So my girlfriend and I were invited to a very serious Harry Potter-themed Halloween/birthday party. While neither of us have a lot of enthusiasm for H.P. (I know, I know, I’m sorry!) we knew enough vague facts to brainstorm some ideas. Like, the fact that there are owls. So I set to work on figuring out how in the world to make owl costumes that were a) recognizable as owls and b) customizable so that we would clearly be an owl couple rather than twin owls (kind of the same principles to apply when working out who can have which short alternative lifestyle haircut). I spent a lot of time looking at pictures of owls on the internet. And this is what I came up with!
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DIY Hogwarts Owls
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yes that is a sorting hat
You will need:
Felt in light brown, dark brown, white, and yellow
Two plastic masks
Glue
Paper/a pen
additional paper/twine (optional: use only if you are making Harry Potter-specific owls)
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Part One: Owl Faces
This requires some planning. So first, trace the shape of the mask on a piece of paper, including the eye holes. Then, draw owl ears on it. Or rather, approximations of owl ears — owl ears are pointy and triangular, kind of like this guy has:
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Cut the shape you just made out of brown felt, and glue it down to the mask. Make sure it’s pressed down into all the mask’s various curves. I made one in light brown and one in dark brown.
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Now, return to your drawn template, and draw a figure-eight shape over the eye holes. Then cut it out in white felt.
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To make the nose, draw an ice cream cone shape where the nose should be, and cut it out in yellow felt. Glue it to the white figure-eight shape. This is also when you are going to customize the owl’s face. For mine, I gave my owl mask long brown eyelashes. For the second mask, I made triangular shaped eyebrows.
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Now glue it down to the base of the mask, and you’re done with Part One! Just make sure the eye holes line up.
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butch/femme owl face realness
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Part Two: Wings
To make a wing, cut your felt into the shape of half of a heart. They should be big enough to cover about 2/3 of your upper arm. The pattern of the owl wing is completely up to you; owl wings come in a lot of beautiful, intricate patterns, and it’s pretty much up for interpretation (for the sake of these costumes). I cut felt into teardrop shapes for feathers and made two different designs for each pair of wings. One is alternating light and dark brown, and the other is kind of a star burst effect, starting with white at the tip and darkening to brown around the edge.
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To wear the wings, just safety pin them to your shirt. So we’d look like we knew what we were doing, I made tiny paper scrolls tied with twine, and we carried them around like owls with letters from Hogwarts.
More Queer Couples’ Costume Ideas as Determined by Autostraddle Staff:
+ Rhianna and Katy Perry at the VMAs
+ Hothead Paisan and Chicken
+ Pam and Tara
+ Each other (do this only if you are okay with your friends rolling their eyes at you forever)
+ Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas
+ Romi Klinger and Michelle’s high school reunion
+ Pebbles and Bam Bam
+ Any vintage couple from this list
+ Butches leaning on things
+ Calvin and Hobbes
+ Valerie Solanas and Andy Warhol
+ Thelma and Louise
+ Oprah and Gayle
+ Danny and Sandy from Grease
+ Michael and Stephanie from Grease 2
+ Drake and Nicki Minaj
+ Dolly Parton and Dolly the Sheep
+ Dolly the Sheep and Clone
+ Starbuck and Laura Roslin
+ Hilary Clinton and Michelle Obama, 2016 Presidential Elections
Tell me your favorite queer grrrl duo costumes!
I’m going as Peter Pan this year, I wish I had a Tinkerbell at my side.
I also debated going as Mickey Mouse.
Also, really unique idea going as owls! I love it!
YES. This. I’m going as Peter Pan as well and my gf is tinkerbell. Great minds think alike. :D
that’s the best. i want to do that next year!
I know some friends who went as Peter Pan and his shadow. It was awesome.
My bff and I are going as Calvin and Hobbs this Halloween. We thought we were being super original. Then I saw your list.
My girlfriend is going to be a pregnant January Jones from Mad Men so I should go as Don Draper but it felt a little obvious.
OMG my gf and i were brainstorming last week while tasting lots of tequilas and were overjoyed when we thought of calvin and hobbes. literally we found this to be so revolutionary/original as well….damn it! ok can’t wait to see everyone’s costumes :)
My girlfriend and I are doing Pebbles and Bam Bam… thought we were genius, too! ;)
haha MY girlfriend and i are doing pebbles and bam bam…we totally are genius ;)
So happy to see Hothead on the list. Every queer should treat The Complete Hothead Paisan as a bible.
Daria and Jane. Blammo!
The Joker and Harley Quinn?
What about the girls from Tipping the Velvet(in their top hats and tails, naturally). Buffy and Faith?
