Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to use a jacket and pair of pants to recreate the iconic “ghost with the most” look. Whether you’re preparing for a costume party, trick-or-treating or simply want to channel your inner strange and usual self, this guide will provide you with all the instructions and tips you need to bring the spooky, kooky character to life.
In this guide, we will walk you through the process of selecting the right jacket, assembling the look, and embodying the character’s unique personality with things you can easily find at Goodwill®. Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving the perfect style. Let’s get started!
Introduction
One of the most recognizable elements of the ghost with the most is his signature striped jacket. This distinctive black and white striped garment is a key element in creating an authentic costume, and you can make it yourself!
When it comes to dressing up, the jacket and pants are crucial for achieving a truly accurate and recognizable look. They not only serve as fashion statements but also capture the mischievous and eccentric spirit of the character. Wearing the striped ensemble instantly transforms you.
Goodwill is the perfect place to source your items. With our vast selection of secondhand clothing, you can easily find options that fit your style and budget. By shopping at Goodwill, you not only get an affordable option but also support our mission to empower individuals with career training and strengthen communities, all while shopping more sustainably.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Jacket and Pants
The first step in embodying the iconic style is finding the perfect jacket and pants. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
- Explore different styles: Before heading to Goodwill, take some time to research various styles and options. From classic black and white or maybe something fun like green and purple stripes, there are more choices than you’d imagine. Be creative! Consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve and select options that match your vision.
- Tips for finding a suitable jacket at Goodwill: Goodwill is a treasure trove of unique and affordable clothing options. When searching for a jacket and pants, look for options with good fabric quality and a suitable fit. Don’t hesitate to try on different sizes and styles to find the perfect match. You might even be able to incorporate the pieces into your wardrobe in the future.
- Ensuring everything fits correctly: Proper fit is essential. Ensure neither the jacket nor pants are too tight or too loose. You want to be comfortable for Halloween. Check that the shoulder seams of the jacket align with your shoulders and the sleeves are the appropriate length. If needed, you can always make minor alterations to achieve the desired fit.
While you’re shopping, keep an eye out for a pair of black boots, a white undershirt and/or a black tie. These will complete the final look.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to building an authentic look. Remember, Goodwill offers a wide range of clothing options, so be sure to explore their collection to find the perfect ensemble.
Step 2: Creating the Look
If you’re unable to find a look that’s already striped, make it yourself! With your jacket and pants purchased, you can DIY it to make it strange, unusual and one-of-a-kind.
Utilize painter’s tape to mark off the areas you do not want to be painted. If you have a darker ensemble, these will be the areas you paint white. If you have a white base, these will be the areas you paint black. In our case, we found a white base and applied a black color.
Two key materials to use here are two-inch painter’s tape that gives you the ideal width and a good fabric paint. We purchased acrylic fabric paint and went through three bottles at $1.99 a piece.
Once everything is taped off, which takes time to do, carefully apply your paint. Ensure that the paint does not seep under the tape edges. If a little does, don’t worry! The Ghost with the Most wasn’t perfect either.
Carefully remove the tape (so satisfying!) and do any small touchups.
Step 3: Bringing Everything to Life
Next, you’ll want to add accessories and apply makeup to help you nail the iconic character’s style.
Accessories: To enhance your costume, consider adding some key pieces. If you were lucky enough to find an undershirt, tie and/or boots, add those. As a fun alternative, you can also accessorize with a black and white striped hat or a wide-brimmed black hat for a mysterious touch. Don’t forget the iconic wig, complete with wild, unruly hair!
Makeup: For makeup, you’ll want to create a pale complexion and dark, sunken eyes. To achieve this look, start by applying a light foundation or face paint to create a ghostly complexion. Then, use black eyeshadow or eyeliner to create deep circles around your eyes. For an extra touch, add some green face paint or eyeshadow.
Study the character: If you really want to go all out, remember that the ghost with the most has a very unique physicality, complete with facial expressions and vocal delivery. Think about how you can incorporate all those mannerisms and expressions into your performance. Are there certain gestures or quirks that you can add to make the character even more memorable? Experiment with different movements and facial expressions to find what works best for you.
Halloween Comes Alive… and For Less Money
In 2023, the average cost for a Halloween costume was expected to be $108.24. We were able to find a jacket and pants for $13. Along with the materials and accessories, we were able to source a complete, one-of-a-kind for less than half that total.
Goodwill is more than your one-stop shop for Halloween inspiration and thrifting that you can feel good about. Every year, hundreds of thousands of individuals access training and career resources through Goodwill. When you shop or donate, you help people find life-changing opportunities and realize their dreams, all while supporting the environment by keeping more items out of landfills.
For a full video version of this step-by-step guide, visit: https://youtu.be/MuJtc8Shaow
