Halloween

While brainstorming for costume ideas, my roommate suggested I be a music player. I had seen iPod costumes for years and didn't want to join their ranks; a Walkman seemed to be more original and still simple to create.



Because of my recent move, there was no shortage of cardboard boxes. I used one large one for the body and one small one cut up for the buttons.



I extended the idea further by using two VHS movies found on clearance (Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood and Blue Crush) for their spools and yards of magnetic tape.



For a more complete look, I wore a tracksuit along with sweatbands on my head and wrists and my Kangaroos. More noticeable than these details, however, was a pair of ancient computer speakers taped to the inside and connected to my iPhone playing a mix of 80's and 90's favorites. The speakers, without supplemental power, were too soft to hear during the crowded parties, but loud enough to turn heads on the El.



The costume was extremely successful, and as other guests looked in awe I asked them to write the name of the first cassette they owned on my back. The responses were strikingly condensed to just a handful of albums: Ace of Base - Happy Nation, Green Day - Dookie, Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory, and TLC - Crazy Sexy Cool.