Wondering what to wear to the 2026 Bedichek Orman Auction on Oct. 30? 

Here's a quick quiz to suggest your outfit! 

The Bedichek Orman Auction is one of the longest-standing events hosted by the Faculty Senate to raise funds for professional development, especially for our part-time or adjunct instructors. 

You can learn about the namesake or history here. 

There's a new theme every year; for 2026, the Auction theme is "The Starry Night."

Attendees not only get the chance to network with HCC leadership, but also flex their creativity! 

If you opt to not take the quiz, here are some suggestions that just might ignite inspiration:

 

THINKING CELESTIAL

You looked up and kept going.

You’re drawn to the actual wonders of the night sky: stars, moons, constellations, supernovas, comets, asteroids, planets, black holes—even wormholes.

Your look: Go literal, abstract, elegant, or gloriously homemade. Try a constellation crown, moon headpiece, galaxy cape, planetary accessories, shooting-star makeup, black-hole costume, or anything that looks as if it escaped from an observatory.

You continue to honor the cosmos! 

 

VINCENT WILLEM VAN GOGH

Why merely admire the artist when you can become him?

Van Gogh painted more than 30 self-portraits, which gives you plenty of versions to choose from.

Your look: Red beard, straw hat, blue jacket, painter’s smock, bandaged-ear reference, palette, brushes, or a recreation of one of his self-portraits. Bonus points for looking mildly concerned about the state of modern art.

You ARE the artist! 

 

I-LOVE-THIS-PAINTING

You don’t want to dress as Van Gogh. You want to dress as the painting.

Your look: Cobalt, navy, turquoise, golden yellow, swirling patterns, stars, spirals, painterly makeup, flowing fabrics, textured accessories, or an outfit that captures the movement and palette of The Starry Night.

Think “wearable masterpiece.”

 

THE POST-IMPRESSIONIST

You saw “Van Gogh” and thought, “Sure—but have we considered the entire movement?”

Your look: Honor a Post-Impressionist artist or famous work. Think Georges Seurat, Paul Gauguin, Paul Cézanne, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, or another figure from the era.

You may arrive as an artist, a painting, or a walking art-history reference.

 

HOLLYWOOD GLAM

You heard the word “star” and immediately found the red carpet.

Your look: Channel a favorite movie star, music icon, screen legend, or celebrity archetype. Old Hollywood, modern awards-show glamour, paparazzi-ready drama—it all works.

Sunglasses indoors are suddenly acceptable.

 

THE DIVINER

The stars are not merely decorative. They have opinions.

Your look: Build your costume around your zodiac sign, birth chart, ruling planet, celestial symbol, or astrological archetype.

Leo? Go regal. Scorpio? Mysterious. Pisces? Ethereal. Gemini? You may need two outfits.

 

LET’S TOGA

You prefer your stars with several thousand years of mythology attached.

Your look: Become Orion, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Perseus, Artemis, Selene, Atlas, or another mythological figure associated with the heavens.

Togas, robes, armor, laurel wreaths, celestial accessories, and unnecessarily dramatic poses are encouraged.

 

SCI-FI FOREVER

For you, the stars are not something to observe. They are somewhere to GO.

Your look: Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargate, space explorers, aliens, futuristic travelers, cosmic villains, intergalactic royalty—the universe is extremely large.

Use it.

 

I-AM-BATMAN

Some people see “night” and think moonlight.

You see vengeance.

Your look: Batman, Catwoman, the Joker, Gotham noir, a comic-book vigilante, or any wonderfully literal riff on the Dark Night—err, Dark Knight.

A cape will improve almost any situation.

 

READY TO DAZZLE

You don’t necessarily want a costume.

You want an entrance.

Your look: Cocktail attire, formalwear, velvet, metallics, sequins, jewels, dramatic accessories, midnight blue, black, silver, or gold.

Interpret “Starry Night” as permission to sparkle.

 

ONE COOL STAR 

You're easygoing, comfortable, and refreshingly low-maintenance.  

Your look: Business casual. Comfortable shoes... probably what you wore that morning because you're always a star. 

You don't need a costume--you're you!