The Outfit Repeater

Tag: costume

An Iconic Richard Simmons Halloween Costume

A Richard Simmons Halloween Costume

If Halloween is about dressing up and becoming a character, nobody embodied this more than the late Richard Simmons.

Richard Simmons was a fitness guru who gained fame for his flamboyant style, never-ending energy, over-the-top personality, and genuine compassion for helping people love themselves.

It was only fitting for me to pay tribute to this man who was a voice of my overweight childhood in the 1990s. Albeit I didn’t understand the concept of weight loss and just thought his Sweatin’ to the Oldies videos were frivolous entertainment. They didn’t call him The Court Jester for nothing!

So in all its glory, here is my Richard Simmons Halloween costume and what I went through to put it together.

Blood, Sweat, and Sparkles

To be Richard Simmons for Halloween, you need to start with a cutoff tank top, a pair of striped dolphin shorts, chunky white cross-trainers, and incredible curly hair.

From there, everything needs to be bedazzled to the hills so you can shine like the star that you are!

And contrary to popular legend, Richard Simmons never wore a headband, so keep that out of your costume. (You don’t want to ruin your hair!) Though a pair of sweatbands on your wrists are totally acceptable!

Working It All Out

Like all of my past thrifted Halloween costumes, I started shopping early and took my time to find the right pieces.

This Richard Simmons costume took the longest to find, but each piece felt like it was placed on the thrift store shelf just for me.

The shorts were found first, and while they weren’t striped, I knew some fabric paint and press-on jewels could jazz them up.

Next came the “Legendary” tank top that I had to elbow a few people out of my way for. All I needed to do was cut off the sleeves and add some sparkle to make it work.

I planned to wrestle my natural hair into a Richard-esque afro, but the thrift store had other plans for me when I came across the most perfect wig for half price (about $5). The cashier was excited for me, and I hope this costume is everything I described it as!

Lastly, I lost hope of finding chunky white sneakers to fit my large feet, and after trying many pairs on with no luck, I came across these in the men’s section. The sizing looked about right for me, and then I put my foot in them, and it was like a Cinderella moment. The best part came when I went to the register and learned they were half-off, making them only $3! I definitely did a little dance as I walked out of the store.

Missing Richard Simmons

My best advice for pulling off this Richard Simmons Halloween costume (or any thrifted costume!) is to start thrifting early and take your time, just like I did. And make sure you buy a big bag of jewels and some heavy-duty craft glue. You truly can’t have enough when it comes to Richard Simmons!

I hope, like Richard, this costume puts a smile on your face and inspires you to take action! If you loved it, please be sure to pin it as inspiration for next year or share it with a friend who would get a kick out of it.

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October 21, 2024
A Legendary Dora the Explorer Halloween Costume

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A Legendary Dora the Explorer Costume

Are you still out exploring the aisles for a legendary disguise? Your search stops here with this Dora the Explorer Halloween costume!

Not only is this costume a fun, nostalgic throwback, but it’s mostly thrifted to boot!

If you’re ready to learn more about the details of this costume, then let’s vamonos!

Finding Dora

As a 90s kid, Nickelodeon was my jam. So when I was brainstorming costumes that didn’t require a wig, Dora the Explorer came up very quickly. Even though I was a bit older when her show came out, I was still fascinated by the first couple of seasons and still quote the show often.

If you’re not familiar, Dora the Explorer was a TV series about a young girl who goes on adventures with her friend, Boots, a 5-year-old monkey.

The TV show aired on Nickelodeon in 2000 and ran for 8 seasons, with multiple spin-offs over the years.

Mapping Out My Halloween Costume

So, with an idea in my backpack, er, my brain, I set off to find the pieces for this Dora the Explorer costume.

It stayed in the back of my head as “probably not achievable” until I was at a garage sale and found “Backpack” wrapped new in plastic, lying in a free box. From there, it was game on!

I already had the pink t-shirt in my closet, and eventually, I lucked out finding these amazingly bright orange shorts at Goodwill in Stoughton, Wisconsin.

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Then came my haircut. I didn’t intentionally cut it to be Dora, but I also didn’t NOT cut it to be Dora. After my Jessica Day costume, I felt ready to chop it off, so I went short. It’s just a happy accident that it looks so identical to Dora’s famous bob!

