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HAPPY GREEN HALLOWEEN Did you know that Halloween costumes account for 12 million tons of landfill waste, every year? That is why, this year I decided to do the #HallowGreenChallenge.  Halloween is just one of the many holidays that has been turned into a shopping opportunity, by this disposable society we live in. Luckily, there are many steps you can take towards being more sustainable, without missing out on the fun. You can reuse, rent, or borrow costumes. You can also make your costumes out of clothes you don't use anymore, or anything you find at home, really. I usually create my costumes using stuff I already have in my closet. When I come up with costume ideas, I start by looking through what I already have, and try to pick a character that doesn't take too much resources to pull off. If you look at the "Halloween Costume inspo" post I share every year, you will find that most of the costumes are put together from clothes already found in people’s closets (Some are rented, or bought new for the occasion, though).  This year I didn't have the opportunity to go all in on my Halloween costume, but I still wanted to do the #HallowGreenChallenge. So, I just reused my "I need to dress up for Halloween at work" costume. It's obviously a black cat costume, but after seeing the mini-photoshoot we did, I realise it looks more like a "crazy cat lady" costume. Below, I've listed some of my costumes from previous years that are all at least 90% put together from stuff I already had in my closet. If you just plan ahead a little, it's not that hard to keep halloween green. No pun intended!
  The #HallowGreenChallenge, was started by the brand Mont Pellier, @mpellierfashion. To see more, you can go to their Instagram page, https://www.instagram.com/mpellierfashion/  HAVE A HAPPY AND SCARY HALLOWEEN, ALL HALLOWS EVE and DIA DE LOS MUERTOS. #HallowGreenChallenge (The photos in this post are my own, and taken at the Halloween parties I've been to for the past few years.)
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TRICK OR TREAT  I love costumes, I played dress-up almost every day growing up. In fact, at one point I worked as a costume assistant on a film (it was excellent). For me Halloween is a day to dress the way i'd actually prefer to dress all year, but can't. Not all great outfits are compatible with the seasons, workplace, comfortable, and so on. Even though I don't want to admit it, some things are just too much for everyday life. I guess we can't all have the bravery of the "colorful people". (Yes, I am talking to you, girl in high school with rainbow hair, that wore a pixy dress with wings and everything to school, every day. Respect sister!) Maybe some "looks" are best left to the special occasions. However, I do feel we should give in to our inner child and play as often as we can. Halloween, Christmas, New Years Eve, birthdays, we should throw more "come as your inner self " parties. Luckily, I do get to play sometimes. I have been so fortunate to have such fun and confident friends, that really know how to "leave their pride at home" and wear something silly in public. Being weird together is truly some of the bonding moments in life. (To me) The best costume tip is to go for a character that looks a bit like you, and just properly go to town on that costume. I definitely think it's more gratifying when that character can be me, instead of me being that character. Use Halloween as an opportunity to try on different personas. My favourite Halloween costumes of all times have been characters I identify with, such as Lara Croft (my nickname all through high school), Wednesday Addams, Agent Romanoff a.k.a The Black Widow, and Leela from Futurama. I just love edgy, strong women, so I always feel like dressing up as a badass when I can. Hurray for official theme party days. Now, please enjoy some awesome costumes.  WEDNESDAY ADDAMS Wear black eye-contacts, if you don't have black hair use black hairspray (spray on after the hair is braided, finish with regular hairspray to seal in the color), make your face "naturally" pale with white foundation. Don't forget black nail-polish, black tiny earrings, a black doll-style dress with long sleeves, a white shirt with a stiff collar, black pantyhose, black doll-shoes, one headless doll in a matching outfit, and an attitude that says, "die...".
LEELA FROM FUTURAMA A class-A nerd catching costume, and one of my personal Sci-Fi favorites. First of all, you need to spray paint or dye your hair purple, or get a purple wig. Make sure it's the right kind of purple, Leela's hair is kind of a warm violet. Put your hair up into a high pony tail and create a "peek a boo" bangs look on one side of your face. Make your own, or buy a cyclops eye-mask. I made mine out of a white anti slip tablecloth, which is perfect for the task because the wholes are big enough to see through, but small enough to hide your eyes behind. Draw an eye large enough to cover both your eyes and add five or six lashes, with a water resistant, magic marker. When finished, and add an elastic band to hold the mask in place. For the tech-bracelet, use a silver look, hard paper. Draw the buttons and screen on, and connect the back and front side with duck-tape. Attach the part facing outwards from the inside, to hide the duck-tape at least on the most visible side. Wear a white (scooped neckline) tank top, black pants and dark grey boots. I used black, shiny Dr.Martens, which worked just as well. Wear a pink lipstick for those Leela pouty-lips, and remember to exude girl power.
SULU FROM STAR TREK If you don't buy your costumes, you can create your own by wearing a yellow V-neck sweater with a black round neck sweater underneath. Attach a Star Trek logo to the chest, wear black pants, and try to look as asian as possible. NB! Easier for some than others... You might want to go with an other Star Trek charachter if you don't have the right look.
WONDER WOMAN Wear a red tube top and attach gold details, made from gold-colored cardboard paper. Two matching broad gold bracelets, one gold colored yarn as a lasso. If you're not the type to show your underpants in public, you can go for dark blue jeans and attach white or silver stars to it. Now, kick ass. PS! You are officially most boys wet dream.
LARA CROFT You need one beige-green-brown t-shirt (or a black tank top), black suspenders, black bicycle shorts, one elastic black belt, a pair of black boots. I made the gun holsters out of shiny black PVC fabric and elastic band. Pout your lips, smize with your eyes, and act all tough. This costume will definitely win you a "Geek Charming" for the evening.
AGENT ROMANOFF THE BLACK WIDOW You need a top to bottom black or navy blue outfit. If you don't have a cat suit lying around, it's still an easy DIY. Go for slim fitted pants and a fitted jacket that zips up, either in leather like mine or a solid jersey material. Also, you can't be Agent Romanoff without one or two Agents og S.H.I.E.L.D logos on the upper arms and red hair. I found a logo online, printed it on paper, and used double sided tape to connect it to the jacket. If you don't have red hair and don't want to dye it, use a wig, a temporary color spray, or a color refresher that washes out to at least get a red shine to you original hair color (If you're a blonde, almost all color products will leave some discoloration, so wig is the only safe way to not ruin your blonde hair color. To complete the look, you need high boots in a matching color, black cut-off gloves, one or two black (elastic) belts, and then I made the gun holsters out of shiny black PVC fabric and elastic band. To perfect the look, you should have two bullet bracelets around your wrists. Act secretive, smooth, and be tough and fearless. This costume is another one for the "geek magnet" list. 
BATMAN AND ROBIN This is obviously a great couples costume for men. But, if you can't buy a finished costume like my friends here in the photo, then you could always make your own. Batman: Wear a black turtleneck, black pants, black boots, black long cape, and attach the Batman logo to your top. The logo can be drawn on fabric, or printed out and glued on. For the Batman hood I would recommend buying one, or if your up for the task, sew one. Robin: Wear a green long-sleeved top and leggings, and put a red sleeveless top and red briefs on top of that. Wear black boots and a long black or yellow cape, and a black or yellow belt in the waist. Attach the Robin logo to your top. The logo can be drawn on fabric, or printed out and glued on. For the Robin mask you can either buy a standard black mask, or easily cut one out from black fabric. Act all sexy and brave.  SUPERGIRL Wear a blue long-sleeved top with a Super (man/girl) logo on it, a red short skater skirt, a red knee-length cape, a V-shaped gold belt, and red over-knee boots. Wear natural makeup and have blond to blondette hair. I you can't buy a finished costume, then just print out the logo and attach to basic blue top. Red over-knee boots can also be made out of red PVC fabric or something else similar to a leather look. Finish the look by swooping in and helping out with heavy stuff, such as opening stuck lids on jars. You'er after all, the strongest girl alive.  POISON IVY You need bright red hair (hair chalk, dip dye or a wig), wear a green dress or jumpsuit/outfit (something green that covers the needed to be covered parts), use fake leaves and flowers to decorate your hair and body. Paint on or attach something green or red to your eyebrows. Remember: You hate anything that's not a plant.
MALEFICENT The good woodland fairy gone bad. Evil has never looked better, and she is the ultimate anti-hero. You need to paper mache/duck tape tinfoil horns on a headband, on top of a black head cap. Create a stiff and bold collar out of hard paper, and attach to a preferably long black dress with long sleeves, or go for a cape option as in the image below. Do sharp eyebrows and black winged eyeliner, red lipstick and counture your cheek bones til they look as if they could cut something. Walk around with a long black staff and look thirsty for revenge.  POST APOCALYPTIC MERMAID Half fish half human, you're the hottest gene mutation pollution has created. Try to find a mermaid shaped sequin-skirt, cut and shape mermaid tail-fins from a black plastic bag, wear a tube top in a shiny or sequin fabric, use thick black wet-liner over your eyes, and wear one black contact lens. To complete the wet-look use body glitter on your face and body, and put lots of hair-gel in your hair while it's still wet.
PRINCE CHARMING The most important thing is a crown, then a nicely fitted uniform jacket with visible shoulder-pads, get a matching colored waistband and a gold sash (or another royal color). Pair it with dark or light pants. To top it of, wear blush and a little mascara (remember, you're fictional). Be dreamy.
WHERE'S WALDO Simple and a classic. You need a white and red striped sweater, and a matching hat/beanie, blue pants (black shorts also work), round glasses with a black frame. Prepare to be "found", all night.
 POP ART COSTUME Wear a wig or spray paint your hair to get a more synthetic look, then paint your face and body with lots of white dots, and make an outline of your facial and body features. Finish the look with bright colored eye shadow, nail polish, lips, and fake eye lashes. Wear a dress or an outfit with a graphic style print, or if you don't have that a solid color will also do nicely. Be dramatic! 
THE COOKIE MONSTER Paint your face blue, wear a blue one-piece with a hood, attach big eyes to the hood, and bring some cookies. Say "COOKIE" a lot!
