It’s time for a best of 2008 list from That Costume Girl. I’ve decided to rundown some of the best costumes from the movies of 2008. It’s a short list, just a highlight really, of the great work being done in film. I’ve tried to include a little something from all genres. This is a best costume list; not to be confused with a best picture list. Let’s have a look:

The Dark Knight: This movie was all about Joker. The costume was updated yet still iconic. Joker kept his distinctive purple suit and brought it up to date with a printed dress shirt and dark green vest. His dress shoes were topped with brightly colored argyle socks to round out his kooky yet stylish look. Each time Joker was in a new outfit, they found a way to make it fit his personality.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army: Guillermo del Toro doesn’t know how to make a film that isn’t visually rich. There are layers of color and texture throughout the movie. Sammy Sheldon and the entire make up effects team out did themselves. The team did a great job translating comic book creations into real costumes. Of note were Johann Krauss and the royal family.

The Forbidden Kingdom: When we combine the Wizard of Oz and Karate Kid we get a Monkey King and family friendly fun. The characters wear costumes symbolic of who they are. The traveling companions are dressed in specific colors. The Wicked Wit—er, Warlord wears a gorgeous black ensemble lined in gold. Every so often you can catch the glint of silver thread in the embroidery of hems.

The Fall: This movie took a few years to bring to the big screen; it was worth the wait for the beautiful creations. A little girl befriends a hospital patient that ends up telling her about a fantastic world of heroes and adventures. Soon reality bleeds into fantasy. The colors are supersaturated. The costumes are extreme.

Mongol: A 2007 film that wasn’t released in the U.S. until June 2008. Biopics may not be the best way to learn about history but they usually have a creative team intent on capturing the past. The authentic clothing in Mongol hits the spot. The cast spend a good deal of time dusted in dirt. The proper mess is just as important as the perfect stitch.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day: A dowdy governess loses her job and ends up in a whirlwind of fun with perky actress. Amy Adams sparkles in the old Hollywood fashions. Frances McDormand’s transformation from shabby to snazzy will make you smile. You can tell Michael O’Connor enjoyed recreating the feel of nightclubs and fashion shows.

Flash of Genius: Based on true events in a man’s life, the movie begins in the 60s and spans decades. We see Greg Kinnear move through skinny ties, blue suits, cardigan sweaters, and horn rimmed glasses. It can be a lot of fun to watch the decades pass through the changes of fashion.

Son of Rambow: Set in the early 1980s, two schoolboys find themselves forging a friendship while making a movie. Their movie of course requires jungle ready costumes and lots of youthful creativity. I suspect the crew had a lot of fun making the outfits and props for this one. Keep an eye out for the too-cool-for-words popular boy looking like he just stepped out of a 80s music video.

Repo! The Genetic Opera: A dark movie musical and the closest to a horror film on this list. Murder is legal and your liver could end up in the hands of the Repo Man if you’re not quick with your payments. Butcher aprons, leather overcoats, and masks haunt dreams in this macabre world.

Be Kind Rewind: Here’s the goofy entry to the list. Be Kind Rewind is all about people making their own movies. A local would be designer helps out the ragtag filmmakers. Pretty soon you’ll see cardboard cyborgs, aluminum Ghostbusters, and men in dresses. What could be better than a bunch of Average Joes making movie costumes?

I left out a lot of beautifully costumed movies. Notably absent are the period dramas like The Duchess, the early twentieth century settings in The Changeling, the harsh crispness of Doubt, or the perfectly drab Miracle at St. Anna. The costumes I’ve left out are masterfully done, but there’s too many great costume designers to make note of all of them.

As you no doubt know, I made an elf costume this week. I wasn’t satisfied with a few pictures of the process and finished look. Oh, no. I wanted more. So I’ve humiliated myself in the following video. I give you “The Dancing Elf.”

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings Everyone!

Given the red and green festivities of this time of year, I made an elf costume. This how-to is no-sew. Not a single needle was used in the making of this ensemble.

Here’s what you need:
Turtleneck in green, red, or holiday pattern
Over large T-Shirt in a contrasting color
3 or 4 pieces of felt each in red and green
Festive ribbon or bric-a-brac
Pompoms
Colored or sparkly tights
Scissors
Fabric glue or hot glue
Paper and pen

Start by creating a fringe on the bottom edge of your t-shirt. I made a small triangle pattern from construction paper and traced it onto the inside of my shirt. I didn’t want any ink on the right side. Next I traced the pattern onto the sleeve edges. To finish the edges, simply cut out your pattern.

