Costume How-To: Part 3

Last year, my big kid actually donned two different Halloween costumes. Because his knight costume triggered his sensory issues, Javi wound up ditching it when trick-or-treating time rolled around. His back-up plan was the old standby:

Pirate Javi

Here's how we did it:

• Must have: Pirate hat and eye patch. (Found at the Dollar Store. Cost: $2)
• A light colored long-sleeved shirt. (Found in Javi's closet. Cost: $0)
• A dark colored vest. (We didn't have a vest, so we cut the sleeves and collar off an old blue polo and then cut it down the middle to create a vest. Cost: $0)
• A pair of black or gray soft pants such as sweat pants. (Found in Javi's closet. Cost: $0)
• A pair of long dark socks. (We used his football socks. Cost: $0)
• An over-sized sash or belt. (We used a red pashmina. Cost: $0)
• A bandanna. (Found in our dress-up box. Cost: $0)
• Black shoes. (Found in Javi's closet. Cost: $0)

Optional accessories:

• A gold hoop earring
• A sword
• Gold rings and necklaces

To create the costume:

• Get dressed in the dark pants and light shirt. 

• Add the sash/belt. We double wrapped the pashmina to give some girth. 

• Add the vest. (If your child doesn't mind it, you can place the belt/sash over the vest. My kid didn't like the feeling of it.)

• Tie the bandanna loosely around your child's neck. (If your kiddo doesn't like this, you can tie it on his hair instead.)

• Add the hat, eye patch, and other accessories.

Now all you have to do is put it all together and you have this look for just $2:


Yes, the hat and eye patch didn't last very long. However, Javi trick-or-treated with kids dressed as Transformers and super heroes in store-bought costumes. Not once did he comment that his costume wasn't as good as their's. He really appreciated the creativity behind it!

Coming up: Juliet the Gnome. Previous: Pippi Longstocking and Sir Javi.

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.