Star Costumes was lucky enough to catch up with cosplayer Taylor Bennett (aka hmwsgx – just try to pronounce that), and the lovely Taylor was nice enough to answer a few of our questions.

Could you give us a little background on who you are and what you do?

I am a graduate art student that majored in 2D Studio art, and switched to costume-based art during my Masters in Art. Currently, I am a part-time art instructor at a community college. I am a huge sci-fi nerd, and extremely obsessed with Bioware games (if my costume roster did not make it obvious).

What initially interested you in cosplay and when was this? What was your first costume?

I saw photos of cosplay when I was in high school around 2002 or so. I thought it was really strange and I didn’t completely understand the concept, but I was fascinated by the idea of dressing up as my favorite characters. I finally decided to take the plunge into cosplay in 2007 when I saw Jia Jem’s Rydia costume. Her insane amount of dedication to detail and bringing a 2D character to life inspired me to give costuming a shot.

I barely knew how to use a sewing machine, but I wanted to learn, there was this hunger to get my hands on a new material and try a new creative outlet so I knew I would have to dedicate my time and energy if I was serious about making my own costume. I took a theatre costuming class to learn about pattern making and how to sew with different fabrics, and I read a lot of tutorials online. My first cosplay was Tali’Zorah from Mass Effect 1. It was a poor choice on my end since I was a sewing novice and knew little about armor making, but it was well received. The feedback and lessons I learned helped me progress and get better at cosplaying.

What’s your favorite aspect of making costumes and cosplaying in general?

My favorite part when I am making costumes is finding the materials–shopping! I know that is such a girly reply but I feel so satisfied when I find the perfect fabric, even better when I find something on sale or have coupons to save money! It is hard to choose the best part of cosplaying at a con, but I would have to say it is seeing the reaction on other people’s faces. It feels fantastic when someone shouts my character’s name across a room or runs up to me asking for a photo and that they have been trying to find me all day. Meeting people who appreciate the series I am cosplaying from is the best feeling in the world, because we are both sharing this total geek-out moment and discussing our favorite parts about the characters and story.

I think my favorite specific moment was cosplaying as Female Shepard at San Diego Comic Con. I was bummed out that I didn’t have my Morinth costume ready and I used my FemShep dress as a backup for the Bioware Costume Contest. I felt completely insecure because my costume was so plain compared to other cosplayers’ elaborate Mass Effect costumes, but then I decided I was going to make the most of it and have fun with my cosplay by assuming the role of “Party Shepard.” With a bottle of wine I borrowed from an open bar and a sway in my walk, I shambled on stage and turned on an obnoxious and loud personality with plenty of “drunk” dancing. People loved it and I had a blast! I still get messages and emails from people explaining how they saw me on BiowareTV and that I was their favorite cosplayer at the contest by that performance alone.

Is there anything you don’t like about making costumes or cosplaying?

Making costume patterns from scratch. That is the most difficult part and it is endlessly frustrating when I cannot figure out how to get the sizing just right.

What do you currently have in the works? Anything you’ve been dying to make?

Currently I am working on a Wrex from Mass Effect for my friend, which just so happens to be a costume I have been dying to make! I am also working on Scout’s mom from Team Fortress 2 and I am considering a costume from Borderlands–not sure which character to make yet.

Expanding on the last question, what factors go into deciding who you want to cosplay as?

There are a few factors, the most important is cosplaying from a series I absolutely adore. I think it shows how passionate I am about Mass Effect and Dragon Age since those two are the only series I have cosplayed from (so far!), and I think fans of the series are happy to know I am genuinely interested in the games and not just choosing the costume because it looks cool. I am also a glutton for punishment and go for costumes that are complex and rarely seen in the cosplay community.

Another important factor in choosing a costume is how much fun it will be to cosplay that character. I enjoy characters that are morally ambiguous, like Aria T’Loak and Flemeth. They make me feel conflicted and unsure of their motives–although their actions do seem to be driven by their own selfish desires, but who can blame them? That is a realistic personality. On the other hand, I have cosplayed as characters I don’t care for such as Miranda and Morinth (sorry fanboys!). I thought it would be fun to cosplay them since people at cons say things about my Miranda cosplay like “I chose Jack over you! Sorry, I have a soft spot for bad girls” and I just HAVE to interact with some in-character quip, and when I cosplay as Morinth I act like a minx–it is insanely fun to do and fans get a kick out of it.

Any helpful advice for fellow cosplayers?

Never get discouraged, whether it is negative comments on your costume, your skill level, etc. The worst thing you can do to yourself is start comparing your work to cosplayers who have either been making costumes for years, have fancier tools and equipment, or a bigger budget. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t have the right budget, tools, body type, gender, or personality for a character. If you want to dedicate your time, money, and passion into a certain costume that is your business and no one else’s. And always remember: HAVE FUN WITH IT!

A big thank you to Taylor for granting us an interview! Be sure to check out more of her work at her Deviant Art page: http://hmwsgx.deviantart.com/.