I just saw an awesome photoset of two females cosplaying Sherlock Holmes and Watson (Downey Jr version).
So to sum up, an excuse to wear some kind of formal Victorian menswear.
Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. So what if they’re not canon? They should be.
I did consider that, but it requires both parties to wear pretty revealing costumes. Something I wouldn’t personally be comfortable with, but sure!
Ah, that’s understandable. Though I have seen Harley in full-coverage costume before.
I just thought of another one – Torrance and Missy from Bring It On.
I refuse to believe that Torrance would choose that wet blanket Cliff over Missy. A choice betweeen the epicness of badass Eliza Dushku in a cheerleading uniform, or her no mark brother? COME ON!
This is amazing. And I wish I had a girlfriend, so we could go as Pam and Tara or Hilary and Michelle together.
I really admire those that put time and effort into their Halloween costumes. I couldn’t be bothered. A few years ago, I stuck sponges on a casual outfit and called the costume “Self Absorbed.” Took all of 5 minutes.
I’ve done that.
Did you get a lot of “Ew. What the eff are you?!” questions before they were totally charmed by the idea?
I never put effort into my costume either haha. My most successful costume ever though did only cost me $4. My college roommates were pissed that they were going all out and I hadn’t thought of anything yet… so I went out and bought a white sheet, cut some eye holes in it and went as a ghost. I had people stopping me to take pictures while sexy Mad Hatter and sexy Cat Woman got nothing.
Bam.
Ooo can I steal this idea, so simple and great
yay!
prince and morris day, although i tried reallllly hard to convince my butch girlfriend to be apollonia.
I really really wish Halloween was a thing here in Australia.
With the amount of Irish moving there it really should be, give it a few more years of recession.
Me too. Maybe we should just start throwing Halloween parties until they catch on.
It’s becoming a thing!
If there is a Starbuck and Laura Roslin couple for Halloween and someone were to, I dunno, take pictures and share them with us – pretty sure my vajayjay would explode. So there’s that.
OMG I LOVE THIS!!!!
So impressed to have another BG sisa represent!
I attempted to go as Starbuck one year, but ended up looking more like Seelix with Starbuck’s tattoo instead: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilymills/2993129407/ (I just couldn’t keep the blonde wig on all night, dammit)
I think a Starbuck and female!Apollo would be adorable too! Or a Boomer and female!Helo, I always thought they were cute even though she’s a cylon.
My wife and her sister look almost identical and have Asian heritage so they’re going as Boomer and Athena :D
Hahaha! My bestie and her girlfriend are going as Starbuck and Six.
I think MY vajayjay just exploded!
A few years back my girlfriend and I went as Elphaba and Galinda (complete with a green kiss mark on Galinda’s cheek). It was pretty epic.
You’re my favorite person ever. And this is the best thing ever. Let’s please be best friends now.
OH GOD THIS SOUNDS PERFECT.
I LOVE this idea.
Not a couples costume, but I did sew a tonne of dolls onto my top a few years ago and go as a “chick magnet”. Ba dum bum chhhhhhhh! :D
We’re going as Dan and Roseanne Conner. We love the show and I just want to be able to wear flannel and jeans and call it a day.
Genius!
Finn and Jake/Fionna and Cake would be a fun one
Or Marceline and Bubblegum!
After reading this, my girlfriend and I went as Finn and Jake! The yellow face paint was pretty hard to get off…
I’m going as Robin and continuing my search for a girl who wants to be Batman with me without me having to bribe her with beer or make her entire costume myself. But those owl masks are too damn cute, I might have to change it up for parties.
I would so go as Batman. No bribes necessary. But beer is still appreciated
I’m going as batman this year! We can be a duo in spirit
i have been searching for a good robin costume for years. did you make the one in your pic?
A friend made the one in my avatar, but I made my own for last Halloween. It’s really easy! I used a big red polo shirt, a green t-shirt, green booty shorts, some yellow fabric for a cape and some felt and hot glue. The hardest part so far has been getting a good utility belt together.
My partner and I were Sonny and Cher one year. I was Cher. Funny, huh?
Haruka and Michiru
I saw some Sailor Neptune & Sailor Uranus cosplayers at Dyke March last year. So epic!
I want to leave extreme appreciation for the nerdy-ness that was Dolly Parton & Dolly the Sheep <3
The Little Dutch Boy and the Dyke
omg
Ack! Finger jokes! Wetness comments! My brain cant compute this awesomeness!
you win
holy shit
I’d want to do Corky and Violet from “Bound,” but since I currently lack a girlfriend, I’m just going as Rachel Maddow.
I think going as Rachel Maddow will probably gain you a girlfriend.
