Over the Rainbow Halloween Costumes & Your Own Twist Link Up #37
It is almost time for the spookiest day of the year as I am sure you know because your social media feeds are probably overflowing with all things Halloween. While many people may not celebrate Halloween, I am beginning to view it as one last easy holiday before the craze of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s celebrations is upon us.
I do have to credit my kids in part for helping me to become more enthusiastic about this seemingly pointless holiday. But I also have to credit sweet Monica as well. Because before Monica prompted me to join her with my Halloween costume, I had only ever shared two Halloween posts on my blog. The first one featured a black velour bat hoodie and the second one was about a Halloween party hosted by Torrid.
Then Monica and I decided to begin this Your Own Twist series in October of 2018 with a Halloween post where we both inadvertently styled fashion icon outfits for the prompt. The following October, we both styled our giant unicorn heads for the Halloween. And in October of 2020, we coincidentally both wore skeleton inspired outfits with colorful wigs.
Since Halloween is Monica’s very favorite holiday ever (she even had a Halloween wedding) and the first style prompt that kicked off this series four years ago, we are sticking with it again for the fourth consecutive year. Monica was expecting the arrival of her sweet baby Scarlett sometime around now, so she sent me her Halloween costume photo early enough so that I could coordinate mine. As you can see, Monica went for a (pregnant) Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. And then baby Scarlett decided to arrive early on October 7. Monica has shared her beautiful birth story in her post, Scarlett is Here! Congratulations to my dear friend and her gorgeous new baby girl!
Before I received Monica’s Halloween photo, I really had not even thought about what I was going to do for my costume this year. But when I saw it, I knew right away that I would stick with The Wizard of Oz theme in one way or another. I do like to shop my closet for Halloween costumes rather than spending unnecessary money on some junky costume that will fall apart after a few wears and end up in a landfill somewhere. Gross. I first considered creating some kind of witch costume, either good witch or bad witch, but honestly that idea just bored me to death. The next thing to pop into my brain was the Tin Man. I do have lots of silvery things in my closet that I could create some kind of tin-inspired outfit.
Or I thought I did.
Still not wanting to purchase something new for a costume post, I went back to brainstorming and took a trip to the Halloween store to see what kind of inspiration I could find that may translate to things in my closet.
That failed, too. Probably because I had now somehow gotten my heart set on the Tin Man. (Yes, that pun was intended.) Then, as if the universe were listening to my stubborn Halloween heart, I spotted this silver metallic scuba skater dress on the clearance rack as I was passing through Burlington Coat Factory to leave the mall in a state of defeat.
It was a bit too serendipitous to ignore so I had to try it on. Unfortunately, it was a junior’s size large which is just a bit too small across my non-junior’s sized chest and will only zip about half way up the back. But the dress was too perfect for what I was now imagining as the Tin Wife instead of the Tin Man. It was $16 which is actually much cheaper than a poorly made Halloween costume from any Halloween costume retailer. But I had to figure out what to do about the unzippable back.
Again the universe guided me…straight to the clearance sweaters where this silver cardigan was sitting there begging to be paired with my silver dress. The sweater was $7. With a little creative layering, I was able to put together a complete Tin Wife costume.
I picked up two different plastic funnels for a few dollars at the hardware store to make into my hat. Jeff spray painted the funnels with chrome paint and then we affixed the smaller one to a plain black headband with double sided tape. I decided to use the longer funnel to carry a bouquet of flowers as if it were the Tin Man and the Tin Wife’s wedding day. And then I added some metal washers to my earrings and necklace just for fun and used silver eyeliner on my lips. In total, I spent less than $30 to create this whole costume.
Little known fact about the Tin Man’s wife is that she was a very well respected midwife in the land of Oz and since Dorothy was expecting the arrival of her glittering little Scarlett, the most powerful and magical of all the good witches in Kansas and beyond, she really did need the assistance and protection of the Tin Wife and her advanced midwifery skills!
Of course, I am joking. Actually, the original Tin Man, aka Nick Chopper, never did get married. Later Oz books show the Tin Man seeking his lost love, Nimmie Amee, who was the munchkin maiden who captured Nick Chopper’s heart in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. However, she was not given a name until The Tin Woodman of Oz when he began his search for his lost love. The Tin Man’s munchkin love was a servant whose lady did not wish her to marry. The lady sought the help of the Wicked Witch of the West who placed a spell on the Tin Man to chop himself up during his work. In The Tin Woodman of Oz, Nick Chopper retells the story differently, stating the witch imprisoned and enslaved Nimmie Amee herself.
Despite the gradually advancing spell on the Tin Man, Nimmie Amee still wanted to marry him. However, once he lost his heart, he lost interest in marrying her. In one book, the Tin Man lost his heart after his head and in a subsequent book, he lost his heart first and his head last. Nick’s body parts along with the body parts of Captain Fyter who also wooed Nimmie Amee, were incorporated magically into a new character, Chopfyt. Because Chopfyt consisted of parts of both men that she loved, Nimmie Amee married him instead.
