Halloween first started off 2,000 years ago as a Celtic end of harvest celebration called Sahin. It was believed that ghosts, fairies and demons would show themselves on their way to the afterworld. In order to confuse the spirits so that they did not possess any of the living, the living would wear costumes and the ghosts would continue on their merry way to the afterworld.
Nowadays, of course, costumes aren’t to scare away ghosts but rather just to go out and have fun. Yet costumes for girls are so limited and one-dimensional! So, instead of going as “Sexy Kitten” or “Sexy Snow White” (what the heck?!) why don’t you try some of my suggestions which are super fun, really chic and classy, grandparents friendly and can be made at home with a little imagination or found in stores!
1. Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games: This is a costume that you can put together yourself from things you may already have. Really, the most important parts of this are: hair, makeup and a puffy sleeved top. Curl your hair, paying particular attention to the bangs area and put it up in a frizzy (but chic!), loose bun. Get temporary colored hair spray (runs around $6 at Walgreens) in pink or baby blue. Add in a few hairpieces or little bows and the hair is done and super cute. For the makeup use an all over white foundation, go crazy colorful on the eyes and try some cool designs with your liner. Just remember that she seems to be a huge fan of candy colors. Some pink lipstick and you’re done with the most important part of the costume. For her clothes, try to find something with really puffy sleeves. Maybe your mom has a dress from the 80s that she’ll let you use! Throw on a bright colored pencil skirt and some sky-high heels…and you’re Effie Trinket!
2. Professor Trelawney: When my sister was little, she made this costume; It was so great and fun! What’s most important about this look is the crazy frizzy hair and crazy eyes. For frizzy hair, just tease your natural hair when it air dries and seal it in place with lots of hair spray. For the eyes, go to Party City and find glasses that are around $1 that magnify your eyes. Look for a long hippy looking dress; layer it with several shawls (one on your shoulder and one across your hips). Wear tons of bracelets and carry around a crystal ball. Super simple!
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3. Spanish Matador: I did this costume last year and it was such a huge hit with everyone. I took a pair of old black yoga pants and I sewed gold trim down the side of them, then I cut the pants at about knee length. I found a white button up shirt, a black tie, a red cape from a childhood costume, red stockings and black flats. To make it more feminine, I played with my nails and makeup. I did a super bright pink lipstick, heavy dark eyes and a loose and messy bun. Love this costume!
4. The Mad Hatter: My sister actually wore the Mad Hatter costume the year before last and everyone loved it so much. This one is fairly similar to the Effie Trinket makeup (if you’re going for the Johnny Depp Mad Hatter look) but the clothes are much easier to throw together. Find some black jeans, a button up top, a velvet vest, a top hat (of course) and a wacky pattered tie. Carry around a teacup all night and there will be no doubt as to who you are. That’s how easy it is to be the Mad Hatter!
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5. Cleopatra: I am actually going to be Cleopatra this year for Halloween. She’s my ultimate hero and I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to dress up as her! Cleo is a super easy look to emulate because she is so iconic. Really, you have to focus on the makeup and headpiece. Do your usual foundation routine and then with the eyes go super dramatic cattails. Go way longer and thicker than you would usually and only line your upper lid. Use an all over golden shimmer bronzer and put it all over your body too (or use a shimmering body lotion). Wear golden nails and lips so that your eyes pop out even more. For the hair, straighten your hair to the maximum and buy some thin golden trim and strands of gold beads. Sew the beads to the trim and you have your headpiece. For the clothes, look for long white dresses and golden sandals. Just like that you’re Cleopatra!
6. Film Noir: I saw this one online and I’m absolutely dying to do it. What you’ll need is: a friend or two, tonssssss of gray paint and gray, gray hairspray and gray or black clothes. Carefully paint yourself gray and spray your hair also. I would go all the way and do my hair in the 1940s style and wear 1940s clothes too!
Photo Sources:
http://www.ifc.com/fix/2012/01/hunger-games-viral-photo-effie-trinket
http://peace-forme.blogspot.com/2011/07/krista-aka-professor-trelawny.html
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Costume-Spanish-Bullfighter-Matador-Outfit/dp/B0…
http://www.polyvore.com/diy_mad_hatter_costume/set?id=38258567
http://io9.com/5936314/the-experiments-that-tested-out-cleopatras-magic-…
http://www.365halloween.com/black-white-costume-ideas