This Year’s Halloween Costume: Elaine Benes

I had been wanting to do Seinfeld cosplay for over a decade. For various reasons, it never worked out before. It’s one of those costumes that doesn’t really work as a solo look and needs an ensemble, so I couldn’t just be Elaine by myself. But I never knew the right mix of people to be the rest of the Fab Four. And I somehow never managed to join a cosplay group when I wanted to years ago. So I just waited and hoped that the right crew would come along eventually.

This year, when Boyfriend agreed to be J. Peterman, it was finally The Year of Elaine! I was overjoyed to finally have the chance to pull it off. Then I was disappointed when most of my younger friends didn’t get it, because I am a Seinfeld fanatic. My friend and I actually called ourselves Seinfreaks in high school! And two of my other friends forbade me from ever mentioning the show around them again (except on my birthday) because literally every situation reminded me of the show and I talked about it nonstop, and they were Friends fans and absolutely refused to watch the superior show, so they didn’t understand the references.

If you’re looking for a simple costume for next year and, like me, you happen to love Seinfeld, I’ve got the perfect look for you. This one would work great for an office Halloween party, too, if you work someplace that allows that. (Note: This post contains affiliate links to items that you can purchase from Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you.)

Here’s what you need to put together a quintessential Elaine look:

• A backpack: I think I looked through every backpack on Amazon, and this one came the closest in color, shape, and size to Elaine’s Brahmin for the lowest cost. (It’s actually fairly decent quality, too–if I were a denim girl, I might keep it and use it. But I’m not.)
• Glasses: These Vera Wang frames weren’t too expensive and were similar in shape and color to Elaine’s. I popped into an Eyeglass World and had them remove the lenses for me. (Again, these were nice frames and I might have decided to hang onto them if they were my style.)
• A loose denim jacket: I already owned one, but this one ought to do you nicely and isn’t terribly pricey. (A blazer will work, too, if you don’t have a jacket.)
• Loafers or oxford shoes with white socks: Again, I already owned some of these, but this black and white pair is similar to what Elaine wears. Alternatively, you could try something more like these lace-up oxfords.
• Maxi dress: This 1940s-style red floral dress from Retro Stage is about as Elaine as it gets, and you can’t beat that price for a one-time Halloween wear!
• Hair: If you don’t already have the hair (I was in luck there), this wig is similar to Elaine’s.
• Props: I had various props sticking out of the pockets of my backpack. I got a Pez dispenser, a sponge, a pack of Jujyfruits, and a real copy of the J. Peterman catalog***. (eBay has several of the catalogs–I lucked out with a Fall 1993 edition!)

For makeup, you’ll want some brown lipstick and liner as well as some chunky mascara.

Now just remember to stick out your thumbs and do some little kicks and jerks on the dance floor and you’re ready to dazzle!

***If you didn’t know The J. Peterman Company was actually a real thing, you’ll be able to wow most of your friends with the knowledge. Their catalog is exactly like the show describes–it isn’t exaggerated one bit! Another fun fact: John O’Hurley, who played Peterman on the show, has been working for the real J. Peterman since 1999.