What Was the Best Halloween Costume You Ever Wore?

In anticipation of Halloween 2012, 11 readers reminisce about their most spooktacular past getups. 

Once, my sister and I dressed like our favorite TV characters: Laverne and Shirley. I was Laverne, right down to the L on my mohair sweater. I’ll never forget how much we laughed as we knocked on doors and belted out the show’s theme song: “Schlemiel, Shlimazel, Hasenfeffer Incorporated!”

Laurie Hamilton

Sudbury, Massachusetts

When my four-year-old nephew asked me to go trick-or-treating with him back in 1999, my best friend, Jim, an artist, decided to make me a costume for the occasion. He wound up building a stunning foam aquarium that fit right over my head. People came up to me all night to stare at the plastic fish floating in the tank. In fact, one man even offered to buy the costume from me onthe spot. I politely declined.

Stacey Reynolds

Village of Waltz, Michigan

A gum-ball machine. My mom made the somewhat unwieldy getup from a cardboard box, sheer netting, wire, and colorful balloons. Among my vivid memories from that night: a kid from the neighborhood following me around, pestering me for gum. I hope to make one just like it when I have kids of my own someday. (See Amanda's gum-ball machine costume here.)

Amanda Porter

Wilmington, Delaware

 

My favorite movie is Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, so when I was eight months pregnant, I decided to dress up like Violet Beauregarde in the scene where she turns into a giant blueberry. I had a blue face, blue hair, blue everything. My husband went as Willy Wonka, and our three-year-old daughter was an adorable Oompa Loompa. See Stephanie and her family dressed up here.)

Stephanie Moore

Ephrata, Washington