Politics and current events always make for creative Halloween costumes. In 2004, I remember seeing a Florida with hanging chads. I’m sure there will be plenty of folks representing the recession or health care reform.

That said, if I was going to be a political figure, I’d be Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

• Black judge’s robe* (can be substituted with a graduation or choir robe)
• White high-neck blouse and skirt/pants below the robe (or a red/blue power suit)
• Gavel
• Copy of the US Constitution
• Wavy dark hair
• Bonus: for those of you who think you’re wise Latinas, a “wise” tshirt below the robe and a baby doll cut in half (see: King Solomon)

Unless you find a tiny robe, this costume doesn’t satisfy the theme for most adult women’s costumes. Oh well.

*While doing research for this, I found a “sexy” judge’s robe. Um. Really?

A few years ago, I created a costume inspired by a Morrissey song. I was a “Hairdresser on Fire.” It was way too conceptual — and warm — to wear on the crowded dance floor in a club. Still, it was a simple, cheap, and original costume.

Morrissey and the Smiths songs are rife with titles that could easily be converted to something visual.

Some ideas:

Hairdresser on fire
– Smock with scissors, combs and other stylists’ tools
– Decorate the smock with fake flames (I used red, orange and yellow felt), my smock also had a made up hair salon
– Wear whatever you want under the smock

Vicar in a tutu
– Dress like a member of the clergy (all black with the collar)
– Tutu

The boy with the thorn in his side
– Boyish clothing
– Thorn made out of construction paper, styrofoam cone, or whatever else that works

Death of a disco dancer
– Shiny clothing
– Platforms
– Something to indicate a death (e.g., fake gunshot wound, zombie-ish makeup)

First of the gang to die
– Cholo or chola costume
– See “death of a disco dancer” above

Pretty girls make graves
– Dress girly (cute dress, cute hair, cute shows… you get the picture)
– Fake gravestones (hold the gravestone with you)

Bonus: Halloween with Morrissey (Cheekyboy remix)

In a supposedly post-racial society*, are costumes like this okay?

I think not. Still racist.

More racist costumes (you can even find some for kids!).

*In case it isn’t clear, I don’t think we’re in a post-racial society.

I love October. It’s got baseball playoffs, the World Series, loved ones’ birthdays, and at the end we dress up and celebrate Halloween.

In case you don’t know, I’ve always loved Halloween. I’m pretty sure it’s genetic, as my parents dressed up in some crazy/silly get-ups in their youth. (There’s a photo floating around of my dad in drag. No, I won’t post it.)

As a kid, my mom would ask what I wanted to be. I’d pick something and she’d proceed to make the costume. (Mom also used her sewing talents to make some of our clothes.)

One year, I embraced gender duality and told my mom I wanted to be the bride/groom I’d seen in Big Top Pee Wee. She proceeded to cut up the dress I wore as a flower girl in my tía Nellie’s wedding and at my First Communion (we were into recycling before it was trendy). She got an old suit that belonged to my cousin Danny and pieced together my greatest costume ever.

I won first prize for that costume.

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October is also the time when I post the series on low-cost, DIY and culturally-relevant costumes. You can find costume ideas from 2008 and 2007 here. I’ll be back with more for 2009.