Now post-fashion week, biggest event(s) of the year in our book, we’re looking forward for the next excuse to bust out more ‘costumes’. Almost two weeks ago we called Fashion’s Night Out the fashion equivalent to Halloween. Stylists, bloggers, socialites, and more came in droves dressed to impress in the season’s best for a citywide party that rivals All Hallows Eve. Barely recovered from that spectacle, we find ourselves again spending weeks upon weeks planning what to wear on this one sacred evening. If you’re like us, you want to think outside the box and create that special costume that no one else will be wearing but everyone knows instantly. Following are a few fresh ideas—but make sure you check with your fellow Joonbuggies; no one likes to be caught a “Who Wore it Best” moment.
Difficulty Level: Bed Sheet Ghost
In the midst of fashion’s return to the eighties, these costumes can be found right in your closet (or at least your closest thrift store). Men, go “Back to the Future” with your jean jackets and layer it up with a puffer vest for the perfect, weather-appropriate costume. As for Jennifer, pair your favorite high-waist jeans with a couple of (popped) collared shirts topped with a vest, curl your hair, and forgo the heavy makeup for an au natural glow instead. Oh, and neither of you should forget your pumped up kicks. Or your DeLorean.
Tareq and Michaele Salahi, better known as “The White House Crashers”
Difficulty Level: Classic Witch
If you prefer to go glam with your attire for the festivities, don a red carpet worthy gown (bonus if it’s an embellished sari), killer heels, and long, layered, blonde locks. Get your man into tuxedo with a bow tie, add some lapel pins and slicked back hair and, voila, you two are ready crash! Don’t forget your disaffected, desperate to blend in attitudes. Double bonus points if you’re ACTUALLY crashing a Halloween party dressed as party crashers. The best part about this costume is that if you don’t like your date at the end of the night, you can pull a Salahi-style split. Rich, old rocker optional.
James Bond and Jill Masterson
Difficulty Level: Classic Witch
This is another easy fix for guys who are big on glam but not in the mood to get very creative with their costumes. As easy as one, two, three (tux, shoes, and irresistible charm) and ladies, you’ve got yourself some arm candy. It’s up to you to make this couples costume memorable –feel free to be inspired by any of your favorite bond girls. For this Goldfinger recreation, you’ll need a little extra preparation. Start with some skimpy undergarments that you don’t plan on wearing again and have your Halloween enthusiast friends apply gold body paint from your head to toes. We promise you won’t suffer from skin asphyxiation; it’s only a myth.
Holly Golightly
Difficulty Level: Bed Sheet Ghost
This year, buck the trend and add a twist to the classic little black dress and pearls donned by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Choose the lesser referenced, but still well known scene where she and beau, Paul Varjack, partake in some illicit activity at the local five and dime. All you need is a high-collared, double-breasted woolen coat, preferably in a season appropriate burnt orange, and a perfectly coiffed French twist. As many times as we’ve seen Holly wake up in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, her look is one of natural beauty. Keep it simple with nude hues and precise, black, winged eyeliner. Finish with the notorious cat mask to complete your look, as you really don’t have a clever costume without it.
Lady Gaga, Alejandro, Fernando, and Roberto
Difficulty Level: Headless Horseman
Want to spend the evening with tres Latin men? Yes, please. It’s our favorite way to get candy. Make this costume happen by first, enlisting three amigos. Have them wear dress pants and shirts, (the more colorful, the better) unbuttoned, chests exposed. Then give them mustaches. Definitely mustaches. As for Lady Gaga, the possibilities are virtually endless. And taking inspiration from this music video, you still have a couple of options. The black, embellished, body-con dress worn at the start of the video would be your simplest option. Look for a tight, beaded number, preferably with strategic cut outs such as the shoulder detail on the one Lady Gaga’s wears. If you are picturing something a little more avant-garde, pick up a bright leotard, pair it with metallic silver tights and go-go boots, and borrow your little brother’s shoulder pads (sans the jersey) after football practice. Pile on the pewter eye shadow for a shimmering, smoky-eye effect and color-block your pout with bright lipsticks.
Daphne Guinness
Difficulty Level: Headless Horseman
In honor of the recently opened Daphne Guinness exhibit at the FIT museum, this is the ultimate stylish costume for this year. Emulating the true style maven herself will take dedication and effort but has the potential to be beyond fabulous. Start with her signature hair. Her bleach blonde locks are always accessorized with black stripes at the crown, creating a skunk-like effect. Ms. Guinness is always wearing something completely unique and over-the-top. So pull together your most unique and over-the-top wardrobe pieces to get the look. For example, Daphne has been seen in completely embellished jackets and dresses, feathers, or anything Alexander McQueen. Honor Daphne's obsession by donning guilded accessories just short of medieval armor. Climb into skyscraping footwear, preferably heel-less, and proceed to look as waify and glamorous as possible.
