Monday, October 24

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?


19 comments:

  1. This is fabulous! I love your costume idea!! 
    My boyfriend and I are kind of gamer nerds, so we dressed up in army wear and went as Call of Duty. But because we didn't have any army-wear, we made everything out of cardboard - from the guns to the vest. It was great!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ha ha, such a great idea! I loved that your coworkers thought you were serious ; ). I'm not sure what I'm dressing up as this year but I guess I should get on that considering Halloween is sneaking up fast!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Haha, the pearls really tie it all together :)

    I'm excited about this year's costume, for me. But it's a surprise, and I'm DIYing it, so it'll definitely pop up on the blog shortly!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Adorable, great idea! I normally try to work blue jeans into my Halloween costumes becuase we aren't supposed to wear them at work ;) I might have to try the 'Real Housewives' thing though...
    I get REALLY into Halloween costumes I love sewing them, one year I was 'Harley Quinn' (the Joker's side kick from Batman) and two years ago boyfriend and I went as Jubilee & Gambit from the X-men. This year we have something else awesome planned.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You're right, the pearls were perfect! I can't wait to see your costume! Mine is also DIY - I am currently sewing a hood and hot gluing other things - I'll probably post it on Halloween.

    ReplyDelete
  6. haha thanks! I definitely think their horror was definitely my favourite part of the costumer. I've got this costume in the works but it's going to be a surprise - good luck on yours :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. that's awesome - the cardboard would TOTALLy make it! Jack and I were Kelly Kapowski and Zack Morris for Halloween one year, it was probably my other most favourite Halloween costume.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks! It was a lot of fun... except when my finger swelled up and the ring got stuck - that was a bummer

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ooooo, yes - good call! You could totally work jeans into a real housewife costume, just pair them with really tall espadrilles or something... to be honest I don't watch real housewives so I have no idea how they dress.

    I can't wait to see what you guys do this year - Jack and I almost went as X-men. We either would have done Jean Gray and Cyclopes or Rogue and Wolverine (because Jack would not agree to iceman under any circumstance). I've got something great planned for this year though.. even though it's not a double costume

    ReplyDelete
  10. Best use of too-dark foundation EVER.  I kind of think you still look classy though, somehow.  Is it in your bones??  Do you have classy bones, Sorren?

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are so funny! I love this costume idea!  Halloween is my favorite! Can't wait to show off our costume photos.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AHAHA omg Sorren, this is GENIUS! I also don't think all the too-dark-bronzer will ever make you look trashy. You still look too classy to be on Housewives...

    Are you dressing up this year? I still haven't quite figured out what to be. I wanted to go with an outfit that I could use my "regular clothes" for, but I don't know if that's doable with the group theme of superheroes... 

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is hilarious! I am still thinking of what to wear to work for halloween...since the slutty costumes from college won't cut it

    ReplyDelete
  14. You've inspired me not to cop out and actually put a little effort into my work Halloween costume : )

    ReplyDelete
  15. hahha.  This was my version of a work appropriate Halloween costume.  I didn't even have to purchase anything either, so I count that as a win!

    ReplyDelete
  16. i just came across this...nice work. i did a similar costume this halloween in that most people thought i was being serious. i thought 2011 was the perfect year to poke fun at the oft-serious hipster who didn't want to be labeled! check it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smalldog/6299133644/in/photostream

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I'd figured I'd ask.
    Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa?

    My blog discusses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I
    believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If
    you might be interested feel free to shoot me an email.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!



    Feel free to visit my website :: mimiminneapolis5i7.newsvine.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.

    Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
    Plz answer back as I'm looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. cheers

    Feel free to surf to my page :: home appliances power consumption list

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! I love getting to know you all a little better each time :)