costume ideas

Inspired a fashion blogger’s posts on Halloween options, I started thinking about potential costumes from classic film. I have recs for those of you stuck for ideas. Sure, your peers who don’t know the classics will mistake the character you’re playing, but if the costume is sharp, fun, or clever, who cares? Here are five suggestions:

Gilda‘s Carnivàle Outfit

The heroine’s (Rita Hayworth’s) stylish get-up has two major advantages:

1. It’s fabulous.
2. It has wonderful accessories:

You’ll Likely Be Mistaken for: Zorro’s love interest

Jezebel‘s Red Dress

Who hasn’t wanted to wear the dress that stops everyone short? And what gown in film had more impact than the one that branded Julie (Bette Davis) a fallen woman in front of her whole society? Plus, the dress is gorgeous.

You’ll Likely Be Mistaken for: A devil without her pitchfork, a bad angel sans wings, or just a gal who wants an excuse to wear an Oscars dress

The Disastrous Dress from Rebecca

The gown is a bit frilly, but putting on Rebecca’s character for the creepiest night of the year? Yeah, you could get into that. Of course, you could play it meek too, acting as the narrator, since both pick the same dress for the masquerade. Up to you. Some crinoline, a hat, some flowery details–you’ll have it.

You’ll Likely Be Mistaken for: Scarlett O’Hara (It’s a poofy dress. Who else could you be?)

Phyllis Dietrichson from Double Indemnity

This is the budget option. As any smart Halloween shopper will tell you, you should skip the all-in-one packages in the costume store, and take a tour down the accessory aisle. Anyone can discover a sweater set or fussy dress at home or in the vintage shop. And it isn’t hard to find a wretchedly, embarrassingly bad blonde wig for less than twenty bucks, or some gloriously tacky jewelry. You might even have some from last year’s festivities. Just don’t forget those crazy feminine shoes–and, of course, the anklet:

The best part? If you wear a wig–any wig–on Halloween, you really can’t go wrong.

You’ll Likely Be Mistaken for: George Washington or his wife Martha in modern gear (as was Barbara Stanwyck).

Shanghai Lily

If you don’t gush over the fashions in Shanghai Express, head straight to the optometrist. Prostitutes in ’30s Shanghai had quite the budget, if Lily (Marlene Dietrich) is any indication. She’s costumed to the hilt in boas, feathered caps, furs, long gloves, and silk. For any woman who wants glamour in her life, Lily’s style is salivation material.

You’ll Likely Be Mistaken for: A generic femme fatale (close!)

There you have it. Five options for those seeking Halloween inspiration. What are favorites of yours?