ANGEL & DEVIL Here's an old one from 2004. It's all home made/DIY and made for our high school fashion show. Here I am wearing it on the runway, with my friend in an also home made devil costume. I made a white top and tutu skirt, using shiny white fabric and tulle. Then I shaped steel wire to create the shape of the wings, covered them with an old pair of pantyhose to have something to connect the feathers to, and sewed on every feather one at a time by hand. It took forever, but it was so worth it because it made the wings looked so realistic. Finally, I added leftover satin ribbon so I could wear the wings as a "backpack". This could also be easily done with just all white or all red clothes, and make wings or horns, tail and devil fork out of leftovers or cardboard.
PRISONER This one is such an easy DIY if you already have a black and white striped top. Make a little white hat and paint matching black stripes on it. Then, make your own portable card board prison. Just cut out bars and paint it grey. Finish the look by attaching a symbolically scary inmate number to your chest, and paint some dirt on your face. Act shady.
BRIDEZILLA You need a white dress, a vail, covering white foundation, smudge the eye-makeup, put some fake blood in there to increase the horror. Finish with a bouquet of flowers. Be really bossy, stressed out and perfectionistic.
MURDERY MILK-MAID A Heidi type dress... Actually with this costume you can be anything, really. Just add a gross amount of blood somewhere disturbing. Maybe bring a weapon to add that little extra.
A HANDMAID FROM THE HANDMAID'S TALE You need a red dress with long sleeves. The longer the better. Then for example white cardboard for the hat or similar, and white ribbon to make the hat stay on. Wear no makeup and look suppressed and pissed off.
The Future Warrior & Electrocuted The top is made out of my sports bra and a skirt, the harness is suspenders, also wearing black gloves, and the bottoms are leggings. All just regular every day clothes I've had for long time. The pink wig is something I also already had, from a previous costume party some years earlier. I did a futuristic inspired makeup look, the scars were drawn on with an eyeliner, and then I added some dirt that I made with eyeshadow. Be bad ass! My friend was electrocuted, as you can tell. Also all home made. Wear ripped up clothing, add dirt, bring an electrical plug or old wire, make your hair look messy and big. Walk around looking shocked. Literally!
POWER RANGERS If you don't already own a Power rangers suit, like these two guys, or want to buy one - you can always make your own. All you need is a colored long-sleeved top on top of a white turtleneck, same colored leggings, white belt, gloves and boots, and then you can sew a hood from colored elastic fabric. Just add some black mesh material where the eyes are, and you can see with the hood on as well. The Power Rangers come in red, blue, black, yellow, pink or green, so it could also be a cool group thing.  THE INCREDIBLES Also this one, is easy to DIY. All you need is a red long-sleeved top, red leggings, black panties, yellow belt, black long gloves, and long black socks. Then you just paint the black mask directly on to your face. You can add a wig, if you don't happen to have the right hair color or cut. This is such a cool group thing. 
FRUIT OR ANIMAL SUITS These costumes need no introduction and are great classics. If you don't want to buy one, it is possible to make one out of a one-piece in the correct color or color combination. A strawberry can be made with a red one-piece, paint black spots on it, ad a green spiky-cut collar and put a strawberry or leaf hat on your head. The banana, with a yellow one peace and a yellow hat with a black tip. For the carrot, make an orange "dress" and sew it in a carrot shape between the legs, leave holes for the legs. Wear black leggings and a green wig for the frizzy top. Could also be easily done with just all orange clothes. Like an orange dress or orange top and pants, and a green hat. Same for the strawberry and banana. For the lion, make your hair as full as possible and put on some lion ears, wear a golden brown one-piece and a faux fur collar and paint your face lion style. The same method applies to the bunny, only with bunny ears a pink nose and whiskers.Funny is the new sexy.
ADELE COSTUME This one is such an easy DIY if you already look a little bit like Adele. Wear a black, long sleeved, retro style, glittering dress with a flared skirt, and style your hair in an half up-do with a lot of volume on top. Then, do a bold winged eyeliner, full lips, and add thick fake lashes. Finish the look by walking around bare feet, holding a microphone. If you don't have access to a microphone, make your own from cardboard. Talk with a broad British accent, have a naughty sense of humor, and say "Hello!" to everyone you meet.
MAD MEN Costumes aren't only great on Halloween, and this dress-up party is something that has become somewhat of a tradition in my group. The best part is how different people act when in costume. I have to say that the 50's/60's clothing make people very well mannered and pleasant. Love it!
MASQUERADE Or, you can just have a fabulous masquerade party. We had one on New Years Eve for the last two years. You can dress how you like, and the masks create an exiting vibe for the evening. It's even cooler in big gatherings, 1600's style.
HAVE A HAPPY AND SCARY HALLOWEEN, ALL HALLOWS EVE and DIA DE LOS MUERTOS.  (The "models" in this post are friends and myself. The photos are taken at some of our Halloween parties. Some costumes are tore bought, some are home made, but most are home-styled, DIY style.)  |
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January 2020
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