Don't buy a Halloween “costume"--buy an outfit.

A selection of seven horror heroines/villainesses/damsels as hopeful inspiration for your Halloween costume with, per usj: vintage/used, & small designer clothes you can wear again.

Above: Seven iconic Horror femmes, discussed further below…

The best Halloween costumes are always DIY, and that doesn’t have to mean that you’re patterning and sewing a couture look for yourself. It can sometimes just mean you’re loosely translating who you’re “going as” by wearing clothing items that give off the vibe, without the exact outfit. And yes, this week’s CRACD is a Halloween-focused one, but if that isn’t your thing, do not fear: there are general recommendations on, for instance, great jumpsuits and nightgowns.

I’ve selected seven of my favorite horror heroines, villains, or damsels in distress for costume references. The list I’ve compiled also happens to consist of characters whose outfits double as great clothes for regular wear. Thus you do not have to wait in line at that, despite its name, dispiriting Halloween store, SPIRIT Halloween…Plus pre-made costumes are made with the crappiest fabrics, worst construction methods, using fast fashion unethical labor practices. Finally, by using your existing closet or buying clothes you’ll wear again, the whole costume isn’t throwaway after the holiday.

As with any online shopping, make sure you communicate to get your order in time for your event/party/just sitting around at home in your costume for kicks on Halloween…

1. Vintage British flight suit multiple sizes cotton $63.44

2. FRAME made in USA cinched waist cotton twill jumpsuit $150

3. Second hand Isabel Marant cotton/elastane button-front jumpsuit sz 8 $78

4. Second hand Agnes B. navy jumpsuit sz 8 $99

5. Vintage USAF Aramid Sage Green Summer Flyers Coveralls Sz 38R $100

6. Vintage ‘60s Vietnam War sz M $74.95

7. Vintage patches collection $9.50

8. RIPLEY iron-on patches $12.99

—Alien (1979): Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley in her amazing flight suit. I don’t know if this has been debated anywhere, but why does her flight suit look green in certain lights and pale grey/blue in others? I’m going with green for almost all my shopping recs because I’ve done this costume before (hah) wearing a Rachel Antonoff green denim jumpsuit I designed while I was working there. In my opinion, everyone needs at least one great flight suit. There are so many ways to style them, and they’re flattering on so many body types. The essential elements to look for if you’re buying a vintage workwear/military piece are authenticity, condition and fabrication. If you want the classic flight suit look, make sure there are the special zipper chest pockets—love those. And if you want to go the extra mile to really get the Ellen look, order some misc. patches and sew (removable) or iron (permanent) them on depending on the patch style. Here’s a video of how to hand stitch using a whip stitch that works for sewing on patches (it’s very simple, I promise). And, last but not least, to complete the look, you’re obviously going to need an orange cat.

1. Villeine made in NYC canvas shortalls $420

2. “Vintage” Old Navy overalls 31” waist $85

3. Vintage classic denim overalls 48” $50

4. “Vintage” St. John’s Bay shortalls $79

5. Second hand western red bandana

6. Vintage western red bandana $36

7. Vintage 1950s red bandana

—X (2022): Mia Goth as Pearl in “X” wearing shortalls. This one is super easy because you just need shortalls, a red bandana and some cowboy boots. Similar to my post on overalls, you’re going to want to make sure the seams at high pressure points are flat felled, and the bib is clean finished. Sneaking in my Villeine Roy Shortalls even though they aren’t technically the same style, because you’ll have them forever of course ;) and it’s all about the vibes! Or, you can cut off and roll some existing overalls, if you feel so inclined…Oh, and don’t neglect the overdone blue eye shadow sans mascara to complete this look.

1. Vintage SEARS lined red jumpsuit (this would be warm for Halloween which is nice)! sz 38 $99.95

2. Vintage corduroy jumpsuit sz M $133.50

3. Vintage Red Kap workwear zip pockets boiler suit sz 50R $34

4. Vintage workwear boiler suit sz 2X $38

—Us (2019): Lupita Nyong'o as “Red”—OK yet another jumpsuit but this time, of the boiler variety, and in red. Same story with overalls/flight suits: you’re going to want to make sure the high pressure seams—i.e. rise, inseam, underarm, yoke are flat felled/clean finished. Oftentimes vintage boiler suits are a cotton/poly blend for durability (like work pants) which is not as breathable, of course, as 100% cotton. Something I forgot to note on the Alien jumpsuits is if the jumpsuit has a waist, try and get the front and back rise measurements, and the measurement from high point shoulder to top of waist—nothing worse than a jumpsuit riding up your crotch. If you have a jumpsuit to compare measurements to, that’s always the easiest way to gauge fit. Remember add at least 1” ease from body measurement —> garment if that’s all you’ve got to go off of for fit. Don’t forget to pair this look with inexplicable brown sandals, scissors, and a truly demonic expression.

