By Sara VanDrie
The well that gushed an estimated 185 million gallons of oil has been declared killed as of September, but the effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill are far from over. And, if you're the sort of person who likes to be involved in controversy, or likes to raise eyebrows or attract notice, then the most controversial costume you could wear this year would be an oil spill costume.
There are two ways to go about getting an oil spill costume: buy one premade, or make one yourself. If you have the money and don't feel like making one yourself, premade costumes are great. There's a popular costume out there now, called the Bad Planning BP Costume. It's a set of green coveralls, covered in splatters of oil, with a Bad Planning logo emulating the BP logo. Pair it with a wrench or a plastic fish, either covered in 'oil' and a set of work boots, and you'll be set up in no time.
Making your own costume can be a great affordable way to dress up this year. Just be prepared for whatever clothing you wear to be ruined. If you're not willing to do that to your own clothes, hit up a second hand store. While you're there, purchase a t shirt or sweatshirt and jeans. If you can get your hands on a cheap hard hat,safety vest, and work gloves, even better.
The 'oil' if your oil spill costume is the biggest hurdle. Real oil is, well, oily, and you don't want it all over your clothes, soaking into your skin. Plus, imagine sitting down covered in oil, on someone's sofa. I don't imagine they'd be too pleased. So, you need an oil alternative to splatter on your clothes. There are a couple options that you can use in place of actual oil: Paint, and liquid latex.
Paint is a simple, accessible option for oil stains. Find a black paint that will dry shiny, thin it down a bit, and using a paintbrush, squeeze bottle, or by simply pouring it on your clothing. Using a brush, or even a stick or straw dipped in paint, you can shake it over the clothing, getting the drips and splatters associated with liquids splashing all over. Some paint can be applied to the skin, although I would never advise putting it on your face or in your hair. Read the label of whatever paint you purchase thoroughly to make sure it's safe for skin contact.
Liquid latex is another option for splatters. If you're allergic to latex, skip this option and stick with paint. Liquid latex has the advantage of drying shiny, and being able to be applied to skin and hair without side affects. Near Halloween it's easier to get ahold of it because many people like to use it to paint faces and bodies. The rest of the year you might need to purchase it online, at a theatrical or year round costume shop, or at an adult store. You can apply it to your clothes the same way you would the paint above, you just don't need to water it down first.
In both cases, you should apply your 'oil' well in advance, and let it dry. If you don't, you'll be smearing paint or latex all over your house, car, or friend's sofa if you're not careful.
There are two ways to go about getting an oil spill costume: buy one premade, or make one yourself. If you have the money and don't feel like making one yourself, premade costumes are great. There's a popular costume out there now, called the Bad Planning BP Costume. It's a set of green coveralls, covered in splatters of oil, with a Bad Planning logo emulating the BP logo. Pair it with a wrench or a plastic fish, either covered in 'oil' and a set of work boots, and you'll be set up in no time.
Making your own costume can be a great affordable way to dress up this year. Just be prepared for whatever clothing you wear to be ruined. If you're not willing to do that to your own clothes, hit up a second hand store. While you're there, purchase a t shirt or sweatshirt and jeans. If you can get your hands on a cheap hard hat,safety vest, and work gloves, even better.
The 'oil' if your oil spill costume is the biggest hurdle. Real oil is, well, oily, and you don't want it all over your clothes, soaking into your skin. Plus, imagine sitting down covered in oil, on someone's sofa. I don't imagine they'd be too pleased. So, you need an oil alternative to splatter on your clothes. There are a couple options that you can use in place of actual oil: Paint, and liquid latex.
Paint is a simple, accessible option for oil stains. Find a black paint that will dry shiny, thin it down a bit, and using a paintbrush, squeeze bottle, or by simply pouring it on your clothing. Using a brush, or even a stick or straw dipped in paint, you can shake it over the clothing, getting the drips and splatters associated with liquids splashing all over. Some paint can be applied to the skin, although I would never advise putting it on your face or in your hair. Read the label of whatever paint you purchase thoroughly to make sure it's safe for skin contact.
Liquid latex is another option for splatters. If you're allergic to latex, skip this option and stick with paint. Liquid latex has the advantage of drying shiny, and being able to be applied to skin and hair without side affects. Near Halloween it's easier to get ahold of it because many people like to use it to paint faces and bodies. The rest of the year you might need to purchase it online, at a theatrical or year round costume shop, or at an adult store. You can apply it to your clothes the same way you would the paint above, you just don't need to water it down first.
In both cases, you should apply your 'oil' well in advance, and let it dry. If you don't, you'll be smearing paint or latex all over your house, car, or friend's sofa if you're not careful.
| Looking for a premade oil spill costume? Check out this BP Bad Planning Costume, and get ideas on how to create a costume and accessories to surprise, or annoy, your friends and trick or treaters! |  |