Viral YouTube sensation Venetian Princess is holding a vote on which of our costumes she should wear this Halloween! She’s modeling two of our top costumes on her Facebook page.

You can choose from:

Our white Lilah dress from Jonah Hex, or…

Our green Scarlett O’Hara costume, officially licensed from Gone with the Wind.

We think she looks beautiful in both! Head on over and cast your vote.

The hazy fog of autumn reminds me that there are some things that you must see beyond to truly understand their beauty. Much in the same way, sometimes there are aspects of a spectacular film that can be lost in the grandiosity of it all if we fail to take in the subtleties. Of these subtle nuances of cinematic style, none is often times more neglected than the art costuming.

While the most heralded films tend towards the more extravagant, there’s a contingent of filmmakers intent on creating a masterpiece based solely on the atmosphere of the film. That is to say, while sets and technology have pushed films to heights never before imagined, there is a small pocket of Hollywood that reserves the extravagance for the story and the connection of the players with the audience.

That being said, sometimes the costuming that fades into the background can be the most jarring pieces of artwork on the set itself. The undertones of a film inform the necessity for imagery. After all, what is pressed into celluloid is literally poetry in motion. The visual impact of a film gives shape and form to the way in which members of the audience think about the world around them.

Some of the most visceral forms of understatement come in films whose story is complex and multi-layered. In this way, the skin of the character is meant to support, not distract. For instance, the most violent films can be absolutely Pollock in execution, allowing the costume to perform as a blank canvas on which the artists (namely, the actors and their director) paint their story.

The film Equilibrium is in the same breath grandiose and riddled with understatement. The entire point of the film is combating one’s emotions –that is to say that the emotional landscape of the film is grey, completely devoid of the subtleties in emotion that define us as human. The costumes are all monotone, a chromic depiction of the futuristic sameness of humanity. No one stands out, nor is anyone meant to. It’s this stark contrast between the ballet of violence and the uniformity of the characters that give the film its depth.

The costumes come to define and contradict the characters as they begin to develop. Christian Bale’s character begins soft, almost blending into the dreariness of his environment until a chance meeting with a woman who reminds him of the giggle in his late wife’s smile smashes his built-in understanding of emotion and the irreparable harm it can cause. As his world becomes streaked in blood reds and bruised blues, the tone of his uniform takes on a different hue. Though still grey, there’s something distinctly unique about it –the wearer’s transformation boring slight wrinkles, misplaced splotches of imperfection into the clothing itself.

Of course, sometimes uniformity can cause a significant rip in the imagery, creating a visual palette that can be hard to swallow. In GATTACA, the uniformity is quite striking, considering the elegant colours that provide the overwhelming essence of the film. It’s a film focused on individual DNA.

While similar in its helix shape in every human being, the raw material doesn’t define the being in the human. In the same way that the material of each grey and black suit is similar in fibre and texture, the actual living, breathing creature inside has his own thoughts, his own emotions, his own understanding of who he is –despite the constant push for humanity to become one individual. Insomuch as one’s DNA doesn’t define him, it has the power to create him.

For instance, Ethan Hawke’s character is enticed by the very idea of touching the moon; however, his DNA would suggest that he isn’t fit to do so in this new society in which only those with the genetic mapping of perfection are allowed to reach for it. He learns of a way in which he can mask his DNA for that of another, thus giving the physical visualisation of the film scope: our interior doesn’t necessarily definer our exterior. In this same way, the brilliant colours of the film and the dullness of the attire push and pull to create a tension in the audience, forcing our subconscious to reconcile with we see with what there actually is.

As minute a detail as costuming is, it can go on to define and expand the science of a film, give the film texture where there was none originally. With the world constantly at odds with itself –wanting all the extravagance of fantasy but yearning for some sort of silent stability– film allows us to take this contradiction and see for ourselves that one aspect is as important as the other. The costumes in film provide the crag in logic that our eye is forced to process. In this way, we are forced to identify our own internal struggle and regard, if reluctantly, that the quiet is as important as the loud.

If you attended the recent PAX East convention in Boston – or if you’ve been watching the buzz around the web – you’ve seen the amazing cosplay work of Dan Lewis. And if you haven’t seen it yet, prepare to be impressed. Dan is the creator of three stunningly detailed costumes from the video game Mass Effect 2. We caught up with him to ask him a few questions about his work.

Tali'Zorah, Shepard, and Mordin Solus costumes from Mass Effect 2, built by Dan Lewis (in center). Photo from The Convention Fans Blog.

Star: You’ve created three costumes from Mass Effect 2 – Shepard (in N7 armor), Tali’Zorah, and Mordin Solus. How did you choose these costumes to build?

