Stuck for a Costume? The Beijinger's Guide to the DIY Halloween Threads
'Ask and you shall receive' is the unofficial motto of Taobao, that mecca of Internet shopping in China where everything weird, wonderful, and downright WTF can be found, and I suspect where many will be costume hunting. However, if you’re a bit of a cheapskate like me, it’s fun to skip around financial restraints and break out the arts and crafts genius within. Below are some of our ideas for how to go about dressing up for Halloween without having to cut up the bank card (just don’t eat the glue).
Pirate: Snag a newspaper from one of those side-street vendors, and with a little origami magic, turn that propaganda into a pirate hat!
Pro-tip: Up the ante by carrying a box of crackers while solemnly saying you’ve lost your bird 'Polly.’ All this for less than a buck-an-ear.
Witch: You see those street-sweeping brooms made of dried twigs? They’re totally magical and definitely have anti-gravity powers woven into them (how else do you think the trash disappears?). Make your own magical broomstick with whatever foliage you can find blowing through the hutongs.
Pro-tip: Host a hotpot pot-luck for dinner while maniacally cackling "double double, toil and trouble" to your trembling guests.
Mummy: Buy a pack of toilet paper, accost the assistance of a friend, and practice walking with a slight penguin inspired swagger to achieve the ultimate in tomb-raiding terror.
Pro-tip: We recommend three-ply; spillages are going to occur so you may as well be prepared to weather any battle.
Superman: Underpants on the outside, need we say more? Plus, you can tear open your shirt at any time and not be kicked out of the party.
Pro-tip: Cape out your costume by pinning that crinkly towel lying on your bedroom floor across your heroic chest (unless you follow the law of Edna ‘E’ Mode from The Incredibles in which case, NO CAPE!)
Zombie: Assemble your best-dressed outfit, and tear the $#@! out of it for that authentic apocalyptic attire.
Pro-tip: If you’re walking outside in some of that sweet, sweet, high AQI we’re expecting the sluggish effects will surely heighten your costume persona. Go the full 100 percent and hop everywhere, ala jiangshi, for a true Chinese Halloween.
Clown: Allergies getting you down? That red nose is your ticket to clowning around all night! Make sure to wear your shiniest and most flammable parachute pants for maximum scare, and tease out your hair for that added electrocution look.
Pro-tip: Youku is laden with balloon animal making tutorials, which will make you super popular wherever you go (or just give everyone a snake, that’s cool too).
Captain America: Find one of those itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny blue swimming caps for up top, and team it with a pair of outrageously red knee-high socks below.
Pro-tip: If there’s an awkward silence at any point, simply burst out with a rousing sing-a-long of ‘Star Spangled Banner’.
Ghost: One sheet (white is the most common choice but we don't discriminate here) plus one pair of scissors, and a very good guesstimate of eyehole placement is all you need.
Pro-tip: While we understand ghosts are otherworldy spirits who don't have need for sustenance, we think a small mouth hole is perfectly fine for you to consume spirits with, while staying in the spirit of ... err ... spirits.
And if you really cannot think of anything this Halloween, follow the advice of Wednesday from The Addams Family and go as "a homicidal maniac, they look just like everyone else."
And if none of that works or you're just not feeling creative this year, we'll be detailing where you can buy your costume around Beijing imminently. Also, remember to check out our comprehensive blog of where's best to get your ghoul on this Halloween.
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Email: erinstrong@thebeijinger.com
Instagram: @wander_in
Photos: chacha.com, Constanza, Tom Arnstein, pipika, Tammra McCauley, Gareth Simpson, Daniel Hollister, timlewisnm, Andy Roth, Michael Brashier
