Costume Drama

Halloween is a lovely time. People dress up, give out and receive candy, watch seasonal movies. But one of my readers has a dilemma, as you can see.

Can you please do a post on how to make a halloween costume thats cute and WARM (warm enough for an oregon night)
Maddy

Well Maddy, that is an excellent request.Unfortunately, there are people out there who have to trick-or-treat in colder climates.But how does one do that while looking cute? Well I'll tell you. The key is to be original. Here are a few costumes that are flattering and guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

#1-Cowgirl
Throw on a pair of high-waisted jeans, some flannel, and slap a cowboy hat over some low pigtails and you've got yourself a look. Don't forget the boots.(and for girls in warmer climates, go sleeveless)




#2-Nerd
The possibilities are truly endless with this one. As long as you've got a collared shirt, some nerdy glasses and a bowtie, you can't go wrong.



#3-Hippie
Not warm enough, you say? Throw a loose, flowy cardi over a comfy maxi dress or caftan and add a headband. Then you'll be ready to embrace your inner flower child. (Another fun touch? Use a guitar case to carry your candy!)


#4-Sailor
All you need for this look is horizontal stripes and a sailor hat, which can be found at any costume store.


#5-Animals
By this I mean a bunny, cat, dog, or something of this nature, an oldie but a goodie. But don"t mistake this for the animal costumes you see online, which is basically lingerie and ears. Wear a tee or turtleneck in a neutral color, then paint on a nose and whiskers with eyeliner. Don't forget the ears!


#6- Jungle Animals

This territory is even more dangerous, because if you show too much skin the costume becomes trashy. Stay flirty but demure with fitted pieces in the print of the animal you want to be. Add ears and a nose with whiskers,(and maybe even a tail)  and you're good!






#7- Pop Culture
These are  fun little costumes you can wear that are relevant to today.
Directioner- Bust out your 1D swag and have yourself a time!
Hipster-Throw on some colored skinny jeans, a scarf and a fedora and you're good to go. Bonus points for glasses!
Taylor Swift- Throw on a sweet girl outfit and a curly blonde wig.


Happy Halloween, and Ciao!

Here are some tunes to play while you and your friends get ready to go out!
Getting Ready Playlist
Wildflower by the JaneDear Girls
Wings by Little Mix
Live While We're Young by One Direction
4ever by The Veronicas
Into the Groove by Madonna
Mean by Taylor Swift
Young Blood by The Naked and the Famous
Et Alors by Shy'm
Time After Time by Quietdrive

Sorry I haven't written in a while, ladies (I'm assuming). But I've been waiting for inspiration to strike. And it has, to be sure! A reader known by the name of Lilly writes:

Plz Plz Plz do a post on how to wear knee high socks and shorts/skirts without looking skanky

What a challenge! Never you mind Lilly, FashionStrudel is here to save the day!
Knee high socks are practical, comfortable and unfortunately, very tricky to pull off.
Let's start off with what NOT to do.

#1-No white. Unless you go to a Catholic school and the sisters are threatening to use the ruler on your heathen behind, no white. It makes everything, and I do mean everything, look bigger and more obnoxious. See below.
(OMG, Katie Price being drunk and disorderly. Who saw that one coming?)




#2- Since some people tend to confuse the two, I'm going to say it right now.
GYM SOCKS ARE NOT THE SAME AS KNEE HIGHS.
And gym socks are obviously for gym. The only people who can actually pull off gym socks are girls with flawless calves, and this guy:



#3- No obnoxious prints. Rainbow, unicorn print or Spongebob knee-highs (and things of that nature) are meant only to be witnessed by your nearest and dearest friends at slumber parties.



Oh, and one more thing,
NO HORIZONTAL STRIPES. THEY ARE GROSS, IMMATURE, AND YOU'RE NOT SOME BRAINLESS GOTH WANNABE FROM  2003.

What You CAN Do -
As far a solid colors go......
Black
Navy
Gray
Teal
Burgundy
Basically any dark, rich colors.



The key is the shoes. If the shoes and the socks look good together, and your top isn't completely out there, you should be fine.Try to make sure your top is the right amounts of demure and flattering.
Now, about prints......
If you MUST do a print or non-solid, made sure it is faded, muted or textured. The same rules as above apply, just make sure the pattern/print doesn't smack people in the face.

The final equation
Knee-Highs + Good Shoes x Shorts/Skirt + Complimentary Top = Fabulous

Well, Lilly I hope you have your answer. And as for other readers, don't be afraid to ask questions! I don't bite! Unless we're at a Lilly Pulitzer sample sale and fighting over that last turquoise polo shirt. Then I get nasty.
Ciao