If you are anything like me, you want your Halloween costume to be recognizable, creative, and easy to put together in a moment's notice. That's a tall order most of the time, but the popularity of Netflix's Wet Hot American Summer reboot could save the day. The '80s are back in a lot of ways, people, and a Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp Halloween costume is easily within your grasp.
There are a lot of iconic looks in the series and original movie. Amy Poehler's feathered hair would definitely be fun to try for a wild night. You could rally any party with a rousing rendition of "Higher and Higher" if you dress as Chris Pine's character Eric. Also, if you haven't considered McKinley and Ben's "zoot suit" as a couple's costume, I don't want to know you, but something that elaborate might be difficult to put together on a busy schedule. You can always throw on a baseball tee and track shorts, or try and find a wolf howling at the moon tee shirt that's worthy of Paul Rudd's character. In the meantime, here are four costume ideas from the Netflix series that are simple to execute and will definitely be a hit with your friends.
DJ Ski Mask
Yellow Baseball Cap, $10, Amazon
Take a page from Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp's book for the easiest "cheat" Halloween costume. Bradley Cooper filmed all of his scene in one day, and one of the tricks they used to cover that was to have him wear a ski mask for the last few episodes. It was hilarious, and a super simple costume. You just need a yellow quarter-zip sweater like this one from L.L. Bean that's on sale right now for $40, blue shorts like these American Apparel shorts that are also on sale for $32, and then a grey three-holed ski mask and yellow baseball cap that you can get on Amazon for $6 and $10 respectively!
Gene
Crew-Neck Tee, $10, Old Navy; Lavender Bandana, $5, Amazon; White Apron, $13, Amazon
Gene is one of the most recognizable Wet Hot characters, and his costume is fairly simple, as well. Just get a cheap blue tee shirt, like this one from Old Navy that's only $10, cut off the sleeves and shorten the waist. You'll need a purple bandana, which you can get from Amazon for just $5. You can also get a white apron on Amazon for $13 to wear over whatever jeans or pants you want. Finally, run to your local grocery store and pick up a can of mixed vegetables (I chose Harris Teeter as an example, it's on sale for $1.39) to be your pal and confident!
Lindsay
Rainbow With Me Jeans, $70, Modcloth; Puka Shell Necklace, $9, Amazon
Elizabeth Banks' "transformation" into an undercover teenager from a rock and roll journalist was about as effortless as this Halloween costume will be, because most of her clothes are back in style. After you pull your hair up in an epic side sweep with bobby pins or a barrette, you can get the exact rainbow jeans that Lindsay wears on Modcloth for $70 as well as her blue knit crop top that's $40 from American Apparel. The finishing touch? An old school pink and white puka shell necklace, which you can get on Amazon for $9.
Camp Tigerclaw
The Evil Camp Tigerclaw would make an excellent group costume, as long as you blast some snazzy swing music and periodically shout "huzzah," but let's use Kristin Wiig's character as a DIY example. Don't tell those evil rich kids, but you can easily fake the look at a store like Old Navy that has a lot of basics. If you don't have a healthy mix of polo shirts, madras, gingham, and other preppy essentials at home, don't sweat it. Just go buy a pink polo shirt for $7, a mint green sweater to tie around your shoulders for $37 (just make sure you knot it), some light-colored pleated shorts or a skirt like these for $14 and make sure you swap out the belt for a matching pink one like this, which costs $13. To accessorize the costume, especially for a group, you can all get in on a cheap croquet set on Amazon for $23. (You can also get mini silver cocktail forks for $4 at Party City if you want to save money on your "rumble" weapons.)
Images: Netflix; Old Navy (5); Amazon (6); Harris Teeter; American Apparel (2); L.L. Bean; Modcloth
