Killing It In My Sixties

A witch, a princess, a rock star, a super hero, a ghost, a zombie, a nurse, a fireman or a human-size taco? What will you be? It’s that time of year again – where we may or may not be dressing up for Halloween.  If we are not thinking about it for our kids – or grandkids, we may be thinking about a fun or scary disguise for ourselves.  Some people dress for their workplace – I always love that, and some people dress up to go out Trick or Treating with their kids and grandkids.  Back in the day, we used to bring a wine glass and Trick or Drink wherever was offering something for the adults! We were all walking – so safe enough I suppose. Some people hate dressing up but I love it!

Long ago, the idea of dressing up was to ward off evil spirits or to hide one’s identity from the ghosts and goblins.  Nowadays, it’s an opportunity to assume an alter ego via a costume.  Dressing up at school or work as a group, is fun for uniting a number of people for a fun diversion.  One year, when I worked for a large orthopedic surgery group, we all dressed up as skeletons – an anatomically correct group of people working in an office for people with broken bones!  Another work group outfit that was frighteningly accurate – was the Minions – I asked my staff if they minded being referred to that way – they all agreed it was insultingly appropriate.  At a college I worked at, one year our Admissions & Records Department dressed up as the majors we offered; a vampire for our Phlebotomy program, a golfer for our Golf team, a nurse for our Associate Degree Nursing program, a Fireman for our Fire Academy, and a Gourmet Chef for our Culinary Arts program.  

Most often though, the costumes are for a party.  One year it was a pirate theme and we were all either wenches or one-eyed, one-legged pirates. Another time it was for my Elf-themed birthday party, in honor of my favorite Christmas movie. That same year we had an “Era’s” theme party for my daughter-in-law’s 40th birthday – everyone picked a decade and dressed the part.  So many great looks at that event! One was a Rock-star theme and everyone picked their favorite music legend.  Group costumes are fun but it’s also really interesting to see what identities people choose – when left to their free choice.  One year I was Flo the Geico Insurance lady – I won first prize for that one – apparently, I look a LOT like her – lol.  Particular costumes I remember from other people were a pregnant nun, a Queen of Hearts, and a couple that were portraying John and Morticia Addams from the Addams Family.

Do you remember your childhood costumes? Were they what you wanted to be or what your mom wanted you to be? Was it a store-bought costume or created at home out of various objects?  If you were a child of the 60’s and/or 70’s, did you have one of those stiff plastic masks with tiny eye and nose holes cut into the face and a piece of elastic securing it around your pea-sized head?  They usually came with a pathetically thin plastic costume representing a super hero or Disney princess – with uncomfortable plastic ties in the back like a hospital gown.  I had a mom that sewed – so one year I was Miss America with a full pink evening gown and sash that declared my reign and a tiara of course.  I even had a long-stemmed bouquet of fake red roses. That was second grade – I actually never lived that one down.

I like to see if the costume fits the personality of the person wearing it – you’d be surprised – it quite often does!  Or at least an aspect of their personality that they may keep hidden from others. For real – I’ve seen them put on that costume of Joe Dirt and the REAL inner-mullet comes out!!!  I also enjoy seeing people take on the persona of the costume – a usually-shy person pops right out of their shell in a Superman costume, a demure mom arrives in a cheerleader outfit and is suddenly attempting a human pyramid or the splits!  A total manly-man dons a wig, lipstick and a dress and suddenly they are curtsying!  I used to be in plays in high school so I understand the power of a costume – and it’s fun to take on another identity for a spell. (Pun intended).  It is even better when people don’t recognize you – you can live out what you interpret your costume personality is without fear of embarrassment.

I think we all have a little part of ourselves, that we imagine to be something other than who we are every other day.  A little more princess, a little more super hero, a tad more of a zombie, or a lot more wicked.  I have my costume ready for this year – both a party and for the day at work , (which is also a day at school).  What will you be for Halloween this year? Boo!