what to wear: halloween inspiration + tearsheets

We’re grown and sophisticated ladies, here at ABC. None of that Mean Girls Halloween mentality anymore – bunny ears? Bah! If we’re to be proper playmates or ladies of the night, let us take inspiration from Louis Vuitton’s Fall 2009 collection (which so happens to be one of my favorite shows of all time). Satin bunny ears, slightly cocked, to crown a not-so-perfectly-coiffed head. Imperfect is chic.

Where else to look for proper Halloween inspiration but MAC and Carine Roitfeld’s ball at the swanky Hotel Salomon de Rothschild Paris? Take out those Moleskines and Smythson diaries:

Strategic paneling? Let’s turn this into a superhero or villain’s bodysuit.

Messy waves and vampy eyes. Undone is the very essence of the undead – a perfect smoky eye is the paradox of cool.

Batman channeling Giovanna? Or Giovanna channeling Batman? A cape over an LBD or wide-leg jumpsuit, paired with gold jewelry and a painted mask, and you have yourself a costume Vogue would  be proud of.

Who is she? This look and makeup is everything…

I may or may not be approximating this look for myself.

Are you excited yet? Scroll through Purple‘s diary for endless inspiration; I already have. Halloween is second only to Christmas in the holiday hierarchy. Any excuse to dress up and feast guiltlessly on gourmand treats calls for celebration to the nines. ‘Tis the season of pumpkin lattes and irresistible fun-sized candies.

Throughout the year we are constantly living under the pressure of what is defined as “normal” under social standards – little creativity is allowed (perhaps accepted would be a better word). For the conformists – in no way is this said/written with a negative connotation! – it is Halloween that allows them to break out of their shells. Even if it is just one night.

…’cause this is thriller, thriller night…

My three words of advice? Go. All. Out. Forget inhibitions, forget stares, forget normalcy. Halloween is about exploring the subconscious, embodying the unthinkable, pursuing the intangible, and impersonating another entity. Reach down, reach above. Be the alter ego, release the id.

But of course many girls/young women interpret Halloween as the one chance to prance about in négligée under the full moon. Contrary to what Mean Girls suggests, Halloween is no contest for most scantily clad. There is quite the difference between sexy and trashy, mind you – and let’s not abandon all class for that one night. It isn’t as fine a line as it’s made out to be: sexuality and self-respect are intertwined. It’s a lack of confidence and ambiguous sense of self where things become slippery. How much you chose to wear or not to wear is entirely up to you; no judgement is passed. Do it for the right reasons. Don’t exploit yourself for the sake of attention: you deserve better. Remember: respect yourself and your body, and others will do the same. How you carry yourself speaks volumes more than anything you choose to wear (Halloween or not): it’s that element that is most attractive.

… and off my soapbox I step.

Allow yourself to be swept away by creativity: preparing for Halloween is an art. Makeup, hair, accessories, attire are all open to interpretation and have an infinite number of possibilities that differ from the ubiquitous witch – be adventurous. Be daring.

I want to know your costumes! Share, send pictures, or both! I’m a nosy one.

.   .   .

x

{images via}