Dan: When I started building the costumes, there was a distinct lack of exceptional Mass Effect costumes out there.  I found these examples (1 2 3), and though they were inspiring I was sure I could do better, or at least as well.  I was about halfway complete with the Tali costume when I found pictures of Holly Conrad’s Mass Effect cosplay troupe at Comic Con. This did raise the bar if I was to make a respectable costume compared to hers. Soon after, Evil FX revealed a Mass Effect costume with many new build techniques I was not aware of. I was able to use many of their techniques in my costumes.

I debuted my first two Mass Effect costumes at PAX Prime 2010 to a very positive response.  At that convention I meet a costume maker who made a very impressive Mass Effect costume of a character I never though would be possible.

The majority of the challenging Mass Effect characters had been created as costumes at this point, except for Mordin – who happened to be one of my favorite characters.  Mordin is a very difficult character to create an accurate costume for, due to his alien proportions  I decided if I could make a mask that was wearable and looked decent, I would go ahead with the rest of the costume.  The mask turned out quite well, so I found a volunteer to wear the costume and continued the build.

Mordin Solus mask, a work in progress. Photo by Dan Lewis.

The completed Mordin Solus mask. Photo by Dan Lewis.

How did you get started making costumes? What sparked your interest?

I have been going to Anime/Comic Conventions for many years and always enjoyed the costumes.  I had attempted a few costumes, but largely I had them commissioned as I did not know how to sew.  I could sculpt, though, and using my sculpture skills to make parts for a costume seemed feasible to me. After finishing Mass Effect 2 and finding very few costumes for the series I decided to try it myself.

What was the hardest part of making these costumes?

Proportions.  Making sure everything is the correct size to be wearable was difficult.

What part did you enjoy the most?

Painting a piece that you have toiled over is very fun.

What are your favorite materials to work with?

For sculpting I have been using Klean Klay and WED Clay.  Though I have tried other kinds of clay that are superior to those, they are also significantly more expensive.  For molds, I have used latex, silicone and Ultra Cal-30 cement, depending on the application.  For casting I use latex, RTV rubber, fiberglass and urethane resin.  For painting, I use spray cans of acrylic enamel, some latex enamels or air brush paints depending on the application.  I also brush on Tamiya and Model Master brand paints for detailing.  I also use EVA foam for armor parts that need to be flexible.  I’ll use vacuum formed PET for visors and high impact urethane sheets for other plastic details and vacuum forming.

For electronics, I use a simple battery powered LED Christmas light string and EL Wire.

How about your least favorites?

Polyester resin used in fiberglass and body filler is VERY stinky so I don’t like using it, but it’s unavoidable because of how strong and cost effective it is.  Spray paints also stink but are also very useful and cannot be avoided.

What’s next? Any other costumes that you’re planning to make?

I’m thinking about Remnant Tesla armor from Fallout 3 New Vegas, and a Super mutant from Fallout 3.

Do you have any advice for any aspiring cosplay builders out there?

Sign up for prop builder and costume forums such as The RPF, 405th.com and Cosplay.com, and rather than posting your question, search the forum first as your question is likely already answered.  Have a plan and make some blueprints.  There are plenty of other costume makers out there who share their techniques, so don’t be afraid to apply a technique to a costume you are making based on one from a different costume.

And most importantly, don’t be discouraged if a piece looks bad.  Start over and try different techniques and you will be successful eventually.

Oh, and Craigslist and pawn shops are a great place to get power tools you want to play with but don’t have a lot of money for.

Mordin, Shephard, and Tali costumes at PAX East 2011. Photo by Jaime Chapoy.

When a hit movie comes out, the licensed Halloween costumes are quick to follow. This year, costumes from James Cameron’s Avatar and Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3 are sure to be just as big on the Trick-or-Treat circuit as the films were at the box office. But a lot of great movie costumes don’t make it to the consumer market. Here are a few picks that we’d like to see translated for those of us who don’t have Hollywood costume designers at our beck and call.

1. Zhang Ziyi as Sayuri – Memoirs of a Geisha

I’ll admit it – I’ve never been happy with costume kimonos that are available in the US. They’re pretty, but I’ve been to Japan and they just can’t match the appeal of the real thing. The costumes in Memoir of a Geisha may not be accurate in the strictest sense, but they capture the spirit of the kimono as no US kimono costume I’ve ever seen can. Let’s see some costumes inspired by Colleen Atwood’s beautiful wardrobe for this film!

2. Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine – Casablanca

The 1940s are an era that’s underrepresented in costumes, and that’s really a shame. The styles, silhouettes, and hairstyles exemplified in films like Casablanca are really due for a comeback, at least in costume form. Humphrey Bogart had two great looks in this movie that would translate well as costumes – his white shawl-collared jacket and bow tie as nightclub manager, and his trench coat and hat from the ending.

3. Keira Knightley as Cecilia Tallis – Atonement

Voted the best-loved movie costume only a few months after the movie was released, this green gown is almost a character in its own right. The 1930s tend to get overlooked in the costume department in favor of 1920s flapper costumes, and this is a huge loss for fans of historical fashion. Like the 1940s, the 1930s deserve to be revisited in costume form, and this gorgeous green gown would be a great place to start.

