I am campaigning for the return of warts, green make up, wigs and fake blood and, above all, imagination in Hallowe’en costumes. I get quite disturbed every time I look at Hallowe’en websites. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, a nurse/policewoman/cowgirl/Snow White/whatever costume that consists of stockings, a corset, peplum, & perspex platforms outside of the privacy of one’s home is a sex worker’s outfit.
Surely, surely there have to be other options rather than ‘hot’ (read slutty) EVERYTHING? I gave up going to parties in Manhattan after the one in these photos, as 90% of women seemed to be in competition to see who could look like the trashiest pole dancing/porno version of a witch/Madame Pompadour/cartoon hero/cat/Alice in Wonderland/Barbie etc etc etc.
(White over-the-knee stockings with satin garter bows, and Lucite stiletto platforms should be ritually burnt for crimes against taste, style & Hallowe’en.)
This YouTube film sums it up beautifully.
The first three photos were taken at a most excellent Hallowe’en party in a TriBeCa loft in Manhattan in 2008. I’m wearing a black silk grosgrain Osman dress from his first collection. And a lot of white pancake and fake blood. Judy is Kill Bill’d up.
Below: At the Seven Deadly Sins Soho House New York Hallowe’en party in 2007. I went as Avarice: an Italian Black Widow, complete with LBD and mourning veil.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow. That video really is something. “Sexy Jesus”… “Sexy mental patient”…!
Although your bountiful chest almost escaping in that pic could suggest otherwise?!! lol
But I agree and little girls costumes aren’t much better. However i always wore homemade and so did my son. Its manufacturers to blame here and possibly folk being “too busy” to DIY
Lets get back to using Granny’s curtains etc and being confident enough to look “Ugly”
It’s Halloween for Gawd sake!
Jx
Loved the video link. They really know how to sell it right in Hackensack, I tell you what!
Could not agree more! x
Is that jam on the wall? Tell me you had fun smearing that about! Think I will be a demon this year just for the hell of doing the school run and scaring the kiddies. Great to have met you finally at the Hoxton Hotel yesterday. hope the photographer got you some good shots
Sexy Abe Lincoln! Manhattan Halloween parties are definitely what you described, but these days the sexy…fill in the blank random uniform/really just a tube top with a logo or something…isn’t just confined to Manhattan. So is it the costume makers or uninspired women looking for an excuse to put on a nurse/sexy Abe Lincoln uniform?
“And frog.” Haha! We always go traditional scary, dead, and DIY our costumes with maybe a wig purchased, nothing big. I’ve always felt that since the roots came from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which is essentially a holiday revering those who’ve passed on (there’s loads more to it, but that’s the gist — I think I did something about it on my blog last Halloween) so you go dressed as someone dead. Anything else seems like its just a bunch of people who are afraid to be themselves the rest of the year. We’ll be a mixed band of dead things this year, same as every year. I always worry I’ll frighten the little ones but its always been okay (which in itself is odd.) So I’m right with you on bringing back the spooky! (Which reminds me that I have to lug all the Halloween decor out to spook up the yard before its too late!) XXX
I hate fancy dress with a passion. I know that makes me sound like a total and utter killjoy, but I’ve just never been able to get into it. I’m afraid I tend to opt for “witch” – an LDB and a plastic hat and I’m done. Erk.
I’m thinking about being Sally from Nightmare before Christmas or maybe a zombie Sandy from Grease! Also, I’m totally with you on this costume thing. Not only do I not wanna look like a sex worker, but it is so cold in Wisconsin! I don’t know how these girls don’t freeze their bones off. Long time fan of your blog <3
Ivan and Lola
I think this Halloween we will be seeing lots of “Binders full of women.” People are already trying to figure out how to make that one. C’mon…we NEEDED that comment. This election cycle is a nightmare! The young woman who created this tumblr last night was laid off from a job just hours before. Today, she was offered several jobs.
http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/
Hahaha! So kind of funny it is! They know how to make it effective and crazy!
Thought you might appreciate this:
http://jezebel.com/5953251/sesame-street-displeased-that-women-want-to-be-sexy-big-bird-for-halloween?utm_campaign=socialflow_jezebel_twitter&utm_source=jezebel_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow