Getting dressed for Halloween
What do Halloween costumes have to do with fashion? Well, a lot actually; it's all about dressing up, looking good and effort. The more effort you put into your appearance, the better it's going to look. I'm here to tell you about the most popular costumes this season, some inspired tips, and how to throw together a last minute costume and still look fantastic.
First of all, dressing up as celebrities this year is huge. Be prepared to see Michael Jackson impersonators, as most sites are listing it as this year's most popular costume. You might see some Farah Fawcetts, Amy Winehouses, and even Kate Gosselins believe it or not. (The tip for this is that you have to master that horrible long in the front, short in the back reverse-mullet of hers). I do however think that the most outrageous and probably most recognizable (if pulled off correctly) celebrity costume will be Lady GaGa. Just copy the look from her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards; the smeared blood over the white gown just screams Halloween costume.
Costumes for girls this year are really back to the basics. Ever seen the movie Mean Girls? Sorry ladies, but the sexy animal costumes are out. There's nothing impressive about lingerie and a pair of bunny ears. This year, think of the origins of Halloween and be something scary! The classics are in; witches, mummies, werewolves, skeletons, devils, ghosts and especially zombies and vampires. The zombie influence is coming from Michael Jackson; people want to get the Thriller look down (the dance might not be so easy). The reason vampires are so popular; do I really have to state the obvious? Because of Twilight, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries, just to name a few. Everyone is vampire crazy these days. I've seen t-shirts, bags, notebooks, posters and all sorts of paraphernalia, so isn't it perfect that everyone gets a chance to dress up for a night as a creature they adore oh-so-much? Although I'm a little sick of the craze, I don't think it'll be fading out any time soon.
Some more really popular costumes this year will be the characters from Alice in Wonderland. I'm assuming this is due to the upcoming Tim Burton remake with Johnny Depp, but also because the characters are just so fun and identifiable to dress up as! Alice is always a popular costume, but why not dress up as the Red Queen/Queen of Hearts? A Helena-Bonham Carter inspired look would be extraordinary. The Mad Hatter is an outrageously fun costume to do for guys- anything goes really as long as you've got a towering hat and tea pot. The Cheshire cat would make an amazing costume, as well as the White Rabbit, (I know, I said sexy bunnies are out this year- but the White Rabbit is different!). My sister is going as the White Rabbit for Halloween and actually commissioned me to make her a golden clock purse to complete the ensemble. The inspirations from this classic tale are endless.
Finally, some tips for those who wait until the last minute to throw together a costume. Go to the Dollar Store! They actually have so many great accessories for costumes and obviously very cheap. They have packs of vampire fangs, hula skirts, fake blood and prosthetics. If you're really unsure of what to do, just rip up an outfit and pile on the blood to go as a zombie. Bed head is easy with a can of hair spray and I guarantee no one will know you threw together the costume in an hour. Stores like McCulloch's or the Stag Shop have readymade costumes in a bag, if you're willing to spend anywhere from $50-90 on a costume. Either way just make sure that whatever you do, get into the spirit of Halloween and don't go as yourself!
First of all, dressing up as celebrities this year is huge. Be prepared to see Michael Jackson impersonators, as most sites are listing it as this year's most popular costume. You might see some Farah Fawcetts, Amy Winehouses, and even Kate Gosselins believe it or not. (The tip for this is that you have to master that horrible long in the front, short in the back reverse-mullet of hers). I do however think that the most outrageous and probably most recognizable (if pulled off correctly) celebrity costume will be Lady GaGa. Just copy the look from her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards; the smeared blood over the white gown just screams Halloween costume.
Costumes for girls this year are really back to the basics. Ever seen the movie Mean Girls? Sorry ladies, but the sexy animal costumes are out. There's nothing impressive about lingerie and a pair of bunny ears. This year, think of the origins of Halloween and be something scary! The classics are in; witches, mummies, werewolves, skeletons, devils, ghosts and especially zombies and vampires. The zombie influence is coming from Michael Jackson; people want to get the Thriller look down (the dance might not be so easy). The reason vampires are so popular; do I really have to state the obvious? Because of Twilight, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries, just to name a few. Everyone is vampire crazy these days. I've seen t-shirts, bags, notebooks, posters and all sorts of paraphernalia, so isn't it perfect that everyone gets a chance to dress up for a night as a creature they adore oh-so-much? Although I'm a little sick of the craze, I don't think it'll be fading out any time soon.
Some more really popular costumes this year will be the characters from Alice in Wonderland. I'm assuming this is due to the upcoming Tim Burton remake with Johnny Depp, but also because the characters are just so fun and identifiable to dress up as! Alice is always a popular costume, but why not dress up as the Red Queen/Queen of Hearts? A Helena-Bonham Carter inspired look would be extraordinary. The Mad Hatter is an outrageously fun costume to do for guys- anything goes really as long as you've got a towering hat and tea pot. The Cheshire cat would make an amazing costume, as well as the White Rabbit, (I know, I said sexy bunnies are out this year- but the White Rabbit is different!). My sister is going as the White Rabbit for Halloween and actually commissioned me to make her a golden clock purse to complete the ensemble. The inspirations from this classic tale are endless.
Finally, some tips for those who wait until the last minute to throw together a costume. Go to the Dollar Store! They actually have so many great accessories for costumes and obviously very cheap. They have packs of vampire fangs, hula skirts, fake blood and prosthetics. If you're really unsure of what to do, just rip up an outfit and pile on the blood to go as a zombie. Bed head is easy with a can of hair spray and I guarantee no one will know you threw together the costume in an hour. Stores like McCulloch's or the Stag Shop have readymade costumes in a bag, if you're willing to spend anywhere from $50-90 on a costume. Either way just make sure that whatever you do, get into the spirit of Halloween and don't go as yourself!
