Costume How-To: Part 2

Who doesn't love a knight in shining armor? Well, let's say a knight in plastic-painted-to-look-burnished armor ... which is what Javi dressed up as for Halloween last year. Sadly, he's decided he's too old for trick-or-treating this year. Instead, he'll wear all black and scare kids. Milestones!

Sir Javi

Javi actually wore two different costumes*. For our local Halloween fair, he went as a knight. Here's how we did it:

• Must have: Play gear, e.g., helmet and chest plate. (Found at the Dollar Store. Cost: $2)
• A black or gray long-sleeved shirt. (Found in Javi's closet. Cost: $0)
• A pair of black or gray pants. (Found in Javi's closet. The pants were black with a gray stripe. No one noticed. Cost: $0)
• A black cape. (We didn't have a cape, so we used a black sheet secured with a large safety pin. Cost: $0)
• A dark colored belt. (We had one with a silver buckle that fit the theme. Cost: $0)
• A large-sized (or any size, really) pin. (Found in our junk drawer. Cost: $0)
• Black shoes and socks. (Found in Javi's closet. Cost: $0)
• A square of aluminum foil.

Optional accessories:

• A treat bag made from a dark pillow case
• A shield (Dollar Store. Cost: $0)
• A sword to tuck into the belt (Dollar Store. Cost: $0)

To create the costume:

• Get dressed in the black/gray shirt and pants. 

• Add the chest plate and belt.

• Drape the sheet (or cape if you have one) at an angle around the shoulders. Make sure it bunches and hangs off the shoulders a bit. Secure with the safety pin.

• Crumple the aluminum foil and then spread it back out. Use a black marker and a cotton ball to "distress" the foil by smudging ink around it. You can skip this step and go with a shinier/smoother look if you want.

• Wrap the foil around the pin and then stick the pin where the safety pin is.

• Add the helmet and accessories.

Now all you have to do is put it all together and you have this look for just $4:

       

*Javi wore two costumes because he had sensory issues with this one. Specifically, he couldn't stand the weight of the sheet or the feel of it on his shoulders. He wound up ditching it right after the above picture was taken. If your kiddo has sensory issues, perhaps a lighter-weight sheet (his was king sized) or a real cape is a better bet.

Coming up: A pirate, a wrestler, and an angel. Previous: Pippi Longstocking.

This post is linked to: The DIY Showoff, Get Your Craft On, Wordful Wednesday, Way Back When-esday, Works for Me Wednesday, and Somewhat Simple.