Swipe Right On This Costume

In the end, I was excited to say that we I did it! I love when you think of a Halloween costume and then are able to build it piece by piece. It’s much more satisfying to me than just buying a pre-made costume at a big box store at the last minute.

Do you prefer buying pre-made costumes, or do you enjoy the hunt like me?

If you want to re-create this costume, be sure to pin it to your inspiration board! Or send it to a friend who would be the perfect companion as Boots!

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October 16, 2024
A Last-Minute Care Bear Halloween Costume

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Care Bear Costume Cuteness

The countdown to Halloween is on and I am so excited to share this FUN last-minute Care Bear costume with you!

I care about the 1980s a lot and Care Bears are a staple of that decade. Plus, they’ve managed to endure over the years and still have a way of resonating with children (and kiddults!) today.

My favorite Care Bear is Funshine and is who I based my Halloween costume on. It took about 30 minutes to put together with things I already had in my closet.

Let’s dive into the details of this Halloween costume that I’m sure you’ll heart!

Finding Funshine

A Care Bear costume is one of the most simple last-minute Halloween costumes you can put together.

As I mentioned, everything came from my closet. I used a hooded sweatshirt I thrifted from ThredUp, skinny jeans (sweatpants would be even better to mimic the cuddliness of the Care Bears) and socks or slippers in the same color.

New ThredUp customers can get 45% off AND free shipping on their first order by using my link!

From there, I got to work DIYing a few pieces to transform in Funshine.

I added the iconic badge to my belly to signify which Care Bear I was representing. I did this using felt and a couple stitches, so that it can be removed from my sweatshirt after Halloween and put back in my closet.

My ears are simply construction paper cut into the shape of ears and safety pinned to my hood! If you don’t have a hood, you could add ears to a headband for a simple alternative.

Crafty Touches For Your Care Bear Costume

To really sell this Care Bear costume, you could continue to add small touches to your clothes or body like hearts (ala my heart nose!) or heart patches the bottom of your socks or slippers.

As a lifelong Care Bear fan, I picked one (or three!) of my favorite matching Care Bears to join me in this photoshoot. Together we make up over 40 years of Care Bear history!

Sharing is Caring

While this costume is normally reserved for children, I loved being able to capture the magic as an adult! This would be a great group costume for you and your family, a crew of children, or a bunch of adults who also love tapping into their inner child. You could each represent a different color Care Bear or even make up an entirely new one!

What do you think of this costume? Have you ever dressed up as a toy from your childhood? Let me know in the comments!

If you enjoyed this costume, please be sure to Pin it to recreate at your next costume party!

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October 8, 2024
An Adorkable Thrifted Jess Day Halloween Costume
Jess-tival of Fun: A New Girl Halloween Costume Guide

Are you ready to get your quirk on this Halloween? I’m channeling the ultimate millennial that had us running out to get our bangs cut and learn how to play the ukulele. Who’s that girl? It’s Jess!

The beloved TV series “New Girl” introduced us to Jessica Day, a character whose unique fashion sense captured hearts and inspired whimsical wardrobes worldwide.

Whether you’re planning a themed Halloween party, looking for a unique costume idea, or simply want to infuse some adorkable charm into your everyday style, this is your guide to all things Jess Day.

The best part of this Halloween costume is everything is easily thrifted. Or maybe it’s still hiding out in the back of your closet from 2012? Either way, let’s dive in!

The Essence of Jessica Day Style

At its core, Jessica Day’s style is a delightful mix of vintage-inspired pieces, playful prints, and cozy layers. It’s the sartorial equivalent of a warm hug mixed with a spontaneous dance party. Let’s break down the key elements to nailing a Jess Day Halloween costume:
- A dress with a quirky print.
- A belt and ballet flats in a matching color that complement the dress
- A cute colored cardigan. Cropped is better!
- Bold eyeglasses. Jess rocks chunky eyewear like nobody’s business!
- Bright lipstick. Preferably one that matches your outfit.
- BANGS! You can cut them for real or buy a pair of clip-ons to achieve the look.
Accessorizing The Adorkable Way

To truly capture the essence of Jessica Day, consider these playful additions:
- Musical instruments as accessories (ukulele, anyone?)
- Quirky purses or bags (the more unusual the shape, the better)
- Hair accessories like bows or vintage-inspired clips
New Girl, New You

So there you have it—a playful guide to becoming the ultimate Jess Day this Halloween!