4. Tilda Swinton as the White Witch – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

No other witch is quite as chilling as Jadis, the White Witch from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Her gown with its unique, stand-out neckline, combined with a crown of icicles and a white fur stole, create the perfect personification of unending winter. I know this would be a tough costume to get just right, and to do so, it’d probably have a hefty price tag. But I think it’d be worth it.

5. Clint Eastwood as The Man with No Name – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Western gunslinger never looked better than Clint Eastwood in the Man With No Name Trilogy of westerns from the 1960s. Today’s cowboy costumes could learn a lot from this instantly recognizable costume masterpiece. This costume captures the gritty, black-and-gray morality of the old west in a way that a cowboy hat, Holstein-print vest and a pair of chaps never can.

6. Nicole Kidman as Satine – Moulin Rouge!

I’ll admit that the glittering costumes worn by Nicole Kidman as the courtesan and performer Satine probably wouldn’t flatter my figure, but they capture the imagination none the less. The glitz and glamor of a bygone era come to life in this musical (along with the darker side of the time), and the costumes take center stage. It’s really hard to pick just one to feature here.

7. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy – Pride and Prejudice

The 1995 BBC miniseries Pride and Prejudice launched a revival in interest in all things Jane Austen, and the performance of Colin Firth as the hero Mr. Darcy can probably take a great deal of credit for that resurgence. The style of menswear today can be traced back to the Regency period and Beau Brummel, who pioneered the “dandy” style of the early 1800s exemplified here. And if Colin Firth is any indication, this style of costume is still making women swoon 200 years later!

8. Takeshi Kaneshiro as Zhuge Liang – Red Cliff

Zhuge Liang was a legendary strategist during the Three Kingdoms period of China, a turbulent era of warfare when many heroes became legends. The story of one epic battle of this period was told in the film Red Cliff, which features many gorgeous costumes including gowns, imperial robes, and period Chinese armor. I’m not sure if they’re 100% accurate to the era they’re depicting, but the costumes sure do look good! I chose Zhuge Liang for his iconic look, but there are many other great costumes to choose from that provide a nice change from the typical Chinese costume that you’ll find in a costume store this Halloween.

There are a lot of great costumes in film, and I don’t have room to list them all here. Are there any other movies that you’ve seen lately and thought, “I’d love to wear that costume?” Have you ever tried to recreate your favorite costume from a film or TV show?

Rock and Roll has had its share of larger than life characters. Some were born with an innate charisma that just demanded attention: Elvis, Jim Morrison, and Iggy Pop, for example. Other artists, however, fully embraced rock and roll’s shared sense of rebellion and theater to create new personas through costume. At Star Costumes, we have an affinity (and maybe a little bias) for these artists. So, without further ado, we present you The 12 Greatest Costumed Rock Bands Ever!

12. Mortiis

Havard Ellefsen is the brainchild behind the man and the band, Mortiis. Hailing from Norway, a nation whose musical contributions are most associated with the black metal genre, it is not uncommon for artists to sport some sort of make up and leather. Combining industrial rock and ambient electronica, in turn, Mortiis take costuming further with custom created prosthetic face and ear pieces, dreadlocks, and dress that sometimes is no more than mummy wrapping and sometimes shredded leather covered in corn flour.

11. Behemoth

For nearly 20 years, the Polish black metal band has been using it’s anti-Christian lyrics and breakneck rhythms to become one of the most notorious metal bands in the world. While their live shows may feature them wearing standard black metal fare of leather with big steel spikes, and white face paint with some black smears here and there, it’s the photo shoots where Behemoth shines. From custom fit leather frocks laden with zippers and chains to body armor reminiscent of Roman warriors, Behemoth takes their costumes seriously. After all, they have a bad reputation to uphold.

10. Red Hot Chili Peppers

While they may not be the first band that comes to mind when you think of costumed bands, but there was a time in the mid-90s when these SoCal funky punks donned some of the most outrageous costumes ever. From being dresses as light bulbs, to wearing just a sock on their genitals, to wearing helmets that shot fire 10 feet into the air, they not only wore these things, but actually delivered full 90-minute sets that way!

9. Mushroomhead

From the hometown of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland, Ohio), comes the masked metal band known as Mushroomhead. While their costumes have changed little over the years, their most popular look features black jump suits and black masks with X’s across the face. Interestingly, the impetus for Mushroomhead to wear costumes was not to create a new identity as much as it was to hide their own identities, because they were originally a side project of several other more popular Cleveland-based bands and wanted to keep their identities separate.

8. Alice Cooper

Every trend has to come back to one individual, the person who set the trend in motion. When talking about rock bands and artists who perform in costume, it all starts with Alice Cooper. From the streets of Detroit Rock City, Alice Cooper used the experimental period of the ’60s to start changing a normal rock show to a theatrical tour de force, complete with guillotines, snakes, electric chairs and, of course, his trademark black eye makeup and leather costuming. Without Alice Cooper, it is suffice to say that nobody else on this list would be here.

