4 Cheap, Last Minute Costume Ideas

1 - Groucho Marx Note: This is a unisex costume! You will need: one black suit, one black tie, white button-up shirt, black shoe polish, a cigar (smoking it is optional), and a pair of glasses Instructions: Suit up leaving your tie loose and your shirt rumpled and half tucked. Use the shoe polish to apply a square mustache and square your eyebrows. Top it all off with a pair of reading glasses and a big, fat cigar.

2 - Trading Places You will need: A friend to trade identities with, your friend's trademarks i.e. a necklace or ring he/she always wears, hairstyle, add or remove glasses, etc., and a sense of humor. Instructions: You will exchange your identity with a friend's for the evening. Get to know his/her mannerisms. Using your friend's catchphrases can be a great way to portray them, especially if they use distinctive words or have an accent. (Author's note: A friend of mine still uses the words "gnarly" and "righteous". He will often start and end the same sentence with "dude". I wouldn't even have to style my hair like his or carry drumsticks for everyone who knows him to get the joke.)

3 - Your Celebrity Look-Alike You will need: to look at least remotely like a celebrity. Instructions: In case of an actor choose a character that he or she has portrayed and dress accordingly. In case of a sports star find a team jersey and try to find a product he/she promotes to carry around for the night.

4 - Blast From the Past You will need: clothes from the time period (or decade) of your choice and a back-story. Ex. For Ladies- A) Get yourself a poodle skirt, a sweater set, and some pom-poms and claim to be a cheerleader from the 50s. B) Wear a tank top and spandex shorts in two appalling different shades and say that you're a White Snake groupie (or some other 80s metal band). C) Dress like a flapper girl and tell people that you work in a speakeasy. Ex. For Gentlemen- A) Grab a backwards hat, some JNCOs, beat up converse sneakers, chain wallet, and a shirt that's a size too big and say "Hey dude!" to the 90s. Tell people you're an extra from the set of "Clueless". B) (This is not for the faint of heart.) Get yourself some spandex, high top shoes, long hair- perhaps a wig will be needed, and a few ladies so that you can really look like an 80s hair metal star. C) If all else fails give yourself Disco Fever. Tell everyone you are John Travolta's biggest fan. The platform shoes might be tough to find though.

Shopping for a costume... Have Guns Will Rent Costume 1313 State Ave Kansas City, KS (913) 321-4867

Dottie Mae's Used Mannequins 8308 Wornall Rd Kansas City, MO (816) 361-1505

Party America 13647 Washington Street Kansas City, MO 64145 816-943-8655

Costumes & More 1403 Swift Ave Kansas City, MO (816) 221-9295