This Jess Day Halloween costume isn’t about copying exactly what you see on screen – it’s about capturing that spirit of quirky confidence and making it your own. Whether you go all-out with a head-to-toe Jess-inspired ensemble or just add a touch of adorkable charm to your existing style, the most important thing is to have fun with it!

Now go out there, spread some joy, and remember: the best accessory is always your smile!

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October 1, 2024
My Thrifted Pee-wee Herman Halloween Costume

My Pee-Wee Herman Halloween Costume

I know you are but what am I? I’m Pee-wee Herman!

Pee-wee Herman is an instantly recognizable character with his gray suit, red bowtie, and boyish looks.

I grew up watching him and have always carried a bit of him with me as an adult. Whether it was a clever comeback or a funny face. No doubt he had a big impact on my life!

When I read of his passing earlier this year, I felt like I lost a friend.

To honor Pee-wee, I wanted to dress up as him for Halloween this year. Like many of the costumes I’ve been sharing, it’s been on my list for YEARS to do it.

What happened next was nothing short of MAGIC!

How My Pee-wee Halloween Costume Went Viral

Pee-wee Herman has a photo gallery on his website devoted to costumes created by his fans and I always wanted to join the page. I just never felt like I had the right pieces in my closet and have searched high and low at thrift stores for the perfect ensemble.

I dug through my closet and put together an outfit that resembled his infamous look. Everything was thrifted except for the white sneakers, and oh how I wish they were the actual white loafers!

Because of its inaccurate recreation, I only planned to share it here on my blog. But, just for kicks, I submitted it to the Pee-wee Herman legacy page on Facebook.

I had forgotten about it and then woke up one morning and my picture was all over Facebook and Instagram! The legacy page had chosen my costume and story to feature for all to see.

I was basically walking on air the whole day. It felt unreal!

If you’re here because of that viral post, thank you. Getting shared was an unexpected surprise and the positive feedback has been incredible!

The Legacy Of Pee-wee Herman

I’ll leave this blog post with the words I shared in my story –

Life’s not about being perfect, it’s just about showing up and being weird!

If you have a Pee-wee memory or favorite quote, I would love it if you shared it with me in the comments! Thanks for checking out my Halloween costume! I’ll let you let me let you go now!

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October 26, 2023
The Ultimate ’00s Icon: A Lizzie McGuire Halloween Costume

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Lizzie McGuire Halloween Costume

Hey now, hey now, this Lizzie McGuire Halloween costume is what dreams are made of!

Maybe I’m an Outfit Repeater, but you’re an outfit remember.. and that’s just as pathetic!

After all these years in the blogging space, I’m finally dressing up as my blog’s namesake Lizzie McGuire!

If you’re thinking of dressing up as this Y2k icon, then keep reading for all the details.

How I Dressed As Lizzie McGuire

If you believe that I had a picture perfect plan. Then I’ve got you fooled! I only did the best I can when it came to dressing as Lizzie McGuire for Halloween!

Putting together all the pieces of this costume required many, many thrift stores and reaching out to friends for favors.

Ultimately, everything came together and I actually ended up with TWO outfits. Of course, I’m sharing them both because they feature these fabulous floral pants from my friend’s shop, Vintage Emporium.

And my entire blog is about re-wearing your closet so this costume couldn’t be more fitting!

What I Wore As Lizzie McGuire

Every piece of my outfit has a little backstory but I’ll try to keep it brief!

I started out by thrifting a bunch of blouses from the 2000s but was growing concerned that I didn’t have the pants yet and wasn’t sure what color they would be if I found them. Pants are a tough fit for me so I was literally trying on anything I could find and coming up with nothing. I was ready to buy the first pair that actually fit!

The joke was on me… I had a collection of red tops and then found these pants and they were BLUE!

So I scrapped all the tops and browsed thredUP for a suitable shirt and found two great options.

The shoes and sunglasses were very easy to score on Poshmark and even better since I had credit to spend!

All of the jewelry is from my own collection (both bracelets were gifts from friends some time ago!).

And if the wig looks familiar, it’s a Hannah Montana wig I bought in 2009 for $10 at Claire’s in a mall. It’s definitely seen better days but I made it work to the best of my ability!

