atlantic city costume guide

let’s get creative this year. halloween doesn’t have to be serious or sexy or even make total sense. you can be funny, weird, or built entirely out of cardboard and good intentions. atlantic city is full of costume inspiration.... u just have to look around. everything here has a story, and some of them look great with duct tape.

here are a few of my current favorites.

the claridge

tall rectangle of cardboard painted beige or gold. black marker windows, maybe a square cutout for your face. black pants so you vanish under your own skyline. bonus if you wear a blinking light or thrift a gold hat for the dome.

way to elevate: print out a body sized cutout of the claridge, front and back. hot pants +fishnets to make it sexy, black tights/pants for pg/g.

where should you wear this?

please consider looking down! the claridge is hosting a a haunted hotel party. $100-ish dollars will get you 4 hours of an open bar, photo opps (no idea what that means don't ask me ask them!), dj, dessert, buffet. sounds fun! they claridge is so beautiful, if you're a guy, you could be the claridge and your girl could be marilyn monroe or just in fashion from the 30s/40s/50s.... maybe a ghoul from the period? idk up to you.)

ps - im not gonna say what else i think u could wear on ur head w this costume lol but just imagine

ms. america

pageant winner, washed-up queen, or hometown royalty. dig out something sparkly, make a sash, and pick your city — miss atlantic city, miss vineland, mr. chicago, whatever fits. do your hair too big, hold a drink like a trophy, and pretend someone’s filming you for local TV.

orrr you can be the ms america statue:

brown/bronze dress, body glitter, wear a crown, sash (think of all the fun things you could write in the sash). carry around a crown (or a crown purse? idk or put your crown on a chain)

you can take pics at boardwalk hall before you start hitting your parties.

if you need a reason to dress up:

joe mcginty (sid gold's piano bar) and sarah holt (molly ringworm) are performing spooky tunes at angeloni's club madrid on october 13th.

following that performance, joe is truly bringing sid golds to atlantic city, so be prepared to sing!

i am SO excited for this. so please buy my magazine so i can afford to get drunk enough to sing.

monopoly

the streets are literally the costume. baltic ave, park place, or the go-to-jail card. paint some cardboard, grab fake money, and call it done. if you want to go method, carry a tiny plastic house and charge people rent.

you can also get a top hat, monocle. suit.

or you can be any of the pieces. like for a thimble a cute shiny thimble dress, diy some cheap thimble earrings.

for the dog silver dog ears + silver hair spray.

etc;

gonna prob try to channel this at the mollyringworm halloween + album release party.

lucy the elephant

gray sweats or hoodie, pink paper ears, something gold on your head for the dome. duct-tape a ladder to your back if you want extra points. she’s historic, she’s weirdly glamorous, she’s been through things.

casino carpet (wild wild west floor)

the louder the better. find a western-print shirt or dress, cover it in fringe, rope, sequins, poker chips. or carry a mini vacuum as a prop or tape a “wet floor” sign to your shoe. the goal is to look like the physical embodiment of overstimulation.

you could find a print from a site like this: https://trebolcarpetusa.com/en/collections/casino-carpet and print it on a shirt/bodysuit/skirt/etc. could also put fake gum and shit on u. idk. lol.

the irish pub

dark green outfit with with gold and mirrory jewelry. tape coasters and/or receipts to your sleeves or dress. you’re not a customer, you’re the actual building. print out the sign, cut it out, modge podge it to some cardboard then pin it into a headband. #cute.

do you love christmas? dress as the irish pub at christmas time! wear fairy lights, bulb earrings, dangly necklaces, sparkles, etc.

the escape plans

for anyone not in a DIY mood. just throw on the “atlantic city will never die” long sleeve from The Escape Plans, grab eyeliner, and call it a night. halloween shortcut, but it still counts. they’re hosting emo night with DJ David Earl and Karle Gwen anyway, so you’ll blend right in.

so yeaaaah. i dont think halloween has to cost a ton of money (but it can be fun if it can!) or make sense(that also could be fun). it just has to make people laugh, nod, or go “oh my god, that’s actually really good.”

and guess what? my top four costume picks didn’t even make this list. they’re in the zine. you’ll have to wait and see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

preorder a copy here:

Diving Horse Issue 3

$5.00

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