Try Out Harajuku Fashion This Halloween

Posted on August 27, 2012 by admin

Gwen Stefani incorporated the Harajuku Fashion style into her musical facade in recent years, Harajuku is a fun, Japanese style of street fashion that meshes punk and anime mixed with a little bit of gothic influence in there. Not only that, but for Halloween, a harajuku costume is an amazing idea.

Gwen Stephani Harajuku costume via thesocietypages.org

If you picture teens parading around dressed like Rainbow Brite, you pretty much have it. Many different styles of clothing can be used, from the Victorian look to the very bare skinned sexy look, but it must have bright color. I mean like neon bright color, and pink seems to be the favorite.

The other side of the whole get up is the make up. Playing off of a Geisha’s white porcelain looking face, they design around the eyes and lips as though they are works of art. Body art. The hair is bleached or dyed bright colors of the rainbow and glasses are definitely statements in and of themselves. They are quite amazing to behold, but could you dress that way everyday?

If you are one of those “closet Harajukus”, use Halloween to let her out and be expressive and flamboyant for one night. That is what the holiday is for! But it feels too overwhelming to put it together? Let me help you out. This one will be basic, but will show you how to do it.

Pick a color scheme. Once you know what colors you want to look for, the rest is easy. I chose the crisp, girly colors of pink, black and white. So, I browsed the internet looking for bright, vivid harajuku costumes for some inspiration on an outfit and lucked out!
After I chose the dress, I picked out tights. Something graphic that would really pop against the color. So I chose the black and white diamond tights. They remind me of the jesters of a king’s court that are always so vibrant and catch the eye.
Now, I look for shoes and while I could go with either black or white anything, I know I am going to use legwarmers, so I am opting to use a clear sandal and paint my toes pink and black alternating.
Now, I pick my bright pink legwarmers. I will be scrunching them down, I want the vivid black and white to be showing, but I love the look of the leg warmers covering the shoes a little bit. It is such a contradictory clash of styles that I think is great!
If your own hair doesn’t suit the style, find a wig. Generally a very colorful or punky look fits it well.
The make up takes a little more finesse, but I would bet you could find all sorts of tutorials and tips on youtube! Whether you do up a white face or a foundation face, you will still look amazing! Here’s a great tutorial for you watch below.
Happy experimenting!

Emma Rae Curtis is a costume/dressing up/makeup & accessories expert. She mainly writes about Halloween but also about all things costume and dress-up related.

Let Them Eat Cake? Really, Marie Antoinette?

Posted on August 6, 2012 by admin

Marie Antoinnette Costume

I’m going to let you in on a little secret that you may not have known about me: I am secretly obsessed with the Country of France, and everything about it. I was trying to find a way to tie this passion into one of my other passions which you are all so aware of, Halloween. So, I sat around for a good ten minutes before I realized what I could do: Revolutionary French Halloween costumes! I don’t know why it took me 10 minutes to come up with it…I must have forgotten my pills that morning.

Here’s the funny thing about the French Revolution. After all that happened in it, the only thing that people (or at least Americans) seem to remember is Marie Antoinette and her infamous phrase “Let them eat cake!” Well, let me let you in on a secret: there is no proof that Marie Antoinette ever uttered this phrase. I know, I know, I just shattered your whole universe, but there is no proof that she ever said that. Well, anyway, she is a popular figurehead and so are her clothes.
The mantua dress is to Marie Antoinette as Marie Antoinette is to the French Revolution. Every courtly woman at the time wore a mantua, yet when an image of one is shown, the only association most people are able to make in their brain is “Marie Antoinette”. That’s okay, because is there really much that needs to be known about the mantua anyway? Not really.
The only thing that needs to be known about the mantua is that it makes a great Halloween costume! At one time, it used to be really popular but lately, with all the talk of vampires and Katniss Everdeen, Marie Antoinette has fallen by the wayside. However, Marie and her mantua are always an excellent costume idea for your next Halloween party.

Mantuas, otherwise known as Marie Antoinette dresses, can be found in most costume stores, and even most department stores. The next essential thing to have is the powdered wig, though historically, women did not wear powdered wigs. That was left to the men. But to Americans, the outfit is not complete without the wig. Don’t forget the white make-up and bright red lipstick and pearls look very elegant strung across the throat.