Tips For Dressing Up As Lizzie McGuire For Halloween

What I love most about this costume compared to most of the others I’ve shared on here, is that I could see myself re-wearing each piece from this costume. It’s bold, colorful, and truly a reflection of my personal style!

If you’re searching for a costume that won’t get worn once and then stashed away, consider a Halloween costume like Lizzie McGuire or another character you love.

Clothing from the 2000s is having a big moment right now and you can find originals at thrift stores or dupes at places like Target or fast fashion places. Definitely have fun with it!

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October 19, 2023
My Weird Al Halloween Costume

Weird Al Halloween Costume

Oh, this is a story ’bout a guy named Al… he’s kind of weird.

Despite the name Weird Al, he’s an incredible entertainer who’s spanned multiple decades and generations with his song parodies and irreverant humor in pop culture.

It just feels right to copy a guy who’s made a living copying other people.

I’ve had this Halloween costume on my bucketlist for years and it was about time that I put it together. I’ve already got similar features so why not go for it?

If you’re looking to have a stress-free and hilarious Halloween, then keep scrolling to learn more about how I came put together my Weird Al Halloween costume!

Why I Dressed As Weird Al

Weird Al has had a major impact on me growing up! His humor, style, and personality are awesome!

Even more than his music, his 1989 movie “UHF” played on repeat during my childhood and has bled into my families lexicon ever since.

Weird Al definetly helped me embrace my own weirdness over the years!

How I Put Together My Weird Al Costume

Replicating Weird Al’s look isn’t very hard because he’s mostly followed the same simple outfit formula for most of his career – a Hawaiian shirt, skinny jeans, and sneakers. Everything was already in my closet but could easily be thrifted!

Then just add in some curly hair, glasses, and a big ol’ mustache and you’ve got a complete look! I wore my hair natural but did touch it up a little bit with a curling iron so it was extra big. You could easily acheive this with a wig!

My mustache is drawn on with eyeliner and my glasses are old Dollar Tree aviator sunglasses that I punched the lenses out of.

Tips For Recreating Your Own Weird Al Halloween Costume

Let’s be real, the best part of this costume is the comfort. No tight bodysuits or uncomfortable masks here. Just a breezy shirt and some chill vibes.

You can even score bonus points if you carry around an accordion and randomly burst into song throughout the night!

If you’re a fan of Weird Al, then this would be a great Halloween costume for you to wear! Please be sure to Pin this post or tag me on Instagram so I can see your version of Weird Al!

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October 12, 2023
A DIY Jack-o’-Lantern Halloween Costume

DIY Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Costume

I take being the cutest pumpkin in the patch quite literally!

Based on that, I decided to make my own jack-o’-lantern costume from materials I had lying around.

It was very easy and would be a great last-minute costume or even an outfit to wear to a pumpkin patch.

Best of all? You don’t have to have any real pumpkin carving skills!

Just grab something orange from your closet, and some scissors, and you’re ready to go!

What You Need For a Jack-o’-Lantern Costume

The base of my jack-o’-lantern costume is an orange sweater dress (or maybe a sweater? It’s quite long!) that I thrifted.

Because you’ll be modifying your clothing item, I recommend choosing something you don’t have a lot of attachment to, like a thrifted shirt or dress in any shade of orange!

And finally, to make your jack-o’-lantern Halloween costume, you’ll need either sticky-back black paper or felt. I found mine at the Dollar Tree!

How To Put Together Your Own Jack-o’-Lantern Costume

I freehanded a jack-o’-lantern design on my black sticky-back paper, cut it out, and then placed it on my sweater.

You could go one step further and buy iron-on paper and attach your jack-o’-lantern face more permanently to your garment. But I do plan to re-wear this sweater in the future so I just needed a temporary solution!

To complete the look, I think it’s best to wear orange pants to really convey the idea that you’re a human-sized pumpkin! Or you could wear tights if you chose a dress.

Finally, top it off with a black beret (mine is thrifted!) to emulate the stem on top of a pumpkin! A brown beret would work great, too!

Halloween Costume Takeaways

This jack-o’-lantern costume is easy to make and is also a great way to get into the Halloween spirit without breaking the bank! It’s a classic costume that everyone will recognize.

You could make a bunch of different variations and wear them all together as a family or group “pumpkin patch” costume.

So why not give it a try and see how creative you can get? Be sure to bookmark or Pin this post so you can re-create it later!

