I've been thinking about what is the minimum requirement to be considered a clown. In my mind the accessories are nose, wig, makeup, and costume. Everything else is a prop. But it seems like those 4 are the basics. But does wearing a clown nose make one a clown? Do you need 2 accessories? Just wondering what others think

You can paint a nose, including just adding red to the tip or bottom.

You can tease or just use your natural hair (I do this).

Costuming should be your base. A clown has exaggerated clothing to show for the further seats.

Makeup depends on your character, whether Whiteface, Auguste, tramp/hobo or Harlequin.

I'd start with a character, then develop your idea and dress from there.

Too many just grab a bunch of mismatched shit and wing it.

The best clowns (both professional and sex workers/fetishists) have a character in mind and go from there.

-Blitz

Wearing a round red nose is the simplest way to signal that you intend to be a clown, but without some makeup on, you'd still look like "a person wearing a clown nose," and not really "a clown." Colorful, fun hair is always nice, as are colorful, fun costumes, but you can still clown without them. I have a particular fondness for white gloves and big clown shoes, but they are equal parts clown and cartoon.

Tbh, you don't Need any of these to be a clown as long as you're very physically expressive and funny, but if you have access to more clown accessories, I see no reason not to wear them.

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate the advice of starting with the character and going from there. I was thinking along Nugat's idea of just putting a nose on doesn't make the clown, and I get the character aspect. I guess my thought comes from the dares/bets. If you said loser has to dress as a clown, what would you expect them to do?

If it's a "Loser has to" costume, then focus on what's most embarrasing. Think about a characterized version of yourself, and what that character would least enjoy being stuck wearing. If you're macho, dress like a girl. If you're active, wear something cumbersome that slows you down. Add makeup to look sillier, and exagerating those aspects without looking messy/smeared.

with it being a "loser/bet/dare" situation it's to invoke playful humiliation and I'd say go full costume, and fully accessorize. transform them. paint a full face of circus makeup w the red nose, have them put on an oversized onesie clown suit (some even have hooped waists which make the wearers clumsy) ruffly collar, big shoes, gloves, the whole nine yards. wigs I think can complete the look for the full embarrassment BUT if they're getting pied or messed up as part of the clown dare, go natural hair and a pie hat wig.