As morbidly bizarre as that story of the Tin Man is, I am very glad to report that the character of Chopfyt as well as his entire back story is absent from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Watching The Wizard of Oz with my father is one of my very earliest memories, so like many others reading this, this book and film and all of its best known and most beloved characters holds a very special place in my heart. And my Tin Wife costume is one of my favorites that I have ever created!
About Your Own Twist
Your Own Twist is a monthly link party hosted by Monica of Jersey Girl, Texan Heart and me on the third Thursday of every month with the goal of inspiring some of our friends to get creative with personal style.
The idea behind this collaboration is to take one common piece or theme and style it our own way with our own twist…Monica and I have both taken a lot of fashion inspiration from one another over the past few years even though we have totally different styles. It is always fun to see how we can interpret similar items in unique ways or what kind of twist we will each bring to the chosen theme.
We will let you know the themes well in advance in the event that you would like to use the theme for your own post and add it to the link party. However, any fashion posts are welcome regardless of whether you used the theme or not. Check out the graphic below which has some of our upcoming style prompts.
Featured Favorite from Inspired by Country Music
Carrie of Curly Crafty Mom shared her post, Warm Hues for a Fall Dress. While I know her outfit is not inspired by country music, I think it is the perfect outfit to wear to any country music venue. I love the combination of a short dress and booties. Add a hat and you are ready to two step!
Happy Halloween, my friends!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
46 Comments
Jennifer
This is such a cool costume idea!!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennifer!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
What a fun take on the TIn Man!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar!
xoxo
Shelbee
Amy Johnson
Oh my goodness, you are so creative! I love this female “Tin Man” version.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Amy! I definitely had fun with this one! Sometimes I have no idea where the ideas even come from but I am grateful for them when they do come!
xoxo
Shelbee
Wendy
OMG! Ka – Lever!! I love the tin wife. I think you should be working for a magazine.
(Kids: that’s like a website that we used to hold in our hands.)
Really cool creativity!
Wendy TheInspiredEater.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ha, thanks so much, Wendy! I am cracking up over your magazine reference! I had a lot of fun with this costume!
xoxo
Shelbee
Pamela Graham
So pretty, I love it! I’m sure you will capture any tin man’s heart in that outfit! Have fun
Pamela
http://www.style-yourself-confident.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Pamela! This was super fun to create!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ellie
You are so creative and I absolutely love this costume! The dress and cardigan were such great finds and sooo much better than anything you find in the Halloween costume section!
Ellie
Ellibelle’s Corner
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ellie! I was so thrilled with how this all came together!
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara
I love both pregnant Dorothy and funnelhead you! great job:)
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Barbara!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking so very nice and all of the info on the Tin Man’s wife. I did not know all of these facts. Of course, the Wizard of Oz scared the living hell out of me and I have never watched since. LOL.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh no about the Wizard of Oz scaring you! I have such fond memories of that film! But I can see how it would frighten children. It really is kind of creepy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
You are so creative! I feel like I am a creative person, but for some reason pulling together a Halloween costume stresses me out. So many people have me in awe with their creativity for costume ideas, though! That dress is so sparkly! Thank you SO much for the feature! It made my afternoon!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Carrie! I never thought of myself as very creative when it comes to Halloween costumes. But ever since Monica got me doing these posts with her, I have had to up my game because she is always so creative! Haha. I didn’t know I had it in me, but I guess I actually do. I hope you have a fabulous weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
What a great idea for a costume! Love all you put together. That scuba dress is perfect!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! I was super excited about how this costume turned out!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
This is such a fun costume! The cardigan was a rgeat idea too, you’d never know the dress doesn’t zip up if you hadn’t mentioned it! 🙂
Thanks for the link up.
Hope you are having a great week 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mica! I would like to get where this dress does zip up though because it is so cute! I think I could find some other fun ways to style it if it fit properly. Haha. Have a fabulous weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jamie
Love your Halloween Costume. My girl friend and I are going out as Batman and Robin for Halloween. So far I have put together my Batman costume at also no cost. The shirt came from Shein.ca on sale with free shipping. The tights are the girlfriend’s Capezio dance tights that hide the hair on my legs. I did have to borrow a pair of her black undies to cover up some sensitive areas. The mask is my bothers and I don’t know where the boots came from but again at no cost to me. In all a great Halloween costume put together without paying for a store bought costume.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jamie! Your Batman costume looks fantastic! Isn’t it so great when you can get creative like this with things that you already own? Wishing you a very Happy Halloween!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jamie
Great night at our Halloween party. Last minute change in my costume when I noticed a run in my tights. Fortunately my girlfriend had tights that fit and the costume was saved. Not sure this look was as good as my oringinal but we had a blast.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh, I am familiar with the wardrobe malfunction at the last minute scenario! I think the patterned tights look cool with your costume! I am glad you had a great Halloween!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kezzie
I think your outfit is absolutely fantastic! It is SO So SO clever!! AND, I think you have given me an idea for how to do this with what I already have in my wardrobe for World Book day as I have sparkly silver items I could combine! I just need a funnel (and I might make a heart and an axe out of cardboard. I think we have silver paint at school!
