International Speak Like a Pirate Day... Arhhhh!

I'm counting down and there's only 3 full days until International Speak Like a Pirate Day. Taking place on the 19th of September each year, International Pirate day just keeps getting bigger. From its origins in 1995, people around the world have been catching onto the 'Speak like a Pirate' day and it has even been celebrated on the International Space Station.

Here's a handy site to get you speaking like the scurvy sea-dog of a Pirate that you are. We recommend a little practice to get you in fine pirate form for this monday...

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/howto.html

And then there's the 'Pirate' Translator. 

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/translator.html

But it shouldn't stop at speaking like a pirate - lets declare it International Dress Like a Pirate day too!

The Pirate theme has always been popular, and with the likes of Johnny Depp playing the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow, it's only getting more so. 

Think beards and dreadlocks, hooks and feathered hats, boots, buckles and billowy shirts. It's a good excuse not to shower for a few days and have a bit of fun dressing up.

Classic Captain Jack Sparrow Costume

Arrrrh! This boys Pirate Costume is fit for a Pirate.

Who said Pirates can't be sexy? This Pirate Wench Costume is perfect for sailing the seven seas!

One of the most infamous Pirates is Captain Hook, villain of the timeless Disney tale Peter Pan. But you can't be 'Hook' without a hook!

We've got shiploads more Pirate costumes at Costume Direct - click to go to our Pirate Costume Category. Ahhhhr - and don't forget to check out our Pirate Competition on Facebook - you could win a $100 gift voucher!

Bookweek!

Book Week (or 'book parade') was one of the most anticipated events of my primary school years. In fact, Book Week has spanned generations and 2011 marks the 66th year of Book Week!

The official dates of Book Week this year are the 20th-26th of August. It's just around the corner so it's time to get thinking about what your little one will dress up as. The theme for Book Week this year is 'One World, Many Stories'.

Book Week is so much fun for kids and teachers alike, just check out some of these cute little kids:

This is impressive costuming if ever I saw it!

Knights, Dragons & Dinosaurs are always a hit with the boys and there are a million and one books that contain such characters. Easy Peasy!

Kids Dinosaur Costume

That's just two of countless costuming options for book week - for more ideas visit our Kids Costume page on Costume Direct, or head straight to the Book Week category.

PARTY TIME!

At least once in our lives, we all attend at least one costume party. Usually they can be really fun, especially if you approach them with the right attitude and look forward to having fun!

Whether it's your own party or you have been invited to a party, there is no doubt you will want to look your best. Use this opportunity to get creative! You may want to choose a character or costume that reflects your own personality, or use this opportunity to channel a character or costume you wouldn't normally consider.

There are many themes and characters to consider, some popular ones include:

1920's costumes: Ladies, feel the part in a flapper and feather boa, put on some beads and a feather headband and you'll look perfect! Gentlemen, channel Al Capone in your best pin striped suit, braces and gangster hat.

Fairytale costumes: Return to the books you always loved as a child, become Cinderella but be sure not to lose your glass slipper! You could be Sleeping Beauty, Strawberry Shortcake, Alice in Wonderland or Raggedy Anne. Gentlemen, become Prince Charming, the Tin Man, the Beast, the King of Hearts, Robin Hood, the list goes on! Couples could go as Hansel and Gretel!

Superhero costumes: Ladies transform into Wonder Woman, Cat woman or Uma Thurman from Kill Bill. Gentlemen could be Buzz Lightyear, Spiderman, Mr Incredible or even Spongebob!

Starwars costumes: Ladies you are Princess Leia for the night, twirl your hair into buns and pull out your best space boots! Gentlemen you have a great choice from Luke Skywalker, Stormtrooper, Yoda, Chewbacca, John Connor, the list is endless. Be sure to bring your Lightsaber along!

Uniform costumes: Ladies, become Sargeant Sexy, a Flight Attendant, a French Maid, a Nurse or a Pilot. Gentlemen, channel Tom Cruise from Top Gun, be become a police officer from the NY PD, a doctor in Scrubs, or a Fireman.

Fun Costumes: Dress as your favourite food item, a banana, a taco, a hot dog or a beer bottle! Dress as a Sumo Wrestler, or your favourite animal like a gorilla, a tiger, or a Cockroach!

Egyptian costumes: Ladies, dress as Cleopatra, outline your eyes and find the perfect polka straight black wig with fringe! Gentlemen, dress as Marc Antony. Put on a toga, some golden armour and a golden leaf headpiece.

Disney costumes: Bring back the movies and books of the nineties! Ladies dress as Belle, Jasmine, Cinderella, Esmerelda, Ariel or Nala from the Lion King! Gentlemen, dress as Prince Charming, The Beast, Quasimodo, Pinnocchio,John Smith or a 101 Dalmation!

