Whipping up an easy Lisa Frank Halloween costume is perfect for a '90s girl on the go, because when it comes to Halloween, easy peasy costumes are exactly what we busy ladies need. It's even better when you can use something from your closet, the kitchen, or the local thrift store. Not only will this save you a pretty penny, but it is way better than splurging on a store-bought outfit. To top it off, making a DIY costume is the best way to show off your personality on the best holiday ever. Not that I'm playing favorites or anything.
Crafting your own Halloween costume is also the best way to pay homage to your favorite foods, animals, and decades. Since I'm a '90s girl to the bone, I couldn't help but create a costume inspired by this amazing period in time. And what says '90s more than the rainbow goodness of Lisa Frank? That's right... nothing.
Fortunately, whipping up a Lisa Frank-inspired ensemble is super easy. With a few inexpensive supplies and an hour of your time, you can transform yourself into Panda Painter, the happy-go-lucky creative panda of the Lisa Frank gang. Once Halloween night rolls around, I can guarantee that other '90s babies will know who you are based on the heart logo alone. After all, us '90s kids have to stick together.
Supplies:
- Blue dress or denim overalls - White canvas baseball cap- Wide paint brush- Acrylic paint (pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)- Foam brush(es)- Scissors- Lisa Frank heart logo print-out- Hot glue gun
Here are some tips and tricks, from yours truly:
While a pair of denim overalls is the most accurate piece of clothing for this costume, they can be pretty pricey. If you're having difficulty finding an affordable pair, opt for a simple blue dress.
If you're not sure where to find a plain white canvas hat, check out the fabric crafts section of your local supply store. Blank white hats can usually be found in the same aisle as plain t-shirts, iron-on letters, fabric paint, and tote bags.
As for the iconic heart logo? Paste it into a Microsoft Word document, and re-size accordingly. Prepping the heart on a standard page-sized layout will help you guesstimate how big or small the heart will be.
Directions:
1. Using a foam brush, paint the bristles of the wider brush in a rainbow of colors.
Don't forget to wash and clean the foam brush before starting the next color. Otherwise, you'll end up with muddy swirls. If you want to speed up the process, use five to six separate foam brushes. At about 30 cents each, they're extremely cheap at the craft store.
Bet you never thought you'd be painting a paint brush, huh?
2. Paint the white hat.
Again, make sure to use a new brush (or a clean one) before starting the next color. This will keep the paint vibrant and bright, just like Lisa Frank would.
3. Cut out the rainbow heart, and hot glue it to the dress or denim overalls.
If you're afraid of commitment, use a strip of hefty duct tape to make your heart removable. You can also hand-sew a few stitches to make sure it won't budge until you say so.
4. Optional: Add panda ears with a little hot glue and felt scraps.
I used white felt, which I happened to have on hand. You can use purple felt to channel the real Panda Painter. However, any color of the rainbow would work just as great; you only need two small pieces.
Wear it all together and what do you get? The one and only Panda Painter of the Lisa Frank crew.
Instead of toting around that paint brush all night, turn it into a necklace by tying a strand of rope around the handle. To go full-fledged Panda Painter, take a silver bucket, add a rainbow splash of paint, and use it as a purse.
And just like that, you just ruled Halloween.
For more Halloween ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.
Images: Kirsten Nunez
