Costume Shopping

A bustier and an A-line skirt can make a flattering evening outfit. Add a leather jacket to top it off.

If shopping for the perfect costume-wardrobe pieces seems intimidating (where do I start???) OR if you tend to overindulge, ask yourself these questions when sizing something up.
• Is your costume suitable for the environment? Anyone who’s ever been to Burning Man can appreciate the concept of “day looks” and “night looks.” Burning Man takes place in the desert, so during the heat of the day, participants want costumes that allow the body to breathe and perhaps protect from the sun. At night, they want something warm. It’s also quite dusty there. Perhaps not the best place for rare, one-of-a-kind pieces. Definitely ask yourself, where will you be wearing your costume?
• Is it worth the price? Divide the price by $10—if the resulting number is equivalent to the number of times you foreseeably would wear the item, it’s worth it (i.e.: if a boustiere costs $50, would you wear it five times?).
• Can you use it with your current wardrobe to add flair? This is especially important when shopping for accessories. Buy scarves, gloves, hats, stockings, jewelry, etc. that you can use in your day-to-day life.
• Is it flattering? If it doesn’t make your booty or boobies look good, don’t buy it. PERIOD.
• Do you LOVE it? Never buy any item of clothing that you are wishy-washy about. Only buy the pieces that you have to have.
• Is it comfortable? Guys secretly hate the way tube tops transform women into chickens—little do we realize that the constant tugging up on them makes our arms look like flapping wings. Will your costume make you look good and graceful? Also, think about the fabric. Natural fibers will allow you to breathe. Synthetics will make you sweat like a pig.