When I see a title like this, I assume the author is going to say something biographical. This is not that kind of article. The “long, strange history” of costumes refers more to the history of costume design in film and television than to any actual costumes.
I was hoping for an interesting article about historical costumes, but what I got was a very dull article about the clothes people wear on TV shows. If this is your idea of a good time, you’ll probably like it.
I have no idea why this is called “Costumes: The Long, Strange History of Masks and Disguises.” There’s nothing about masks or disguises in it.
The history of masks and disguises goes way back to the cavemen but has been a part of popular culture for centuries.
Take a look at the long, strange history of masks and disguises.
The earliest forms of disguise date back to 100,000 years ago. As early as this time, it is believed that people used animal skins and mud to change their appearances. One of the earliest forms of disguise was the use of masks. These were simple masks that covered parts of the face and were often worn by those who needed protection from bugs in the environment. The earliest form of these masks is believed to be masks made from plant materials that were worn by women. However, there are also other kinds of masks that were used during this time period including ones made out of feathers, clay, and even wood.
Costumes have been around since ancient times but have gone through many changes over the years. The first costumes were made from animal hides and they served as a source of protection from insects as well as a means to conceal one’s identity when trying to hide from enemies or rivals in battle situations. These days, costumes are used for many different purposes such as entertainment purposes such as Halloween parties or sporting events like football games where fans wear jerseys and other team-
Halloween is upon us, so it’s time for costume shops to go into overdrive.
The history of masking and costuming is ancient, perhaps going back to the Stone Age, but in the Western world, the tradition was strongest in two periods: the ritual use of masks for religious ceremonies and plays during the Middle Ages, and then again in the Renaissance. Beginning in the mid-17th century, however, masquerades gradually lost their religious significance and became more of a social event.
Early costume shops sold items that could be used in church plays and other productions. Those shops evolved into what we now know as theatrical costumers or costume houses. In some cases they still rent out costumes or act as consultants to theaters, dance companies, movie productions, etc., but the real money makers have become Halloween stores and Halloween-oriented websites.
Masks and costumes in the ancient world weren’t just for fun. They were used in spiritual rituals, dramatic performances, and even to honor the dead.
It’s a fact of life: humans like to alter their appearances. In fact, we’ve been dressing up since the dawn of civilization, using masks and costumes for everything from religious rituals to disguises. I’m Gregersen—Archaeologist and Curator at the Drents Museum—and this is how masks and costumes evolved over time.
What I really want to know is how to use a particular character’s costume to significantly enhance the story. And this is where I need your help.
I’m in the process of writing a long article about the history of costumes, and I’d like to include some examples from film, television, and comics. I’d like you to send me your favorite example of a costume that significantly enhances a story and/or character. And if you have time, include a brief explanation of why it works so well (no more than 150 words).
Please email your choice and brief explanation to costumestore@hotmail.com no later than November 15th.
Halloween is upon us. This week, stores are filled with people looking for costumes and masks. The modern custom of wearing costumes and masks to celebrate Halloween has a long history.
The earliest evidence of humans wearing costumes dates back to the Upper Paleolithic period, which began around 40,000 years ago. The cave paintings at Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc have depictions of animals wearing what look like human clothing. It is generally believed that these are not literal depictions but rather represent the practice of wearing animal skins during religious ceremonies.
In more recent times, costumes were used for many of the same reasons that they are today: disguise, performance and entertainment. In 16th Century Europe people often masqueraded on All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd), which was later called Hallowmas or Halloween. Masks had been used during Carnival celebrations across Europe since ancient times, but now masks became associated with Halloween as well.
The promise of a masquerade, “an excuse for the extravagance of the moment,” is that it’s temporary and rule-bound. Masks and costumes, according to this view, were in some ways disruptive. But they were also reassuring, because they established their own rules. The rules of the masquerade aren’t the same as the rules of everyday life; everyone knows this going in, and no one is supposed to be fooled by appearances.
But maybe that doesn’t mean what we think it means. Maybe there’s a deeper sense in which masks and costumes are all around us, disguising our true selves, leading us astray. If that was the case, though, you wouldn’t expect to find evidence of it in a grove of trees outside a German village. You would expect to find it everywhere.