Best/Worst Halloween costumes to play in?

[eldoctorbass]

Last year I was an old school ghost... the kind with just a sheet over the head and two eyeholes cut out. Seemed like a funny idea at the time. I mean, it's the costume that's so dumb it's great. But it was mostly dumb. Hot, uncomfortable, and I couldn't see my hands. Tonight we have a big bash and I'm going as a downed WWII pilot, with a parachute behind me. I think it will be easier to manage, I just need to make sure I don't trip all over it.

[fenderhutz]

S&M outfits. I don't see any problems with restrictions there.

[John Wentzien]

Don't wear a rubber Frankenstein Mask!

[cricketfever32]

birthday suits

[capnsandwich]

I'd say the best costume to play in is a Darth Vader outfit, complete with the helmet and cape.

I'd say the worst one would be a Princess Leah one.

[Phalex]

This year I got a genuine prison issue blaze orange jumpsuit. I think it's probably a tad bit on the lame side, but I will be able to play unhampered, and that's the key. I'm going to start shopping early for next year as I've had a flash of inspiration. I'm going to try and find a white body stocking and a pink tutu. It should be awesome, with tufts of hair poking out of the body sock and a pair of combat boots! Of course I may have to stick a sweetpotato down the front for that whole rockstar effect!

[phat daddy]

I did the full-on Darth Vader a couple of years ago for a 4 hour gig. Let's just say the helmet only lasted 1 set! I was so miserably hot under that thing and I couldn't even breath. I wouldn't suggest it to my worst enemy. The easiest costume I ever did was Gene Simmons as the demon. It was just makeup and cool clothes. I did the makeup righteous too, with a picture of him to go buy the whole time I did it. That was the Halloween I was most proud of.

[rockwarnick]

at first i thought you said a drowned WWII pilot...i was like what the hell?

[Wizardgoleman]

I didnt wear it for Halloween but 2 Christmas' ago, my band played a gig where our second set was holiday songs, I borrowed a Santa costume and wore it the entire set....extremely hot, and the beard kept covering my strings as I played....it was fun but I dont want to repeat it...

[tmw]

Anything that involves a styro-foam stomach. Had a Barney costume for a Halloween gig several years back. What a mistake.

[StanFan]

Originally Posted by tmw

Anything that involves a styro-foam stomach. Had a Barney costume for a Halloween gig several years back. What a mistake.

The Kool-Aid guy was the first thing I thought of. I don't know why.

[fenderhutz]

I always play with an always attached styrofoam stomach.

[Jalis]

I did a gig in a skeleton-suit some years back ... (I know... Flea Rip-off...:P)
What I didn't notice at the soundcheck, was the very heavy lighting at the show...
I were sweating like a pig during the show......

[BellBottomBlues]

Best Halloween costumes are ones that are very breathable. Did a show last night dressed as a werewolf, however this was my second take at it.

Its basically a rubber werewolf mask with the big hairy mane on it that covers your whole neck. I also have gloves for it. As you can image, its a very stifling costume.

In terms of playability I had to shave down the palmside of the fingers on my left hand, and do the same for the finger pads on my right. I had my old girlfriend stitch in pieces of elastic waistband into the fingers so they'd stay on while I was playing.

The mask is truly stifling. But how to deal with it?
There is this weird plastic pouch with blue gel inside. It has straps to be worn around the head. I don't know what its for but its been sitting in my freezer for years. It gets really cold but doesn't freeze.
I brought two of them, one under the mask, one in reserve in the cooler. It kept my head, and as consequence, the rest of my body cool for the entire set.

Last year I didn't think of any of that and I was dying. I guess it helps to have a similar costume every year so you can work on the previous flaws.

[louieeadg]

Well...if you're a dude, the worst:



And if you're not a dude, the worst:

[rakirksey]

Yea in general masks are bad and heavy suits, but that cooler idea does sound pretty good.

When it comes to costumes though, I think GWAR seems to take the cake. They do the big ol' masks and platform shoes and still seem to ... well ... they don't totally suck.

Reuben

[wingnut]

Freddy Kruger gloves and mask...ouch! Where did my D string go?

[iriegnome]

I dressed as a Cow 3 years ago. My udders kept getting in the way of my bass and I was hot as H*ll.
Last year I put some old bell bottoms on and my TieDyed shirt and a Afro wig and went as the original hippy! The wig got lost, but I was much more comfortable in the costume.

[thombo]

be careful w/ makeup... hot stage-> sweat+make up= runny makeup -> blindness

[Mingus]

Best?