Although some of us are challenged by putting together outfits that don't cause children to cry and the elderly to avert their eyes, we at Guerrilla Masquerade Party recognize that others are impaired in a different way. All too often we are confronted with folks who just don't know what to wear to our little shindigs. If you're one of those people, have no fear. We're professionals, and we're here to help.

The first thing you need to do is relax. Costumes needn't be professional, expensive, or elaborate in order to be effective. Especially when you're in a sea of people in costume. Growing up, we wore a lot of cardboard boxes and paper grocery bags out on Halloween. And, honestly, things haven't changed that much for us.

Often, it takes only one extreme accessory to scream "I'm in a costume, dammit!" I've seen hot pink wigs used very effectively in this regard.

Essentially anything can become a costume. Have some magazines laying around? Staple them all over your clothes and all of a sudden you are "Vogue". Repetition is one of the simple tricks to costumes. Tie one rubber duck to your coat, and it's a bit strange. Tie FIFTY, and you've got yourself a full-fledged costume.

Friends', lovers', and roommates' clothes are also a wealth of costume opportunities. Pull together a little cross dressing ensemble perhaps? Maybe relive a previous decade through fashion? Or just go shockingly monochromatic by dressing entirely in orange from head to toe. Even pajamas, a tuxedo, or a prom dress would be perfect. Just think -- what would people NOT expect to see me wearing?

If you're friends' closets are completely uninspiring, try a trip to a thrift store. Employees at Atlas or Red Light, would probably jump at the chance to help you pull something together. There usually seem to be a couple old halloween costumes around, and military or sports uniforms are always in abundance.

Obviously, finances can play a role in what to wear. If you've got some expendible income, perhaps you'd enjoy renting or buying a full costume. Champion Party Supply has a wide selection of costumes at reasonable rental rates, as well as lots of prefabricated costumes for under $20. If you always wondered what it was like for that poor sucker dressed as Donald Duck at Disneyland, you can find out for around $50.

Above all else, just have fun with the process. Below are links to some shops around town & online resources that might come in handy when building that Garbage Bag Godzilla costume.