Import Costumes

One of the best parts of Halloween costumes is to reuse the parts into a whole new costume the following year. Here are some ideas to get started.

A “Men-in-Black” suit and shades can be used for a Secret Service agent, James Bond or the political figure of the day.

Combine the hat and boots from a Zorro costume, add whiskers and a tail and become “Puss in Boots”.

Use a wig from your B-52s costume and go as Edna or Tracy Turnblad from “Hairspray”.

The dreadlock wig from a reggae costume can be used in a Whoopi Goldberg costume this year.

Any costume from last year can be hilariously refreshed by changing genders: A female Jack Sparrow, a male Lucy. This can be even more fun if a significant other takes the other role.

A food or animal costume can be repurposed by adding one or two new accessories to make it brand new. For example, staple or pin some fake money to a bovine costume to become “a cash cow”.

Wear last year’s hamburger, cupcake or other food costume but staple some candy wrappers and other clean pieces of trash to become junk food.

Add a halo and wings to a horror mask and become a “holy terror”. Wear a ballet dancer costume but add skates, a club and a hubcap to become skater-turned-bad girl Tanya Harding.

If there is a Santa costume lying around, use the wig and beard to become Gandalf from “The Lord of the Rings” by adding a bathrobe and a staff. Likewise, use the hat from any witch costume to become any “Harry Potter” character.

Of course, adding devil’s horns to any mask of a current political figure is bound to be a hit.

These are just a few ideas for reusing Halloween costume accessories. What other ideas are there?