AWWW YEEEEEEEEAHHH
A friend and I are going as Dipper and Mabel Pines.
Doctor and companion?
Doctor and TARDIS?
Doctor and River Song?
I think yes.
My girlfriend and I went as the Doctor and the TARDIS last year and I made her carry me through the doorways whenever I wanted to go to a different room. It was awesome : )
I love this! Did she do the noise too ;)
or for a more abstract one…fish fingers and custard?
I’m right in the middle of watching an insanely tense match btwn US v. Germany, and all I can think about is dressing up as Abby Wambach and my gf going as Pinoe, and making some fantasies come true on a pool table somewhere..
I might regret this comment in the morning, but my beer and I are standing by it for now.
I was Han Solo one year (complete with a name tag that said “My name is Han and I shot first”) and man if only someone could’ve been the Millennium Falcon…
I always wanted to be Han Solo but never quite got up the nerve. Which was too bad, because I even had the right haircut as a teenager.
DO IT NOW.
If we end up going somewhere that requires costumes, I’m pushing for Ron and Tammy Swanson. She likes bacon, I’m a librarian. It just makes sense.
My roommate and I were Ron and Leslie last year. I was Ron. It was the most fun I’ve ever had on Halloween.
My friend and I just decided to do Wesley and Buttercup from the Princess Bride. I would be worried about having time to put it together, but let’s be real, most of my clothes are already black anyways.
I recently went to a halloween party at a girl bar dressed as Peppermint Patty from Peanuts….no one recognized me :(
Really? That’s a great idea, sad that it didn’t work.
(I might disregard that it didn’t work and steal it…)
I went as Daria last year and had the same problem. Total letdown, I cut my bangs and everything.
I just caught word that my friend and her girlfriend are going as Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. BOOM.
pausing my wizards of waverly place-marathon to express my loving feelings for that costume idea, omg
I know a lesbian couple who went as the two cowboys from Brokeback Mountain.
A couple years ago my gf and I went as lumberjack and a tree.
Being a tree is uncomfortable.
my girlfriend and i spent about two or three hours looking for ladycouple costumes online before coming up with our own: i’m going as princess leia and she’s going as hope solo. probably only like one out of ten people are going to get it, but lbr i’m still pretty okay with those odds because it’s totally worth it.
Winning!!
last year a friend and I went as Wayne and Garth from Wayne’s World. So much flannel and converse and awkward, it was UNCANNY. THis year I want to be Ennis Del Mar but don’t have a Jack Twist :( (Brokeback Mtn)
Omfg: “+ Each other (do this only if you are okay with your friends rolling their eyes at you forever)” I…I….well, fuck, we already wear each other’s clothing, so this wouldn’t be a costume.
We’re planning on going as two complementary parent strands (DNA) while one of us will have DNA Helicase because I want to use this joke the whole fucking night: “Hey baby, I wish I was DNA helicase so I could unzip your genes.” Bam. Instant win.
actually choked on my food. I love you two.
I NEED pictures of this so I can steal it for next year.
Stock up on balloons and toilet paper rolls, apparently. We’re still trying to figure out how the hell to make this.
I’m still trying to convince my girlfriend to be the Marge Simpson to my Ruth Powers this year.
If I was seeing someone I’d totally push for Nina & Lance from Portlandia
CACAO
Yes, this is a great idea. I wish I looked marginally as amazing as Carrie Brownstein in drag.
we are probs going to be toni and candace from women and women first.
tho we told our couples counselor that and she was like actually me too.
it was funnier and less awkward than it sounds.
I’m going to be Megan Rapinoe for Halloween (since I already have a jersey and all).
Currently taking applications for a Sarah Walsh to my Pinoe btw
Leela and Fry
Richie and Margot Tenenbaum (I did this last year)
Any of Barbarella’s amazing outfits
Any characters from any Quentin Tarantino film ever.
LEELA AND FRY. OH MY GOD. MY FACE IS WET FROM RAIN OR SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW OH GOD.
Romi Klinger and Michelle’s high school reunion —- Genius!!
Romi Klinger and Michelle’s high school reunion
*golf clap*
I’m gonna be Frank N. Furter as part of a Rocky Horror costume group, assuming other folks in the group get their costumes together in time. If not, I’ll still be Frank N. Furter because I dress as him at any available opportunity.
Lady Gaga and Joe Calderone!
My girlfriend and I did this for the Born This Way Ball this year!
That’s awesome, not least because holy hell, how does one actually afford a Lady Gaga costume?
I rented a wig and random old-school dress with accessories to recreate her Queen-meeting look. It was a winter concert so an appropriate winter Gaga outfit.
