There are some of us who let the ball drop every year when it comes to Halloween costumes. Between busy schedules and just plain having a lot on our minds (that and being slightly scatter-brained), pulling off a crazy-awesome DIY getup isn’t always in the cards. Luckily, all those fab new pieces you’ve been adding to your wardrobe for fall boast some serious potential for a pretty solid — or at least acceptable — All Hallow’s Eve ensemble. We’re sharing some of our favorite new season essentials, along with a few ideas for how to wear them come October 31.
1. Story of Lola Faux Fur Cape Coat ($160): From coats to clutches and everything in between, faux fur is back and bigger than ever. This statement piece is crazy chic and will keep you cozy all season long, but it also packs some major Halloween costume potential.
Wear This Costume: Toss it on over a slinky silk slip or shimmery fringe-flecked frock and add a feather hairpiece to channel some Gatsby-inspired vibes or embrace your inner feline with classic cat ears and a little face paint (eyeliner works too!). A few other ideas? Moonlight as a black bear or conjure up your very own monster-like creation.
2. Forever21 Double-Breasted Vest ($24): Vests were a summer staple, keeping us looking polished while the temps soared. Lucky for us, they’re sticking around for fall, serving as an easy layering piece for everything from midi-length dresses to sharp, tailored separates.
Wear This Costume:Woody Allen’s Annie Hall is a classic, and Diane Keaton’s style undeniably iconic. Recreate the beloved tomboy’s style with a streamlined vest, tie and relaxed trousers.
3. Free People After the Storm Maxi ($168): Flirty and feminine with a major cool-girl edge, boho dresses are probably one of our favorite pieces this season. Not to mention they help keep summer alive, capturing a bit of those carefree vibes we crave all year long. How we like to wear it? With sassy ankle boots, a chic belt and a leather jacket.
Wear This Costume: Style icon Stevie Nicks is oh-so-on-trend right now, thanks to the ’70s sartorial sentiments sweeping the fashion world. Channel the Fleetwood Mac front lady by pairing up a floor-length floral frock with a choker necklace or skinny scarf, tambourine and plenty of ribbons.
4. Warehouse Waterfall Trench Coat ($152): Sleek and timeless, a trench coat is the undisputed transitional weather champion. Obviously, it’s high on our fall must-have list.
Wear This Costume: The possibilities are almost endless. Close it up, throw on a hat and whip out an eyeglass for an Inspector Gadget-inspired get up, or safety pin an assortment of cheap watches and jewelry inside the jacket for a sketchy salesman. (Bonus points for faux mustaches here!).
5. J.O.A. Plaid Tie Front Skirt ($68): Plaid falls to the wayside when warmer weather hits, but we’re all about this timeless age-old pattern from September straight through May. While it has an undeniably casual feel, styling it with polished separates like leather-look bottoms, tailored trousers or a structured blazer can instantly turn things around.
Wear This Costume: We’ll admit it: We’re a little obsessed with the Outlander series. So obviously the first thing that came to mind when we saw this sassy knee-length skirt was the Highlands. Pair it up with plaid scarf tied asymmetrically from shoulder to hip to create a sash, a flowy high-neck top, blazer and brown belt.
6. J.Crew Striped Boatneck Top ($40): When doesn’t a striped top come in handy? The answer: never. The perfect partner in crime to everything from flare jeans to a skater skirt, this is one piece that guarantees some major mileage.
Wear This Costume: Where do we even start? From burglars to mimes and French stereotypes (complete with beret and baguette), this one simple item will get you through all of the Halloween parties on your very busy schedule.
7. H&M Ribbed Dress ($60): It’s all about the knits. Keep cozy while staying on top of your sartorial game with a ribbed maxi in super-soft jersey and a pair of lace-up ankle boots.
Wear This Costume: While in everyday life this ankle-skimming number has a laid-back, boho appeal, for Halloween it’s all about those futuristic vibes. That’s right, we’re talking Princess Leia (it’s perfect, right?). Just add a belt to the waist and then pull your hair back into the iconic double-bun ‘do and you’re set.
8. Le Specs Hollywood Blvd Sunglasses ($70): Chic sunglasses never go out of style. Modernized cat eye shades are big this season, and we’re totally diggin’ it.
Wear This Costume:Whip out those sunnies and get dressed to the nines, because this year you’re channeling Anna Wintour. A classic frock, collar necklace and a short bob wig (an absolute must) will drive the look home, but throw in a faux-fur topper for good measure too.
9. Zara Suede Dress ($100): Just in case you hadn’t noticed, we’re a little suede obsessed. So of course a piece or two in the soft, supple fabric was kind of a given. Since we already have a button-front skirt kickin’ around in our closets, we’ve set our sights on this ’60s-inspired jumper. Far out.
Wear This Costume: Play up the dress’s mod flair and go incognito as Megan from Mad Men. Layer it over a flouncy floral frock, style hair into a mod high pony and rock a mean pair of ankle boots. Bonus points for a perfectly executed cat eye.
10. Topshop Undone Hem Denim Culottes ($68): Wide leg and culottes combine for an of-the-moment piece that quickly becomes the cornerstone of your off-duty dressing routine.
Wear This Costume: Ahoy there! Jazz up these bottoms with a striped shirt, bandana and a paper hat for a little seafaring-inspired style.
11. Express Skinny Scarf ($15): The skinny scarf is the undisputed must-have of the season and is an essential component of the whole ’70s-inspired aesthetic. Not to mention it adds a softness to everything from button-downs to shift dresses.
Wear This Costume: The skinny scarf brings to mind a particular designer’s go-to accessory: Karl Lagerfeld’s iconic tie. Nab the mastermind behind Chanel and Fendi’s signature styles with a white button-down, black blazer, matching trousers and the pièce de résistance — oversized shades. Don’t forget to practice those Karlisms!
12. Zara Tunic with Slits ($50): Like a classic white button-down, this light, airy tunic has versatile written all over it. Layer it over flares for a poetic, bohemian vibe or tuck it into a midi skirt for an office-ready ensemble.
Wear This Costume: Paired with culottes, a bandana and a bit of gauze wrapped just so around the head, you have a killer Van Gogh getup. Another idea? Tuck it into rolled-up, loose-fitting trousers, wrap a bandana around the head and toss on an eye patch for a pirate-approved look.
13. MiH Marrakesh Jean ($240): The hottest denim silhouette this season is anything but your standard skinny pair. This is definitely the year of the flare, which we’re a little more than pumped about. They just look so good with all those chunky-heeled kicks!
Wear This Costume: A flower child complete with a fringe-flecked jacket, flowy floral top and a pair of round sunnies is an obvious choice (and makes good use of all those fashionable fall essentials in your closet right now), but these babies pack so much more potential. Wear it with a fitted white tee, messy bun and basket for a Jane Birkin-inspired look or show up to your Halloween soiree as a street style star, no rules necessary.
What was your best last-minute Halloween costume? Tell us in the comments!
