught with ripped pants than having them fall down while walking around town!
A good Halloween costume should be comfortable and express your personality, not just be sexy or shocking.
A good Halloween costume should be comfortable and express your personality, not just be sexy or shocking. To get started, think about the following:
- Is it going to be easy to clean?
- Will it stay on during a night of dancing and partying?
- Can you wear this outfit in public without having to hide yourself behind a mask (unless that’s part of the costume)?
- Is there anything else that might make this outfit more comfortable or easier to wear? For example, if you’re wearing heels all night long then maybe some flats would help out.
Conclusion
We hope that the tips and tricks we’ve shared today will help you find a costume that will be fun to wear and make others happy too! If you’re still in need of inspiration, check out our favorites below!