Popeye and Olive Oyl Costumes for Halloween

Are you stuck for ideas as to what couples costume to wear to the next Halloween or fancy dress party? Here is one suggestion that you may not have thought of, how about going in Popeye and Olive Oyl costumes?

Popeye the sailor man entered the stage in the late 20′s in a comic strip called “Thimble Theater” written by Elzie Segar. Even though Segar died in the 30′s other writers have taken on the job to write for this, larger than life, character. For those that don’t know, Popeye is a “normal” guy but gains super-human strength by eating spinach, this gets him out of all sorts of scrapes usually involving his arch enemy Bluto and inevitably wins Popeye the heart of his sweetheart, Olive Oyl. Believe it or not, Olive Oyl was created and appeared in the comic strip ten years before her sailor man Popeye.

Popeye Costume

Popeye’s costume is not complicated, but it is instantly recognizable as the sailor many of us have grown up with. Basically it consists of a black shirt with red collar, blue trousers, cap and his pipe. If you are dressing in Popeye and Olive Oyl costumes then the Olive Oyl costume consists of a long black skirt, a red top and a hat decorated with a flower. If there is a third person in your party perhaps they could go dressed as Bluto, Popeye’s arch enemy and general villain. Bluto wears dark trousers and top and sports a beard and you may need some fake muscles if you don’t have any of your own. Have a look around on the Internet to check out the look of these characters, maybe watch some episodes to see what Popeye, Olive Oyl and his friends and enemies get up to. You may want to include Sweet Pea, Popeye’s adopted off-spring, to complete the picture.

Olive Oyl Costume

You will need some distinctive accessories to complete your Popeye and Olive Oyl costumes, for example, Popeye’s cap, pipe and yellow belt, not forgetting a can of spinach and fake arm muscles and anchor tattoos. Olive tends to wear her hair in curls or a pony tail she also wears brown boots or black pumps.

A can of spinach is a must as this is where Popeye gains the extra strength needed to fend off Bluto from his attempts to steal away Olive Oyl.

You may be lucky enough to catch some television program reruns of Popeye episodes. From these you will be able to learn how to imitate the way the characters speak and move.  Popeye’s laugh is particularly unique and relatively easy to imitate. This will be valuable information and will complete your Popeye and Olive Oyl costumes, which are perfect Halloween costumes for couples.

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Popeye and Olive Oyl Costumes Cartoon Video

This video is called Popeye the Sailor: Cookin with Gags from 1955. It will give you an opportunity to see Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto and how they behave towards each other.  You’ll also be able to study the Popeye and Olive Oyl costumes, although Popeye is in his white sailor suite in this cartoon.

Filed under: Halloween Costumes for Couples

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