7. Hollywood Undead

The youngest band on this list, Hollywood Undead are also the least adventurous when it comes to costuming. Often sporting simple plastic hockey masks, poorly applied makeup, or just bandanas, it’s as if they hardly even make an effort. The genius of this, however, is that they motivated thousands of young angst-driven boys on MySpace to also start wearing bandanas on their faces, specifically because it didn’t take much effort. Yes, they lowered costuming bar to reach the most apathetic crowd… and it worked!

6. Lordi

When your front man is a costume designer by trade, well, it’s pretty much a forgone conclusion that you are a band that is going to be wearing costumes. Hailing from Finland, the band Lordi is named after founding member… Mr. Lordi. They rose to fame as the winners of the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, making them the first Finn’s to ever win the contest. Their grotesque masks and medieval garb combined with big ’80s-era hooks landed them gigs on the Ozzfest tour mainstage. In recent years, however, their popularity has waned.

5. Mudvayne

While Mudvayne no longer wears makeup or costumes, part of their identity early in their career was very much tied to makeup and costumes. During the era of their first release, the band relied very heavily on facepaint coupled with experimental hair styles. For their second release, they donned alien masks and colored suits to offer their fans something new and different. Since that time, they have been makeup and costume free, but their diehard fans still associate them with that style.

4. Marilyn Manson

While costume is primarily used as a way to draw attention and controversy, perhaps no artist on this list has received more of either than Marilyn Manson. Early in his career, as the front man of Marilyn Manson & The Spooky Kids, his garb was more colorful, evoking images of circus performers or even Willy Wonka. By the time he released Antichrist Superstar in 1996, his image and costume switched very heavily to a raw gothic style characterized by prosthetic wings and other appendages, as well as rag clothing. While he has reinvented his look several times in his career, he is most often associated with goth makeup and costumes today.

3. Slipknot

Few bands on this list have reached such critical acclaim as quickly as Slipknot. With seven grammy nominations (and one win), two platinum records, and two gold records in just 10 years, it’s easy to forget that Slipknot’s initial notoriety came in large because they wear masks. In fact, with matching jumpsuits, horrific masks, and numbers (instead of names), Slipknot’s initial image was a new level of shock. Kudos to The ‘knot for having the good sense to license their masks for merchandising as well.

2. Kiss

There are stars. There are superstars, Then there’s Kiss. With 24 gold albums and more than 100 million records sold worldwide, they aren’t just an amazing costumed band, they are the band that used face paint and costumes to create a brand that is as instantly recognizable as Nike or Coke. Add firebreathing, blood spitting, lasers, and enough pyro to stock a small army, and Kiss’s live show does everything to cement their reputation as the quintessential rock band, even as the members of Kiss enter their 60s.

1. GWAR

Until Gwar, Alice Cooper and Kiss had the market on shock rock, but their approaches were rooted in makeup and traditional theater posturings. When Gwar arrived, they did so in full latex costumes and sci-fi personas. Looking less like something from a Kubuki production and more like something out of an Alien movie, their stageshows notoriosly address taboo subjects and often leave concert-goers walking home drenched in fake bodily fluids. With an image like that, it would be easy to forget that they also have two Grammy awards.

There you have it. Some shock. Some thrill. Some channel their inner demons. But they have all done it with some type of costuming, though. And along the way, some of them have changed the course of rock and roll… forever.

And if you’re in the mood, don’t forget we carry our own assortment of rock star costumes to help you take the stage in style.

Photo by Wigwam Jones

Brave knights. Lovely ladies in fine clothing. If you are looking for costume ideas that are always in style — and rich in color and diversity — the Middle Ages and the Renaissance are great places to look. Men and women can find a wide variety of colorful costumes, accessories and even hairstyles when they look to medieval times and to the Renaissance. These two eras in history offer options for romance and color, valor and villainy.

Fairy tales and epic adventures take place during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and you can bring the magic alive, whether you plan to where your costume to a Renaissance Faire or whether you are simply looking for a fun Halloween costume for the kids. Here are 20 web sites where you can learn about the Middle Ages and the Renaissance — and get some great costume ideas:

