For a lot of us, the things in this title never intersect. A commenter on a Linkin’ Around post, however, brought up the topic of Halloween costumes at work. Which, now that I’m thinking about it, could be really fun! (As long as you don’t work in a stuffy workplace like mine.)
Some advice for pulling this off from around the web and some ideas, after the jump.
Kat at Corporette counsels to avoid slutty costumes, political themes, or overly childish costumes when wearing a costume to work.
(Darn it. My simplest Halloween-at-work suggestion was going to be wear a witch hat and go as Christine O’Donnell.)
Emily Jasper on Forbes’s Work in Progress blog echoes the don’t-be-slutty admonishment and encourages creativity. She has some great costume ideas.
I generally agree with Emily’s advice. When planning for the office, go with the costume that best expresses your wit rather than your… physical assets. There’s a time and a place for the latter, and it’s not 2 P.M. in the office breakroom.
So, here are my ideas:
1. Combine two costumes for a fresh spin. Feel lame going as just another Elvis or Lucille Ball on the assembly line? What about zombie Elvis or Lucille Ball? Zombies are very cool right now (see: Zombieland) and you can just recycle an old costume by applying lots of greenish white face makeup. Voila!
2. Go as the boss. If you do this non-offensively, you may be a contender for best costume. Tread carefully here, of course, and know your audience. But if your boss has a signature work uniform or there are other harmless ways to identify yourself as the head honcho, AND the boss has a good sense of humor, this could be a winner. Example: Work for a judge? Wear your own robe to work.
3. Be a sailor, save money. This one’s sort of a cop out, but the philosophy is to use clothes you already own or will wear again because they’re trendy right now. Striped sailor shirts are everywhere, like this one from L.L. Bean. Along the same lines, and even humorous for such a conspicuous lack of effort, is to wear leopard print and go as… a leopard.
4. Characters from Clue, or other franchises that everyone knows and loves. Everyone will feel especially warm towards you because you remind them of childhood. Clue is easy to do because of the color associations of all the characters. Wear a yellow sweater, bring a pipe and a candlestick, and go as Colonel Mustard. Easy on the weapons, however. I’d probably only take the candlestick and rope. The rest are too… weapon-like. Another option: Olive Oyl. Red shirt, black skirt, brown boots, ask around for Popeye; done.
What are you going as this Halloween, either to the office or otherwise?
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I would stay away from dressing up like your boss – most people don’t have much of a sense of humor about themselves and may not even see the humor in that ugly yellow tie they wear every Friday (or even realize that they wear the same one each week!)
I’d say you’re right. The idea of dressing up as the boss, though, if you have a boss who’d laugh with you, is so irresistible that I had to include it. I can think of one boss I’ve had who would have been fine with it… and it would have been hilarious.
I like your ideas, and I’m always a fan of wit. A lot of the graduate students I know are trying to be more creative with their ideas so that they also don’t end up regretting the next day photos that show up on Facebook. Thanks for including me in your post!
I actually have a co-worker who is dressing up as our manager for Halloween tomorrow. He’s a very laid back guy and is going to think it’s hilarious. He’s VERY into his sports teams so she’s incorporating that into her costume, as well as a few things that he has said/done that are now department jokes. We know it’s going to be a hit but only because of how laid back our boss is. Luckily, I work in a very comfortable, humorous workplace where this will be laughed at. I can definitely see how in other companies this would be frowned upon however.
As for me, I’m going as a pirate this year. A striped shirt, black skirt, red bandanna, belt and gold hoop earrings are all things from my closet. Simple, cheap and cute!
Love the co-worker’s costume! Again, insert huge caveat that this is NOT for all work situations, but I think dressing up as a boss/co-worker in a good-natured manner can be a way of showing respect and affection. Sort of counter-intuitive, but that’s how it seems to me in certain situations.
Pirate is also a good standby. You can do a lot with a red handkerchief… pirate, sailor, mime. :)