Last week we started sharing a few ideas for making Carnival costumes ahead of time. But we know that sometimes finding the time is the hardest thing in the world. That’s why we like to keep a few aces up our sleeves, just in case it sneaks up on us. Today’s aces come in the form of ideas for improvising a simple, fast costume.
These are very easy details to make, with or without a sewing machine, and with a little imagination and the right accessories, they’ll be enough to recreate the magic. It won’t be the most elaborate costume in the world, of course, but it’ll get us out of a jam.
We already know you don’t have time to spare, so let’s get to them!
How to improvise a simple costume
Make a fabric crown
They’re the queens of improvisation—literally. With a crown and a little floaty fabric, you can create your own version of kings, queens, princes, princesses, emperors, empresses, and anything else you can imagine.
If you don’t have time to make a cape—which would be ideal—you can always use a piece of fabric, even unfinished, to create a cloak; tulle to whip up a dress or skirt; or a fitted blouse of your own, cinched with a belt, to imitate a jacket… The important thing is for the crown to look great! If you’re handy, you can have something truly lovely in just a few minutes.
We offer several crown solutions:
- Elastic crown tutorial
- Velcro crown tutorial
- Crown sewing kit
A much more hippie alternative that suits fairies, nymphs, and enchanted forests is to make a flower crown. Another really fun possibility is a fabric feather headdress—learn how to make it in this tutorial, starting at minute 10.
Improvise a masquerade mask
The ultimate symbol of Carnival. And you can make one in just a few minutes, with or without a sewing machine. The mask can complete a costume, be worn with elegant clothes, paired with a Venetian-style cape—yes, once again, it would be fabulous to have a cape, which is why this tutorial is such a hit—made with shiny fabric, finished with fringe, or decorated with a lace or tulle veil…
On our YouTube channel, you’ll find a very simple tutorial for making a reversible mask. At the beginning, Laura explains how to draw the pattern according to the size of your own face or your model’s.
You can make it with a sewing machine or use permanent fabric glue.
The magical touch of a bow tie
Is a bow tie enough to improvise a costume? In last week’s post, we used a bow tie with a few more accessories to create a Mickey Mouse costume. Its secret lies in being an unusual accessory that we associate with very specific outfits and characters.
For example, if you add a red bow tie to a white lab coat and a messy wig, you’ll have a mad scientist. If you make a very large, colorful bow tie and pair it with a red nose and a colorful wig, you’ll have a clown. And that’s just the beginning: use it to recreate a professor, a grandfather, or Groucho Marx himself. What do you associate a bow tie with?
However you make it, you can follow this tutorial and adapt it to your needs.
And there you have it! Three quick solutions for improvising a simple costume with some magical combination of accessories.
We hope they help and that you stop feeling stressed about time.
Have a wonderful week!