1. About.com Medieval History: This is a great place to go to learn a little bit more about the Middle Ages. Learn about specific people that were famous then (and see paintings of them for costume ideas), and learn about what life was like. Also dips a little bit into the Renaissance.
2. Got Medieval: Carl Pyrdum is a graduate student with a passion for all things medieval. Get his take on the culture of the Middle Ages, and how it relates to pop culture today. Additionally, you can also get some great costume ideas from the images of paintings, manuscripts and tapestries available on the site.
3. In the Middle: Get an idea of what was like in the Middle Ages from this “study group” web site. While the site’s main focus is medieval times, you might also find information on more recent and related happenings, from seminars on the subject to meet-ups. Some of the images available offer great inspiration for costumes.
4. News for Medievalists: This blog is a foray into medieval art, society, culture, history, literature and architecture. Images can help you come with great costume ideas, as well as help you learn a little more about the Middle Ages. Get the latest happenings in the world of those who love medieval culture, and connect with others who share your passion for all things medieval.
5. Medieval Material Culture Blog: Get helpful links to modern happenings based around the Middle Ages. Links to medieval paintings and other images are especially helpful for those looking to recreate the clothing of that time period.
6. A Corner of Tenth-Century Europe: Fantastic look at Europe in the 10th century. Includes images, maps, articles of interest and history lessons on Europe as it really began emerging as an influence on Western Civilization.
7. Nan Hawthorne’s Booking the Middle Ages: This blog focuses on books about the Middle Ages, and writing with a medieval sensibility. Images provide inspiration, and the blog itself offers helpful information on medieval times, as well as literature.
8. StevenTill.com: Steven Till loves the Middle Ages, and shows it with his blog. Links to interesting sites and articles are included on this blog, as are interesting facts about the Middle Ages.
9. Medieval Bookworm: Meghan is interested in all things medieval — especially books about the Middle Ages. This is a great blog to read if you are interested in fiction, especially fiction about the Middle Ages.
10. Living the History: This looks at modern interpretations of the Middle Ages, courtesy of Elizabeth Chadwick, who writes historical fiction. Enjoy her experiments and research, and see how you can put together your own realistic costumes related to medieval times.
11. Writing the Renaissance: This blog is written by Julianne Douglas, who has a Ph.D. in French literature. She enjoys writing fiction set in 16th century France. Her passion is helping people understand Renaissance Europe. Included on the site are interesting interviews with other authors, as well as images that provide a look at Renaissance costuming.
12. Renaissance Magazine: Yes, there is an entire publication devoted to the Renaissance. Visit the web site to learn about the Renaissance and even buy related merchandise. If you actually get the magazine, you can imagine the awesome costume ideas you are bound to get by looking at modern interpretation of Renaissance style.
13. All About Renaissance Faires: Renaissance faires take place all over the country and the world. If you are interested in getting some background on the Renaissance, and learning a little bit more about how to participate in Renaissance faires (including what to wear), this is a good place to start.
14. Hoydens and Firebrands: This is a collection of ladies who write about the 17th century. This blog about a portion of the Renaissance includes biographies (in case you want to be someone specific), history and places. Plenty of images to go along with the information.
15. The Raucous Royals: While not specifically confined to the Renaissance, there are plenty of posts and pictures related to the Renaissance era. The focus is on royalty, so you can get a number of great costume ideas relevant to kinds and queens, princes and princesses.
16. Tudor Book Blog: The Tudors ruled during the Renaissance. And if you are looking for distinctive costuming, you can’t go wrong when you consider ideas based on images of Queen Mary (the Spanish Tudor), Mary Queen of Scots (even though she wasn’t a Tudor), King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. As a bonus, you can learn about current literary efforts in fiction and non-fiction based upon the Tudor era.
17. Tudor History Blog: Another blog focused on the rule of the Tudor family. Interesting tidbits and information for events planned by and for those who love this interesting and turbulent era in European history.
18. Versailles and More: Novelist Catherine Delors takes you on a tour of late Renaissance France. A fascinating look at history, including images of paintings and more. A treasure trove of fancy costume ideas.
19. Renaissance Faire: This site includes a helpful blog, videos of different Renaissance Faire happenings and costumes, as well as a directory of related sites and helpful hints. Some of the more popular videos include belly dancing. Yes, there was plenty of belly dancing during the Renaissance.
20. Renaissance Faire Homepage: Want to attend a Renaissance Faire? This blog web site will help you figure out where to find faires across the U.S., as well as provide you with historical perspectives and specific advice and help with costuming and accessories.

Considering a switch to witchery? Whoa, whoa … don’t go grabbing that black pointy hat just yet. There’s a lot more to being a witch than meets the eye. If you want to look like a witch and act like a witch, here are a dozen sites you need to review before you get started.

History of Witches

When you’re a witch, it’s best to be prepared. Those who forget the past will most likely burn at the stake. Learn all about the history of witches here.

History of Witchcraft – The Pagan Library’s history of witchcraft is more than enough to get you started. This page includes a copy of the Wiccan Rede, which sums up the wiccan code of conduct with, ” An harm ye none, do what ye will.” Browse around the other reference material to learn about “Psychic Self-Defense,” “Shamanic Binding,” and my personal favorite, “Major Uses of the Wand.” (Surprisingly, “zap things” was not one of them.)

Gerald Gardner – Also known as the “father of modern wicca,” Gerald Gardner is the guy who popularized the modern idea of the coven, with its secret oaths and naked ritual initiations. Some people believe he was really a witch, while others think he made it all up for the attention. Read all about the man (and the myths) in these scholarly articles, or just admire the pictures of his awesome hair.

