DIY Halloween: 10 Dance-Inspired Costumes

October 24, 2016

If you still don’t know what you’re going to be for Halloween, don’t panic just yet. Dance Magazine has your back. Whether you’re heading to a party, dressing up for technique class or doing some good ol’ trick-or-treating, there are countless costume options that take inspiration from modern, ballet and Broadway. (Chances are you already have the basic pieces in your closet!) Snag one of these ideas, or riff off one to create a unique look. Happy Halloween!

Cartoon by Jessica Love in The Juilliard Journal via juilliard.edu


Go Modern:
 Want to transform into Martha Graham? Purple fabric can do wonders. You’re sure to get some confused looks from your non-dance friends. Bonus points if you do an excerpt from Lamentation and give a mini dance-history lesson.

If you’re even nerdier, you can create your own version of one of Alwin Nikolais’ imaginative costumes. Back in college, I showed up to a party for dance majors in this gem, based on “Mantis” from Imago. Peruse the racks at Goodwill for colorblock clothing, paint your face white and fashion a hat out of a Styrofoam cup and elastic.

Left: “Mantis” from Imago. At right: Madeline Schrock’s take on the original.

Cat costumes also require meowing. The cast of Broadway’s CATS. Photo by Matthew Murphy, Courtesy DKC/O&M.


Broadway Bound:
Characters from the Great White Way provide endless costume ideas. If you’re looking for French flair, try these dreamy pieces inspired by An American in Paris. Flouncy skirts and wrap sweaters in pastel shades evoke the fashion of late-’40s Paris.

For a classic musical theater look (but still with plenty of “razzle dazzle”) rifle through your drawers for fishnets and a black leo. Or, check out these costumes based on iconic looks from Chicago.

If you’ve ever wanted to be a Jellicle cat, now’s the time to make use of that unitard at the back of your closet. Add some fur trim, ears and creative makeup based on your favorite feline from CATS.

Dressing up as a founding father doesn’t have to be stuffy. Borrow a look from the cast of Hamilton, by pairing a ruffled blouse with a military jacket and boots.



Graceful Ballet Looks:
Take a page from American Ballet Theatre principals James Whiteside and Daniil Simkin and dress up as your favorite ballet legend. Last year, the two transformed into Gelsey Kirkland and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

If you are addicted to “The Walking Dead” and ballet, this costume is for you. “One year as a last-minute costume, I was a zombie ballerina,” says DM assistant editor Lauren Wingenroth. “It’s a super-easy one if you need something in a pinch—use an old ballet costume that you don’t care about getting dirty, and paint your face white with dark eyes. Fake blood optional.”

Escoyne as Terpsichore (far left), next to Nijinsky’s faun

A Balanchine look is timeless and doesn’t require too much planning. “When I was getting my BFA, we all got really into Halloween and would have themed days for an entire week,” says DM assistant editor Courtney Escoyne. “For ‘Mythical Monday,’ I decided to pull some inspiration from Mr. B and go as Terpsichore from Apollo: classic white leo, white ballet skirt, pink tights. It was easy to put together, plus I got to pretend to be an NYCB ballerina for a day.”

Last but not least, Halloween is the perfect excuse to dress up anyone’s baby who may be crawling around the studio. Suzannah Friscia, an assistant editor at DM, says, “My very first Halloween costume as a baby was dance inspired: I was a purple Sugar Plum Fairy with a sparkly tutu and a little wand.”


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