You would think that Halloween, a holiday which — in the spiritually devoid form it generally takes these days — is basically predicated on playing dress up, would be like Christmas for most fashion fans. The truth is, for many of us it’s something of a trigger. For some, that’s due to having to deal with the emotional turmoil of seeing so many lacklustre efforts — there are only so many ‘sexy’ cat ears and prank-shop vampire teeth an innocent soul can deal with. For most of us, though, what really spooks us is the pressure.
You see, while you may think that being an impeccably, almost thoughtlessly stylish dresser would make picking out and pulling off a fashion-forward Halloween costume easy, the pressure of having to live up to everyone’s (naturally high) expectations fills us with fright. At this point, seeing you pull up to the party in another archival Mugler couture look is more likely to elicit a chorus of yawns rather than gasps. And while once upon a time, you could’ve just thrown on some Rick Owens bits and said you’re a ghoul, given that’s how you dress on the daily, that just won’t cut it any more.
Fear not though. You shall go to the ball — and in characteristic, esoterically chic style! Re-donning our fairy godmother gown once more (Valentino, natch) we’re here to help you find the perfect Halloween costume, sourced straight from the runway, of course. From a Bottega Venetta-clad NPC to an Issey Miyake ghoul, here are the ookiest-spookiest looks from SS24 that, in a bind, will double as terrifyingly chic Halloween get-ups.
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A guardian angel
With this year panning out as it is, these Blumarine wings feel especially necessary — and timely, given that they double as a chic hand-me-down for any Nativity players you may have in your circle.
A mummy
A skimpy take on a last-minute costume classic — what more could you want? It’s giving mother.
A ‘normal person’
As the unabashed fashion freak you are, dressing as a ‘normal’ person with, y’know, an actual ‘job’ to fund your Bottega Veneta habit rather than a rotation of balance-transfer credit cards will give any room you walk into an almighty fright.
A corp-core accountant
In a similar vein, if Halloween is the time of year to embody a fantasy that would probably never play out in real life, why not don this Boss get-up and pretend to be a person who rides the Waterloo and City line out of necessity rather than novelty?
A WASP-y jock
With the himbo renaissance well underway, few costumes will show you have your finger on the pulse quite like making like Miu Miu and dolling up as a trust-fund-burdened Cape Cod jock.
A witch
Must be the season of the witch! At least, it certainly is according to Maria Grazia Chiuri, whose latest Dior show was a parade of timeless sorceress chic. Morticia Addams could never!
A ghost
Boo! Gotcha! Again, pulling off a look for Halloween isn’t all about coming up with an outlandish concept — an elevated riff on a timeless classic is always a winner, as proven by this Issey Miyake shroud.
Another ghost
Been ghosted one too many times this year? Take back control and do it in Prada!
A vampire
Whether you want to give Blade-style Berghain bloodsucker or the haute-drama of Dracula’s wife, Balenciaga’s got your back.
Amelia Earhart
Niche, we know, but that’s you all over, isn’t it? If Saint Laurent’s ready to give the female aviation pioneer her flowers, you should be too!
A snake charmer
The boho witch-y vibe of this Y/Project dress aside, turning up to a function with a poised-to-strike snake wrapped around your neck is pretty damn scary, if you ask us.
Fashion itself
Again, this one is a bit pretentious, but given your penchant for meta quips that you’re the only one to laugh at, dressing up as something like ‘the craft of fashion’ seems like a very ‘you’ thing to do — and there are few brands that will allow you to achieve your navel-gazing goal quite like fashion-head fave Loewe.
A fairy
To be honest, almost anything from this Chopova Lowena collection could be put to convincing use in a fairy/elf/wood sprite look, but this pastel-plaid would be our go-to.
Barbie
Because what else were you going to go as this year? Versace, among many others, has you covered.
A sexy builder
Is it slightly objectifying? Perhaps, but then again, what is Halloween for? Don a Fendi toolbelt and hit on your fellow party guests with hammer and nail-themed innuendos we’ll allow you to imagine for yourselves.
A sexy Timberland boot
Looking to carry on the construction theme? Well, what could be more in the spirit of spooky season than Dion Lee’s sexed-up riff on this distinctly unsexy sheux?
Credits
All images courtesy of Spotlight