Costume theme party...

[samina]

my oldest son (20) told me he's been invited to a costume theme party next month. the theme: "anything but clothing". rules: you have to come dressed, but it can't include articles of clothing, and togas are strongly discouraged.

so we've started brainstorming what he could wear. two objectives: 1) comfortable and 2) classy. he doesn't want to show up wearing a pickle barrel on suspenders, and nothing offensive.

you all are so creative, i thought you might have some good ideas!

so far we've put bubble wrap, duct tape, and police safety tape on the list as possible components. this being a ballroom house, rhinestones have already been giggled over & ruled out due to cost ("mom, do you realize how *expensive* rhinestones are????")

any suggestions?

 

[samina]

(i have a feeling laura, hustle & flow, BM, and and123 would be particularly good at an event like this. but i have a particular ear out for what joe might recommend...)

 

[etp777]

Don't know if you're a project runway fan (not one myself, but mom and sisters are), but they've done several episodes where they had to use non clothing products, so might be worth checking those episodes out. Stuff from grocery store, car parts, several others I think.

 

[samina]

hey, that's cool. i wonder if those episodes are available online...

 

[samina]

dryer lint (you do collect it right?!)

huh...yah. i've got some. like...maybe to fill out plastic bags? that could be cute.

 

[samina]

rubber band chains would make for good straps

 

[latervet1]

depending on how much time he wants to put into it you can make amazing things from woven duct tape. like even pants and a jacket. and it comes in many colors. on project runway they used plastic table cloths, vacuum cleaner bags, coffee filters with food dye on them in this cool splatter pattern, garbage bags, even vegetables. some dog and cat foods come in a kind of woven plastic bag (like purina) that could be used as material.

 

[motardmom]

Could you sew something using a tarpaulin? Um... aluminum foil? Papier mache....

If you can come up with a seen-better-days 2 man free standing tent, you could cut a hole in the top and he could wear it.

Red and white checkered (maybe plastic...?) tablecloth. Attach paper plates, cups, plastic utinsels, put mock food on there, carry a basket... he could be a picnic.

 

[motardmom]

depending on how much time he wants to put into it you can make amazing things from woven duct tape. like even pants and a jacket. and it comes in many colors.

I've seen this done, on several occasions. A girlfriend of mine, her son and his date were feeling just crazy enough to make their formal-wear out of duct tape, they went to a high school formal dance wearing a duct tape tux and a duct tape gown they had made themselves. Red/black/silver...

I bet if you googled it, you'd find some pictures, maybe even a pattern.

 

[motardmom]

rubber band chains would make for good straps

That idea triggered the thought of those chewing gum folded chains I used to make in junior high school when I was staring out the window when I should have been doing something productive.... Hmmm...... A belt?

 

[delamusica]

A Twister board seems like it would have potential . . .

 

[Laura]

(i have a feeling laura, hustle & flow, BM, and and123 would be particularly good at an event like this. but i have a particular ear out for what joe might recommend...)

Well thanks!

If I recall correctly, he's a club DJ. What about making something out of record sleeves or CDs? He could buy up cheap/crummy ones at a used store so he doesn't have to sacrifice his collection.

 

[QPO]

I have seen clothing made from toilet paper, and you could also strip up garbage bags and weave or knit it into something.

 

[Joe]

Barbed wire.

 

[samina]

depending on how much time he wants to put into it you can make amazing things from woven duct tape. like even pants and a jacket. and it comes in many colors.

woven duct tape... brilliant! my first thought was duct tape, as i remember my kids used to make beautiful multi-colored wallets with that years ago. how cool would it be to weave some "fabric" out of the stuff & make an outfit! my son is an artist, and he has plenty of time, so this might be right up his alley.

coffee filters with food dye on them in this cool splatter pattern

love that idea!