Ready for Halloween?

With Halloween just around the corner I thought I would share with you my favorite costume ever! Three years ago at the height of the Katy Perry “California Girls” craze I decided to take on a giant project, to re-create Katy Perry’s and Snoop Dog’s costumes from the music video. I spent way too much money and a ton of time, but I had so much fun. Below are the original inspiration costumes.

I took a little short cut on Katy’s dress by buying a $20 clearance dress from the Homecoming rack. I removed the skirt and replaced it with multicolored iridescent fabrics like the original. Since I don’ have Katy Perry’s body, I added some extra layers for a little more length. After that it was bedazzle time. For candy embellishments I used Styrofoam balls and cones covered in fabric to create the 3D candy and ice cream cone, I cut up candy Christmas garland, I found conversation candy heart beads on Etsy, and I hot glued hundreds of rhinestones. Not an exact match to Katy’s dress but fun none the less. And of course a girl must accessorize,  I uses a lot of  candy and cupcake Christmas ornaments and of course a candy necklace and bracelet, but my best find was a pair of vintage ruffled bloomers, perfect!

Snoop Dog’s suite was more of a sewing project than a collection. I used a pattern by Simplicity (2895) that I modified only slightly at the collar to get more of a tuxedo effect. I was lucky enough to find and exact match to fabric used in the video. But Snoop Dog needed accessories too! Some Elvis glasses with a few valentine conversation hears glued on, a had with a pink hat band added and a pimp feather you cant see. A cane made from PVC pipe wrapped in colorful electrical tape and topped with a glittery ball Christmas ornament, ( I tell you this was one year I was glad Walmart had their Christmas ornaments out in October!)

I love Halloween and I love putting together a costume. I admit these costumes are more elaborate than most but that isn’t what makes it fun.  Some years it may just be a thrift store find that screams to be a costume or a store bought wig but it is always fun to be someone else for the day. Who will you be for the day? Any great costume ideas?