If you want your man to join you in the French Revolutionary garb, stick him in a pair of knee highs and knickers with a kerchief and a powdered wig and you will be all set to impress as an 18th century Marie Antoinette. Plus, you can “wow” everyone with the fact that you know that it’s not a Marie Antoinette dress; it’s called a mantua.

And make sure to blurt out the famous-but-never-actually-uttered phrase, “Let them eat cake!”

Emma Rae Curtis is a costume/dressing up/makeup & accessories expert. She mainly writes about Halloween but also about all things costume and dress-up related.

Theme Costume Ideas for Halloween

Posted on July 17, 2012 by admin

If you are having trouble coming up with an easy costume theme, the “decade” idea is a great fall-back. It can make fun and hilarious costumes for parties.

Start by thinking about what time period in our recent history fits you and makes you smile? Are you the poodle skirt and saddle shoes girl or the spandex jumpsuit disco freak that boogies down? How sexy do you want your costume to be?

Before you start your shopping, you should have some idea of what you are looking for or you may feel very overwhelmed. There is so much out there in costume land that your brain will be screaming at you before you finally decide on something and then it may not even be what you initially wanted. Figure it out before you shop.

When most think decade costumes, they think 60s. Groovy, crazy colors in awesome patterns, stretchy polyester fabrics and thigh high boots. Those were some fun times and some pivotal times in our history. A zany, slinky dress with a bell sleeve maybe, add some boots and a wig (if you aren’t blessed with great hair), and you’ve got it.

Don’t forget the 50s! Didn’t you watch “Grease”? And not to mention all the pin-ups from that time were amazing! Some think that the further you go back in years, the sexier it gets with the corsets or the flapper style dresses. It is all a matter of perception, but women were just that then…women.

Get the party started when you arrive in the 80s style, all fishnets and tutus, suspenders and glitter! The 1980s were a loud and colorful time of self expression so go ahead, “Express Yourself”!

No matter the look you are after, thirty years of history gives it to you. It is up to you to find your fit. Whether you are looking for something sweet or a very sexy costume, there are many outlets there to help you achieve it. Stick to what you see in your mind! It is possible!

Emma Rae Curtis is a costume/dressing up/makeup & accessories expert. She mainly writes about Halloween but also about all things costume and dress-up related.

How to Dress Like Katniss Everdeen for Cheap

Posted on July 2, 2012 by admin

It’s no secret that one of the biggest fictional characters in recent times is Katniss Everdeen, the heroine and main character of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy The Hunger Games. Almost every teenaged girl in the country knows about the books and now, thanks to Lionsgate, the movies starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss.

The movie portrayed Katniss differently than we may have imagined in our head, but the movie also made Katniss more recognizable to the general public. It’s more than likely that Katniss Everdeen will be one of the most popular Halloween costumes come October. The best part is that she has so many different outfits that can be worn and they are easy to replicate for a small price.

In the opening scene of the film “The Hunger Games”, we meet Katniss in a leather jacket, knee-high boots and a bow slung over her shoulder as she’s hunting in the woods. All one needs to emulate Katniss in this casual women’s costume is a light brown leather jacket, pants in an earth tone color (brown, dark green, beige) and brown riding boots.

Buying new may be an exciting thrill and, when not worn together, these can make other day-to-day outfits. Iif thrift is important, usually these items, or if not the same, similar, can be found at any second hand store for much cheaper than buying them at retail price.
One of the most popular costumes will no doubt be Katniss’ outfit she wears while she’s in the arena. Again, this is a simple outfit to throw together, whether you’re buying for more than just Halloween or if you don’t plan on wearing it again. Dark green cargo pants make up the bulk of this outfit and a simple black v-neck t-shirt will suffice to compliment them.

A black zip up jacket will complete this costume and it’s likely that all three items can be found for under $20 at any thrift store. Add an orange backpack to really emulate Katniss.
Don’t forget to braid your hair and be sure to wear a Mockingjay pin (found at Walmart or easily accessible online) so all your party guests will know exactly who you are.
Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Emma Rae Curtis is a costume/dressing up/makeup & accessories expert. She mainly writes about Halloween but also about all things costume and dress-up related.