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Discover fun ideas for great-looking Celebrity, TV and Movie Costumes this Halloween! Updated October 1, 2009. Related info-- Halloween Costume Photo Contest 2009 :: Halloween Creative Design Contest :: Captain Jack Sparrow :: Captain Jack, pt 2 :: Celebrity & Movie costumes :: Cheap Halloween Costumes :: Children's Animal Costumes :: Clown Costumes :: Darth Vader :: Other Star Wars Costumes :: Disney Princesses :: Fairy Costumes :: Inexpensive Homemade Costumes :: Nightmare Before Christmas :: Pet Costumes :: Pirates/kids :: Pirate Costumes/Adults :: Plus Size Costumes :: Superhero Costumes :: Witch/Vampire costumes :: Wizard of Oz :: Contest Winners 9/08 :: Contest Winners 10/08, pt 1 :: Contest Winners 10/08, pt 2 :: Celebrity, TV and Movie CostumesIn the slide show above, you're viewing pictures of popular celebrity and movie costumes that you'll find available in your local stores (and online) this year. This selection comes from www.BuyCostumes.com, a large internet Halloween store. However, since there are relatively few costume manufacturers, you're sure to see some of these costumes over and over again, no matter where you shop. To see still more costumes, here are links to the adult movie costumes Choosing a good celebrity costumeFirst step: choosing a celebrity (or TV/Movie character) that fits your looks and style
As you already know, not every person can portray every celebrity or movie character. Unless you're aiming for laughs, a man is limited to men's characters, for example; and tall, short, thin or large characters will be more believable if chosen by someone fitting approximately the same physical description.Fortunately, celebrities come in all sizes, shapes and colors, just like we all do. So, there's certainly a movie character or celebrity that's a good fit for you and (if you're going as a group costume,) for your friends and family members, too. Some characters make great group costumes...like the Star Trek movie characters from the 2009 version (or from the classic TV shows, as well.) Others make great couples costumes...such as Lucy and Desi, or Shrek and Fiona. And nearly all can be used as good solo costumes. Photo note: The great-looking Michael Jackson costume (to your right) was sent in by reader Martha Rodarte of California. Which celebrity & movie costumes are the most popular?
Every year, costume trends for Halloween follow the movies which were released the previous summer. For example, in 2009, Star Trek costumes are hot again...after being relatively dormant for awhile (except with ardent fans.) This year, you'll also be seeing GI Joe characters, Wolfman (even though the movie's release date has been pushed back to 2010,) and Star Wars (a classic that's been been brought back to the forefront by the new animated TV series.)Also hot for celebrity costumes in 2009 are the Michael Jackson costumes. Several of his most famous costumes worn in his music videos are being sold this year, all of which are selling well. Of course, it's most unfortunate that it was his passing that's responsible for this surge. And yet, it's a fitting tribute, as well. You can also say that if there were NO interest in Michael Jackson's music...and stage costumes...that his work as an entertainer had not been remembered and loved. Other celebrity and movie costumes remain popular year in and year out. Some costumes in this category include Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. It doesn't matter what current movies or music might be playing, these fan favorites will be worn by a certain percentage of Halloween party-goers every year. 
On this page, you'll get some ideas for sewing some favorite celebrity, TV and movie costumes. (Because, of course, there isn't much that can be said about buying them!) Other pages of this site already talk about certain types of movie character costumes. So, if the character you're looking to portray isn't discussed on this page, you can try these others:1.) Captain Jack Sparrow Photo notes: the picture of a smart-looking Indiana Jones costume (to your right) was submitted by reader Gina Chiacchia of Washington. And the very dapper Joker costume (above) was sent in by reader Jennifer Honeycutt of Tennessee. Sewing a Celebrity, TV or Movie CostumeSome celebrity costumes have sewing patterns available to help you...while others don't
Not every celebrity costume has a particular sewing pattern made that you should use if you're trying to re-create the same look. For example, if your son or husband wants to be Indiana Jones you'd be better off to use a leather jacket and hat you already have...or buy them...rather than to sew such a difficult and expensive project. With a leather whip in their hands, anyone who sees them will know that their costumes portray Indy Jones.As you can see in the picture of the Slash/Guns N Roses costume to your left, sometimes putting an outfit together with clothing you already have is the only way to go. There's no sewing pattern for this costume...but there isn't an outfit available to purchase, either. By pulling together clothing and props already at home...then adding a wig and "tattoo stockings" over the arms, ta da--a unique, one-of-a-kind costume was created! (This very clever Slash costume was sent in by reader Scott Lovett of California.) But, there ARE some costumes that have commercially available patterns sitting on the store shelves and waiting to assist you. We'll talk about some of those costumes in the next section. Elvis Presley CostumesSeveral good sewing patterns can help you "be" Elvis!Elvis--men's: McCall's Elvis costume M5734 makes a Las Vegas-style Elvis jumpsuit with flared long sleeves and huge bell bottoms. Sizes come in Sm to XXXL, which should fit nearly any man, from a skinny teen to a big brawny fellow. Add an Elvis wig...maybe a microphone for a prop...and you'll be so convincing that people will ask for your autograph! Note: this same pattern package comes with a Saturday Night Fever style jumpsuit, which will give you a totally different retro costume to wear next Halloween! Elvis--men's: Yet another good Elvis costume is Burda's Elvis Jumpsuit pattern 2481. This costume comes with a fun cape that's not included with the McCall's men's pattern. The lining of the cape is suggested to be made in the same flashy gold fabric that's used in the insets of the jumpsuit's huge bell bottom pants legs! Add a wig and sideburns (or grow your own) and your ready to rock & roll! Do you have a pet? You can find out about a good Elvis sewing pattern for dogs on the Halloween Pet Costumes page of this site. Elvis costumes and accessories: If you'd like to view Elvis wigs and accessories to go with the Elvis jumpsuit you've made, here's a link to the Elvis Presley costumes and accessories Celebrity costumes: Marilyn Monroe dressBoth retro AND modern patterns are available for her classic "7 Year Itch" dress
