Halloween Costumes | WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: The Odd Couple (Costume)

By admin|October 31st, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

As I mentioned, Halloween can be a bit like New Year’s Eve. Many people get very into their costumery and a lot of those people happen to be couples. Being someone who normally loves a theme, I can’t explicitly identify why I’m less than enthusiastic about this year’s Hallow’s Eve, but I am. Rather than race around gathering the ingredients for the world’s most clever costume, I’ve, instead, assembled items I already own and have let them begin to take on a lives of their own. I’m calling it, “interpretive dressing.” When people ask me what I’m going to “be” (and they ask a lot), I simply shrug and let them know that remains to be seen.

But, back to those poor fellows being forced into theme in order to appease their lady beloveds. A guy friend of mine, was informed that not only would he be hosting a Halloween soiree, he’d need a costume. I suggested he go as a wrecking ball and his girlfriend could be Miley Cyrus. When he vetoed that, my next suggestion was to go rogue and dress up as a bumper car so as to take out his aggression as party proprietor.

The best $8 dollars I ever spent was during a recent trip to Home Goods with a friend of mine. We were on the search for a throw pillow or a tissue holder or some other household item that you never knew you needed (and probably don’t), but when I stumbled upon a Smitty sized turtle costume, mission was temporarily aborted and costume was acquired. Not long after at a French themed dinner party with my girlfriends, I told them of my purchase and one exclaimed, “Please tell me you’re going as a rabbit!” I hadn’t thought about it, but once she said it, I thought it was a pretty solid suggestion. Oh… except for one thing… Smitty is a dog. Sure, it would make for cute photos (who the hell is going to take them?), but upon exiting my home, I’d just be some chick in a bunny costume. Truth be told, I’ve brought out stranger “props” than a living animal and if I would ever get around to registering Smit as a service dog this would be a non-issue. But alas, my little turtle must stay in his shell. It’s entirely possible that dressing your dog is the new “cat lady,” but offering him a peanut butter chewbone in return for his services seems like a bargain compared to dealing with a human beau. (Several reasons why here). And honestly, is dressing your dog any worse than dressing your boyfriend in a coordinating denim ensemble?

Oh, and if you’re looking to make your own ears, check out my DIY here.

xx,

WhyDid

Photos by Michael Stiegler

Setting the Mood: The Hunt for Halloween

By admin|October 28th, 2014|Setting the Mood|

As I sit here sorting out the sordid details for this upcoming Friday with friends amidst racking my brain for costume ideas that will prevent me from running around the city like a true life Halloween nightmare come Friday afternoon, it occurs to me that I have a real love/hate relationship with this so called “holiday.” While I love any excuse to dress up, craft a costume, and execute a theme, I loathe the overall emphasis placed on one sole evening. The sheer amount of pressure put upon crafting a costume that’s sexy but not slutty, creative but not crass, timeless but not trite can be downright daunting. Not to mention that the past several years for me have been the equivalent to not having a midnight kiss on New Year’s Eve (something I’m also all too familiar with). Last year, instead of spending the morning doing squats in anticipation of squeezing myself into spandex, I had a rather disruptive row with my then beau, but I probably did burn a few calories dodging inanimate objects and the crying left me looking like the walking dead. The year before that I had gotten dressed and even made it out the door before deciding to ditch after having spent twenty minutes in the unseasonable cold trying to catch a cab. And the year prior, I doused myself in fake blood to freak out the four trick or treaters who actually bothered to show up at our Silicon Valley doorstep. That’s why this year, rather than gunning for the blue ribbon for best in show, I’ll relegate the heavy lifting to creative accessories because heaven knows I own enough leotards, legwear, and lofty ideas to do just that. So, if you, too, are looking to avoid dropping dough on costumery crafted from potentially flammable fabric, try accenting something simple with bold accessories in the form of headbands, hats, or handbags. You could always make your very own lace bunny/cat/mouse ears (DIY tutorial here).

