So, you were invited to a Halloween party tonight!  One problem, it’s a costume party and you don’t have a costume.  What are some fast, easy, and fun options — apart from Adam and Eve or a ghost?

Pirate:  With the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, these costumes are very popular. You can make your own quite easily by starting with black trousers, a white shirt (open as far as you dare), and boots.  Add a scarf or bandana (usually available very inexpensively at a craft store) over your hair, some temporary tattoos, a hoop earring (clip on if need be), and several rings. For extra oomph, add some eyeliner and a toy sword.

Fortuneteller: Start with a full skirt and the loosest blouse you have.  Don’t even try to match colors.  Add every scarf you can find.  Wrap some around your waist and drape others across your shoulders or over your hair. Top things off with a shawl.  Add bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings at will.  Wear extremely heavy makeup, especially on the eyes and mouth.  Carry a deck of cards to "tell fortunes."  Of course, if you meet someone cute, offer to read his palm.  It’s a great opening line.

Ancient Roman:  Remember toga parties in college?  (How unfortunate!  If they were good toga parties, you wouldn’t remember them.)  The theory here is the same.  Wrap yourself in a sheet and slip on some sandals. (For safety, you may want to wear a bathing suit underneath and pin your toga knot securely.)  If you don’t have appropriate jewelry, you can make a shiny arm band with aluminum foil.  It won’t be comfortable, but it will look good.  To top it off, cut a branch or a piece of vine from a tree and make it into a wreath for your head. (I did this once.  I cut a small length of vine from outside my apartment house and made it into a circle with mailing tape.)

If you get really desperate, go all in black and tell everyone that you’re a "Carbon Footprint!"