A costume can be interpreted as a cultural outfit of a person that reflects their profession, ethnicity, nationality, etc. The term was traditionally used to describe appropriate clothing for certain activities like a swimming costume, riding costume, dance costume, and evening costume. In the case of the latter meaning, costumes are subject to changes according to the changes in fashion and local cultural norms. Let us understand the different types of costumes in detail.

Types of costumes
Costumes can be used to depict moods and the period of a play, to describe the age of the actors, to help in distinguishing occupations, etc. Here is a list of different kinds of costumes for adults that can be worn in various events:

Riding costume
A riding costume is worn by jockeys in races. The look is completed with low-heeled boots, gloves, and a necktie. The shades are often darker and more masculine as compared to normal clothes.

Dance costume
A dance costume is a piece of clothing that is worn by a dancer for a performance. This is designed to complement the song and also bring about uniformity among the team members. Costumes play a great role in bringing the entire dance together, adding an element of drama, and conveying the story and background behind the performance.

Evening costume
It consists of the formal clothes that men and women wear to any occasion that involves a degree of formality, such as office gatherings, ballroom dances, weddings, etc. An evening gown worn by a woman is meant to highlight the beauty of the wearer, lending grace to the evening. It is usually a floor length dress worn with heels of some sort. For men, this costume can take the shape of a tuxedo, a coordinating bow tie, a white dress shirt, and formal shoes.

Swimming costume
It is a piece of clothing that is worn by people who engage in water-based activities or water sports. While men have limited options for swimwear, women tend to have a wide range of choices such as a bikini, tankini, frock, etc.

Traditional American costumes and accessories
If you are someone who loves watching fashion blogs and reads every article in fashion magazines, you must have realized that clothes don’t always make the look. It is the costumes, along with the accessories chosen by models, actresses, stylists, and other celebrities, that complete the picture and make them look incredible. These add-ons communicate a person’s style and help in expanding their wardrobe into limitless possibilities. But finding the right accessories with your costume is not a cup of tea. You need a great deal of creativity and patience to build that perfect ensemble. In fact, no matter what costume ideas you have, you cannot do without having the right pair of accessories.
For men, things like cravats, hats, belts, or socks form a part of the traditional accessory types opted for. However, changing times have meant that men are also wearing various types of jewelry, such as studs in the ear, necklaces, bracelets, and more, to accentuate their outfits. Women have always had the option of a multitude of accessories to elevate every look, be it brooches, any type of jewelry, or headgear like fancy hats, lace gloves, handbags, belts, and more.

Costume parties and events
A costume party is an event where you are supposed to wear special clothes so that you look like a particular character, object, or animal. Fancy dress parties are becoming popular in current times, providing a space for individuals to indulge in memories of their favorite childhood cartoon or just relive their childhood birthday parties. The number of people hosting such events has grown significantly, from being limited to Halloween to becoming a generally acceptable theme, enabling people to get hugely creative with their outfits. At a larger level, every year, the biggest costume designers come together and show off the types of costumes designed by them at award shows, galas, and high-profile parties.

More on costumes!
The role of the costume designer is very important because the shapes, shades, and textures they choose make a powerful visual statement to the audience. Costume designing is the profession that involves creating clothing and accessories for characters in TV shows, movies, plays, and in real life. Be it a well-worn t-shirt or a period dress, every persona’s overall look is given a lot of consideration. Also, well-chosen costumes, jewelry, and accessories can enhance the look of any person. Costume designers not only think about a character, but they have to keep in mind the overall aesthetic of the production. Costumes for kids are also treated with the same amount of importance since they have the ability to make a character more liked or disliked. There are even exclusive shops that sell costumes for pets, and these are often a huge part of a recurring gag in shows too!