Clown costume for fat short newbie clown

[gilbytheclown]

Should I make my own?
Should I buy? if so where on-line?
If I make my own what costume sewing plans do I use?
If I make my own what material do I use?

I went out & bought several yards of 2 different fleece with nice patterns & also a clown costume making plans/pattern.
I started planning on making the costume, but then I realized that the plan is for a jumpsuite & it might not be a great idea especially if it's made out of fleece (HOT) I prefer a vest & pants type clown.

Where do I start?

[Mr. Dazzle]

Eegads! I can't imagine going outside in the heat wearing fleece....

My costume for Razzle Dazzle is a part bought part made... but not expensive at all... If you have a Goodwill store or any sort of second hand store you can generally find some good Items.

My bright green pants came from a Good Will. Since I am a light auguste I can wear short sleeves so my Tshirts all come from Walmart. However since you are a white face the sleeves are necessary I already have a good collection of bright colored Chuck taylor Converse shoes...Most of mine came from the Shoe Carnival shoe store for a decent price... Shoe stores like Journeys sometimes have a better selection at a better price. Or you could just google online for Chuck Taylor Converse.

My Vest was made by my grandmother. The Rainbow fabric was picked up at Walmart for 2 dollars a yard.

I accessorise with white Gloves and a tophat both items were picked up at a costume shop years ago and worked just fine for clowning. I'm sure Party City would carry them.

I hope this helps you... Good Luck!

[Fitzwilly]

Here are a couple of costumer sites. Take your time, look at the different options and start thinking. You don't want to drop a thousand dollars on a custom costume, custom shoes and lots of props only to discover that your style of performing is not what you expected it to be when you bought the stuff. For starters, go to a second hand shop and buy a pair of old man golf pants, they are usually pretty wild. Then a wild shirt, perhaps a 70s style with butterfly collar and puffy sleeves, or just a solid colored long sleeve mock turtleneck. Find or make a vest and you are off to the races, at least for now. Next week or next month you may want to try something totally different as far as your look, or you may know exactly what you want and are readdy to have a suit professionally made. When you are talk to Tricia AKA Pricilla Mooseburger. She is usually able to help you with a design that is flattering and still allows you the freedom to perform. So without more jabber:
www.mooseburger.com
www.bettycash.com or www.bettycashcostumes.com
Googe - Costumes by Barbie

[tim]

Originally Posted by Fitzwilly

For starters, go to a second hand shop and buy a pair of old man golf pants, they are usually pretty wild. Then a wild shirt, perhaps a 70s style with butterfly collar and puffy sleeves, or just a solid colored long sleeve mock turtleneck. Find or make a vest and you are off to the races, at least for now.

Do you think we could maybe just get Arnold Palmer to donate his wardrobe to the clowning community?

[gilbytheclown]

Thanks for all the advice, I definitively need to find my identity & try different things & not jump into spending big $$$ right away.
I'll let you guys know how it goes & I'll also sit in the thu chat.
Thanks allot,
GilbyTheClown

[Scruffy]

Originally Posted by Holly Jolly

Do you think we could maybe just get Arnold Palmer to donate his wardrobe to the clowning community?

Speaking from personal experience.....

Palmer is too skinny for me. I would have to try Jackie Gleason.

I too would try goodwill, or some other thrift shop. you might also try taking a pair of your own pants to a person who can sew, and have her make a pair of pants (Baggier) for you.
Definitely avoid fleece! It's just too warm.

[gilbytheclown]

I went to the local fabric store & all the funky fun patters were mainly in fleece & I chose the material based on color patterns & not the material. so now I'll probably end up using it as a blanket or throw.'

[Bumbles]

Amvets is another good place to go.

[Happy Chappy & Daisy]

Any sort of thrift store, junk store, or yard sale would be good for starters. There's so much that costs so much to get started. The one place I can tell you not to cut corners is makeup. Boy, it seems like such a great bargain to buy leftover Halloween stuff from the drug store, but if you pay $.98 for it, people will be able to tell.

You can always get the better costume later, a piece at a time (I've had my eye on a pair of custom clown clowboy boots for $425, but I can't even imagine getting a genuine yak hair wig - yikes! ), but a bad makeup job will lose you jobs (or credibility, for non-profit types) now.

[gilbytheclown]

Thanks for all the advice.