Okay, so I decided to go as Bret Michaels for Halloween this year. I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of 80s rock nostalgia, right?
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First, I scoured my closet. No luck. I didn’t magically own a bandana or a cowboy hat. Shocking, I know.
Next, I hit up a few thrift stores. I figured I could find some cheap, beat-up clothes that would fit the “rocker” vibe. I found a sleeveless denim vest. Score! It was a little big, but hey, that just adds to the authenticity, doesn’t it?
I also managed to find a plain white t-shirt. It was a little stained, but nothing a little bleach couldn’t fix (or at least, mostly fix. It’s a costume, after all!).
The Bandana and Hat
- I went for a classic red bandana. I tried tying it like Bret, but it took a few YouTube tutorials to get it right. Seriously, those things are trickier than they look!
- The cowboy hat was another story.I didn’t like the cheap ones. So, I decided to make it, using an old hat and adding some details.
Then, I ripped some old jeans – strategically, of course. I didn’t want to look too homeless. I even added a few safety pins for extra flair.
For the boots, I just wore some old work boots I already had. They were already pretty scuffed up, so they fit the bill perfectly.
Finally, I borrowed some fake tattoos from my nephew. He’s got a whole collection of those things. I stuck a few on my arms, and voila! Instant rockstar.
The whole thing took me a couple of days to put together, mostly because of the bandana-tying struggle. But in the end, I think it turned out pretty good! I even practiced my best Bret Michaels pose in the mirror. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” anyone?