Spooky Season

We have a week ladies and gentlemen to really go all out, this fall, for HALLOWEEN. This is one of my favorite times of the year but some how, time got away from me and it looks like I️ might have to quickly come up with something.

So the question is: How do we make a basic costume into something truly note worthy.

Lets start with:

"I️ know what I️ want to be but everyone's probably doing the same thing."

This is were I️'m at. Recently I've decided to rewatch Vampire Diaries so incidentally, I️ want to be a vampire. So how do I️ make it different. Using this costume as an example:

1. Look up vampire on Pinterest.

Stray far away from majority of what pulls up during this search. You are given the typical idea of what a vampire is from previous and previous already taken costumes genuinely inspired by the media.

2. Decide which look you are going for.

Is it sexy, sweet, or both. Scary or not. What perspective of your costume do you want to give off! This year I️ want to have fun with it, while still looking good. You kind of have to make a background story for your costume. Sounds a little weird, but I️ swear it will make your costume your own. So I️'ve decided to go with the pretty old timey vampire vibe. A modernized Mid 18 hundreds vampire recently entering a new era. Sounds complicated but kind of awesome.

3. Detail.

Adding detail is so important. Even when thinking outside the box you still want people to know what you are without having to explain. So I've decided to add detail with my hair by incorporating loose curls with super small tight curls, helping sell this Mid 18 hundreds look. Of course fangs are an important detail to incorporate as well as blood. I️'ll mix in a thick black choker to bring it all together. And as of the costume itself, a vintage looking, floral dress.

"Okay what if I️ have an idea of what I️ want to be but idk where to go?"

1. Start with your closet.

Halloween doesn't have to be expensive, work with what you have and fill in the blanks later. Like I️ said earlier, details are key. So if you have to buy anything, let it be accessories to sell the costume.

2. Know the focal point of your costume.

What is the most important thing about it that you HAVE to have. For example: a wig might be a valuable purchase, especially if the costume you are trying to do has a distinct hair-do/color.

3. Thrift stores

Hallelujah, these are actually blessings. I️ always check thrift stores before I️ start buying things or even before I️ have an idea of what I️'m going to be. They have everything, accessories and all. Used items can make your costume look less costumey and more realistic. We can do more than prepackaged costumes and all black and some cat ears!

4. Of course Amazon or a quick Walmart run.

With this though, know what you are looking for. For example, I️ know what story I️ am trying to sell with my vampire costume, the only thing I️ was missing was the dress to bring it all together. So I️ searched for a floral vintage dress to align with my predetermined story.

"Okay okay, that's fun and all but I️ don't even know what I️ want to be and Halloween is in 4 daysssss."

You have time, don't worry.

1. Instagram is right at your finger tips, so start searching.

Halloween is so close people have already started dressing up; don't freakout just get inspired. Look up your favorite celebrities and use their ideas to generate some of you're own. You don't have to copy them, or you can, but get a premise of what you're in to. Media can be so influential and it can also help take your costume to the next level. It may even give you hints at specific details you would have forgotten about. We all know celebs go all out, so they are the best place to gather up some ideas.

2. Movies and TV shows.

Again Vampire Diaries is one of my favorite shows, so I️ thought why not be one. I️ know a vampire is typical, but I️ hope you are picking up what I️ am putting down. Be a character from your favorite film/Tv show.

They have already provided you the look, just copy it. And if you do copy it, please make sure to incorporate almost every detail.

3. Music/Artist.

Who inspires you? Be them. You get a weekend to be whatever or whoever you want, so be the musician in your favorite rock band or Arianna Grande, Miley Cyrus, Beyonce, literally anyone. They already have done the work by being them, all you need to do is match it. Get on their Instagram, find the outfit you want and duplicate it.

You got this. If you have any question/have an idea and need help let me know.

Also check out my Instagram fashion page, @thehollyb_ for how my vampire costume turned out :)

Lots of Love,

HB