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People are familiar with the standard pack of cards, usually used for games, but less well known are the cards of the Tarot, most commonly used in fortune telling. There are more cards in the Tarot pack, split between two ‘Arcanas’ :The Minor Arcana bears resemblance to the standard card pack, although there are more of them, they are often more picture-based and the suits are different. The Major Arcana are a set of twenty-one picture cards depicting the ups, downs and influences on one’s life. The images are diverse and, in a fortune-telling context, their meaning depends upon their position in the card-reading spread – all is not as it may first appear! In the context of Halloween, a festival of the Supernatural, the Tarot and its images offers an opportunity for some innovation and ingenuity. Here we have some ideas of our own, with some internet alternatives for the more challenging concepts, but, like the Tarot itself, it’s all down to individual interpretation… The Magician The card depicts a jester-like figure with items of the Minor Arcana (Coins,Swords,Staves,Cups) before him on a table. If you’ve a Magician outfit, fine, otherwise a jester will do. The Empress Symbolic of the Mother figure, here we’ve used a simple oriental empress outfit - others may like something more elaborate. The Emperor The Earthly Father figure and counterpart to the Empress. Again, we’ve borrowed from our oriental collection. Other options might include one of the Roman Emperors or Ming the Merciless The Hierophant The Spiritual Father Figure or Pope in other words. Possibly the most obvious of the spiritual/religious card personalities. The Hermit Representing the more secretive/reserved influences. A monk or similar works well. High Priestess A female counterpoint to the Hierophant/Pope in the spiritual department, although here we’ve used a more pagan approach with a Druid-style priestess. Strength/Fortitude The Card commonly features a Lion being restrained or ridden. There are a multitude of ‘ride-on’ outfits on the market but we’ve only seen a lion one on an American site, and it was child-size! We’ve used a junior strongman outfit as our interpretation, but you can mix and match.. The Hanged Man On the face of it, a challenge if you’re trying to work to PC/acceptability guidelines (if not, ‘Have I Got Noose For You’ and ‘The Well Hung Man’ have been seen). In fact this is the epitome of the ‘All Is not as It Seems’ concept as the card shows a man hanging upside down, the rope tied to his ankle, and seemingly unfazed by his situation. The Chariot Symbolic of one’s movement through Life’s options (some might say), costumes involving wheels of any sort are rather few – possibly it’s a practicality thing. Perhaps time for some improvisation. The Lovers Outbreak of the Couples costumes here: We’ve chosen Romeo & Juliet, but Antony & Cleo, Scarlett & Rhett or other more modern pairing are possible. The card often features a Cupid-like figure as well, but that might cause complications. The Sun Pivotal influence on the passing of days during Life, we’ve represented the Sun with a Golden Goddess/Sun Queen, but anything involving a gold/yellow colour-scheme could do the job. The Moon Counterpoint to The Sun, the Moon is represented by our Miss Midnight outfit which can feature a Moon mask, although the Moon is not always visible at night although it is always there. The Star Influential for those into Astrology, and you might want to depict a Star-sign as your representation (although Libra/Justice might already be spoken for). An alternative uses a pop/film mega-star. We’ve chosen Elvis Justice For many the way forward here would be the Libra-look – the basic classical gown plus scales or the enhanced version with a sword and blindfold (though some may not see how that works). We’ve taken a more forthright Slayer and Axe approach, although an Executioner is equally representative. Judgement The Tarot card usually depicts the Judgement of the Last Trump (the biblical event, not the president) with an archangel, people rising from graves etc. Being that this may be a little difficult to depict unless you are a performance art troop, a Judge may have to suffice. Wheel of Fortune Truly the card of Life’s Ups and Downs, here represented by a costume we don’t have, but widely available – the ‘Spin to Win’ roulette outfit for females – sorry chaps! The Fool Numbered 0, we come full circle and back to the Jester, often depicted on the card as stepping into an abyss and the unknown. Some have suggested links between cards 1 & 0 and the Jokers of the traditional pack. ​ What’s on the Net? A search for Tarot costumes on the Net will most likely produce the Tarot Fortune Teller (as seen at fairgrounds, sea-side piers, etc.). A slight problem is that some see this outfit as an example of Cultural Appropriation, undermining the heritage and traditions of gypsies and the Romany peoples, We don’t offer the outfit, so it’s not an issue, but just so you know… The other Card costume commonly found is a Death Card outfit – fits right into Halloween and it’s a good variation on the skeleton/Grim Reader look.

Celebrate aspects of France and its history in this selection - especially around the National Holiday, Bastille Day, on 14th July. Marie-Antoinette A/C 1502 For Can-can outfits see

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As the Hitch-hikers's Guide to the Galaxy says, Space is really big, so it it encompasses a wide range of styles and ideas, from the idealistic futuristic fashions of the Fifties to the dystopia of Dune and Red Dwarf. Here are a few examples accross the range.. This is an area where improv and innovation in costuming can come to the fore, so hopefully we can help

PANTOMIME Celebrate the uniquely British tradition of Pantomime with this collection of outfits

Celebrated your patriotic fervour with these Best of British costumes.

Costumes for characters from the 'One Thousand and One Arabian Nights' stories told by princess Scheherazade to avoid getting executed! Best known are Aladdin and Ali Baba

The full selection of Fairies can be found here Absinthe Fairy A/C 1107 Sometimes mistaken for Tinkerbell, the Green Fairy is a creative muse associated with the liquid spirit Absinthe. The key ingredient Wormwood, caused it to be banned for a time. Portrayed by Kylie in the Moulin Rouge movie, this is one spirit which can turn nasty Black Fairy A/C 1055 Black Fire Fairy A/C 1305 Rocking a Kissed-off attitude, the Black Fire Fairy Beau Fairy A/C 1476 With a purple punky look, she’s Beau by name but not so belle by nature Fairy Goth Mistress and friends A/C 1136 & A/C 1137 Midnight Fairy A/C 1119 & A/C 1120 We’re not sure what her day job is? Punk Fairy A/C 1011 Punk Fairy with a celtic vibe Purple/Black Fairy A/C1609 Another flighty entity with the punky purple vibe Spider Fairy A/C 1305 Spider Fairy, bringing a winged look to her web presence Wicked Fairy A/C 0024

Links to other letters are on your mobile menu or at the bottom of the page Use these links to access other Costume Letter Pages A B C D E F G H IJ KL M N O P QR S T UV W XYZ

This is an annotated version of the Halloween catalogue, with comments & backstory. It is in broadly alphabetic order, although some outfits have been grouped - Angels & Devils; Vampires & Draculas; and Witches, Wizards and Sorcerers. The Grumpy Pumpkin, below, acts as the Halloween Home page, and fast access links to other groupings within this version of the catalogue, are also available. The Addams Family , created by cartoonist Charles Addams were originally an unnamed feature in New Yorker magazine, but the 60s saw them brought to the TV screen with names – Morticia & Gomez, Wednesday & Pugsley, Grandma, Uncle Fester, Lurch the butler, & Thing (a disembodied hand). Wednesday is currently enjoying success in her own TV streamed series on Netflix. Morticia (Lycra) A/C 0020 Morticia (Light) A/C 0611 Morticia (Velvet) A/C 0221 Gomez A/C 0608 Cousin It A/C 1144 Uncle Fester A/C 0610 Wednesday (Original) A/C 0914 Wednesday Nevermore Uniform costumes arriving soon!