The Elusive Work-Appropriate Halloween Costume

Well folks. Once again, Halloween has snuck up on me. It's not like I didn't see it coming, in fact I've been counting down the days since September faded away in my rear-view. You see my darlings, I am a HUGE Halloween junkie. Always have been. It may have something to do with the dressing up, or it may have something to do with the candy - who really knows.

I had planned on doing this post tomorrow however I spent last night sewing away on this year's costume, so I just couldn't contain myself any longer! Last year I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to create TWO Halloween costumes. One was with Jack for a party we were going to, while the second was a slightly trickier, work-appropriate costume. This elusive concept must balance appropriate office-attire with subtlety, offering the ability to be shed if, for some odd reason, your work friends bail. This got me thinking - What wouldn't I mind being stuck wearing, if I was stuck in it all day? Answer - sweat pants. I have always been in awe of people who manage to pull off wearing sweats to work. I don't know if it's ignorance or confidence, but it is a phenomena that has baffled and intrigued me. Halloween offered the perfect opportunity to realize my dream of experiencing this. 

So, I brain stormed. Costumes that incorporate sweats: gym teacher, track and field, university student, real housewife. That was it; I had my gem. I got out my lululemon yoga pants, tank and sweatshirt (collected over a number of christmases), straightened and pouffed my hair and applied my too-dark foundation and a layer of bronzer - forgetting to blend along the jawline, of course. I then used my trusty frosted pink lipstick to highlight my lips and topped the look off with a purse-sized dog, starbucks and giant rock on my ring finger.

It was a hit. The engineers at my company thought I was serious. That in one night, I had given myself a make-over and was now on the prowl. I got double takes and strange looks all day. I would walk into a room and people would clam up. It wasn't until our Halloween social that the record was set straight. I definitely consider this costume, one of the best I have ever thought up - why? because in being subtle I achieved the other essence of Halloween - trickery.

What Halloween costume are you most proud of?