As Halloween approaches, style experts share innovative and budget-friendly costume ideas, ranging from classic mimes to popular film characters, ensuring everyone can celebrate the spooky season creatively.
As Halloween approaches, the annual ritual of assembling costumes can stir both excitement and anxiety. A common concern is the financial burden of purchasing a costume that might only be worn once before ending up in a charity shop. With this in mind, style and fashion experts have offered a range of creative solutions for dressing up using items readily available in most wardrobes.
One of the simplest costumes recommended is the classic mime. According to style and trends expert Karine Laudort, all it requires is a black and white striped shirt paired with black trousers or a skirt, complemented by white gloves if available. For authenticity, a layer of white face paint is suggested, along with bold black eyeliner and a vibrant red lip to complete the look.
Another inventive idea is dressing as a ‘meme’, as highlighted by Evolena de Wilde d’Estmael, CEO of pre-loved platform Faircado. This concept offers flexibility, allowing individuals to embody viral cultural themes of the year. For instance, themes like ‘brat’ might call for neon green attire, while ‘very demure’ could be interpreted with elegance such as pearls and classic Chanel-inspired fashion.
Film characters also continue to inspire Halloween costumes. Last year’s ‘Barbenheimer’ trend saw people dressing up as characters from Barbie and Oppenheimer films. Holly Watkins, founder of the pre-loved boutique One Scoop Store, suggests Wednesday Addams or Barbie as easily recognisable characters that can be recreated with items like a pinstripe blazer, white shirt, pleated skirt, and anything in pink or neon. Fashion influencer Ami Charlize proposes a princess costume for those preferring simplicity, adding a touch of glamour with existing accessories such as an old tiara.
For those preferring traditional Halloween costumes, the cat and witch remain popular and effortless options. Elys Hutchinson, a style influencer, recommends sticking with dark colours for a classic witch look, using a black dress, a pointed hat, and dark lipstick. For a cat costume, all-black clothing combined with homemade or store-bought ears, whiskers, and a tail are effective yet simple.
For anyone planning a quiet night in rather than attending parties, embracing Halloween’s colour palette is a subtle way to participate. Karine Laudort suggests using rich fabrics like velvet, lace, or leather in shades of burgundy, black, plum, and crimson. Accessories such as a bold choker, chunky boots, or a wide-brimmed hat can enhance the look without requiring a full costume.
Ultimately, experts agree that there are no strict rules when it comes to Halloween attire. As Ami Charlize advises, creativity can be expressed through subtle costume hints, such as pairing a plaid shirt with cowboy boots or choosing themed accessories like handbags and makeup. This flexibility ensures that everyone can enjoy the spooky season in a way that feels comfortable and authentic.
Source: Noah Wire Services