Obama, Biden, McCain and Palin: No-Sew Celebrity Halloween Costumes

"Acting is like a Halloween mask that you put on."
River Phoenix, American actor
(1970 - 1993)

"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth."
Oscar Wilde, Irish humorist
(1854 - 1900)

Psst! Wanna see something scary? (This may be even scarier than Frankenstein.)

Check out the little goblin wannabees at the front door on Halloween. You will probably find several Barack Obamas, John McCains, Sarah Palins and Joe Bidens. Who knows? Maybe even George W. Bush will ring your bell on trick-or-treat night. Bill and Hillary Clinton may appear as well.

As the race to the White House heats up, politicians and Presidential candidates are the hottest Halloween costume subjects this year. There's no debate about that.

Of course, many celebrities will also be fodder for masqueraders. Kids of all ages will don costumes to become pop stars, superheroes, television characters, and others for trick-or-treating.

How do they do it? Besides buying pricey, but flimsy and flammable, store-bought costumes, how do trick-or-treaters transform themselves into politicians and other celebrities for Halloween?

The secret is in the mask. This concept seems oddly appropriate. How many masks do politicians and celebrities wear, anyway? Here's the simplest way to make your own political or celebrity costumes for Halloween.

Super-Simple, No-Sew Politician or Celebrity Costuming: Masks

Making a Halloween mask has never been simpler. In minutes, you can become nearly anyone you want to be for trick-or-treat fun. Find a famous face on the internet, and download the photo. It's easy.

Simply enter your favorite politician or celebrity name into your internet browser's search bar. Set your search for images. Review the results you receive, and choose the clearest facial image you can find. (Be sure to pick a photo that pictures your subject straight-on, rather than an angled view or profile.)

Helpful hint:
As you select your photo
for your politician or celebrity
Halloween mask,
take a close look
at your subject's appearance
in several photographs.
What clothing accessories
does he or she tend to wear the most?
What unusual hairstyles or other features
does he or she have?)

Once you select your photo, click to enlarge it to full size. Right-click on the image, and save it to your own computer.

Using any photo editing software you choose, you can enlarge and enhance the image. The photo will need to be large enough to fill a single (8 ½" x 11") sheet of printer paper, arranged vertically or in portrait format. This will make the image large enough to serve as your mask.

Print your politician or celebrity facial image on glossy card stock paper (100# card stock is ideal). Carefully cut out a hole for each eye and a slit for the mouth.

Punch a small hole in each side of the mask, where it will fit on your own temples. Affix a piece of stretchy string, yarn or elastic to these holes, measuring it to fit comfortably on your own head. Try on your mask, and adjust the string and eye holes, if needed, so you will be able to see safely on Halloween or the darkest night.

Your Halloween mask is complete.

Super-Simple, No-Sew Politician or Celebrity Costuming: Clothing

Once you have made your politician or celebrity mask, you can assemble appropriate fashions to fit the bill. Here are a few examples:

If you wish to become Barack Obama for Halloween, put on a pair of dark trousers and a crisply ironed men's tailored white shirt. Tuck in the shirt, and wear a belt. Be sure to add a necktie. A suit jacket is optional. If you forgo the jacket, then you simply must roll up the sleeves. A short or buzz haircut helps, or you can slick hair back out of the way to preserve the Barack Obama appearance.

On the other hand, if you are masquerading as John McCain, you will probably choose a light blue men's tailored shirt and dark trousers. A red necktie is the best choice, even for Halloween. Again, tuck in the shirt, but do not roll up the sleeves. John McCain usually keeps his sleeves buttoned. Sprinkle some baby powder into your hair to achieve the seasoned Senator's appearance.

To achieve Joe Biden's look, pick a light-colored men's tailored shirt and dark trousers. Skip the necktie, and unbutton the neckline. Add a dark suit jacket or blazer, as Joe Biden would do on Halloween or any occasion. Again, as with the John McCain getup, dust your hair with baby powder to make it appear grey.

If you are dressing up as Sarah Palin for Halloween, you will need to pick a tailored women's suit (either a pantsuit or a skirt ensemble). Add a fancy ladies' blouse, and don't forget the stiletto heels. (These may be difficult to manage for trick-or-treating, but they do spice up the look.) Grab a pair of stylish eyeglasses (even empty eyeglass frames), and you'll be ready for Halloween. Toss long hair into a ponytail or updo. (Don't forget the lipstick.)

You can easily adapt this concept for celebrity Halloween costuming for trick-or-treating.

Want to be Brittney Spears for Halloween? Put on a pair of ragged jeans, a flimsy camisole or tank top and a jaunty menswear hat. Add excessive eyeliner and a blonde wig. (For Brittney's post-shaven look, remove much of the hair from the wig before putting it on.)

The Harry Potter look is simple. Dress in a dark suit with a white shirt and a dark necktie. (Or, put on a Harry Potter tee shirt, if you have one.) Don't forget the round eyeglasses.

How about Jessica Simpson? Pick a red-and-white gingham or plaid blouse, and put it on over a lacy camisole. Leave the blouse partially unbuttoned, so the lace is revealed. Tie the tails up around your waist. Pair this top with super-short cut-off jeans. Stomp around on Halloween in in a pair of spiffy cowboy boots for the Jessica Simpson - Daisy Duke look.

For Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, put on dirty jeans and a solid buttoned shirt. Toss a fedora on your head. Carry a whip, if you dare, on Halloween.

Super-Simple, No-Sew Politician or Celebrity Costuming: Accessories

No politician hits the campaign trail or the trick-or-treat route without promotional buttons, stickers and other paraphernalia. You can obtain campaign buttons, bumper stickers, lapel pins, hats, visors, tee shirts and other merchandise from local political party offices or online.

Be sure to attach the appropriate campaign stickers to your trick-or-treat sack on Halloween.

Super-Simple, No-Sew Politician or Celebrity Costuming: Demeanor

Once your super-simple political or celebrity costume for Halloween is complete, you will need to don your demeanor as well.

Your masquerade is not complete, unless you actually act like the person you represent for trick-or-treating. Grab a trick-or-treat sack, and begin going door-to-door to ask for handouts. Shake a few hands. Ring as many doorbells as you can, and demand freebies.

After all, if you are a famous politician or celebrity, then you are entitled. The public owes you.

If you are masquerading as a Hollywood celebrity, pop star, superhero, or television character for trick-or-treating, then you may mimic that Halloween headliner as well. Have fun with your costume.