Halloween is rapidly approaching and the amount of fulsittningar (an informal sittning) is never ending. Lundagård has met some of Lund’s experts to get new inspiration and love for costumes.
Text: Tindra Englund Translation: Viktor Jönsson
There are many roads to choose from when making your costume. You can sew your own or borrow from a friend. But in Lund there is also plenty of opportunities to purchase or rent at a reasonable price.
Old unique costumes
In the depths of AF-Borgen’s basement an initiate can find Klädkammaren. A goldmine for every student in need of a costume. Clothes from spex, sewing events and other student related escapades hang here tightly packed in manifold rows.
“It works like this: you come here during our opening hours and try clothes until you find something you like”, says Elin Lundgren, one of the students who is currently co-running Klädkammaren.
“Some come here knowing what they want, other come here with a vague idea or no idea at all. But we think it is fun to brainstorm ideas with people and are always happy to help”, says Bella Gleisner.
Bella Gleisner’s favourite is the so called Kärleksdraken (the dragon of love), a far out jersey with a mysterious past.
“However our most popular costume is the Napoleon jacket, and we have noticed that The Great Gatsby is a popular theme”, she says.
Madeleine Lie actually feels that there are no rules when you are dressing up.
“The most important part is not to be afraid and not feel any kind of pressure. It should be fun to dress up”, says Madeleine Lie.
Even if Klädkammaren is run by students everyone is welcome to borrow costumes. Young, old, student or otherwise.
Klädkammaren celebrates 126 years this year
Opening hours: Wednesdays 17.15-19.30, Fridays 15.15-17.30.
Cost: as a student you rent a costume a week for 150SEK.
Tip from Lundagård: check to see if the ever popular hotdog is in. A timeless classic for those of you who want to be the life of the party.
New outfits and a lot of wigs
Buttericks has existed in Lund for five years and despite the shop’s meagre area they have good relations with campus life in Lund. It is not uncommon for the shop to offer a discount before sittningar.
“It is so wonderful with all the creativity that exists here, especially during the novish period”, says Christel Eklöf, who is store manager in Lund.
According to Christel it is hard to tell which costume is more or less popular, as she feels that the students purchase all kinds of costumes and accessories.
“Of course some items come and go. For example, the Elvis costume was very popular ten years ago but has now been removed from the assortment.”
At Buttericks you can purchase a complete costume, but there is also plenty of accessories for someone who just wants to zest a borrowed or homemade costume for a few coins.
Christel herself loves to dress up and with Halloween coming up everyone in the store is dressed up daily. Her best tip is to wear something you feel comfortable and pretty in.
“It is so varied, some completely overdress and others want something they actually feel pretty in.”
With roughly 2800 products she is confident there is something for everyone.
“Either you make up your mind to go ‘all in’ or you can choose to wear a simple accessory”, says Christel Eklöf.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 11.00-18.00, Saturday 11.00-15.00.
Cost: 199-700SEK for a costume.
Tip from Lundagård: an orange prison uniform is the perfect outfit for you who want to stand out but at the same time blend in at a LTH party.
