For conservative and adventure-adverse personalities, Halloween is the best excuse to dress up or, in some cases, dress down. But with every party or pub crawl attended, the odds of a costumed-doppelganger increase, making your once-original look seem like required wear. In the name of Halloween costumes guaranteed not to be overplayed, here, we provide you with some alternative ideas for your look.
Standard costume: Slave Leia
Alternative costume: Tallulah Bankhead
Many an adult Halloween party has seen this scantily-clad Star Wars character make an appearance, giving its wearer a chance to be fun and flirty.
Instead, opt for the 1940’s style of movie star Tallulah Bankhead. Who, you ask? The original Hollywood party girl who once said, “It’s the good girls who keep diaries; the bad girls never have the time.” To pull this off, aim for a classic starlet look and imbue the bon vivant charm. It’s twice the sexiness of slave Leia for half the exploitation.
Standard costume: Spider-Man
Alternative costume: Uncle Ben
Spandex is flattering on a very select few, but every Halloween, Joe Average decides to take on a full bodysuit and makes Peter Parker look like he packed on the freshman 15.
Instead, opt for Spider-Man’s ill-fated father figure, Uncle Ben. Go for the sweater vest, which will especially work if you are the designated driver. While collecting everyone’s keys, remind them of their “great power and great responsibility.” Plus, if you decide to pass out, everyone will assume you are staying in character.
Standard costume: Superman
Alternative costume: Hunter S. Thompson
Ditch the comic book reporter for the doctor of journalism. Don a bucket hat, some aviators and a Hawaiian shirt and all of a sudden, your consumption of green Jell-O shots becomes Herculean rather than your kryptonite. –Carten Cordell
(October 2014)
