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Lets Create Unique Costume

To really create something unique, inspiration from all different kinds of fashion should be at your fingertips. Take a little something from each of these types of design to create something truly unique.

1. Punk Fashion

Ryan McVay / Getty Images

It's hard to define what is punk and what isn't. The whole idea behind punk culture supersedes labels and boundaries of all kinds.

2. Harajuku Style from Japan

Getty Images

These diverse styles from the other side of the globe will have you rethinking some of your current designs. You'll find that DIY fashion doesn't get shy in the Tokyo streets.

3. Gothic Fashion

Medioimages/Photodisc / Getty Images

While the 'goth kids' are generally depicted as a group of dark and depressed individuals, this is usually not the case. Gothic subcultures are usually just finding the humor in mortality, and don't mind looking hot in dark makeup, metal and lace.

4. Steampunk Fashion

Hey Sailor

Steampunk fashion is a style trend that follows the fantasy world of Edwardian and Victorian time. Like a whimsical Jules Vern novel, steampunk uses historical style along with elements of clockwork whimsy to create a new kind of nostalgia for the 1800's.

5. Renaissance Clothing

Kathy Castrovinci

Examples of renaissance and medieval clothing. Use these examples as a guide for what to wear when you attend a renaissance festival, or go historical for Halloween.

6. Costumes for Women

Getty Images

Don't know what you want to be? Look through these photo galleries to get some ideas on what you can turn into.

7. Cosplay Characters

Heather Dugger

These photos from cosplay alumni Heather Dugger are sure to inspire some cartoon creativity into your styles. The imagination has no limits.

8. Applique Patch Gallery

Jen Teixeira

'Applique' is when you apply one or more patches to make a picture, like the examples shown here. Looking at the applique work of other artists can really help to inspire your own creations.

9. Weird Handmade Styles

Em Stone

I couldn't believe that this one was made by hand. The talented Em Stone created this dress with real computer parts.

10. Sweet DIY Fashion to Try

Rain Blanken

Angled bob hairstyles goes to underground

Angled bob hairstyles are among one of the hottest hair trends to look out for. The new angled bob hairstyles are longer and end around the shoulders. They are sexier and they have full curls to give the angled bob hairstyles even more flare.

Bobbed hairstyle - "Angled Bob Hairstyles"

Bobs are uber-trendy right now and a classic look. But they can be versatile (see Katie Holmes' hair here) and there are many types of bobs out there to choose from. Check out these bob hairstyle photos.

Bobbed hairstyle


Bobbed hairstyle

Bobbed hairstyle

Bobbed hairstyle

The 80s Punk Look

While many older people remember the 1980s as the time punk got into the mainstream of American culture and threatened society, truth is that 1980s punk was as safe as today's pop music. 1980s punk legends like Billy Idol and Adam Ant seem to have used punk as a means of expression and to stay unique, rather than because they were giving their lives to the cause of punk.

Still, the 80s style of punk-rock is very unique in the history of punk, music, and fashion, and when looking for costumes, the 80s punk-rock star is a great one to go for.

How to Create the 80s Punk Fashion Look!
By Deni Griffiths

80s punk fashion was influenced greatly by celebrities in the music scene, such as The Ramones, Sex Pistols and Billy Idol. We also loved Vivyan from The Young Ones. This meant punk fashion had a wider, commercial audience.

Starting in the 70s, punk fashion was as a statement of rebellion. Clothes and outfits were personally designed by the individual, to enhance the rebellion statement.

Punk fashion is quite a broad cross section from glam punk to goth punk. Therefore, you should be able to grab a few characteristics from any area relating to 80s punk, and pull off this 80s fancy dress costume easily.

As the girls have heaps of fun choices when it comes to 80s fancy dress, 80s punk fashion, is a fun option for plenty of guys to get into the 80s spirit.

Most notably, you will be able to create a mohawk, spray paint your hair and wear studded belts.

Studs and spike will be the key. Look for these sorts of items when creating your punk look.

Oh yeah, and don't forget the safety pin! Where do you wear the safety pin? Well, as an earring, (Attach to a sleeper or similar - not directly through your ear lobe) or as a badge/accessory anywhere on your clothes. Rip an 80s retro tee shirt, and hold it back together with your safety pin.

