How to Have a Mer-mazing Halloween: Part One

So, and this is just a shot in the dark, perhaps you woke up this morning to realize that it’s Halloween and you have no idea what you’re going to wear to your sister’s friend’s cousin’s costume party tonight. Your natural gift of procrastination has caught up to you, and you need a costume, and fast!

Never fear, little guppy! This special Halloween installment is shore to help you design your perfect mermaid costume, even if you’re in a time crunch!

First, you’ll need to decide whether you want to be a Mermaid or a Merman. This post will help you design your own last minute merman costume, and this link will bring you to my post to design a last minute mermaid costume. Gather whatever crafty items you can find around your house—and let’s get down to some fishy business!

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For a Merman Costume:

Right, all my mermen out there: the two main things you need to pull this costume off are 1) a trident and 2) an item of clothing which will look like a tail. Any further accessories will be a plus (and I’ll suggest some options for you!), but I think your costume will be fintastic if you can have at least these two key items!

Making a last minute trident may be easier than it looks, so let’s talk about your resources. If you have a chance to run out to a costume store, but can’t find a trident, per se, keep an eye out for a devil’s pitchfork. It might be bright red, but with a little golden spray paint, we could be on the right track. Don’t have a chance to get to the nearest Party City? Take a close look at the things you have lying around your house. What about that broom stick? Or walking stick? Or curtain rod? Look for some kind of light-weight pole you can use as the simple base for your trident. Next, you’ll need to find a way to create the spokes. You could cut this out of cardboard or plastic and duct-tape it to your pole. If you used an empty milk jug, you could use the spout to attach the top to your pole. One you have a basic trident shape, add some embellishments! Look for scrap material, jewels, paint—or anything else you might have to spruce up your powerful weapon of the seas!

Next, you’ll need to find a way to make a tail. My best suggestion would be to borrow a skirt from a gal pal, preferably a floor-length one, to create the illusion of being half-fish. You could also tie a bed sheet around your waist (over a pair of shorts or pants)—and you could leave it blank, or you could draw a mermaid tail shape on the blanket to help with the illusion! Don’t be afraid to look a little goofy or campy. This is last minute and your mer-confidence is going to shine!

Once you have gathered the two main components of your merman costume, consider adding any accessories to intensify your look. You could wrap scrap material around your arms for some regal arm bands. You could get creative with make up or face paint and add some scales to your face or chest. You could make an easy paper crown and sharpie some decorative seashells around it. The sky (or should I say “the ocean”?) is your limit! You should be swimming in no time!

Best Wishes and Swimmy Fishes,

Mermaid Kira