Next I cut out some of the width of the shirt. Since this is no sew, I glued the seam. It worked just fine. Then I cut up the middle of the front, but you don’t have to do this. You can make a 6-7 inch cut from the bottom. It’s to give the illusion of a jacket. Glue your ribbon down the center of the shirt. To accentuate the open jacket, make sure to attach the ribbon along the cut. Give it the elf whimsy by adding pompoms.

Trace a pointy elf shoe on the red square of felt. You may need two joined together to be long enough for your foot. My foot barely fit on one square. Trace the same pattern on the green felt. Cut out the shoe. Glue the pointy toe bit and sole together. Leave the ankle top open. It’s also good to leave the ankles open about an inch or two down so you can easily slip into the shoes. Add a little trim or pompoms if you’d like.

Last step is the hat. You have a couple options here. I went with a basic three point hat. All it takes is a cut from one side of a square of felt to the center of the same square of felt. Slide the edges over each other to create a little pointy hat. Or you can cut out large triangles from your squares of felt. Stick the pieces together to form a conical shape.

Voila! Once again all you need is some trim and pompoms.

Put it all together. Pull on your tights, turtleneck, shirt, and shoes. Have some fun with the makeup if you’d like. When I was a kid my mom would paint red circles on my cheeks. Grab your hat and you’re an elf.

Here’s the gallery of the finished elf costume.

Now go out and spread some holiday cheer.

Project Rooftop announced the winners of their 2008 Fights, Flights, & Tights contest. The winner is the cutest Robin I’ve ever seen. Lucky for Batman she’s around to take care of the bad guys.

The runners-up were Joker Hefner and a playful Harley Quinn. I like when people have fun with the characters. The Joker even has a more formal suit for the big showdown with Robin and Batman. Head on over to the Project Rooftop site and check out the notable entries. DC characters ruled the list this year. Does that mean their designs are bad or are they just popular characters? Hrm. There’s another Robin and Harley Quinn, as well as a Riddler. Supergirl and a female Blue Beetle round out the honorable mentions. Very cool.

One of the more impressive entries is the Steampunk Justice League group. They’ve made over Superman, Powergirl, Green Arrow, Catwoman, and even the Joker. Check out their flickr page to see all the creative costuming.

New Year’s? It’s only December 8th, you say. True, but you’ll need the rest of the month to mail invitations and make costumes. Begin planning your New Year’s Costume Party today. New Year’s Eve is the perfect stage for costume parties. Plan for general costume frivolity or think of a theme for your extravaganza. Hit the costume shops and thrift stores to find your fun outfits. Here are a few ideas to get your brainstorming session started.

Favorite Decade: Flappers from the 20s, Bobby Soxers from the 50s, and Disco Dancers from the 70s.

Space Invaders (Fictional or Real): Star Trek, Old-school Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon, Firefly, Aliens, and NASA.

Future Life: Plastic Dress, Aluminum Jacket, Spacesuits, and Purple Jumpsuits.

Great Lovers: Cleopatra and Antony, Romeo and Juliet, Porky and Petunia Pig, Chocolate and Peanut Butter.

Gods and Goddesses: Greek Zeus, Roman Apollo, Nordic Freya, and Egyptian Osiris and Isis.

Pick invitations with a clock or hour glass on them to let your guests know there is a theme for the evening. For a Time Travel party, put an era or decade on each invitation so no two invites are the same. Give the Smiths the Renaissance, the Joneses the Roman Expansion, the Browns the Old West, and the Williams the year 2525. The costumes can be as general as a Roman citizen or as specific as Caesar. One of the first party games can be guessing everyone’s costumes. Throughout the evening play games like identify the quote or charades about time movies.

The menu on New Year’s should be light and varied. Finger foods and hors’dourve are best for mingling. If a plated dinner is more your style, serve no more than three courses. Pick two special cocktails that match your theme, like a Sidecar or Mead. Set aside Champagne or Sparkling Cider for the midnight countdown and toast. Make sure you have at least one noise maker for each guest. If your city ordinances allow it, plan a small firework display to wow your friends and neighbors.

New Year’s isn’t just for the grownups. A children’s party can be a lot of fun. Fill a trunk or box with play clothes. As the children arrive, let them select one costume from the trunk to wear during the party. If cost is a prohibitive, set up a craft table to allow the children to make their own era accessories. They can make cardboard knight’s shields and newspaper hats. Perhaps have supplies to create noise makers: rice maracas and milk jug cymbals. Lead them through the neighborhood in a New Year’s parade. Add some whimsy with sparklers.

Please party smart by limiting alcohol, taking car keys, or calling taxis for your guests. I hope you New Year’s celebration is fun and fantastic.

Costumes pictured from Costume Craze: Robin Hood, Lady in Waiting, Jitterbug Girl, Disco Fever, Gangster.