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October 5, 2023
My Freakin’ Napoleon Dynamite Character Halloween Costume

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Grandma Dynamite Halloween Costume

Break the Internet, not your coccyx, with this Napoleon Dynamite-inspired Halloween costume!

If you can’t tell, this costume is based on the character known as Grandma “Carlinda” Dynamite, played by the incomparable actress Sandy Martin.

She’s sassy, mysterious (going to the dunes?!), and has the sharpest humor of everyone in the movie.

Her look is also very iconic so it was fun to recreate for a Halloween costume!

If you’re going solo this year or dressing in a Napoleon Dynamite group costume (don’t forget Deb!), here’s everything that went into putting together my Grandma Dynamite Halloween costume… it’s sure to get a laugh!

Why I Dressed As Grandma Dynamite

Dressing up as Grandma Dynamite has long been on my Halloween to-do list, I just didn’t think I had what it took to pull it off. My real-life persona is very colorful, which is Grandma’s exact opposite.

But there’s been a growing running joke on my Instagram account with all my Napoleon Dynamite references that I felt like it was OK to just do my best and have fun with the costume.

How I Put Together My Grandma Dynamite Costume

To put together my Grandma Dynamite costume, I went digging through my 72-year-old mom’s closet. Her wardrobe is full of cat and butterfly shirts as worn by Grandma Dynamite in the movie.

The jeans are my own, that I thrifted, as well as the wig. I know there might be an “ick” factor to thrifting an “old lady” wig but after properly washing and sanitizing it, I’ve never had any issues.

Lastly, I took a pair of aviator sunglasses from Dollar Tree and punched out the lenses, tied some string around the stems, and wore that around my neck!

Tips For Recreating Your Own Grandma Dynamite Costume

To really sell the costume, it’s important to embody Grandma’s personality. In the movie, Grandma is known for her funny one-liners and her love of animals. You can practice her voice and her mannerisms to really get into character. Don’t forget to add a few of Grandma’s signature phrases to your Halloween vocabulary, such as “Make your own dang quesadilla!”

If you’re going to be part of a group costume idea, consider having your friends dress up as other characters from Napoleon Dynamite. You could have someone dress up as Napoleon himself, or even as Uncle Rico, Kip, or Deb. Together, you’ll be the hit of any Halloween party.

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Thank you for checking out this costume! There are lots more where this came from. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to Pin it or tag me on Instagram so I can see your fit!

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September 28, 2023
An Arthur Read Halloween Costume
Arthur Read Halloween Costume

Having fun isn’t hard when you’re dressed as Arthur Read for Halloween!

My Arthur Read Halloween costume is based on the titular character from the animated PBS show. (’90s kids know what’s up!)

But he might be better known from the myriad of memes made infamous on the internet.

While any number of characters from Arthur can be made into a costume or a group costume, I think you can still get recognized dressing solo as Arthur.

I mean, how many other anthropomorphic aardvarks do you think go out on Halloween?!

Anyway, here’s the story of how I came up with my Arthur Halloween costume and some helpful tips for recreating it!

Why I Dressed As Arthur Read

My main inspiration for dressing as Arthur is because he’s a beloved character in our household. We’ve been watching Arthur since day one!

How I Put Together My Arthur Costume

I realized Arthur’s outfit was super simple to put together and I had all the pieces in my closet to pull it off!

For the most part, everything I’m wearing is secondhand or thrifted, save for my Maurices jeans and Zenni Optical bluelight eyeglasses.

I’ve seen different variations of Arthur’s ears, with most people opting for a headband attachment. I thought it would be cute if I styled my hair into little space buns! My hair is rather short but I somehow made it work. I love adding that unique touch to my costume – and it cost me nothing!

Tips For Creating Your Own Arthur Read Halloween Costume

If you’re going to dress as Arthur for Halloween, here’s some other ideas to add to your costume to customize it:
- Take your small pup for a walk and have it stand in as “Pal”, Arthur’s dog!
- Have your friends or family dress up as the main characters from the show and present as a group costume
- Carry an Arthur book or DIY his library card to show off to people
- Stand in the corner of a party and make a fist, ala the Arthur meme!
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Thank you for checking out this costume! There are lots more where this came from. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to Pin it or tag me on Instagram so I can see your fit!

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September 21, 2023