Back in August, I discussed becoming Willy Wonka, and specifically how I used to have trouble with that but was now onto something big. Well, good news! My costume is nearly finished, with only one and a half pieces left (explanations below). Frankly, I am absurdly excited to actually wear this thing around Boston, and I have two parties and a bar crawl that I’m planning on wearing it for. So I’m already up to three events, and that’s not even counting any ability I have to convince my coworkers to go in costumes on the actual 31st. So we’ll see about that. But, enough exposition. On to the pieces!
The Hat - This is fairly straightforward. Brown top hat. I believe the style I bought was “caroler’s hat.” The interesting part, however, was finding a hat in my size. It turns out that my head is, to use an official tailor’s term: “Fucking huge.” I bought the largest size hat the website had available, and it just fit. It wasn’t even a largest normal size. It was a special extra large size for those of us who have watermelons with faces for heads. It turns out that my head is actually bigger than most hatters are willing to supply for, because like any other freak of nature, there are not enough of us to justify the costs. Oy. However, the hat is totally sweet, so there’s that. The site I bought it from got the hat out to me before I was even aware it had shipped, which was doubly awesome. (Note: I just glanced, and from what I can tell my hat is the only one they sell in that size. The only. One.)
The Bow Tie - This one was interesting. Trying to find an oversized bow tie in the right color was a difficult task, let me tell you. Most hilariously big bow ties are made for clown costumes (understandably), which made it rather tricky for me. But, luckily, I found this fantastic woman on Etsy who was willing to do a custom order. In fact, she got so excited to make the bow tie that she actually asked for me to send her a picture of the full costume later, so she can see how well it worked out. I’ll tell you right now: it’s going to work out awesomely. I did a test run, and her eyeball measurements of my reference pictures led her to make one that, from what I can tell, is the perfect size. I may even end up wearing this separately in the future. You know I can find the occasion.
The Cane - This is the half I was talking about. The bottom three quarters of it is fine: just a regular old walking wooden cane. But the top is problematic for me. In the actual movie, he uses a wooden walking stick with a gold handle, and as you can see here, that is not quite the case with the accessory I bought. It will work if I have no luck finding the cane, but I’m not licked yet. I still have a month to find what I want. I found it on a whim in Dorothy’s on Mass Ave in Boston, so it’s not like I’ve searched high and low just yet (although it should be noted I’ve been having a bit of trouble finding a suitable one online).
The Coat - The piece de resistance. This is the piece that ties it all together as Willy Wonka. This coat is what I had been hunting for the past two years, and it is what I found (with much triumph) this year. The moment I got it was the moment I finally began to feel like this Halloween costume was the real thing, and that for the first time in a long time I would look exactly the way I wanted to look for the big day. I’ve tried it on a few times since receiving it, and there is a strange power in that coat. The moment it’s on, I am Wonka. I stand straighter, I swagger a bit, and I find myself feeling mischievous by mere association. My sincerest hope is that people recognize me and get a smile out of it. I did well with Doc Brown last year, although people seemed to think I was Einstein a significant amount. But this year, I am going to be dressed as a ridiculous man who offered a dream of infinite candy made in the most ridiculous means (namely, dancing orange midgets). I think it’s safe to say that Cosplay Sky did a wonderful job on this piece of clothing.
I obviously have very high hopes for my costume this year, and I cannot wait to let you know how it all turns out. In the meantime, enjoy those pictures of the pieces.
Now all I need is a huge bag of candy.
Tom
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hey tom great story about putting the willy wonka outfit together, great read great pics.
but id like your input on that
im putting a costume together of my own, i dabble in the wonka industry and have done for the last 4 years… im looking to make a accurate costume for a traditional candy shop window display… you know the kind of thing i mean, stop and stare style, one that folks will question if its the real deal lol
i have pretty much everything i need… i have just one question = VEST
i dont know if you are keeping the whole vest thing under wraps as i know the correct material is very hard to find, in fact i have found the material but wanted to know if its the same thing you went for ? if its the spoonflower one then thats good enough for me
i had to ask as its seems to be the only thing not linked discussed much, it mentions the fabric on its way to be sewn by a friend but thats just tease in my eyes… looking forward to hearing from you, drop me a line anytime you can… all the best take care for now wonka dave in the uk
Hey there Dave, I’m glad you liked the story!
I did get the material via Spoonflower. For my particular vest, I bought 1 yard of cotton voile, which worked perfectly. I also hunted down a vest pattern on Etsy – it was something like “Colonial vest pattern.” It was the only one that store had, unfortunately, but you could probably find something pretty easily.
I didn’t mean to keep the vest under wraps! I had bought the vest material from Spoonflower back in August, so I must have completely forgotten to link it here. I hope your costume goes well!
hey tom, great stuff thanks a lot, im on the spoonflower case now, the outfit is coming together just nicely, today i recieved my brown top hat and cane, im going the same coat route as you as it seems the best accurate option, not sure what size to get it in though lol im a xxl gent and gene was never that big of a chap, but if i get it slight to fit someone slim im never going to be able to wear it ? confused about that… also in the mail today came a signed pic of all 5 lucky winners and a signed golden ticket from mike teevee
will look awsome on display with the outfit… well thanks for the confirmation on the vest materials ill be sure to drop you a pic when the outfit is on display in the old candy store. cheers for now
Hey! i am making my boyfriend a wonk suit for halloween this year. i was going to go the ‘buy it all together costume’ but i could see it as a good investment so i may take the same route. thanks for sharing everything! same path over here!
Hi Jodi!
I honestly was never able to find a “buy it all together” costume for the Gene Wilder Willy Wonka. I know there are plenty of Johnny Depp ones, and those run the gambit from “cheap but recognizable” to “movie replica,” but the closest I’ve ever come to Wilder’s was something called “Candy Man,” which was a cheap knockoff. It was the Mountain Lightning of Wonka costumes, if you will. The problem seems to be that they never licensed that stuff out as costumes, and that coat was one they just picked up in a thrift store. Hence, my tale. I hope it all works out for you! Let me know what you end up doing, I’m curious now.
Oh, and Dave, I can’t believe I forgot to ask: How did the store display turn out?