Salem Witch Trials Archive – Read the actual court documents from the Salem Witch Trials, from the arrest of suspected witches to their final death warrants. The translations are a bit hard to read, but juicy nonetheless: “…she at last acknowledged that Goody Johnson made her a witch, And sometime last sumer she made a red mark in the devils book with the fore finger of her Left hand.” See scans of the actual historical records, or browse paintings and drawings about the Salem Witch Trials.

Spells and Divination

WARNING: Use these spells and tools at your own risk. Star Costumes cannot be held responsible for any cosmic repercussions you may incur. Consult your doctor before beginning any diet and exercise program. Results not typical.

Everything Under the Moon – Hundreds of free witchcraft spells and wiccan rituals to help you find love, make money or possibly just clear up your acne: “Apple, sacred fruit of the Goddess / With this gift, I do caress / The pimple that brought me shame. / I banish this zit in your name.” Learn about the phases of the moon and how they affect your magic. Read up on the various crystals, gemstones, roots and herbs you’ll use in your encantations. You might also want to start saving your hair and toenail clippings.

How to Make a Book of Shadows – In a nutshell, a Book of Shadows is where you’ll write down all your spells and rituals (yes, by hand … you might think Microsoft Office is evil, but it’s not technically “magickal”). You’ll also keep notes about herbs and ingredients, the phases of the moon, the laws of your coven and other vital information for your day-to-day witchery needs. Learn how to make one here.

Learning the Tarot – Tarot reading uses special cards to gain insight into future. This free online course teaches you how to read tarot cards in 19 steps, along with helpful charts and sample tarot readings. With a little practice, you can try to look into your future and do readings for your family and friends.

Witches on Film

Chances are, you’re going to have deal with non-witches in your day-to-day life, so you should understand the stereotypes you’ll be dealing with. Here are a few popular films that have influenced people’s perceptions of witches.

MuggleNet – Realistic or not, the Harry Potter books and movies put witchcraft back in the limelight and made witches cool for a whole new generation. At MuggleNet, you can keep up with the latest Harry Potter news, including the books, movies and video games. You can also learn more about author J.K. Rowling, download desktop backgrounds and chat with other Harry Potter fans.

Wizard of Oz Wiki – For many people, the green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West is the model of how a witch should look and behave — dressed entirely in black, with a tall pointy hat, a wart on her chin and flying a broom. But did you know that the original Wicked Witch of the West had only one super-powerful eye? And carried an umbrella to protect herself from water? Learn more at the Wizard of Oz wiki.

Monty Python’s Holy Grail – Mention the word “witch” to anyone remotely geeky, and chances are you’ll spend the next 5 minutes listening to Holy Grail quotes. The infamous witch trial scene includes gems like:

Witch Communities

When you think about it, witches are quite chatty. If they’re not threatening to get your dog, they’re muttering over a crystal ball or chatting with a magic mirror. Here are a few popular pagan hangouts around the web so you can stop talking to your cat.

The Witches’ Voice – For nearly 15 years, The Witches Voice has provided a place where witches can read the latest pagan news and share their personal essays, like “A Wiccan Elemental Approach to Overcoming Challenges” or “Where’s the “Community” in the Pagan Community?” They also provide a huge networking resource list, helping witches and pagans find local covens and festivals, or advertise their pagan goods and services.

PaganSpace – Claiming to be the largest, busiest social network for the occult and pagan community, PaganSpace features a very active forum and a community of prolific bloggers (you’ll find it all under Discussions). You can also join a discussion group for just about any pagan topic imaginable, from typical stuff like voodoo and tarot cards to more obscure activities like “folkish heathenry”. Are you a pagan with ADD? A witch who prefers dogs to cats? There’s a group for that.

witches.meetup.com – Over 35,000 witches, wiccans and pagans of all flavors gather here to find a local coven or just socialize with liked-minded folks. Groups have been established or are just getting started in 237 cities over 8 countries, although the vast majority are concentrated in the United States. Have kids? You can use this site to organize a “pagan family playdate” or connect with other pagans who homeschool their children.

Are you a witch yet? Then suit up in your witch costume (or one of your other favorite Halloween costumes) and leave a comment below!

It’s no mystery that kids love to dress up in all kinds of costumes. Playing dress up is a fun and educational activity for children, one that encourages them to open up their minds, role play, and dream. Children learn best by imitating, and by dressing up and emulating adults they also learn more about the world around them.

Playing dress up games and throwing dress up parties can open up endless possibilities for your child to use their imagination. Here are 25 incredible online resources we’ve found to help you as a parent make the most of dress up play with your children. And for more great dress up ideas, be sure to check out our kid’s costumes and costume accessories.