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208973_10150879345965684_1270213569_n.jpg
I have previously dressed up as Gaga for more of a summer look too…
This year I’m going as Robyn circa the Call Your Girlfriend music video(as I already have the hair, and am about to head to the other room to sew a faux fur crop top right now) and my girlfriend is going as Batman.
Batman and (swedish) Robyn.
We think we’re pretty funny.
I’m going as the Eleventh Doctor, and a friend of mine is going as River Song.
Also, a friend of mine is going as Kirk and her girlfriend is going as Spock. They’re so cute it hurts.
I’m going as the Eleventh Doctor too! Yay!
I’d love to be either the 9th or 10th Doctor.
What about Seven of Nine and Janeway for a Star Trek option too?
Princess Mononoke and Ashitaka. Those were surprisingly easy costumes to make. Basically any Hayao Miyazaki characters are awesome Halloween ideas.
ADORABLE
the girlfriend and I went as calvin and hobbes a few years ago and we thought we were so original…
this year we’re going to be mittens romney and his binder full of women!
Those aren’t ears, they’re just tufts of feathers. Owls’ ears are set asymmetrically on their heads, one lower than the other, which enables them to locate the source of a sound very precisely (in a study, 9 out of 10 times an owl caught a mouse in a 100% dark room on the first swoop!)
#justsaying
Good to know!
My bestie and I were Juno and Bleeker one year when she was super pregnant. I dunno what that would look like as a couples’ costume, but it was really cute.
Doing Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf this year w/another friend, which DEFINITELY would be an excellent couples thing given all the subtext there.
If anyone ever does Hothead and Chicken, I want pictures.
Katniss and Peeta
Jack and Sally
Xena & Gabby
Little Red Riding Hood & Big Bad Wolf
I have exams and labs on Halloween so I’ll probably just wear my street clothes and tell people I’m a werewolf. When they point out I don’t look wolfy, I’ll say that it’s not the full moon. Lazy Costumers Unite!
This requires the perfect level of effort!
<3
My roommate wore all black and hot glued barbies all over her chest, back, arms, and legs.
She was a girl magnet.
My gf and I went to our gay dance as Burt and Mary Poppins. It was awesome.
I don’t know what is wrong with me, but this Halloween I feel like I have nothing up my sleeve in regards to costumes.
I’m single. The past two years I have been and oompa loompa with my friend willy wonka and garth and kat from snl. This year I have last minuted it to a unicycle?? My head is going to be the seat and my hands the pedals and I’ll make a wheel. I guess when people ask why I can say, “I want ladies to sit on my face?”
That’s hilarious :D
tegan and sara
you know quincest cos play.
this is one of those “i wanna hurl, this is hilariously fantastic” things..
Natalie & Mila in Black Swan garb
My wife and I are going as Emma Peel and Steed from the (1960s, British) Avengers.
LiLo and Sam. Complete with dyke drama screaming match.
Oh my god, where’s Stef and her contributions to this conversation.
My girlfriend and I are going as t.A.T.u. So sue me.
This means we get to make out all night no questions asked.
Sammy and Suzy from Moonrise Kingdom
Daria and Jane
This year my girlfriend and I are Hades and Persephone. Complete with pomegranate and Blavod vodka :)
so my (awesome, queer) sister is going as Babe-raham Lincoln, Vampire Slayer, and her (burly, straight) boyfriend is going as Sexy-Vampire-Mary Todd Lincoln. She’ll have a fake beard, stovepipe hat, bloody axe, and fishnets, and he’ll wear fake teeth and a long old-timey gown.
the miss and i are going as beetlejuice and lydia when they are getting married. the pup is gonna be the sandworm. i constructed a fake amputated ring-baring finger and all.
My girlfriend and I want to go as Katniss and Pita. Much harder than you think to make/find a falafel outfit.
Last year my gf and I went as Beavis and Butthead. This year we are being the black and white swans
omg beavis and butthead=best.
I’m going as Dexter and my girlfriend is going as one of my kill victims, I won’t lie..it was an easy way to get her to dress in nothing but saran wrap, plus it’s going to look pretty fucking awesome
Not Halloween, but on Saturday my girlfriend and I went to London Comic Con dressed as The Doctor and River Song. It was boss.
carrie bradshaw and aidan! i’m more masc and my gf is more femme, so we’re swapping gender presentations so we can both do drag! yay! i’ve never been more stoked about tutus, crop tops, and nameplate necklaces in my life.
My girlfriend and I are making Peppermint Patty and Marcie costumes this Halloween. We had to outdo our joint costumes last year as the Wet Bandits from Home Alone.
We’re going as Jaime and Cersei from Game of Thrones, since everyone thinks we’re twins anyway.