It’s so, so, so clever!!! AND cute!!!! You are a genius. I love how your pregnant friend did her outfit too! I’ve never dressed as Dorothy (I have Ruby slippers) and I think I must do some time!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Awww, Kezzie, thanks so much! This was so fun to create! And the Tin (Wo)Man is the perfect thing for World Book Day! I love that idea and I look forward to seeing what you create. Please share it with me if you can! I would love to see it because you are incredibly creative and I am sure it will be brilliant!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
What a fun Wizard of Oz themed costume! Even before I read your theme, I knew what you were going for. It’s amazing what a silver funnel upside down on your head will convey! 😄
And many, many congrats to Monica!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, Michelle, I just cracked up in my coffee! This upside down silver funnel headband is going to come in handy, for sure! Haha. This was such a fun costume to create!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy Turner
Shelbee, you’re an absolute genius! This outfit is freaking gorgeous! And I am always amazed at how the universe always guides you to these wonderful pieces of clothing for these themes!
And huge CONGRATS to your friend, Monica on the birth of her daughter.
Huge hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Suzy! It really is like the universe guides me on my creative endeavors in fashion and in writing. I often feel like the inspiration for outfits as well as my words come from somewhere outside of me. I love the feeling when my creative visions come to life with the magical help of the universe!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
This is close to being a straight-up bounding outfit! Love your silver lippy. It makes it.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Yes, I suppose it is, Sheila! Yay! The silver lippy definitely adds that perfect bit of extra something, I think . I used eyeliner on my lips for this because I didn’t have any silver lipstick!
xoxo
Shelbee
Chickenruby
I love your tin wife costume and additional story telling, but I love your friend Monica even more.
Thanks for linking with #pocolo
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Suzanne! I really appreciate that!
xoxo
Shelbee
Alexandra
The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite movies! Your tin woman costume is awesome! I’ll be keeping this in mind for next year.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Alexandra! I was so happy with how this turned out! I have such fond memories of The Wizard of Oz, but I haven’t watched it in years. Maybe I should watch it this weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail
You’ve really knocked the ball out of the park with this one, Shelbee! It makes a nice change from the usual Halloween colors and styles. I am crazy for those boots. Why do you do this to me?! Thanks for linking my friend. I hope to join you for the hiking challenge!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Gail! As much as I appreciate all the scary stuff that comes with Halloween (actually, I don’t really like scary stuff at all!), I do prefer a creative, fun, not so scary costume! Oh, you and I could have some fun shoe shopping together, I think! You really do have my exact same taste in footwear! Sorry, for making you want more velvet boots. Haha. I look forward to seeing your hiking outfit!
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara Chapman
Shelbee, you always have THE BEST costumes and thrifting finds for cool clothes!!! I love your Mrs. Tin Man outfit and I hope you have a wonderful time tonight going out with the boys or just passing out candies at home!!! Our area doesn’t get any kids but I did see a lot of kids out around 5:00pm at house parties or just walking around (teens), some driving! Trunk or Treat and fall festivals were all last night here in Denton, Texas so that’s the Halloween our kids at school were looking forward to. 🙂
Happy to have featured your post at this past Wednesday’s Share Your Style #323 for you. <3
Happy Halloween hugs,
Barb 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, Barb, thanks so much for your kind words! I didn’t get dressed up last night because it was a little too chilly outside for my Tin Wife outfit but we did sit on the porch with our neighbors with hot apple cider drinks (and beer) and enjoyed all the kids’ costumes. My whole neighbor was abuzz with kids and los of festive parents, too! It was a great night. We ran out of candy though with an hour and half of trick or treating left and we started with a lot of candy! I hope all the kiddos in your area had a great time last night as well. And thank you so much for the feature!
xoxo
Shelbee
Darlene
I love the story of the creepy TIn Man and his girl, but I love your costume even more!! Talk about a cool twist on this topic!! Very inspired and super cute, Shelbee. Kids really do make Halloween the event it is. I hope yours was really fun!
xx Darlene
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Darlene! I had so much fun creating this costume and writing this silly little post about the Tin Wife! We had a great Halloween here. The weather turned out to be perfect for sitting outside with the neighbors and handing out candy while we checked out all the fun costumes!
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
This is such a fantastic Halloween outfit! I love all the silvery tones, and the funnel is a genius idea! Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Emma! I had a lot of fun with this one! I am going to have start planning for next Halloween now if I am going to top it!
xoxo
Shelbee