Dressing up for Halloween sounds fun… in theory. In practice, nailing down the right costume that’s both comfortable, relevant, and not to mention, unique? a chore! So to make things easier, we’ve nailed down a Halloween guide for the fashion-forward, and the fashion-conscious!
First, Ditch The Costumes
We get it, finding the right look is hard, so a costume is an easy shortcut. But let’s be real, chances are the costume is going to be worn once and then never again. The real horror that comes from these costumes is witnessing them in the landfill. As a single-use item, most likely made out of non-biodegradable materials like polyester, a costume ordered online is not only tacky and lazy, but also dangerous for the environment.
Next, Focus on the Story
Instead of relying on a costume, think about what the costume is supposed to represent. Think about your story. Are you trying to be scary? Cool? Perhaps funny? Once you have the story locked down, explore your own wardrobe or invest in pieces that can be reused again.
A witchy look cannot go without a hat, but the dress? Well, that could be anything. And instead of sticking to the classic, make your look unique by pulling out references from TV shows, books, and movies. For Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic opening look, all you need is a tulle skirt and a baby pink top. Whereas all you need to channel Miranda Priestly is a Runway-worthy wig if you’re not willing to powder your hair white. If you’re looking to gender-bend, a simple suit can give you a myriad of costumes—James Bond, Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, or Lady Gaga at the 2011 VMAs. When you think about it, the options are endless
Finally, Let the Makeup Do the Work
Sometimes, clothes and accessories can get you through the race but the right makeup will take you to the finishing line. It can also help touch up any gaps left in your costume. If you’re looking to reference something more niche—like a meme—makeup can get the point across. For example, instead of buying a Labubu costume, just do the makeup, wear a gold dress and ta-da! You’re now the one-and-only 24k gold Labubu.
The same can be said for a zombie look, be it The Walking Dead or Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the characters from K-pop Demon Hunters, or turning red in the face à la Jaden Smith in his Louboutin announcement. Just remember to have fun with it, after all, Halloween is a celebration, not a competition.
