Alice wonderland costumes for Halloween 2009

Alice In Wonderland remains not only my favorite Disney film, but one of my favorite pieces of satire in the history of english language literature. And it’s not just me – millions appreciate Lewis Carroll’s masterwork to be a true triumph of both art and subversion, and it remains as popular with kids and adults today as it was a century ago.

As a result, alice wonderland costumes are some of the most popular both any and every halloween, not just for halloween 2009. Whether you want to dress up like Alice herself, or the Queen of Hearts, or the always-popular Cheshire Cat, or the hooka-smoking caterpillar, you have a litany of choices that no other story can provide.

Personally I think the best of the alice wonderland costumes is the Dormouse. He’s the forgotten one at Alice’s tea party, which features The Mad Hatter, The March Hare, Alice and the forgotten Dormouse. He’s a small, nearly silent, drunk. It’s the perfect role to play at a Halloween party if you’re so inclined, and easy costume to do, and if you can convince your other friends to go as the other characters, more’s the better. As in the film and book, you can even have someone go as the table (which itself was alive in Carroll’s story.)

The fun part about alice wonderland costumes is that they can work as subversion on several levels, the first being that which Carroll originally intended. But it’s also worth remember that Alice In Wonderland herself is now a symbol of purity and innocence in a culture gone awry with sexuality; thus, “Sexy Alice In Wonderland” is a very popular costume today for young women. There’s something absolutely delightful about making something as wholesome as a disney cartoon into an exhibition for the very basest of impulses which Walt Disney himself abhorred. One suspects that Carroll would approve of the decision.

Of course, the other characters are even more fun. The Mad Hatter is probably the best of the alice wonderland costumes (my love for the Dormouse notwithstanding) because he’s so recognizable and fun. Remember the riddle he poses to Alice, “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” It’s meant to be unsolveable, and if you’re really willing to get into character and give it a go you can just talk gibberish all night and win plaudits for it. Sounds like a great costume idea to me!