5 Trends to try this Halloween
I have to confess - some of the styles I see on the runway secretly scare me a little when I think about wearing them myself. For instance, there was a hot minute where I saw long gloves (think elbow length or longer) paired with outfits and I was dying to test it out but doubt crept in when I tried to come up with a scenario in which I’d actually wear it.
This kind of self-doubt happens to us all, and it can kill your style and leave you stuck in a rut. One way to get around this is to just go for it, and what better occasion than Halloween to wear a trend that scares you a little, but excites you too? Here are five ideas for trends to try out this Halloween, and if you find yourself digging them, they’re totally wearable in real life too.
TULLE SKIRTS - these are everywhere and not just for Gen Y - the volume and scale are what mark the difference between costume and chic. The obvious costume choice here would be a ballerina. You can choose a more voluminous skirt or something a bit more subtle. If you opt for subtle and knee length or below, then you can slip it on with a blazer for the office the next day, or with a graphic tee for a more casual, fun look.
CORSETS - I personally love corsets and spent quite a bit of time in them during the height of my obsession from 2013-2015. When they fit properly they are actually very comfortable and create a stunning hourglass shape. The corset as outerwear is back, and if you’ve been eyeing one, take the risk and test drive it on Halloween where it looks perfectly fine incorporated into any sort of medieval or goth costume. Any other time you can wear it with everything from jeans to a dress to even a suit - just maybe save the suit version for a fancy evening look as opposed to an 8AM meeting, depending on how conservative your work environment is.
FRINGE - Fringe is everywhere, on shirts, sleeves, skirts, dresses, boots, jackets. It’s done in materials from rhinestones to leather, so it’s wide open for a great Halloween costume or any other occasion really. For October 31st, you could go as a flapper or a cowgirl. A cowgirl “costume” would give you lots of wearable options - my advice would be to limit the fringe to one or two pieces in your outfit after Halloween, unless you’re completely comfortable with being over the top.
LONG GLOVES - Put a pair on with your formal gown or cocktail dress, and you’ve got a costume, AND some extra wear out of that fancy frock that usually only comes out for special occasions. If anyone has the nerve to ask what you are, say you’re a movie star. Or just stare them down until they die of shame. Extra credit if you wear a pair of sheer or fishnet gloves as those are trending hard right now. I do occasionally wear my long gloves out with a sleeveless top, and I keep a pair in the car to protect my skin while driving (I learned that from glamour queen Dita Von Teese).
HATS - okay, so hats are perennially in, type varying depending on the season. But hats can be a challenge for some of us. If you aren’t a hat person but are interested in trying it out, here are five costume ideas involving hats:
-Baseball player (to try the trucker hat trend)
-Champion skier (cute beanies)
-Witch (duh)
-Flapper (cloche)
-Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (for those that want to go big)
Have fun, and let me know which trend you tried out!
-I’m April Clemmer, a personal stylist helping women elevate their look to align with the person they are becoming. Grab my free download, 5 Expert Tips to Elevate Your Personal Style here.