It is my favorite time of the year- garage sale time. Garage sales are such a good way to spend a day for entertainment. Of course, they also yield bargains, which is why most people who are avid 'garage salvers' go religiously. It is the 'hunt' and the 'search' along with the element of surprise at the treasure you find that accounts for their popularity. One of my favorite finds are the makings for theme party costumes.

All costumes need some basic starting points and all these elements are available at garage sales if you search well. When you start creating a costume, whenever possible muse ready-made elements. Size is not very important unless it is an item that is a child's and you want something for a teen or adult, or if there is no possible way to alter it. Color is more important, unless you wish to dye an item that is otherwise perfect. If you like to sew from scratch then bolts of fabric and remnants will be just what you need. Make sure the fabric portrays the general feeling of the look or time period you have in mind.

Basic elements include any long length of fabrics; sometimes tablecloths or bedding will work. A white sheet may be just right for the roman costume or the Greek goddess you are creating. Who among us hasn't whipped up a ghost from an old sheet at the last minute? We draped a sheet in many folds once and we spray painted it a dull green color and topped it with a light gold over spray to create a marvelous Statue of Liberty. Don't forget the importance of a large piece of black for the typical witch or cape for Dracula or the beginning of another important idea.

Dresses in plain colors may be the start of something special with your additions. Jogging pants and even loose fitting shorts can be turned into trousers for pirates, shorts can become kings and knights pants. Blouse with very loose, large sleeves can become tops for Renaissance costumes both male and female. Colorful skirts are great for gypsies and fortunetellers.

Do not turn your nose up at using lingerie for the base of a costume or an overlay. Many pieces of filmy or shiny stuff may be layered for that look straight from the land of fairytales. Rapunzel, or the fairy princess may be dressed in these types of fabric.

Look special for accessories, especially hats, belts, pouch like purses, jewelry, and unusual shoes. I once saw a pair of turned up toed slippers that were great for those Arabian night costumes. Of course a pair of cowboy boots or a hat can lead to a rodeo costume or a trail rider. High sleek white boots can be the perfect accessory for a GoGo girl and black ones might work for your toy soldier.

Hats can be a terrific, main focus point for a costume. You need to look for shapes that are unusual and might need just a bit of bending or pinning to become the perfect Egyptian headdress or Napoleon Bonaparte's famous hat. Real top hats and bowlers and derbies can still be found, but sometimes the cost is prohibitive for a costume since some have an antique value.

Wide or glitzy stretch belts could be the just right item to add the element that says gypsy, baroness, or emperor. Look for wild, matching colors if you are doing a costume that needs something to pull it in and make it smaller.

Jewelry can make the costume. Use brooches to clasp the shoulders or bodice of a dress, or add a fancy element to shoes. Lots of beads, chains, or bracelets are called for in many costumes. Long drooping earrings and shiny stuff can add elegance to that movie starlet.

If you plan on doing the costume from scratch many sewing and crafting supplies are available at these sales at a fraction of their new cost.

The one thing to check out is dressing up ready- mades for little girls since then you can find some elements for your costume in their actual size. I also see the value in hair stuff such as headbands on which to design crowns and tiaras, or attach ears etc. It is a nice thing to be able to find better masks second hand. When it comes to particular people or animal faces, the experts can usually do them best, or if you want scary masks of the finest quality. New they run up to $40.00, at garage sales I've found them for less than five.

So use a very discerning eye when attending garage sales and lookout for costume treasures. You will have a fun time and produce costumes at a fraction of the cost if you wait until you need the stuff. Why not start another family tradition by creating the costume box or trunk? Happy hunting.

© Copyright 2000

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel