Vintage Halloween Inspiration
Halloween has arrived! I thought about all of those years where I'd scramble to put a costume together super last minute when I get an invite to a party that I didn't know about. Or other times where I'd really plan out the perfect Halloween costume and would feel a sense of pride at my creation. I will hopefully be able to document my costume so that I can share it here next week. I thought that I would share with you some of my ideas for Halloween based on our favorite glamour girls of yesteryear. Granted my costume ended up not being inspired by what I will show you--I ended up pulling inspiration from an unlikely source. But there is always a starting point! These are costumes I either considered or that I one day want to recreate for myself in the future.
(In no particular order!) 1.) The beautiful Hedy Lamarr in Ziegfeld Girl (1941). This costume radiates 1940s high glamour and the extravagance that musicals of the time portrayed in films. I would love to recreate this dress by sewing an original reproduction of it someday. There is so much detail to this extravagant costume--the draping of the dress, the dramatic sheer sleeve panels, all of the star appliqués, and obviously the highly reference elaborate star headdress. This costume is one that has been used quite often as inspiration for a runway look.
2.) Vampira of course! Maila Numi created this camp character during the 1950s. Her costume was inspired by Morticia Addams and she drew inspiration for her characterization from the evil queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and the Dragon Lady from the comic strip Terry and the Pirates (1934-73). This costume epitomizes sexiness and 1950s camp, but is also an easy costume to achieve with the right makeup and the perfect little (skin tight) black dress!
3.) Obviously Eartha Kitt's Catwoman in the third and final season of the TV series Batman which ran in 1960s. Eartha Kitt's Catwoman was vibrant, eccentric, and sexy all in one. Her costume is a fabulous black one piece long sleeved catsuit with gold detailing (belt, necklace, and long nails) that showcases the cool and interesting fashion sense that the 1960s had. Finished off with a fabulous black cat mask. If you are planning on doing this costume, make sure that you perfect the Eartha Kitt purrr!
4.) Last but not least (and my only colored photograph) is Aurora in Sleeping Beauty (1958). This is a photograph from the live action reference for the production of the animated Walt Disney film. Aurora was acted out by Helene Stanley who often acted as a reference for Disney films (such as Cinderella) This was my favorite princess movie as a child and recently I have dug in my childhood vault and have been binging all of the Disney movies that I used to love (Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, etc.). I loved the illustrations of cartoons from the past (specifically 1950s-60s) and the soundtracks used. I think this is one of those costumes that could be achieved if the right vintage dress is found!
Those were my starting points, but as Halloween goes--plans change and costumes change with it. But I am very excited about what I pulled together and can't wait to (hopefully) get the opportunity to share it on here. Hope you enjoyed this little post and I hope you all had a fun Halloween! Until next time!
(DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the photos in this post)