Creating and Stocking Your Own Dress Up Box

1. Little Girls Dress Up Trunks — Get started in making your child’s own personal dress up trunk. This article gives you tips on where to get the perfect trunk and which items to look for to fill it with.
2. Dress Up Ideas — Universal Preschool has fantastic ideas on where to find items for your child’s very own dress up collection.
3. Play Costume Ideas — An informative article about using a variety of items found around the house for your child to use for dress up play.
4. Animal Play Cape — This article gives easy to follow instructions on how to make your child their very own animal play cape for only $1. This cape would be a wonderful addition to your child’s dress up box!
5. Dress Up Box — A resource from Martha Stewart on how to create a well stocked dress up box for your child. We love the suggestion of occasionally swapping out some items with a friend to keep your child’s collection fresh.
6. Filling Your Dress Up Trunk with Everyday Treasures — Great advice on finding and using everyday items for role-playing and dress up. As the article says, it doesn’t take more than a cape or a mask or an old prom dress to shift a child’s imagination into overdrive.

Making Your Own Costumes for Halloween and Beyond

7. Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas — This FrugalDad.com article has wonderful and economic ideas for dressing up your little ones for Halloween or anytime using items found around the house. A must read in this uncertain economy!
8. Silly Disguises and Costume Surprises — An article from the Nick Jr. website that features easy costumes and crafts to dress up your little one like their favorite Nick Jr. characters. Includes such characters as Diego, Dora, and Blue!
9. Olivia’s Do-it-yourself Designer Dress — This article gives instructions on how to help your child turn in old t-shirt into their very own designer dress from Olivia, a popular Nick Jr. character.
10. Do-It-Yourself Halloween Costumes for Kids — A wonderful resource with fantastic ideas for Halloween costumes you can make yourself. Not only can you save money, but it’s a fun project that kids love.

Party Time! Dress Up Party Ideas and Inspiration

1. Fashion Fun Birthday Party — This website has ideas on throwing the perfect fashion fun birthday party. This includes ideas for invitations, decorations, games, crafts, and favors. We love the simple recipe for making your own body glitter!
2. Party Themes — A fantastic article from kidspartyfun.com that lists a bunch of themes to help you get started in planning the perfect party for your child. A great resource to inspire you to plan a party your child will never forget.
3. Dress Up Party — Easy ideas to help you throw a fun dress up party for your child. We love the suggestions on fun foods to serve that will make your little one feel oh-so-grown-up.
4. Dress Up Birthday Party — This website features a list of party plans and ideas contributed by real life people who have thrown or are throwing a dress up party. Get some fantastic ideas here!
5. Hollywood Birthday Party — Make your daughter feel like a star and throw her a Hollywood dress up party. This article will give you fabulous ideas for invitations, costumes, decorations, games and activities, food and drinks, cake, and goody bags.
6. Themed Parties — All the information you need to throw an unforgettable themed dress up party. Themes include a tea party, dinosaur party, wizard party, and slumber party. Also gives tips and pointers to make your party a success.
7. Princess Party — Little girls love acting like princesses. This is a helpful article on ways to throw a princess themed party for your preschool aged daughter. This kind of party is sure to be a hit with your little princess!
8. “Dress Up As Your Hero” Party — This kind of party is fun for girls and boys alike. Throw your child a “dress up as your hero” party and encourage them to express their individuality. Read all about throwing this type of dress up party here.
9. Birthday Party Ideas — This huge list from amazingmoms.com features over 150 birthday party ideas and themes. With a list this big you are sure to find ideas for the perfect party for your child.

Dress Up Games Your Child Will Love

20. Martha Speaks Dress Up Game — An entertaining dress up game from PBS KIDS! to teach your 4-7 year old about reading, language, and creative expression.
21. Dress Up Games for Kids — This website lists fun ideas for dress up games for kids and explains why they are educational.
22. Musical Dress Up Game — Step by step instructions on how to play musical dress up with a group of children. Also includes tips and warnings to make your game a success.

The Benefits of Playing Dress Up

23. Dress-Up Play for Preschoolers — This informative article explains why dress
    up play is beneficial to your child’s development. Also lists fun items to keep in your dress up box.
24. Boys and Boas — Here’s an informative article about preschool-aged boys who play dress up with girls clothing, told from the point of view of one parent who’s child went through this phase.
25. Why Dressing Up is Good for Kids — This article discusses the benefits of playing dress up. We love the section on what to do if your child refuses to wear anything but his or her dress up clothes.

And don’t forget that Halloween is right around the corner. If you like dressing up, be sure to take a look at our wide selection of Halloween costumes, including our toddler Halloween costumes.

Fantasy does not only have to exist on the pages of a book or across the television or movie screen; our fantasies can come to life whenever we like. With the help of sexy adult costumes, we can play make-believe games with our partner, or wear them to feel sexy and attractive. Halloween encourages us to dress up, and there is nothing inappropriate about wearing sexy adult costumes to a party or event planned for adults who appreciate the spirit of dressing up in costumes for fun and excitement. Sexy adult costumes are not traditionally made or intended to be worn as everyday clothing. They are created for everyone’s fun and fantasies. StarCostumes.com is among the best online resource for high quality, sexy adult costumes.