Literary character dress up for library function?`?

Question

I work for a library and our staff day is coming up. We are allowed to dress as out favorite literary character for the event. I need some ideas. For some reason, the only characters that stand out as good ones to dress for are Harry Potter and the Cat in the Hat. I would really like to dress as Holden Caulfield from the Catcher in the Rye, but am not sure if the dress would stand out.

1. What are some good famous book characters. Any ideas would help

2. What would be best to do if I dressed as Holden Caulfield?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Go with Holden, try a retro-preppie look...khackis and a vintage style shirt or sweater, plus an oversized 40s style winter coat, and you can carry a vintage suitcase and smoke cigarettes!

Answer 2

I dressed as the red queen in Alice in Wonderland.

The principal at Jefferson Elementary rented the Clifford costume. The counselor dressed as Strega Nona. Some of the other costumes were Viola Swamp, Pippi Lomgstocking, Dorothy, and Harry Potter.

I am not sure I would recognize a Holden Caulfield but go for it if that is the book character you really want to do.

Answer 3

It would be hard to pick out a costume idea since nowadays most people don't read books =p. But Harry Potter isn't original enough. Cat in the Hat is ok, but you could do better. Holden Caulfield would be awesome, but definetely hard for anyone to catch the reference without wearing a big "Hello, my name is" tag. Just because I like pirates, I would go for something out of treasure Island ^.^. But if you really wanna go with Holden, maybe you could come up with some sort of fake uniform and put a "Pencey Prep" tag on it somewhere. Don't know that anyone would get it, but thats really all I could think of. Good luck and have a great time!

Answer 4

Dressing as a character from Harry Potter has its advantages. Although it is not "creative" enough for adults, the kids will immediately recognize the book and have a connection with you. Some adults will think you could have done better, but you can always smile and say "I did it for the kids" which will earn you points in their book.

Holden Caulfield won't be recognized by the kids and a vast majority of adults won't either. Go for the brownie points.

Another you might consider is Mother Goose.

Answer 5

Why not go gothic and Edwardian and be Edgar Allan Poe?

My favorite costume for events such as this is Hester Prynne from A Scarlet Letter (famous adultresses for 50, Alex). I even made my own embroidered red A. The equivalent for a man is a pilgrim costume with your shirt open over a fake tattooed A...the Reverend Dimsdale.

Holden Caulfield is a good character and a good idea, but unfortunately, more modern characters aren't as easily recognizable as those from the costume dramas.

Answer 6

Cyrano, Macbeth, Othello, Tom Sawyer, David Copperfield, Robin Hood........and then there's the fairy tale characters, such as Prince Charming, the Frog Prince, the Big Bad Wolf, etc. etc. Those are just some ideas.....more readily identifiable than some. Sorry, don't know about Holden Caulfield.

Answer 7

I choose Edward Rochester! 1) What would their username be? Rochester. He wouldn't be into all the cutesy little nicknames. 2) What section(s) would they hang out in? Philosophy, Marriage and Divorce, Books and Authors, and Poetry. 3) Which would they do more of: ask questions or answer 'em? Answering. He's too intelligent not to have the answers, and too prideful not to share them. 4) Do you think they'd add you to their contacts? Or would they block that option for everyone? Would you add him/her if the option was open? I don't think he'd add anyone, really. He's not sociable at all. But I would definitely add him! 5) Would s/he be a regular contributor or a drop-in kind of person? Regular contributor. He doesn't exactly have that much else to do. 6) What kind of questions would they be likely to ask? Fun, humorous, intelligent, simple, thought-provoking, homework-type, troll, etc.? Intelligent and thught-provoking. Maybe a few witty and sarcastic questions if he's in a particularly good mood. 7) Do you think you'd get along with them on here, if you happened to frequent the same sections? Would you develop a healthy internet friendship with them? I think we'd get along. I'd respect him and (hopefully) he'd return some of that respect. He's not easy to get along with all he time, though. He might not like me. As for a healthy relationship, probably not. I'd end up nearly stalking him. 8) Would you -want- your favorite characters to be Y!A users? Yes! That would be a dream come true. Especially Rochester. I'd love to get to know him...

Answer 8

1. Someone historical would be easiest to identify like one of the three musketeers. Others: Ebenezer Scrooge or Jacob Marley from A Christmas Carol; Willy Wonka or Doctor Doolittle if it is for kids. Romantic choice: Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.

2. For Holden, sew a patch insignia on a navy blazer and wear it with khakis a little on the short side and penny loafers.

Answer 9

Rhett Butler - Gone with the Wind
Tom Joad- Grapes of Wrath
Robin Hood or King Richard from Robin Hood
Maybe someone from The Outsiders- You can use the Fonze for some inspiration (haha!)

Answer 10

Any greek myth characters like Athena, Medusa, Helen of Troy,

What about Renaissance characters as if from Shakespeare like Titania or Desdemona

What about one of the Canturbury Tales Characters like the Wife of Bathe.

What about just dressing up your left hand and calling it th Monkey's Paw or go quietly as the MAsque of the Red Death's uninvited guest!!