Erickson Beamon Stratosphere Ruthenium Plated Swarovski Crystal and Faux Pearl Hair Slides, $595, House of Holland The Bag of Tricks, $320, Piers Atkinson Bitten Cherries Crystal Embellished Headband $590, Jennifer Behr Floral Silk Lace Mask, $675

xx,

WhyDid

The List Volume 10/31

By Kirsten|October 27th, 2013|The List|

It’s true I rarely know what day of the week it is, let alone the actual calendar date, but as far as I’m aware, this past Saturday was not, in fact, Halloween. As I sipped on my pinot at a party in Soho wearing a sweater dress and over the knee socks, I watched the influx of costume clad cuties circle the room(s). Sure, there were moments when I had a tough time discerning who was actually dressed up and who was just abusing the right to wear spandex, but I was left wondering if I had missed the memo. I’m no party pooper, but I think it’s safe to say I’m officially old when the thought of dressing up for Halloween sends sheer panic rather than anticipation through my veins. Maybe it’s because I don’t need a specific holiday to look sexy or to wear lacy lingerie or maybe it’s because nearly every costume under the sun has been done. Or perhaps, and most likely, it has something to do with the fact that putting the word “sexy” in front of something, doesn’t actually make it sexy. And since it would seem that this year Halloween will be dragged out for the better part of a week, here’s a guide to what doesn’t fall under the umbrella of “sexy.”

Pilgrims, Amish, and clergy- especially when impregnated.
Most cartoon characters. With the exception of Jessica Rabbit, they are meant for children… and while your costume is small enough to fit a child, there is no correlation.
Anything 80’s. Had it not been for French cut bathing suits and cocaine, I don’t think anyone would have had sex during that decade.
Food in general. I tried to think of a food that might be considered sexy, but I don’t think dressing up as an aphrodisiac would even get me in the mood.
Anything involving the words “gold” and “digger.” That’s a great way to send guys running… the other way.
Certain animals were not mean to be sexy. Cats, yes. Squid, no. Bunnies, yes. Dolphins, no.
Clowns. Never clowns. Ever.
Anything involving scar tissue.
Much like animals, not all occupations are sexy. A naughty nurse is one thing, but a playful plumber? Not so much.
If it requires assistance when using the restroom, it’s too much and therefore, not sexy.

Boo.

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Playing Dress Up

By Kirsten|October 26th, 2012|Friday Frocks|

Okay, so for any of you other ladies who are doing the ultimate stall on selecting a Halloween costume, I have some quick, easy, and not so slutty ideas for you. If you’ve opted out of the “costume in a bag” but you don’t want to be a total wet blanket, here are five ideas using the frocks you may already own. I think these are all so brilliant, I may very well wear one of them myself (okay, I’ve already done the mime thing).

And here are last year’s suggestions too (also genius)!

Splendid Stretch Tube Dress, $46, Sharpie Brush Pen Permanent Marker Set, $6.99

Sparkle & Fade Lace Trompe L’oeil Dress, $69, Forever21 Chiffon Rosette Headband, $5.80, SUPRA Society Glitter Panel High-Top Sneaker, $95,

Reverse Cut Out High Low Dress, $79, Melissa and Doug Playtime Produce, $17.99, Adia Kibur Layered Beads Necklace, $31.50

Sparkle & Fade Zip Front Peplum Dress, $54, Oasis Sequin Beret, $23, Adult Insane Clown Posse Makeup Kit, $16.49

Louise Gray Flas Burst Sequin Dress, $150, Patricia Field Unicorn Headband, $26, Makeup Forever Glitter Eyelashes, $16

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: I’m a Creep

By Kirsten|October 22nd, 2012|Setting the Mood|

Well, I was trying to avoid it altogether… but you can’t fight the calendar. Halloween and its impending skank parade are fast approaching, so we may as well just address this situation head on. Perhaps I’m just old now or I’ve seen one too many “naughty nurse” or “frisky flight attendant” but I’ve about had it with the oh so obvious “insert the word slutty in front of” Halloween costume. It would appear we can turn just about anything erotic… even a skunk. So, how about this year we go for artistic makeup or eery attire as opposed to exposing our ass cheeks for all of the city to see? Let’s keep creepy classy and besides, subtle is most sexy.