Simple ideas for Halloween noob

ClementineGeorg

In my country Halloween is an... `imported` holiday so it's not that celebrated... maybe a clubs organizing Halloween themed parties and kindergarden children having small parties for the fun of it.

I have actually never been to a Halloween party because... it never camed up.

But now I am working at a multinational company and they organize a Halloween party after working hours on Friday. And I don't know what to wear.

So maybe people with more Halloween experience can help me find a solution on the go. I need a Halloween dress-up that:
- shouldn't be too `costumy`; it's at my work place and althought we dress casually (I'm an software engineer) I feel like a over the top costume will be too much;
- shouldn't be too sexy or in any other way inappropriate or offensive;
- preferable it would be easy to incorporate in the outfit I would wear that day in the working hours; I could get changed and have make up in the bathroom and it's a very clean bathroom... but it's a bathroom, so it can be uncomfortable to change;
- preferable it would require minimum shopping or items easy to buy in a few days; I tried looking the few costume rental available, but most adult female items begin their name with `sexy .... `.
- would require easy make-up; I'm not a make-up guru
- should be something easy to recognize... I mean... it's kind off not so nice when everybody wonders what you are dress like

The only `costume` item I own are two Venetian like masks made by a friend that I display in my library showcase.

So if you like... please share your simple ideas for Halloween dress-up. Photos are very welcomed.

And maybe this thread would help others find easy to put together Halloween ideas.


Side note: A friend of mine said the a cat dress-up would be nice. And I agreed. I thought of wearing some soft wool grey dress with a pair of cat ears (actually a cat ears headband) and maybe a tail and some cat-like make-up.
But I searched all week-end and couldn't find any cat accessories so this idea seems impossible at this moment.

Samthefrog

I live in the States, so Halloween is in full swing here. But I too tend to dress a little more conservatively for my costume at work because I work in human services. No one wants to tell a full blown skeleton or Winnie the Pooh or Cinderella about how they were molested as a child! So I tend to wear clothing that still is somewhat professional (a black dress, slacks and a white blouse) but I add accessories and maybe embellish with make up I already have. For example, i was a cowgirl where I wore jeans (okay, a bit casual but they were clean and neat), a store-bought dress up cowboy hat for children, a bandana around my neck and my hair in braided pigtails. Here are some of my other ideas.

One year i was a fairy with cheap store-bough wings, a wand and a tiara.

This year I'm going to be a witch in a black dress, a witch's hat, a broom, green eyeshadow and dark lipstick.

And a cat is not too hard. If you can find some felt or fabric (even an old t-shirt) and some cardboard, all you need to do is cut out some triangles, glue them to the cardboard so they stand up and attach them to a head band. Then cut out a tail in felt, too. You can draw whiskers on your face with an eye pencil if you want.

One year I didn't prepare and I just wore and ethnic outfit (a salwar kameez) to work. Ya, it wasn't a costume per se but it was unusual to my co-workers so they thought it was fun!

AnotherOrangeCat

Fairy tale characters can be easy - Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow Queen etc. You need a cheap costume wig, makeup and some cape/hat - things easy to throw over your normal clothes. Or you might be able to style your own hair, wear hats or crowns.

Another perennial favorite is a pirate - eye patch, tricorne hat with Jolly Roger and funny makeup. Wear a white silk blouse and you're pretty much there You could be a girl pirate in a skirt with boots, or wear pants and draw a mustache on your face. Carry a toy sword.

Halloween classic - witch. Whatever is the stereotype of the witch where you live. Generally, messy hair and green makeup would be recognizable, wear black clothes and throw something cape-like over it. Draw a wart on your nose and bring a broom!

If it's a software company - game or fantasy characters might go over well You can probably make some accessories from cardboard, foil and other handy household things.

ClementineGeorg

Thank you very much for the nice ideas!

ThePlight

For the love of god, don't dress in a home made ghost costume
My mom made some... And we walked around, got some comments I wasn't expecting, so I took that right off.

I suggest something with tons of glitter Hmm, fairy princess, perhaps.

lucillehuynh

I was actually just thinking of dressing up as a Greek goddess. Got my maxi dress in place, made a head crown with basil leaves and twigs (haha) and I'm going simple on the make-up. Just basic extended eyeliner (I buy my make up from e.l.f) and some red lipstick.

LorinaLynn

Zombie can be easy, because the worse the makeup is, the better it looks. Smudge black eyeshadow all around your eye socket, and brush a little in your temples and under your cheekbones. Or for more gore.... http://www.isthisbliss.com/zombie-makeup-tips/

Devil horns and a blue dress for the song, "Devil with the Blue Dress On."

The cutest idea I've seen were four people in striped shirts, berets, neckscarves... carrying a baguette and bottle of champagne, wearing Kiss makeup. "French Kiss."

LorinaLynn

This site www.takebackhalloween.org has great ideas.