Trick or Chic: A Guide to a Stylish Halloween

Erin Keane

Issue date: 10/26/09 Section: Frontline

Halloween in Chicago is always a wild time of the year, our Mayor's favorite holiday, the city comes out in large to celebrate all things ghoulish. Next Saturday night, the question is not only where will you go, but also, what will you be?

This Halloween, I myself will be dressed, along with several other friends as a pack of zombies. I will be a living dead ballerina, distressed tutu, rotting make-up and all, but never mind my costume, I'm here today to bring you a few fun, creative, and who are we kidding, sassy ideas for disguises this All Hallows Eve.

As Project Runway's 6th season is in full swing and approaching the finale, there is no better costume than Pregnant Heidi Klum, even better if you can get a gay friend to come with you as Tim Gunn. This disguise is simple- find a cute, short black dress a size or two too big so you can stick a throw pillow underneath for your belly. If you aren't a natural blond- find that go-to long blond wig, and slick it back into a low bun- black pumps and some great earrings and you are good to go. Want to make it even cheekier? Get "In" silk screened on the front of the dress, and "Out" on the back- have your Tim Gunn silk screen "Make it Work" to the back of his suit jacket.

Looking for something a little more out there? Take your cues from glam rocker Karen O, front woman of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Choose her paper hand feather dress look from this summer's tour in promotion of their new album, It's Blitz, or a brightly colored metallic ensemble with vibrant opaque tights and some wild eighties make-up. Props are important with this one, bring a microphone so you can play the part and pump the mic in true Karen O style.

Finally, if you really want to get wild and crazy, step out this Halloween looking ever so chic and fabulous as only one man can, Karl Lagerfeld. A look so iconic you can easily get it at the thrift store. Buy a big, little boys black suit, white button down, black tie,some silver chains, and black square framed sunglasses. Spray your hair white and bouffant it back into a short ponytail, top it off with your best German smirk and voila, you will have the look of fashion's best-loved couturier.

Wondering where to find the pieces required to create these fabulous costumes? Ragstock at 812 W. Belmont has always been my Halloween go-to. Also, find your local thrift store-Unique Thrifts and Village Thrifts exist in almost every neighborhood in Chicago, scourge these spots for low budget finds that you won't mind using and abusing for one night only.

And with that, I wish you happy (and fashionable) haunting.

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