Inspired by the Johnny Depp Mad Hatter. This costume took several weeks to put together. I live in the middle of nowhere Alaska with few shopping options, so almost all of the items to make this costume were ordered online (thread, buttons, lace, hat, paint, beads, tulle etc).
Mad Hatter costume Skirt: I loved the Depp Hatter’s pants, but I wanted a more feminine look for the costume. After searching for pinstripe skirts, I recalled having one already in my closet. I bought some embroidery thread and hand embroidered the bottom skirt with a similar design that was on the Hatter’s pants. Then I hand stitched about three inches of Kelly Green tulle to the bottom of the skirt to add some length.
Mad Hatter costume Footwear: I used my husband’s old military boots. I just added some fluorescent orange laces to add some color. I paired the boots with a pair of striped knee high socks that I already owned.
Mad Hatter costume Jacket/Vest/Shirt: I found a used green velour jacket for $15. Not a lot of modifications to the jacket. I removed the buttons, and put on three different colored/shaped buttons. A small detail but really added some color. I added several bright colored ribbons to the one side of the jacket and attached them with a safety pin. I found a bright orange scarf, trimmed it to the correct length and attached it to the inside of the pocket with a safety pin. I found a wool vest at a second hand shop for l$5. I would have liked something a little brighter but it fit perfect for the look I was going for. The tank top underneath was something I already owned in my closet. The necktie was purchased online. I made some lace cuffs for the outfit, which were pieces of lace hand stitched to elastics I had made into bracelets. It made it really easy to take them off/on.
Mad Hatter costume Bandolier: I would have loved to have made my own bandolier however getting enough spools of thread in time was not going to happen, so I purchased an already made thread bandolier. If I could have done anything different, I would have planned further in advance and made my own. Next time……….
Mad Hatter costume Hat: This is where I spent most of my time and enjoyed every second of it! I purchased a black magicians hat from a costume shop. First I tried spray-painting it green. That didn’t work at all. But it did leave the black felt with a matte finish on it. Then I tried apple green acrylic paint to paint the entire hat. It took about 3 coats to get it fully covered. I used hot glue to glue on a few patches onto the hat. The largest patch on the front was a piece of lace from the stuff I had made the cuffs with. I painted the lace with the green acrylic paint once it was attached to the hat. Next I took some yellow paint and rubbed it onto the hat to make it look more aged. I used my finger and a piece of paper towel to rub in the yellow paint.
Next, I purchased some cheap beads for $1. I used some scrap 18-gauge wire from the garage to make the hatpins by sticking the ends of the wire into the beads. I used hot glue to secure the hatpins to the hat. On the other side of the hat, I used hot glue to attach an ostrich feather and a pheasant feather. For the 10/6, I used a piece of thick cardstock from some junk mail and black sharpie. Instead of cutting the cardstock with scissors, I tore it with my hands on each side. Then I took a lighter and burned all around the edges to make it look more aged. I attached the 10/6 with hot glue too. I found a pink scarf for $3 and used that for around the hat. The hat looked done but not quite polished.
Probably the most time consuming part of all – I decided to use the embroidery thread on the hat. I hand stitched bright embroidery thread around all the patches on the hat. Then I hand stitched around the brim of the hat with embroidery thread. That really completed the look of the hat.
Mad Hatter costume Hair: I had purchased an orange wig but really wanted to do my own hair for the night. I used my flat iron to curl my hair and ran my fingers through the curl to give it more volume. Then I took a can of orange hairspray and coated my entire head. Note: if you’re going to use colored hairspray, spray it on before you get dressed and before you do your makeup. Otherwise you’ll have it all over your costume and make up. I have thin shoulder length hair, and I used an entire can of orange hairspray.
Mad Hatter costume Makeup: I blended white Halloween makeup with regular face cream. It makes your face look brighter without being totally white. Then I used some pink eye shadow for the top of my eyes, and a layer of orange eye shadow on the lids. Blue and black eye shadow under the eyes. A couple coats of mascara. A few coats of bright pink lipstick. I painted my fingernails with whatever bright nail polish I had in my house. That was it.
I had a lot of compliments on myMad Hatter costume; and several strangers came up wanting to take pictures with me too.
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