Creating Your Own 1990s Halloween Costume

There was a time when everyone was breaking out their leg warmers, acid washed jeans, and big mesh shirts to dress up for 1980s parties. It was certainly fun, but putting one's hair to the side in a ponytail starts to get old after a while. There comes a time when we must progress past the 1980s parties and move to the next decade. That time is now. Now is the perfect time to break out the flannel and the Doc Martens, and get together the perfect 1990s Halloween costume.

I know some might say the 1990s were a dismal decade and who would want to relive that? Come on... any decade with 90210 and MC Hammer can't be that bad! There are plenty of fun outfits you can come up with if you are going to a Halloween party. Even better, why not have a 1990s themed Halloween party? It is a fun idea, I assure you!

If you are a guy and want to dress for the 1990s, it is going to easy. First of all, if you are a metrosexual kind of guy, but would like to relax a bit, this is going to be a great costume. Less is more for your '90s look. Make sure to get rid of all that hair gel and, by all means, take off that make up. If you are already a "manly" dude anyway, this is going to work well for you.

The grunge look in the '90s looked just how it sounds. You want to look like you don't care about your appearance. After all, you are a Gen X guy now. You want to look as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders and no one cares. For your grunge outfit you need:

• Flannel shirt and/or t-shirt (it is best to have layers as if it is really cold, even if it isn't)
• Leather jacket is perfectly acceptable
• Lose jeans (the more holes and the less attractive, the better)
• Big boots, preferably Dr. Martens
• Unwashed hair, preferably long
• Goatee (if you can't manage a goatee, stop shaving; you will at least need stubble)
• Walk around looking bummed out.

If you cannot stand the thought of looking so gross, then fine. You are going to have to dress like MC Hammer or Vanilla Ice. Color Me Badd is also an option. Never forget the babes loved the guys of 90210, so dressing like Brandon or Dylan is completely acceptable.

You are still going to need loose fitting jeans, but you can at least wear something without holes if you are going for a more preppy look. Yes, you can have short hair and you are even allowed to use hair gel. Ewww! People may point and laugh at your look at your spiffy '90s look, but at least you will probably smell nice.

For you ladies, 1990s style has something special waiting for you. The look for the gals is to be as cute as possible in adorable dresses, but look like you spent no time on it. You don't want to style your hair; if possible, straight bangs and straight, long hair is absolutely perfect. Here is what you are going to want for your look:

• A baby doll dress (if there are holes, even better)
• Tights
• Mary Janes
• Child-like hair accessories

If you prefer to wear pants, yes, you can wear jeans, but you can't wear any jeans that are cute and fitted. Remember, you are full of remorse and angst! You can't be full of angst in skinny jeans. If possible, get some flared jeans. You can also wear flannel if you'd like. Apparently, it was just really cold all during the '90s and a lot of flannel jackets needed to be worn. I guess we were all so full of angst that the sun went away forever.

By the way, boots were also a good look for the ladies in the 1990s, too. Granny boots or Dr. Martens are perfectly acceptable to wear. Feel free to wear Mary Jane shoes with your outfit, too. After all, it may have been a dismal decade, but women were still allowed to look a little cute.

So now that you've got your look, it is time to really get in a 1990s groove. Even if you don't have a 1990s party, you certainly want to get in a Gen X state of mind before taking your look out on the streets for Halloween.

The first thing you need to keep in mind is you are really emotionally disturbed about life in general, but you can't explain why. If possible, try to walk around looking disillusioned and disappointed. For that matter, try to use the word "diss" in a sentence at some point. That was pretty big in the '90s, too. If someone tries to put down your Halloween costume, tell them, "Stop dissing me!" Oh, you are so '90s now!

You might want to check out some movies that really captured the tone for the decade. You don't want to miss:

• Reality Bites
• Clerks
• Singles
• Empire Records
• Beavis and Butthead Do America

When you are done watching some fine '90s movies, you definitely want to listen to some great music from the decade. Out of everything from the '90s, the music was probably the best part. Make sure to add to your playlist:

• Nirvana
• Pearl Jam
• Soundgarden
• Alice in Chains
• L7
• Hole
• MC Hammer
• Vanilla Ice
• Color Me Badd
• Everclear
• Beck
• Counting Crows
• Sponge
• PJ Harvey
• Toad the Wet Sprocket
• Smashing Pumpkins
• Nine Inch Nails
• Liz Phair
• Public Enemy
• Sonic Youth
• Blind Melon
• Snoop Dogg
• Stone Temple Pilots
• Jane's Addiction
• The Offspring
• TLC
• Coolio
• Matchbox 20
• Hootie & the Blowfish
• Barenaked Ladies
• Foo Fighters

Once you've got your disenchanted, practically all-alternative music playlist, you are going to be ready to go. So start planning your 1990s Halloween party now. Unless you want to wait the last minute and then make all the guests sad. I guess that would be so 1990s of you to disappoint your guests like that!