Halloween Fashion

It's getting closer to that very exciting time of year when children - AND adults - get to dress up in jolly costumes! I think it's generally well known that Halloween has always been popular in America, even though it was a 'celtic' holiday borrowed, or taken over from the Scottish and Irish folks. I think till quite recently, though, people made their own costumes. The result was often fabulous, and often frightening. So I just wanted to take a closer look at Halloween 'fashion'.

I'm not sure if this was from a book or magazine. Even though the dress reflects the fashion of the time (1920's probably) its bold colour sets it a little apart. 

This one is a little earlier, from the early 1900s. I love that her dress has stars and a moon, and she's wearing an owl in her hair! 

Again, this dress reflects 1910s fashion, but has a costumey 'oriental' feeling to it. 

In the 1910s and the 1920s, Dennison's, the paper company, started coming out with an annual "Bogey" book which made party decoration ideas and costume ideas, all to be made from paper! These are very charming and beautiful, and I think their suggestions were quite widely used. I saw an old scrap book of my grandmother's from the 1920s and she'd glued in a little scrap of a paper costume someone wore to her Halloween party!

From a Dennison's book. I especially love the bat and spider ones!

Stunning! 

This reminds me of that post card - look at all the things on her skirt, and I love that stiff little cat on her shoulder!

This was in a recent magazine, but reminds me of the Dennison's costumes.

I love these fashionable witch costumes! Which colour do you prefer?

Jolly, bizarre costumes in real life, probably from the 1920s.

Another group of creative Halloween revellers! 

Lets Makeup

Just a few awesome examples of Halloween makeup!

It may be a bit of a stretch, but I am going to use the advent of Halloween to do a post about makeup. I mean, some people end up doing some crazy-amazing things with makeup for their costumes. But aside from all that, I am going to choose to stick with the fashion, accessory side of makeup.

I'm not sure if this is more Egyptian or 60's, but either way, it's awesome!

Queen Elizabeth took makeup to a whole new level.

I love the powdered face and rosy cheeks!

I am sure makeup goes back as far as the cave woman (because it's such a necessity, in my opinion), but the Egyptians come to mind when I think about early, awesome makeup. The point is, women have been wearing it for thousands of years. It has changed and evolved to what is now a massive and thriving industry.

To me, the 20's and 30's was an great period for makeup. Clara Bow really epitomized the flapper look with the heavy eyeliner and pouty lips.

A great early picture of Joan Crawford applying heavy lipstick.

I always think of the 20's as being synonymous with the compact.

My Mother grew up with Tangee lipstick (which is surprisingly still sold today).

Look at those penciled eyebrows and that beauty mark! Jean Harlow could really rock this look!

More penciled eyebrows and I love the smokey eyes!

Myrna Loy looking very sultry in her smokey makeup.

I must say that I get very frustrated and sad when I hear people talking trash about makeup. Many claim that it belittles women, that women use makeup only because society (or men) expect them to. For me, makeup is a form of self-expression. I dabble in art and I can honestly say that playing with colors and textures with my makeup is not too different than playing with oil paints on a pallet or on canvas. Yes, I want people to think I look good, but the person I put makeup on for is mostly me, myself and I. It makes me feel powerful and confident.

Bette Davis in more smokey eyes. "She's got Bette Davis eyes."

I completely love this old school tutorial on how to do cat eyes!

Rita Hayworth and red lipstick.

Audrey Hepburn probably had the best eyebrows of all time!

This makeup is almost perfect in every way!

So, whatever you think about makeup, have a look at some wonderful things that can be done with this wonderful medium!

One of the most iconic icons when it comes to makeup.

This is a great tutorial on how to do Twiggy makeup!

I love this old Woolworth's ad! Which one are you?

I'm not gonna lie, this ad is completely frightening!  But she has great 70's makeup!

And..... enter the 80's, baby blue eyeshadow. Thank you Blondie!

The 80's (and Cindi Lauper) showed us that there are no limits when it comes to makeup!

I kind of skipped to today (the 90's and 00's were pretty boring). This is a wonderful current Mac ad!

I love it when celebrities get adventurous with style and makeup.  Emma Watson always looks amazing!

Fantastic Urban Decay (my favorite)!

Emmy Rossum looks amazing with this dramatic cat eye makeup!

Some more great smoky eyes here on Amanda Seyfried.

Back in Black

I decided that, in lieu of the Halloween season, it might be fun to do a post about the color black. You know you love to wear it! The little black dress is always a staple on every runway and in every closet. Practically everyone looks slimmer, tougher and better when they wear it! But, is it ok to wear all black? Here is an exploration from frightening to fabulous!

Happy Halloween everyone! It doesn't get much scarier than this!

This is kind of scary and cool at the same time!

Dramatic and frightening. But I love editorials like this!

I know there's a little bit of white in this, but I still feel the craziness maintains the whole goth idea ( don't they call it emo these days?). I love it!

Those boots are so hot!

Great selection!

This is a great modern example of the little black dress. (Is it just me, or do I post pics of Olivia Wilde all the time?)

A little more edgy. More punk than goth.

From the Alexander McQueen line I previously posted about. So incredibly beautiful!

To me, this is a lovely marriage of a little bit goth and a little bit punk. I love it!