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13 Halloween Costume Ideas for Baby Boomers

Doesn’t it seem female Halloween costumes have devolved into overt sexiness? Even young girls are donning witch costumes cut up to here and down to there. But such outfits feel unseemly for Baby Boomers rapidly approaching retirement age.

Nor are guys exempt from age-inappropriate costuming. Too many go the slovenly or uncostume route, entirely missing the point of the festivities.

Still, we’re the generation that invented celebrating Halloween long past the trick-or-treat years.

Hippie and 1960s Carnaby Street styles were the first form of Baby Boomer costuming and — let’s be honest — we started partying pretty instead early, too.

Even if you disdain the more youthful approach, there are still plenty of opportunities that suit our, ahem, dignity while continuing the Halloween spirit.

Here’s a selection of 13 ideas for men, women, and couples.

MEN

Muammar Gaddafi

Rule the night as the infamous African dictator.

To pull this one-off, you’ll need a black curly wig, red fez, checked scarf, and a homemade T-shirt emblazoned with “I Love Libya.”

If you’re going with a gang, add a few Nigerian soldiers to do your bidding throughout the evening.

You also might want to carry a journal filled with love notes to Condoleeza Rice and several photos of the former Secretary of State.

Zach Galifianakis in Hangover II

Remember the grizzly look Zach wore in the sequel to this huge comedic hit?

A fake beard and a bald head or bathing cap are all you’ll need to recreate Mr. Alan Garner.

Ladies will love rubbing your bald pate or running their fingers through your manly fur.

Hangover II – Part II

If you’re dressing as Zach and going with a buddy, he’ll need to create a Mayan face tattoo, then add wire-rim glasses and stodgy clothes to give him the unique style of Ed Helms as Stu Price.

The last member of your wolf pack need only wear khakis, a white dress shirt, and look dashingly handsome.

Harold Camping

Harold Camping predicted the world would end in 1994.

Welllllll…not so much.

He again foretold the End Times would happen on May 21, 2011.

It didn’t happen, did it?

Halloween seems a perfect time for the puffed-up preacher to take another shot, so don your fluffy sideburns, powdered white wig, sports jacket, and a fat book to thump as you preach to all within range.

Charlie Sheen

This one is so obvious it’s painful, but it would be remiss to omit the king of “Winning!”

You could create your outfit or go the whole hog with a mask, wig, and “Winning” hat from BuyCostumes.com.

Bring your price down to Halloween affordable by using codes from FreeShipping.org.

WOMEN

Mummy

Now there’s a double entendre just waiting to happen. If you’re still shuttling kids to soccer and band practice, take on the dual role of a mommy mummy. Pick up some high-waisted mom jeans at Goodwill, along with an appliqued shirt or sweater (we’re assuming such things aren’t in your closet). Wrap yourself in toilet paper and carry a soccer ball.

Babe Lincoln, Vampire Hunter

The movie “Abe Lincoln, Vampire Hunter” (IMDB) is coming out in 2012, but ladies can come out this Halloween dressed as the president who freed the slaves and slew the bloodsuckers.

You’ll need a stovepipe hat made from construction paper, a formal black coat, a fake beard, and a short skirt with high heels.

Carry a bloodied stake, and you’re good to go.

Bridesmaids

Here’s the female counterpart to the all-male “Hangover” costumes.

The wild chicks of Judd Apatow’s summer comedy are easy to replicate with thrift store bridesmaids’ costumes, preferably in Pepto Bismal pink and a meringue-pie wedding gown with a matching pink ribbon for a waistband.

Elizabeth Bennett, Zombie-style

The oddly popular “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” novel offers a grisly twist to a period costume.

Pick up a long, empire-waist dress at a thrift store or create your own using a puff-sleeved tee shirt and floor-length skirt.

Arrange your hair into a conservative bun, then have fun disheveling the entire look with random blood spatter and zombie makeup.

COUPLES

Prince Charles and Camilla

Forget Prince William and his new blushing bride.

You can play the passed-over prince and his consort for just $2.01 each with masks from Discount Costumes.

Want to feel more powerful? Try the Queen Elizabeth mask for a discounted $1.26. (Shipping and handling are $5.95, but that’s still a great deal.)

Jack and Jill

Take two T-shirts. Write “Jack” on one and “Jill” on the other.

Create a broken crown for Jack out of poster board and add fake blood, then create bruises on Jill with black-and-blue face paints to indicate her role as “She who came tumbling after.”

Make sure you both carry pails of water and trip occasionally.

A Pair of Blue Jeans

Baaaaad puns are allowable on Halloween, so this one is perfect.

Both of you wear blue clothes.

His nametag reads “Gene,” and hers says “Jean.”

To go the whole hog, add blue skin paint.

Baby Boomers (of course)

If you don’t mind wearing diapers and showing your age, you could be the talk of the party.

The costume requires a box of Depends and a baby-doll top.

You might use scrub tops covered in duckies or another childish pattern, then add a big bow around the neck.

Props might include giant baby/water bottles and your social security cards.

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Kate Forgach is a Baby Boomer consumer specialist for Kinoli Inc. She has been featured in USA Today, Detroit News, New Orleans Times-Picayune, New Yorker magazine, “ABC World News,” NBC’s “TODAY” show, and many other media outlets.

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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