How to Walk (or at least Dress) Like An Egyptian
By Samantha Bradley
Halloween will be here soon, and I know that many of you witches and wizards might be wondering about how to create an Egyptian costume, given that we are focusing our attention on King Tut for this month. I can hear you now. "But where am I supposed to find a costume that looks like halfway authentic and get it finished in such little time?" you ask. Well, it's quite simple. We're magical, right? Therefore practically anything is within our realm of possibility. However, let me tell you about how the Muggles (yes, the Muggles!) helped me to create the most perfect King Tut costume of them all for a dear friend of mine.
The thing you have to understand is that the Muggles have this invention called a sewing machine. (In truth I wasn't certain at first whether it is called sewing or sewer machine, but I do believe the correct term is sewing.) They are pretty easy to use if you would like to create something using one of these machines. The thing is, they have this sewing pattern for a King Tut costume that makes it pretty easy to create a flawless costume of your own and you can find it at any Muggle sewing shop. If you prefer not to go into such an establishment I do understand, and perhaps you can persuade a Muggleborn or Halfblood to go in there and get it for you if you give them the money. Quite a few of them seem to be willing to do that sort of thing. You are looking for Simplicity pattern 8311, do not accept any cheap imitations as this is the one you truly want.
Like I said, you can make the costume yourself using the pattern and instructions they give you. I used a gold metallic fabric for the one I made, and I would highly recommend you do the same, because King Tut always brings the bling. That's a given. You have to pin the pieces down and cut them out of the fabric (this is the longest and most tedious part to me). Then you sew them together so they form the garment. I used the gold fabric and some cardboard to make a headdress, and it is shaped like this but is completely gold like the costume itself -
Of course, this costume is going to need two other key elements - gold sandals and tons of makeup. Lots and lots of black mascara around the eyes is key. You can look at pictures of King Tut, Nefertiti and Cleopatra to see what this is supposed to look like (see, I'm giving you not just a lesson in Muggle sewing, but in proper makeup application, as well!) If the person you are making the costume for would like to carry a scepter or something (like mine did) or wear an Egyptian necklace, well, it is up to them to find the various accoutrements they require, unless you happen to be feeling especially generous. Me, I wouldn't bother.
If you want it done in a hurry, just use magic to make the costume. You will still require the fabric, but you can simply conjure the costume up with your wand once you have that. Then you can use your magic again to apply the eye makeup and any other makeup they feel they need to wear (let's hope they are magical and not Muggle, as the very use of the wand alone could cause some unanswerable questions to be raised, if you know what I mean).
Anyway, that's it. Enjoy being King Tut this year and Happy Halloween!