Marilyn Monroe women's costume: Marilyn Monroe actually did change clothing during her lifetime, but you'd never know it by looking at the Marilyn Monroe impersonators of today. They almost universally choose the famous white movie dress which can be made with Simplicity Marilyn Monroe-style halter dress pattern 3823. This pattern can fit a wide variety of body types from thin to plus-size because it comes in Misses sizes 6 through 22. Make it in white, add a blonde wig, and you won't have to announce to your friends what famous celebrity you're imitating. They'll know!Other Marilyn Monroe dress patterns: Another pattern you may use to make the famous Marilyn Monroe movie dress is Butterick Retro Pattern B5209. The overall effect of the outfit is the same, but there are little styling differences which you may prefer. Yet another true vintage pattern in this same halter-dress style, is Vogue vintage dress pattern V2962. Check out Marilyn Monroe costumes and accessories: If you'd like to check out Marilyn Monroe wigs, jewelry and dresses to see what's available for sale commercially, here's a link to the Marilyn Monroe costumes Lucille Ball--I Love Lucy costume
Costume for Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy: The most common I Love Lucy dress being sold is a navy blue '50's dress featuring white polka dots and trim. If you don't like that particular outfit, there's no problem. Fortunately, Lucille Ball wore hundreds of different outfits during "I Love Lucy's" long reign as queen of sitcoms. Therefore, all you need to do is to find an accurate pattern from the era and you'll have an outfit that Lucy might have worn. Today's impersonators generally choose a shirtwaist dress with short sleeves, but Lucy also wore tailored suits, shirts and blouses, and occasionally an apron during kitchen scenes. Butterick maintains a line of retro patterns from the late 40's and early 50's, including the following: Butterick Retro pattern B5031, Butterick Retro pattern B5214, Butterick 50's dress pattern B5033, Butterick "wrap" dress pattern B4790, and Butterick pattern B6582. A modern shirtwaist dress pattern that you might prefer (if you plan to wear your Lucy Halloween costume as a dress afterwards) is Butterick pattern 5315, which has several "looks" you can make out of the same pattern.If you don't see exactly the style you want, don't worry! The Vogue pattern company also maintains a retro line of patterns, which they call "Vintage Vogue." Here's a link to the Vintage Vogue section of the Vogue Patterns website. Lucy wig: No matter what dress you decide to make, getting a good red-haired Lucy wig is a must. While there are a few Lucy historians who actually know which styles she wore (and in which scenes she wore them!) most people do not. It's the red wig that "tells" them what celebrity you're portraying! Photo note: The adorable toddler Lucy costume (to your left) was a contest winner in the Family-Vacation-Getaways.com Halloween Photo Contest for 2008. Submitted by Lacey Saunders of Texas, her little girl's beautiful red hair made her think of planning out the Lucille Ball costume. It worked with smashing success, don't you think!? To see how Lacey created this costume...which is actually a conversion of a Minnis Mouse dress (!)...please visit the Prize-Winning Halloween Costumes page of this site. Movie Character CostumesHere are some other movie/TV character costumes that haven't been talked-about elsewhere on a different page: Wolfman costume: The classic Wolfman character will be returning to the big screen in 2010...and his costume is already available both in stores and on the sewing pattern shelves! Simplicity Wolfman costume 2513 Sizes for Men's XS through M or L thru XL, depending on which package you get. You'll use your own pants as the base for this costume. You may also use your own jacket if you wish...but the package does include the pattern for a suit jacket, if you care to undertake the task. The pertinent part of the costume (the items which turn you into Wolfman) are the furry hood with wolf ears; the furry gloves; and a furry chest piece which makes you look like you're bursting through your shirt as you start to change into a beast. You'll want to add your own pair of fangs and facial hair to complete the look. Classic Sherlock Holmes costume: You can become the great, master detective if you sew (or have sewn for you) Simplicity's Sherlock Holmes detective cloak pattern 2513. (This is actually the same pattern as Simplicity's Wolfman costume; the package contains several different outfits.) Of course, you'll have to add your own hat and magnifying glass to finish the look, but it's really this cool detective's coat which will "tell everyone with a glance" that you're dressed as Sherlock Holmes. Available in men's sizes XS through XL. You'll wear the cloak over your own set of clothing. Men's Sherlock Holmes costume alternative: If you don't like the style of the detective cloak listed above, you have yet another choice---Simplicity's Detective Coat pattern 2517. This is also a perfect costume for larger gents, since it comes in sizes 38 all the way up through 52. A Sherlock Holmes-style detective hat pattern comes included.
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