Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo

Fun and Fashionable Halloween Costume Ideas

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at McGill chapter.

It’s that time of the year again!

Sweather weather, pumpkin spice lattes, fall fashion, falling leaves, falling grades, falling motivation… \just kidding.

As the excitement for autumn slowly dies down, we all know Halloween is just around the corner to boost it up again. Let’s be honest. Even before Thanksgiving, we as collegiettes are constantly pitching ideas for Halloween costumes. How can we not?

To quote the infamous girl code bible Mean Girls, “it is the one night a year where a girl can dress like a total s**t and no other girls can say anything about it.”

 

So why not embrace it and dress up as something other than a cat or a sexy cop this Halloween?

While you’re at it, step up your game and incorporate high fashion and wit into your costume.

 

1. Dita Von Teese

This sultry, fabulous lady who is the definition and a plethora of glamour, is a burlesque dancer, model, actress, costume designer, and entrepreneur. This infamous neo-burlesque dancer is a regular on best-dressed lists and the front row guest lists of different shows such as Jean Paul Gauthier, Christian Dior, Vivienne Westwood, and Marc Jacobs.

Dita, being an intricate combination of sex-appeal, glamour, poise, and class, makes a perfect figure for girls to dress up as this Halloween! Her signature look will include 40’s-influenced jet black hair styled with rich and heavy curls, a sexy (often black) burlesque costume, deep red lipstick and a little beauty mark by the eyebrow.

Lingerie stores such as La Senza and La Vie en Rose are currently holding different promotions for Halloween-themed corsets and bustiers, so make sure to check them out!

2. Rihanna at the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Awards / Roaring 20’s Flapper

What can I say?

Rihanna rocked this 20’s-flapper-influenced dress (see above) at the CFDA awards earlier this year and made one heck of a fashion statement. You may not go as far as she did, but a flapper dress accessorized with fur and crystals will definitely have others in awe of you.

In Montreal, Eva B’s on Saint Lawrence Street will have some fabulous flapper dresses available for purchase and even for rental.

3. Iggy Azaela / Clueless

Fashion most definitely circles around. This time, we’re back to the era of Spice Girls, the good old Disney Channel, Tamagochis, grunge, and teen pop. Embrace your inner Cher or Iggy by wearing a pleated plaid skirt with a matching top. Dig into your closet and take out those knee socks and mary-janes, as well and you’re all set for the fashion train bound to the 90s. Since plaid skirts are very in right now, it should not be hard for collegiettes to find them. However, some of the most popular stores for pleated skirts and plaid skirts are American Apparel, Brandy Melville, and Garage, which  happen to be on sale right now!

4. Anna Wintour (and Karl Lagerfeld)

Need I say more?

Fetch a fabulous bob-style wig with perfectly straight bangs, a pair of black sunglasses, put that peachy lipstick on and wear your best fitted dress with classy jewelry. You will, at least for one day, reign as the classic fashion icon Anna Wintour, the queen of Vogue. 

Even better if you can fetch a friend to rock the signature Karl Lagerfeld hairstyle and black sunglasses with a classic suit.

5. Coco Chanel

Again, Coco Chanel is another fashion legacy that girls will forever treasure.

Channel your inner Coco, the determined, successful business woman, and dress up as her with just a tweed suit (with gold buttons, obviously) and a stylish quilted bag that resembles the infamous Chanel bag which liberated women’s hands. 

6. Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl

Looking for a unique couple costume idea? Dress up as Olivia Palermo, theAmerican ex-model, actress, and socialite.

If you read fashion articles often and love street fashion, you will definitely recognize her with German model and hubby Johannes Huebl, often featured in fashion magazines looking perfect in every paparazzi shot. 

Arguably, the most identified picture of these two is the one below, where they pulled off the perfect matching black outfit for their shoot in Paris.

7. Cara Delevingne, Karlie Kloss and Joan Smalls

If you want to go matchy-matchy with your best friends this year, please avoid those Thing 1 and Thing 2 costumes from grade 7.

Instead, HC McGill suggests dressing up as today’s hottest top models who also happen to be best friends, Cara Delevingne, Karlie Kloss, and Joan Smalls. These girls walked for numerous luxury brands during different fashion weeks while reigning as the perfect Victoria’s Secret Angels at the same time.

To get their look, all you need are pink satin gowns with soft, snow white angel wings (of course, their perfect hair and makeup are all a part of the costume). 

If you want a more chic version, try out the SS15 Marc Jacobs show look, with a messy, jet black bob, and baggy, but sexy clothes as shown below.

 

 

Images obtained from:

http://www.dutyfreemagazine.ca/asia/brand-news/skincare-and-cosmetics/2012/05/02/dita-von-teese-unveils-a-rainbow-of-colors/#.VDTDCdTF800

http://blog.skintrium.com/rihanna-five-looks-flawless-fashion-icon/

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20793742,00.html

http://www.stylebistro.com/lookbook/Olivia+Palermo/KlrcFALjJMw

http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/21496/1/marc-jacobs-ss15-live-stream

Averie Hah

McGill '17

Digital marketer, social media enthusiast writer, feminist, leader in training. Recent Marketing and Economics graduate of McGill. A social media enthusiast  - Instagram addict @ave.hah  - Tumblr junkie here  - See my other work here