When we launched Take Back Halloween last year, we invited readers to suggest other costumes they’d like to see. The number one request was for Ada Lovelace, visionary computer genius and patron saint of women in technology. So this year we put Ada at the top of our list of costumes to add. Voilà: Ada Lovelace.
We decided to model the costume on the famous 1836 portrait of Ada in court dress. Not only is it the best portrait of her in existence, but the clothes are much easier to replicate than the fussy, fitted daytime outfits she wears in other portraits. There was still a bit of Regency flavor to court dress at that time, with long simple white gowns and ballet flats. A belted satin chemise and a velveteen robe is all you really need.
Ada Lovelace Day is a new holiday started a couple of years ago; this year it’s going to be on Friday, October 7. According to the sponsors: “Ada Lovelace Day is an international day of celebration focused on the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths.”
We’re sensing a twofer possibility here with the costume. You can dress up as Ada Lovelace twice in the month of October!
Thinking of going as Hatshepsut this Halloween? Or maybe Isis? Time to get on the stick! We found a cool eBay store in Egypt that sells wonderful beaded collars, just like the pharaohs wore (well, not just like the pharaohs wore, but better than the cheapo fabric pieces you get in Halloween stores). But their shipping takes two or three weeks, so you need to order now if you want delivery in time for Halloween. This is the one from our Isis costume:
Same deal with our Queen of Sheba costume. We chose a beautiful Egyptian style necklace from that same store for her outfit, too.
Halloween Season 2011 is upon us. It’s the week after Labor Day, and the stores are starting to stock up on costumes. For us, it’s Year Two of our project to Take Back Halloween! The response to our website last year was incredible, and this year we’re working overtime to make it even bigger and better:
- A picture is worth a thousand words, so this year we’re uploading digital illustrations of all our costume designs. That’s the Queen of Sheba to the right (click to embiggen). We’re focusing first on the designs most in need of visual aids—the goddesses, several of the ancient costumes, etc.
- We’re checking all the product links to make sure the stuff is still available. And if not, we’re hunting for replacements.
- With all that updating and illustrating, we really don’t have time to do new costumes—but we are anyway. Can’t resist. Coming very shortly: Ada Lovelace, Sor Juana, Athena, Demeter, Jezebel…and more!
If you’re in the middle of running down a costume and need help, don’t hesitate to email us. If we haven’t already updated the product links, we may nevertheless already know (from our endless window-shopping) where you can find the item you need.
Happy costuming!
