The kiddo currently has an unexpected affinity for older video games, and the absolute favorite is the Half Life series, and his favorite characters in that series are the scientists. ("They have the best memes," he says.)
So, when it was time to choose a Halloween costume, Half Life Scientist it was, no hesitation. I had been prepared for it to be a HEV suit, which...I'm stubborn enough that I would have figured it out, but, in terms of knowing I can make it, scientist was a relief. If you don't know how a Half Life scientist looks, here's the pertinent wiki page http://half-life.wikia.com/wiki/Black_Mesa_Science_Team (which has a note, as I type this, that it'll be migrating to another domain soon, so apologies if the link is bad.)
I'm sure all the pieces could be purchased commercially--there are places to order lab coats for kids, and the price is surprisingly low, but, y'know...I sew.
