So, you’ve got an alphabet party. Or maybe a specific theme night where you’re stuck with the letter A. It sounds easy until you’re staring at your closet at 11:00 PM the night before, realizing that "A Shirt" doesn't count as a costume.
Choosing costumes that start with A is actually a bit of a strategic minefield. You can go the low-effort route—basically anything that involves a white sheet—or you can go full "cosplay elite" and spend three weeks building a fiberglass suit. Most people land somewhere in the middle. The goal is to avoid that awkward moment where you have to explain who you are to every person at the bar. If you have to say, "I'm an Anachronism," and then define the word, you’ve already lost the party.
The Heavy Hitters: Aviators and Astronauts
Let's talk about the classics. You see them every year for a reason.
An Aviator is the ultimate "I forgot I had a party" costume. Grab a leather jacket, some Ray-Ban Wayfarers, and maybe a white scarf if you're feeling fancy. It’s effective. It’s recognizable. If you want to lean into the Top Gun vibe, you just need a flight suit. Genuine surplus flight suits are surprisingly easy to find on eBay or at local army-navy stores, and they actually keep you warm if the party is outdoors.
Then there’s the Astronaut. This is a commitment. You aren't just wearing clothes; you're wearing a pressurized suit (or a polyester version of one). NASA sells official-looking jumpsuits, but the real pros look for the orange "Advanced Crew Escape Suit" (ACES) replicas. Why? Because the bright "pumpkin suit" stands out in a crowded room way more than the standard white EVA suit. According to NASA’s history office, that specific shade of International Orange is used for visibility during search and rescue. It works just as well for finding your friends at a music festival.
Getting Weird with Animals and Aliens
If you want to go the creature route, costumes that start with A offer some bizarrely specific options.
The Axolotl has surged in popularity recently, mostly thanks to Minecraft and the general internet obsession with weirdly cute amphibians. It’s a pink onesie with some felt gills attached to a headband. Simple. But if you really want to lean into the biology, remember that axolotls are neotenic, meaning they keep their larval features throughout their whole lives. It’s a great fun fact to drop while you're standing by the punch bowl.
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Then we have the Alien. This is the ultimate "choose your own adventure" costume. You can do the classic "Little Green Man," the sleek silver Roswell style, or something high-concept like a Xenomorph from the Alien franchise. If you’re going for the Xenomorph, be prepared for a long night. H.R. Giger’s original design wasn't exactly built for mobility or drinking through a straw.
Anteaters are another sleeper hit. It’s basically a long nose and a gray tracksuit. It’s funny because it’s unexpected. Most people go as an Ape or an Alligator, but the anteater shows you’ve put actual thought into the "A" theme without taking yourself too seriously.
Historical and Mythological A-Listers
Maybe you want to look a bit more "distinguished." Or at least like you spent ten minutes in the bedsheets section of Target.
The Ancient Greek or Ancient Roman look—the classic toga—is the oldest trick in the book. But honestly, it's often done poorly. To do it right, look up a tutorial on how to wrap a himation or a stola. Safety pins are your best friend here. Don't just wrap a twin-size sheet around your waist and hope for the best; you'll spend the whole night clutching your hip so you don't accidentally flash the host.
Amelia Earhart is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants a historical edge. It’s similar to the aviator but with more specific 1930s styling. You need the bomber jacket, the leather cap, and those oversized goggles. It’s a tribute to a genuine icon, and it’s one of those costumes that start with A that carries a bit of weight and respect.
For the mythology buffs, Athena or Apollo are the go-to choices. Athena requires a shield and a helmet—the Aegis is her most famous symbol. If you’re going as Apollo, you need a lyre and maybe a laurel wreath. These costumes work best when you don't skimp on the gold spray paint.
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The Pop Culture "A" List
Characters are often the easiest way to go because the blueprint is already there.
- Alice in Wonderland: A blue dress, a white apron, and a headband. It’s iconic. You can go "Disney classic" or lean into the darker, Tim Burton-inspired aesthetic.
- Aquaman: Unless you have Jason Momoa’s physique, this often involves a lot of padded muscle suits. If you want to be more authentic to the comics, look for the classic gold scales and green tights.
- Austin Powers: A blue velvet suit, a ruffled shirt, and some questionable dental prosthetics. It’s a costume that requires you to stay in character, which can be either the highlight of the party or the reason you don't get invited back next year.
- Ahsoka Tano: For the Star Wars fans. This is a "level 10" difficulty costume because of the lekku (the head-tails). You can buy foam versions, but the makeup alone takes hours.
- Ace Ventura: All you need is a loud Hawaiian shirt, striped pants, and an ungodly amount of hair gel. It’s cheap, recognizable, and allows for a lot of physical comedy.
The "I Don't Want to Wear a Costume" Costume
We all have those friends. The ones who hate dressing up but don't want to get grilled at the door. For them, costumes that start with A provide some clever loopholes.
An Athlete is the easiest out. Wear a jersey. Carry a ball. You’re done. If someone asks, you’re an "All-Star." It’s technically an A-word.
An Artist is another one. Put on a beret, carry a palette, and maybe smudge a little bit of blue paint on your cheek. It’s low effort but high recognition. You look like you tried, even if you just grabbed a hat from a thrift store on the way over.
Then there's the App icon. Seriously. Paint a square piece of cardboard to look like the Amazon, Airbnb, or Apple Music logo and hang it around your neck. It’s a bit meta, a bit lazy, and usually a conversation starter.
Making it Stand Out: The Details Matter
Look, anybody can buy a bagged costume from a pop-up shop in October. But if you want to actually win a contest or just feel good about your fit, you have to look at the materials.
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Avoid that shiny, thin polyester that comes in those plastic bags. It breathes poorly and looks cheap in photos. If you’re going as an Assassin (think Assassin’s Creed), look for textured fabrics like faux leather or heavy cotton. The weight of the fabric changes how the costume hangs on your body.
If you're doing an Angel, don't get the tiny wire-and-tinsel wings. They’ll be bent out of shape before you even get through the front door. Look for feathered wings with a solid frame. Or, go the "Biblically Accurate Angel" route with multiple wings and way too many eyes—that’s a guaranteed way to be the most memorable person in the room.
Practical Steps for Your "A" Costume
Don't wait until the day of the event. Even the simplest costumes that start with A require some prep.
First, check your local thrift stores. Things like aviator jackets, "artist" berets, or even items for an Archer (like vests and boots) are staples in secondhand shops. You'll save money and end up with a costume that looks "lived-in" rather than "factory-sealed."
Second, think about logistics. Can you sit down? Can you use the bathroom without a three-person pit crew? If you’re an Ankylosaurus, the answer is probably no. Plan accordingly.
Finally, nail the accessories. An Alchemist isn't just a person in a robe; they're a person with glass vials filled with colored Gatorade and a weathered book of spells. Those small touches turn a "clothing choice" into a "costume."
Identify your "A" character early. Test the makeup if you're doing something like an Avatar (Na'vi). Nothing ruins a night like realizing you're allergic to blue face paint thirty minutes before the party starts. Get your base layers sorted, confirm the theme's strictness, and focus on one high-quality prop rather than five cheap ones.