1. Second hand Lee Matthews silk slip dress 28 1/2” waist $148.75

2. Second hand FRAME viscose/elastane slip dress sz XS $82.50

3. Vintage faded stretch nylon slip sz S $40

4. Vintage Jessica McClintock viscose crepe de chine sz S $50

5. Vintage costume tiara $30

6. Vintage costume tiara $39

7. Antique metal tiara beauutiful $75

—Carrie (1976): Sissy Spacek as Carrie during her sweet, pre-murderous rage at the prom. It seems like no one ever dresses up as Carrie pre-bloodied and I’d like to change that. Why not get yourself a beautiful pink silk slip dress and a tiara?? Just like with a silky slip skirt, depending on the cut, make sure the seams are French seam or pressed open clean finished. The fabric should be a satin, preferably of silk, but viscose or acetate are a good back-up. And as a birthday diva, I’m of the opinion that a tiara is a wardrobe must.

1. Vintage Christian Dior nightgown poly/cotton blend sz petite $87.50

2. Vintage Oscar de la Renta nightgown nylon sz L $35

3. Vintage nyon sheer nightie check w/ seller bc this may be nylon tricot, not chiffon/tulle as described. sz S $29

4. Vintage flannel floral nightgown sz L $37

5. Vintage sheer nightie robe w/ embroidery check fabric sz M $35

—Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Mia Farrow as Rosemary in her plethora of baby blue babydoll nighties. I’m obsessed with the shade of blue and it seems as though she wears multiple nightgowns; sometimes a long robe over a nightgown, sometimes a babydoll sleeveless mini, and there’s also the long sleeve version with lace detailing. I’m tossing these all into the mix for vibes so all you’ll really need is a baby blue babydoll nightie and a knife (hopefully fake if you’re carrying it around, like Britney Spears on Instagram lately lol). Something to keep in mind for vintage nightgowns that are made from nylon is that nylon isn’t breathable so you may not want to actually sleep in them. Nylon nighties make for cool, sheer layering pieces in the daytime, though. And some of the options I’ve linked are of cotton if that’s more your speed. The condition of any vintage piece needs to be evaluated but especially check for tears on these delicate vintage sleepwear pieces.

1. Miu Miu wool CDC pleated suspender skirt $2,420

2. Vintage velvet fitted suspender skirt sz L $49

3. Second hand INTERMIX cashmere/wool fringe off-the-shoulder sweater sz L $24

4. White + Warren cashemere taupe off-the-shoulder sweaeer $262.50

5. Second hand Sies Marjan velour off-the-shoulder rib knit sweater sz S $52

6. Second hand Abercrombie & Fitch potentially cashmere off-the-shoulder sweater sz L $35

7. Second hand CDG poly suspender skirt sz XS $205

8. Vintage fitted suspender skirt adjustable strap canvas sz XS $36

—Heathers (1988): Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer in her influential convenience store (the '“SNAPPY SNACK SHACK”) outfit: a bar & brace (suspender) skirt + off the shoulder sweater. This is another costume I’ve sported before but I have even better clothing recommendations than when I wore this look, now. Miu Miu basically recreated this look on the runway last year. I think a bar & brace/suspender skirt is a forever piece as is a quality, sexy off-the-shoulder knit. For the suspender skirt, if it’s pleated, no need for lining, just make sure it’s a wool or a quality poly crepe is an acceptable substitute. If not pleated, make sure it’s lined and, again, with an A-line shape or vent/slit for movement if it’s midi length. Adjustable straps are a plus. And for the knit, opt for fully fashioned (no overlocked cut-and-sew seams) and go for a natural fiber, unless it’s velour like the Sies Marjan above. My other personal preference is that if it’s fitted, make sure it’s not too long because it’s basically impossible to fully tuck into pant an extremely long sweater. Lastly, add a brooch, cobalt blue tights and mary janes for this look.

1. Second hand Smythe linen mini green dbl breasted dress sz sz 6 $61.25

2. Vintage Girl Scouts uniform dress sz XS $33

3. Vintage white cotton nurse apron pinafore sz L $55.30

4. Pushbutton wool CDC front pocket detail dress $290

5. Vintage white Battenberg apron pinafore sz S $41.89

6. Vintage maid’s apron pinafore sz S $32

—Pan’s Labyrinth: Ivana Baquero as Ofelia in the forest. This one is a little more specific but I do think if you come upon a peter pan collar dress in the perfect shade of green, you must go for it. I’ve tried my best to find some viable small designer and vintage options, but it proved to be more difficult than I anticipated. And of course there’s the white cotton apron/pinafore dress over the top, a headband and flat mary janes with white socks (and a gigantic leather bound book).

Previous Horror Archetype Halloween costumes from an existing wardrobe :)

Hope you’ve enjoyed this deep dive of Horror Halloween costume inspiration and advice. As next week is my birthday, I will be taking a week off of CRACD for the first time since its inception. xo, your soon-to-be birthday & Halloween gal, Hannah