Does anyone have any ideas for a costume to dress up as a cleaning lady? I thought that maybe a pail, with sponges, windex, gloves, etc. can be held, but what else?

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 08:31 pm:

A bandana around your head or kerchief, baggy skirt, blouse hanging out or an "overall" apron. Or overalls and a baggy shirt. I've seen some costumes where the person made a wig out of a cotton mop head. Oh, and "sensible" shoes or sneakers and baggy socks.

By Tschwab on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 08:43 pm:

Sounds good! I like the mop idea! What do you mean by sensible shoes?

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 06:04 am:

Lace-up shoes, maybe high-top, 1" heel that is as wide as the shoe - the kind often thought of (excuse me) as "old lady shoes". One used to be able to find them at any woman's shoe store, but now they are mostly orthopedic shoes. I think sneakers, especiall high-tops and not laced up all the way, would give the right image.
(Because I'm 67, I rather resent the phrase "old lady" anything, hence the "excuse me".)

I should say, this is the cartoon sterotype of a cleaning woman - which, of course, is what you want for a costume so it will be immediately recognized. Every cleaning woman I've ever seen was neatly and crisply dressed, usually in slacks or jeans, but almost always with a coverall apron because they have deep pockets to hold stuff.

By Jewlz on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 08:19 pm:

dont forget playtex rubber gloves bathroom brushes.

By Reds9298 on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 09:41 pm:

Maybe a smudge of dirt on your face...

By Tschwab on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 03:25 pm:

Thanks for all your ideas, everyone.

By Tschwab on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 03:26 pm:

If anyone else has ideas, i welcome them too.