by Ana Alvarez, Lookout Books Intern
It’s hard to believe Halloween is just around the proverbial Gregorian Calendar corner. I’m a strong proponent of literary-themed costumes, so here are a few costume ideas for the book nerd in all of us.
1. Miss Havisham from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
To complete the Havisham look, all you need is a wedding dress and a gray wig. If you want to be gutsy, bring a cake along. Give men the stink-eye.
2. The Plague Rat from The Plague by Albert Camus, OR The Decammeron by Boccaccio.
Dress in brown shirt and pants (corduroy works best). Tape two brown construction paper triangles to a headband. Find a long sock and pin to the back of your pantaloons (or corduroys). Throw small beanbags at people. Claim the bags are fleas. (Flea-bags?)
3. Calvin and Hobbes from Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
Find a pal to dress up as either a blonde-haired kid or a tiger. If you can’t decide whom should dress as whom, or which one of you gets to carry the Transmogrifier, just agree to wear black clothing and gray wigs—go as the real Calvin and Hobbes.
4. J. T. Eckleberg from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Wear non-descript clothing. Wear noticeable, large glasses. Watch people. Seriously. Just stand and watch. When people say you’re freaking them out, just shout: “I’m a symbolic literary device!”
Got any good ideas for a literary-themed costumes? Send them our way on Lookout’s Facebook page!