Carbon Costume

Taylor Swift is an American singer/songwriter. From “Love Story” to “You Belong with Me,” her songs narrate her personal and romantic life. She started out as a country singer, but her current music fits more of the pop genre. Taylor is one of the world’s best selling music artists and the highest earning female musician of the 2010s. Some of her hit albums include Red, Speak Now, 1989, and her most recent album, Lover. As most musicians, Taylor’s style has evolved throughout the years, so we have three looks from each era of her career. You can go classic country pop with her long hair and cowboy boots, Red style with a black fedora and red flats, or a modern T-Swift with a glittery dress.

Sabina Wilson (played by Kristen Stewart) is a rebellious Angel in Elizabeth Banks’ 2019 reboot of the Charlie’s Angels franchise.  An heiress and former criminal, Sabina is fiercely loyal to her fellow Angels, including Jane and Elena, and credits the program for saving her from a life behind bars.  Sabina’s style changes wildly throughout the film depending on the needs of her job, providing a wide range of costume options for everyone’s tastes.  Many of the pieces Stewart wears as Sabina are high-end and difficult to find, so a little creativity and flexibility may be required to recreate her looks on a budget.

Summer Rose (voiced by Sandy Lee Casey) is the deceased mother of RWBY‘s brave young protagonist, Ruby. The circumstances of her death are mysterious, but as Rooster Teeth’s anime-inspired webseries progresses, we are learning small details about her past and personality, from master cookie baker to responsible team leader with a “bratty” streak.

In the Wonder Woman 1984 movie, Barbara Minerva (played by Kristen Wiig) is an insecure scientist who befriends Diana.  After being exposed to a mystical force, Barbara eventually transforms into Cheetah, arch enemy of Wonder Woman.  Barbara’s look evolves almost as much as the character.  From her frumpy 80s style at the outset of the film, to the sexy animal prints she wears later, there is a lot of room to have fun with the era.  Barbara’s fully evolved Cheetah form looks like a humanoid cat, so some adaptations to a standard leopard or cheetah Halloween costume can make it look more intimidating and better suited to the character.

Queen Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick) is the leader of the Pop trolls. She’s one of the most adventurous – and definitely among the most energetic – of nearly all the trolls. After creating peace with the Bergens, how hard can peace among the trolls be?

Getting Poppy’s perfectly pink look takes some work but is well worth it! You’ll want to start with a pink wig and pink body paint. A green headband and some felt flowers can recreate her headband while you can get close to her felt dress with printed blue dress to match the pattern on hers. And, yes, technically Poppy runs around barefoot but that’s not a safe option. Pink sandals will get you close enough unless you can find a tutorial for invisible shoes, which might come in handy for other costumes!

Remus Lupin is a character in the Harry Potter book and movie series. In the Prisoner of Azkaban, he becomes the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. While he is a compassionate and good natured man, he was cursed with lycanthropy during his childhood. He keeps it a secret until Hermione Granger realizes why his boggart is a full moon. During his years as a student, he was part of the Marauders with Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and James Potter. Remus remains protective over Harry as his father was his best friend. He marries Nymphadora Tonks but they are murdered by Death Eaters in the Battle of Hogwarts.

In Boardwalk Empire, Nelson Van Alden (played by Michael Shannon) is one of those men who lived long enough to see themselves become the villain in their own story. Although he started as a good man, he ultimately allowed corruption to take hold.

It’s hard to see that from the outside though. Throughout the series Van Alden stuck to the same sort of clothing even as his priorities and principles changed. Like many men at that time he wears a coordinated three-piece suit with a white undershirt and an understated tie. Van Alden prefers browns over blacks and greys and his ties are usually striped. His shoes match the tone of his suit and he wears a camel wool overcoat when the weather calls for it. He also has a wide-brimmed fedora to keep his head covered as was proper at the time. And of course you can’t forget the pomade for the distinct slicked hair of the period.

Xena (played by Lucy Lawless on Xena: Warrior Princess) is a reformed villain originally introduced in the TV show Hercules who fights for the greater good in pursuit of redemption.  Xena is a formidable warrior who takes the villager Gabrielle under her wing, eventually training her falling in love.  Replica armor for Xena can be prohibitively expensive, so the easiest way to recreate her look is to find studded leather pieces that evoke the same warrior feel as many of Xena’s outfits from the show.

Greef Karga (played by Carl Weathers) is the head of the bounty hunters in the Hunters’ Guild. He hands out the assignments and ensures that the clients pay the hunters. Unless, that is, one of the hunters runs off with bounty. Then things get a little messy.

Copying Greef Karga’s look takes a little bit of work. Most Star Wars costumes aren’t easy to recreate from your typical closet and Karga’s is no different. You can get close, though. Brown leather pants and a light brown undershirt set up your base layers. Over that you’ll want to add a brown leather vest and a brown leather tunic-style coat. Over the waist of your pants you’ll want to add brown fabric for a belt pad and then a brown leather belt. Brown leather boots and black gloves finish the look while a tracking fob, bounty puck, and official license get you ready to go after your own bounties!

Asriel Dreemurr is the son of Toriel, who passed away before the events of Undertale. Although you won’t recognize him in the beginning, a sadistic, soulless version of Asriel — a mere shadow of his cute, docile younger self — is the first character you meet in the game.