Since there was an extra week in October and it happens to be a holiday week I thought why not put those classic patterns to work for Halloween! It was already pretty easy considering these patterns have some very cliché stereotypes so I just played them up, I mean why not? It’s more fun to work with your own wardrobe and buy some accessories than go out and buy an expensive costume made of cheap fabric. I feel like such a hypocrite since I spent yesterday at a Halloween store trying to figure out a costume, but if I had what I needed I would use my own clothing. If you own any leopard, houndstooth, or plaid consider these three costume styles: hair metal groupie, mad men, or grunge.
1. Tigi Bed Head Hard Head Hold Hairspray
2. RGB Classic Red Nail Polish
5. Juicy Couture Leopard Skinny Jeans
6. wet seal Rhinestone Triangle Epoxy Earring
7. Steve Madden Cropped Jacket
8. MICHAEL Michael Kors Large Selma Stud-Trim Saffiano Clutch
I mentioned this in the leopard post but leopard can easily be seen as tacky depending on how you wear it. It reminded me of Peggy Bundy from Married with Children with her spandex leggings and tight tops, either of which (or both!) were very often in leopard. So the leopard costume takes some Peggy Bundy inspiration and 80s hair metal groupie with big jewelry, leopard, and leather.
1. J.Crew Pearl Twisted Hammock Necklace
2. Juliet & Company Oversized Pearl Studs
3. Partridge for the Course Scarf from ModCloth
4. Commando Premier Sheer With Backseam Black Tights
5. Love Ady Sleeveless Houndstooth Dress
6. Rumour Has It Houndstooth Coat by Tulle
When I was looking for houndstooth I figured Mad Men would have some inspiration from at least the men’s costumes. I ended up finding multiple Peggy outfits with houndstooth as well as Faye who at one point wore a houndstooth coat. Just add pearls, pumps, a demure little smile and some fancy 60s hair and you’re golden.
1. River Island Black Nirvana Print T-Shirt
2. rag & bone Moss Mid-rise Boyfriend Jeans
3. Simply Scout Top in Red from ModCloth
4. Warm Essentials by Cuddl Duds Women’s Waffle Long Sleeve Crew
5. Topshop Floral Flippy Dress
6. Lipstick Queen ‘Sinner’ Lipstick Rouge in Rust
7. Dr. Martens Matte 8-Eye Rain Boot
Of course I went with grunge for plaid. This seemed pretty obvious after I ranted about how people think of grunge when they think of plaid. Well, why not just embrace it? I gave two options to work with here, the band t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, and ripped jeans, or the floral babydoll dress both paired with heavy doc martens and brick red lipstick.
– Julia of Style and Cheek