Overall, costume parties are made to have fun. Who cares if you look silly or you have spray-painted hair, that's all in the nature of it! Forget about the stiletto heels or the uncomfortable suit you might wear to a regular party and use a costume party as a chance to simply relax and have fun! 

You are sure to have an extremely fun night if you choose any of these themes, or choose to dress in any of these costumes. Look forward to the party, do the right planning and be organised. Make sure you go all out and look the part in your costume. Take lots of pictures to ensure you have memories of the special night and show them to all of your friends. See if you can win the award for best dressed!

You can find all this and more here at costume direct: http://costumedirect.com.au

Superhero Costumes

Save the world as a Superhero - maybe Superman or Superwoman... there is no doubt that this is a Super theme! The Superhero theme is enduringly popular, often with the addition of Villains, to give the guests even more to choose from. We thought we'd blog one at a time because there is an insane amount of ideas on each!

Wonderwoman is always a popular choice, and looks particularly amazing when teamed with the right boots. If ever there was a costume that was made better with the addition of accessories, it was the Wonderwoman costume with boots.

These shoes are comfortable and give your outfit that extra 'KAPOOOW'!

Classic Superhero Stylin'

Superman and Superwoman are also great for a Superhero theme and is an easy set of costumes to go in as a couple.

Watchout for that Kryptonite!

Be brave and show your stomach or play it safe in one of the more conservative costumes.

Then there's the classic Cat woman, Batman, Batwoman, Robin, Spider man or X-men costumes. It's hard to beat an old school Marvel or DC Comic

Save the Day in classic grey!

 

 

Catwoman - crime fighting fun.

But whilst the perviously mentioned Superheroes are the most popular picks, they are far from your only options. You could remix the theme a bit as Buzz Light-year, Mr/Mrs Incredible, a Ghostbuster, Zorro, Storm from X-men or V for Vendetta.

Mum Mrs Incredible comes to the rescue

Perhaps you could pick up a few old school Marvel/DC comics to have lying around the room.

As for decorations, you could have different parts of your house decorated to different Superheroes themes - for example maybe you could transform your bathroom/garage into the Lair in Batman - a few cardboard cutouts of bats, some 'spiderweb' in the corners, maybe a mask here or there... A red, blue and yellow theme could be good for the main area as it is typical of Superman, Superwoman and even Wonderwoman - the colour combination just screams superhero! Add streamers, superhero logo cut-outs (think the S for Superman), coloured balloons, and maybe cut out some big yellow bits of cardboard to make the classic comic 'POW!' signs. You could even tie the food in with the colour theme (Jaffas, Blue Jelly, Chips, Strawberries, Blueberries, Watermelon...). Another idea would be to ice some muffins with various superhero symbols.

Buzz - he's so hot right now!

The superhero theme is lots of fun. As Buzz Lightyear would say, 'Too infinity and beyond!'

Disney Fun!

Disney is one of our favourite party themes here at Costume Direct! Remember Belle's enchanting golden gown from Beauty and the Beast, or Buzz Lightyear's space-age gear from Toy Story. So much fun and so much to work with! Here are a few ideas to get you inspired for your next Disney party!

Romp the streets like Aladdin and maybe you'll find a Princess!

To infinity and beyond! Buzz Lightyear's vest flashes like a real space cadet!

Scare them away as Cruella de Ville from 101 Dalmations. Be sure not to wear real fur though!

Live the live of arabian Princess Jasmine!

Try to please boyfriend Mickey as sweet little Minnie Mouse!

Be the leader of the pack as Mickey Mouse!

Fall in love with John Smith and live a life of adventure as Pocahontas!

Bite the shiny red apple and be kissed by a handsome Prince as Snow White!

Float about the skies as Peter Pan's personal fairy. Clap your hands if you believe!

"If you don't eat with me, you don't eat at all!" Have fun as bad tempered Beast!

Try to please the beast as the gentle natured Belle!

All of these costumes and more are available from Costume Direct
Have fun planning other elements of the party, here are some tips for food and cakes!

Check out these amazing cakepops from Bakerella

So cute and easy to make! find the recipes here

You could even get these crazy disney plates for your guests to keep and take home afterwards!

So cute!

Wowwww now this is amazing!


You can even buy some disney food, check this out

Just add milk and cook over the stove, perfect no fuss!





You could even play disney music, line up your favourite youtube clips if you don't have any soundtracks. This is our fave!


Have fun with your disney party! Hope these tips are helpful!

Costume Direct XO!

Our Costume Direct Blogging Debut!

We are Costume Direct and we've been helping adults and kids find the perfect costume for that next party or event for almost a year. We thought it was time to start a blog full of fancy dress ideas, tips, anecdotes and inspiration.

We'd love to have you join us as we set out on our costume blogging adventure.