Costumes refer to distinctive style of clothing worn by particular classes or people from specific periods of time. More commonly costumes refer to the clothes worn by actors who are portraying particular classes or people from specific periods of time. Theatrical costumes, serve to tell the story about particular characters. The costumes give clues to the audience about the character’s age, gender, personality and location. The costume designer is tasked with creating costumes that best represent either actual period appropriate clothing or costumes that capture the essence of the period in a more stylized aspect.

There are other types of costuming that is not related to theater, however. Consider the wearing of costumes for holiday celebrations. Costumes are a big consideration in celebrating both Halloween and Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras costumes range from the lavishly outlandish to the basic half-faced mask. Halloween on the other hand is a holiday almost completely devoted to the art of costumes. From the youngest of children to the oldest of adults there are costumes available to fit any need. There are even costumes especially made for almost every conceivable type of household pet. Traditional costumes for the Halloween holiday include monsters, vampires, witches and ghosts. Super heroes and characters from televisions shows are also common choices for costumes, especially among children.

Other holidays have some element of costumes involved in them. Often people dress up as elves or Santa for Christmas, or some may portray the holy family in a recreation of the night Jesus was born in a religious re-enactment. Additionally, you may see a leprechaun, Uncle Sam or the Easter Bunny at the mall during the month prior to their specific holiday.

A current trend in costuming is known as cosplay. This involved creating and adorning costumes that are created around characters rom anime, manga and video games. Like in Japan, the world of cosplay in America is becoming a very elaborate and competitive subculture. Conventions are held throughout the country, most often in conjunction with anime conventions, and contestants are judged based upon the accuracy of the costume as well as audience reaction to the runway show. Costumes have changed some over the past decades, but ultimately, it still comes down to choosing a character or costume that best reflects your own personality.

Gail Leino
www.partysupplieshut.com