The group costume. We’ve all done it and know that when it works, it works. But when it flops, and you see ten other groups dressed as Four Lokos… it doesn’t work so well.
My own history of group costumes began early when my sister dressed as Peter Pan and I wore a Captain Hook costume. It was a total success (thanks mom)! But I can admit that I’ve had my flops too. Like when I was in fifth grade and my best friend convinced three of us to dress as the lollipop gang from the Wizard of Oz. For our costume, we basically just wore pigtails and carried around giant lollipops. Absolutely no one could figure out who we were supposed to be. So, to help all you collegiettes™ dress your best, here’s a guide to help you master the group costume.
1. Think Outside the Box: Yes, Jersey Shore is completely ridiculous and may seem like a great idea for a group costume. But while it may be hilarious, chances are you might end up running into eight other Snookies this Halloween. If you feel like you absolutely have to dress up as characters from Jersey Shore, Mean Girls, or something else that’s a little clichéd, make sure you absolutely perfect the look. That way, when you run into other J-Wowws or Regina Georges you’ll feel like they didn’t rock the costume the way you did.
2. A group costume doesn’t just mean dressing the same: Senior year of high school, my friend decided to dress as a fairy for Halloween. It was a great idea until all of our friends wanted being fairies too. Distraught, she said to me, “the costume idea gets stupider with every fairy.” I had to agree. When six girls roll up to a party all dressed in exactly the same outfit, they just look, well, stupid. The art of the group costume means your outfits coordinate. Think The Flinstones, when you can each dress as a different character. You and your ten friends shouldn’t all be wearing the same cave woman outfit.
3. Be risky: The best part about a group costume is that you can take a risk. Think back to the scene in Legally Blonde when Elle Woods walks into what she thinks is a costume party in an all out bunny costume… and no one else is dressed up. But what if four of her friends were dressed just as ridiculously? Suddenly you aren’t the embarrassing ones at the party, you’re the crazy fun girls who aren’t afraid to live a little and have the time of your lives. If there’s a costume you might be too scared to try on your own, make it a group costume and suddenly the idea is a lot less intimidating! So go all out with your group costume, and make your friends do it to. If you look ridiculous, at least you look ridiculous together.
So there you have it ladies, think before you go in on a group costume. Halloween is a time to be creative and bold, group costume or not!