Going to a Halloween party this weekend? Here’s a roundup of costume ideas–literary, of course!
Last year, LitDrift published a great list, including some clever ideas:
Gulliver from Gulliver’s Travels: This one will evoke true fright, since we all know how terrifying it is to be tied down by hundreds of miniature Lilliputians. Use a simple outfit for the base: oxford shirt and slacks pushed up to reveal your socks. Then add the finishing touch by attaching a bunch of little army men to string and pinning them all over your body so that they are hanging down at all levels, ready to tie you up.
Miss Havisham from Great Expectations: Even those who relied on the Cliff Notes version of this classic will be creeped out when they see this costume. Buy an old wedding dress from the thrift store then shred it. Wear a veil atop a serious case of bed head and paint your face a pasty white. Seal the deal by carrying around a mold-infested cake.
Lisabeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: You’ll need to channel your inner antisocial punk hacker for this one by donning a spiked dog collar, leather jacket, heavy mascara, pixie-length black wig, and combat boots. Use a laptop as your accessory and, for crying out loud, do not forget the tats. Bonus points for piercings.
J.D. Salinger: Take extreme measures to part your hair with the utmost meticulousness. Then don’t leave the house at all.
The Secret Adventures of Writer Girl has a bunch of fun, easy ideas too:
Pregnant? No worries! Pin an “A” to your dress front, and you are a perfect Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter.
Tons of layered shirts = Mrs. Whatsit from A Wrinkle in Time (this one could easily cost you nothing).
Striped red and white shirt and hat – Where’s Waldo
Going with friends? How about dressing up as characters from The Princess Bride: Buttercup, Inigo Montoya (complete with sword and facial scars), Fezzik (for your larger-than-life friend), and the Man in Black? Or, if you’re trick-or-treating with a kiddo, put him in a monkey suit and wear a yellow hat–presto, Curious George and the man in the yellow hat. And you can always dress up your dog as Hairy Potter. (Sorry.)
Share your literary costume ideas with us in the comments!
Further Reading:
- Visit our archives for even more costume ideas.
