DIY Costume Guide for Playing Grandpa & Grandma 👴👵

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ESSENTIALS FOR ANY LITTLE OLD PERSON:

Closet Core:

• Oversized cardigan or sweater – Borrow from a grown-up or hit the thrift store. Bonus if it smells slightly like mothballs.

• Button-up shirt or floral blouse – The louder the pattern, the better.

• Knee-length skirt or plaid pants – Elastic waistbands encouraged.

• Suspenders – Can be made with ribbon, shoelaces, or even duct tape if you're feeling crafty.

• Supportive shoes – Think loafers, oxfords, or Velcro sneakers. No Crocs allowed unless you’re an ironic retiree.

Gray Hair Magic:

• Use baby powder or cornstarch on hair for that snowy white look.

• Slick hair into a bun with bobby pins for granny glam.

• For grandpas, craft a bald spot using a swimming cap and draw liver spots with brown eyeliner.

Eyewear Flair:

• Big fake glasses = instant transformation. Pop the lenses out of 3D movie glasses or use toy glasses.

• Chain your glasses with yarn or a shoelace for full librarian energy.

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🧵 DIY ACCESSORY IDEAS:

Accessory                         How to Make It

Cane                                   Wrap a broomstick in gray tape, or make one from cardboard and tinfoil.

Purse                                  Use a lunchbox or tote bag and stuff it with tissues, mints, and fake coupons.

Pearl necklace                  String beads, buttons, or even cereal (Cheerios = vintage chic).

Hearing aid                        Shape aluminum foil into a little ear gadget and tape it on.

Back brace                         Layer a belt over a shirt or use an old Ace bandage.

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🧓 HOW TO ACT LIKE YOU’RE 85 GOING ON 12:

Voice & Speech:

• Talk like everything’s a little dramatic: “Back in my day…”

• Overuse old phrases: “Whippersnapper!” “Land sakes!” “I haven’t seen that since the war.”

• Add a little fake wheeze or dramatic sigh after everything.

Walk & Stance:

• Hunch over just a little.

• Shuffle your feet with purpose.

• Walk slow… then faster when there's pudding.

Facial Expressions:

• Look suspicious at new technology.

• Squint at everything.

• Smile politely while muttering something shady under your breath.

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👵 ELDERLY ALTER EGO INSPIRATION:

• Sassy Grandma Betty – Never leaves the house without lipstick and gossip.

• Grumpy Grandpa Earl – Complains about “today’s music” and can’t figure out how to work the remote.

• Garden Club Gloria – Obsessed with her petunias and your business.

• Retired Biker Ron – Wears sunglasses indoors and tells wild stories that may or may not be true.

• Florida Nana Nancy – Hawaiian shirt, sun visor, and a tennis racket “just in case.”

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💡 BONUS PROPS TO BRING:

• Crossword puzzle or large-print book

• Pill organizer filled with jellybeans or raisins

• Polaroid photo labeled “1964”

• Tissue up your sleeve (a grandma essential)

• Empty coffee mug that says “#1 Grandpa” or “World’s Okayest Grandma”

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🧓 TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Rocking Chair):

• Dig in your closet, borrow from relatives, and don’t be afraid to go full retro.

• Baby powder, big glasses, and a cardigan = instant age jump.

• It’s not just the look — it’s the shuffle, the sass, and the stories that sell it.