Whether you love to show a little skin on Halloween or feel like collegiettes tend to go overboard with their attempts to create “sexy” costumes, here’s your go-to list of ideas for keeping your seductive edge this year. With everything from the most tried-and-true, stereotypical costumes with a new twist to costumes that are classy with a hint of allure, we hope you’ll be inspired to turn heads this fall!
1. SWAT Team
Dressing up as a police officer is pretty overdone, so take it to the next level and be a badass S.W.A.T. team member. Wear all black, add some high boots and criss-cross black belts around your hips. Get a cute white t-shirt (perhaps under a black jacket or vest) and paint or Sharpie “SWAT” across the chest. Add a Nerf or Airsoft gun and you’re ready for action!
2. Page Six
Epitomize scandal this Halloween! Model/actress Lydia Hearst-Shaw’s take on this idea was a hit at celebrity soirees last year. You can really get creative with this one. If you want a more literal take, try to wear items of clothing with small text on them—or decorate your own shirt to look like a page of a newspaper. Add some heels, big sunglasses, and a fedora to look like a socialite evading the press. You can also go the non-sexy route with this one, emulating the complete celebrity meltdown by looking like a wreck: smeared makeup, too much eyeliner, and handcuffs hanging from one wrist.
3. Fallen Angel / Rebel Angel
You don’t have to pick wings or horns. Be the best of both by dressing as an angel who joined the “dark side,” so to speak. You can decide how much angel and how much devil to add to this costume. Dress in the classic white toga, but add a studded belt and heavy makeup; OR wear a slinky red or black dress but add some wings (Target sells both white and black versions) and a halo!
4. 1920s Flapper
Channel The Great Gatsby (a great film for inspiration!) in this classic and classy outfit! Your best bet is to check out a local thrift store—Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc.—for a vintage dress, or if you have a pleated skirt and a loose silk blouse, go for a contemporary take on the flapper look! The necessary accessories to complete this ensemble are layers of pearls, a thin-brimmed hat adorned with a brooch or flowers, and some comfortable low heels for dancing like it’s the Jazz Age!
5. Librarian
An argyle sweater with a short skirt and heels? A plaid skirt with a thin, airy blouse? The sexy librarian is at the juxtaposition of nerdy and mysterious. Make geek chic with some classy frames, a simple but classy pencil skirt, and some “a-little-too-high” heels. You can carry a book or two with your clutch (Etsy actually has a bunch of clutches that look like books!) to complete the look.
6. Influential Women of 2012
You can’t beat the allure of female world leaders and politicians. They are icons of class, grace, and style that beg to be imitated. Whether they’re dressed for a speech or for an evening gala, their secret lies in their poise. Get the politician looks of Hilary Clinton or Sarah Palin with a pencil skirt or pants and a matching blazer. For Michelle Obama’s look, choose a bright sleeveless sheath dress, and if it’s cold add a long cardigan. Take time to try to get your hair into the appropriate style, whether it’s the half-pulled back look of Sarah Palin or the sleek volume of Michelle and Hilary’s shorter hair.
