The leaves are turning golden, the air is crisp, and pumpkin spice lattes are back in full force. It can only mean one thing: Halloween is upon us! For many, this spooky season is a time for revelry, a chance to embrace the darkness and celebrate all things eerie. And let’s be honest, it’s the perfect excuse to channel your inner gothic freak.
But Halloween is more than just a single day. It’s an entire month of unadulterated darkness, a celebration of all things creepy and kooky. It’s a time to dress up, to transform into something fantastical, frightening, or even just plain silly. For me, it’s a personal celebration that kicks off with my birthday on October 4th and builds all the way up to my wedding anniversary on October 29th, culminating in the grand finale on All Hallow’s Eve.
So, how can you make your Halloween truly stand out? Don’t just fall into the trap of mass-produced costumes and generic ghoul looks. This year, let’s break the mold and create a truly unique Halloween experience. Here are five simple rules to guide you towards a spooktacular celebration:
1. Step Away from Amazon Prime:
We all have busy lives, and online shopping is tempting. But resist the urge to buy a generic costume from Amazon Prime. First, it’s not environmentally friendly to buy something you’ll only wear once and likely end up in a landfill. Second, chances are someone else will be wearing the same thing, which can be awkward and lead to unwanted twinning. Instead, explore the unique world of Etsy, where you can find handmade and whimsical pieces from independent artists. Think of a shell-encrusted mermaid crown or a vintage lace dress for a truly one-of-a-kind look. Support small businesses, minimize waste, and find something you’ll want to keep and wear again. Alternatively, take inspiration from style icon Alexa Chung and create your own costume using pieces from your existing wardrobe. Remember her Little Edie look or her witch ensemble? It’s all about creativity and resourcefulness.2. Do DIY:
Back in the ’80s, goths were masters of DIY. They would rip holes in fishnet tights, dye dresses black, and create unique pieces by cutting and piecing fabrics together. It’s time-consuming, but making your own costume is incredibly rewarding. It’s authentic, original, eco-friendly, and cost-effective. Look through your closet and find pieces you can repurpose into something spooky and stylish. Need inspiration? Embrace the Batcave-era Siouxsie Sioux: shred some tights, throw on a leather jacket, add safety pins, and rock some edgy makeup. Let your inner punk rock out!3. Think Subversive, Not Slutty:
It’s Halloween, and we all want to have fun. But let’s ditch the tired “slutty nurse” trope and find a more empowered way to express our sensuality. Don’t conform to the male gaze. Embrace your femininity in a subversive way. Think sex shop leather and latex harnesses, a diaphanous vintage lace dress revealing your curves, or an 18th-century harlot look with a vintage corset and a big taffeta skirt. Let your creativity and individuality shine through.4. The Devil is in the Detail:
Time is running short, and you’re not quite ready for your costume. This is where makeup comes in. Since time immemorial, women who gravitate towards the macabre have used makeup to scare, mislead, and intoxicate the masses. Think of Theda Bara, the silent movie starlet who accentuated her eyes with dramatic makeup, inspired by ancient Egyptian queens. Or Luisa Casati, the Italian socialite who used belladonna to dilate her pupils and created false eyelashes out of fur. Today, artists like FKA twigs and the duo Fecal Matter are pushing the boundaries with extraterrestrial markings and “alien corpse paint.” If you’re not a makeup pro, even a simple pair of white or black contact lenses can add a spooky touch. Remember Lee McQueen’s iconic autumn/winter 1996 runway with blacked-out lenses, a trend recently adopted by fashion blogger Lyas on the red carpet in Cannes. It’s all about embracing the power of detail.5. Think Outside the (Dressing Up) Box:
The key to a truly memorable Halloween is originality. Don’t just copy what everyone else is doing. Instead, think outside the box. What obscure film character did you love growing up? What work of art speaks to you? Think about how you can bring these inspirations to life. Look at the incredible costumes of actor and Insta girl Paige Elkington, who has embraced unique looks like a disgruntled Fyre Festival influencer or Lindsay Lohan dancing in Mykonos. Be bold, be daring, and be uniquely you.Embrace the spirit of Halloween, let your creativity flow, and have a truly spooktacular celebration. Happy Tishmas to you all!