• Denim jacket
• Leather jacket
• Ripped 80s tees
• Denim jeans
• Plaid mini skirt
• Plaid pants
• Denim mini skirt
• Doc Martin boots
• Black boots
• Studded belt
• Studded wristband
• Studded collar
• Large safety pin
• Large, dangley earring for the left ear
• Facial piercings
• Hair gel - Super strong
• Coloured hair spray paint
• Hair spray - Super strong
• Patches and badges for your jacket
• Studded or leather fingerless gloves

The good news, is that you can acquire and buy a lot of this gear cheap through the charity shops for the clothes, and online.

There are quite a few awesome 80s costumes, props and gear available for under $10.

Also, I highly recommend for you to browse through my site, via the link below, to get some cool visual ideas.

Deni Griffiths loved growing up in the 80s, and is thrilled to see 80s influences, sneak back into fashion. It has happened steadily over the naughties. As we move into the tweenie teenies, there is evidence in music clips, magazines and movies, that it's cool to have a fun and zany taste in fashion. Some commentators have put this down to the gloom of the financial crisis, and they may be right.

Also, most of you would have heard about 80s themed parties by now. They are very popular, probably due to the really cool music, and fancy dress fun you can have. Are you hosting or attending an 80s fancy dress party?

inspirational fashion

This guy went out on a branch too, charting his own way, but I’m not so sure how that worked out for him.

I understand that this is an international gathering. However, it is hosted squarely in Texas and if you’re going to wear a cowboy hat in Texas there are some things that you just can’t do. Here's a couple.

Cowboy hats and Crocs are natural enemies. Lump them together at your own peril.

Earlier I mentioned that neon shoes were in. In fact, lots of neon everything was in.

Why does this actually seem to work for this guy?

I love the look on this girl’s face when she sees this coming from around the corner.

Ok. My hands down favorite trend this year was the hipster, old school sports look. Short shorts. Tall socks. Vintage jerseys. All worn with self-aware irony of course.

Moments away from a pickup game.

Can you smoke and ball at the same time?

The puffy red shoes and pink pastel shorts let you know he's for real.

Serious, serious bonus points to this crew who went the extra mile and managed to meld the hotness of neon with the fully coordinated sports theme. Yes indeed.

Does this count as sporty?

My least favorite trend were dudes who were apparently too cool to get dressed. They got up, opened the bag of Hanes partially see through undershirts (v-necks preferred) slapped one on and called it a day. Scores of these partially clad men were roaming the streets.

The 60’s are always popular. We’ve been mining that decade for fashion inspiration for years.

Careful though. Your mileage may vary.

The clothing trend that simply won’t die is Emo of course. While it was represented well at SXSW this year, my favorite Emo kid had to be this guy. He’s perfect. And it’s made all the sweeter since a few steps away you can see the Emo-man he’ll blossom into.

A relatively new trend this season is Craft Chic, homemade garments and accessories that showcase your self-sufficiency and disdain for mass production. This girl is a shining example.

This one may still need to work at it a bit.

If you don’t have the time or the skills to make your own outfit, you can always go the other way and just dress like a prostitute. It never goes out of style and you are guaranteed to be popular.

And remember, the only thing better than hookers, are punk rock hookers.

For the guys, I think everyone got the memo that mustaches are back in a big way. Tons of them could be seen snuggled up over the lips of many festivalgoers. My favorite has to be this guy though. The waxing, the glasses, and the fact that he appears to have a perfect representation of his ‘stache on his clothing, puts him over the top.

The other thing dudes seemed to not be able to live without were enormo-cuffs. It doesn’t matter how much too long your pants are.

Just invert those bad boys up to your knees and you’re ready for a night out on the town.

And that brings us to another big trend for the ladies. One I am sad to report that seems to be in the nascent stage, with a long run ahead of it. That’s right. The return of the High Waist.

It can be done. This girl has a touch of the ‘50’s schoolteacher, but at least it’s got style.

And she seems happy.

This, though, I’m not so sure about.

And, um, yeah.

I don’t know if this counts as high waisted, or low topped or, ah, support garment, I… well…

Is that a bowtie necklace?

Congratulations! You’ve successfully made it through another installment of SXSWear: The Fashion of the Festival. Tune in soon for the third and final episode of this delightful trilogy.

Next time you’ll be rewarded with some cool parents and badass kids. You'll meet some outliers who refused to be categorized and be sure not to miss the interactive portion were you can vote on your favorite SXSW Fashion Couple!

Until then I’ll leave you with two of my favorite poster boys.

Can you spot the key SXSW elements?

-L. Pants