Carbon Costume

2020 has been a rough year. One that hasn’t given people many reasons to smile. But thanks to Ryan Reynolds and Match.com we have at least one: an all too timely commercial of Satan and 2020 linking up on match’s dating app.

2020 – whose icon is a picture of a murder hornet and played by Natalie Roy – matches with an entirely too bored-looking Satan played by Aaron Reed. And of course as soon as they get together all, well, hell breaks loose. 2020 steals all the toilet paper out of a public restroom, the couple breaks into both a gym (where the probably didn’t wipe down the machines) and a movie theater (where 2020 openly records the movie on her phone). They take a selfie in front of a literal dumpster fire and then watch the world end under the romantic flaming light of an apocalyptic meteor shower.

It’s pure chaos. And it is pure 2020.

This commercial gives us a great couple’s costume for 2021 – provided things improve before then. And it makes for a great way to take a darkly humorous approach to dealing with the stress of the year.

Satan’s look is really similar to Tim Curry’s Satan in the 1985 movie Legend. To recreate the look yourself you’ll want to start with some curved horns and red body paint. Black body paint makes for great accents and you’ll want black lipstick as well. That will cover your body’s upper half though can add a red bodysuit if you want more coverage than red body paint.

For the lower body you’ll want some fake fur pants and a broad leather belt that you decorate with thin chains. Matching black leather bracers on your wrists are another great accessory. And finally you’ll want those signature goat feet!

Dressing up as 2020 is a little bit easier. You start with a blonde wig with really heavy streaks. The style changes a few times during the commercial but heaving most of it down with two thin pig tails on the top is a good option. Once that’s styled you’ll need a jacket of fake red fur, a red top, red burgundy pants, and then a pair of red pleather boots. You can even bring along some toilet paper from your latest haul!

Mr. Pringles is the long-time mascot for the chip in a can. While his old-timey hair and mustache have long been featured on the packaging, his body is something of a mystery. Or it was, until the HBO talk show host John Oliver issued a challenge on Twitter and wondered “Is he tall or short? Does he have a lot of body hair or is he completely smooth? When will he be able to tell me what his nipples look like?” While the public drew their own fan art, giving Mr. P a sexy physique or dapper tuxedo, the actual body reveal was more toned down, with the mascot dressing for comfort.

In the Purple Mattress commercials, Goldilocks (Mallory Everton) is a bed expert who mischievously uses raw eggs to test the quality of mattresses. A hard mattress will crack the eggs, a soft mattress will also crack the eggs, but a mattress that’s just right will cradle the eggs, even with 1,000 pounds of weights on top of them.

When it comes to memorable commercial spokespeople (or spokesanimals), insurance companies are oddly at the top of their game. From the original GEICO gecko and Aflac duck, to the huggable Jake from State Farm, effervescent Flo, and slick Erin Esurance. The latest entrant is Liberty Mutual, with their dynamic duo LiMu Emu and Doug, an emu and a man in matching uniforms, sunglasses and all.

On September 24, 2018, the world was introduce to the Philadelphia Flyers’ new mascot Gritty, and the Internet has never been the same.  Gritty has become a viral sensation, thanks in large part to his appearance as a slightly off-kilter, oversized muppet.  To really take your Gritty costume to the next level, you will want to exaggerate the size of your body and accessories.  Using slippers that look like shoes, and layering your jersey and shorts over an oversized onesie will help give the appearance that you are larger than life, just like the real Gritty.  And if you don’t want to shell out for the official mascot’s jersey, a simpler replica or a jersey you already own will also suffice.

Captain Morgan is easily one of the most recognizable mascots. You don’t even have to dress like a pirate if you pull his name in a game of charades. Just put your hand on your hip and mime standing on a barrel. Most people will know exactly who you’re talking about.

And though you might not need to dress like a pirate to evoke The Captain, there’s no reason you shouldn’t! Especially on August 16, National Rum Day. Most of the pieces of his costume are pretty easy to find and can be mixed into other period costumes for an added bonus!

The first thing you need is a red and gold pirate hat. Under that you’ll want a long black wig and a black goatee. A red and gold pirate’s coat, white shirt with a ruffed collar, brown leather bandolier, and blue collared cloak make up the top half of his clothing. You’ll have to add gold edging to the cloak but gold tape should make that easy. Black breeches, a brown belt, and brown boots make up the bottom half. And of course no pirate would be complete without his saber and his pistol. You don’t need to carry a barrel with you though you can if you like. Finding anything to prop a foot on and strike a pose will do just fine!

The Keebler Elf is the mascot of Keebler Foods Company, a well known American cookie and cracker company.  This adorable elf is best known for advertising its E.L. Fudge and Fudge Stripe cookies. His actual name is Ernest J. “Ernie” Keebler, and he works at a bakery called the Hollow Tree Factory. He has appeared in the company’s commercials since the 1980s. Did you know there are other Keebler elves as well? Some of these elves include his family and workers at the bakery.

Queen Frostine is the benevolent queen of Candy Land.  She is the wife of King Fudge and the mother of Princess Lolly. And though her costume appears simple, it is unique enough that getting it just right will take a little bit of DIY to bring the right details to your basic blue ballgown.

If you can find a scalloped skirt or apron to wear over your ballgown, then you don’t need the scalloped fabric. For those using the fabric, however, a little bit of double-sided tape will keep the material in place during your event or while you add safety pins for extra stability. Then when you’re done, you can remove the material the ballgown is back to a solid basic garment you can use with other cosplays!