I am, unashamedly, a Halloween enthusiast. Maybe it’s because I grew up in one of the most haunted places in America, maybe it’s the burden of being a spooky brunette, but to me, there is no greater pleasure than a sickening costume, a sickening amount of candy, and a sickening party. And that’s why it hurts me so much when I see lame, no effort, snoozeville, ordered-on-Amaz*n-the-night-before shams. Flames, flames on my face. I’ve said it before but I think if you’re not going to pull something original and interesting, the best option is to select an option from the pre-approved list of Halloween costumes—and do it with gusto. A vampire. A black cat. A bank robber with a burlap sack is nothing to sneer at. Mummy is always a thrill. One of my all-time favorite Halloween costumes is pumpkin. A friend of mine goes every year as George Washington.
Personal style hero Allegra Samsen does an amazing, and very elegant, pumpkin (not to mention a show stopping Erin Brokovitch). She stops by to give us her tips for a successful Halloween:
What makes a great Halloween costume?
Critical thinking and a low, low budget.
What’s your best costume ever?
My personal best Halloween costume was Erin Brockovich last year. The physical costume just ended up being the VHS final product of recreating her outfit in that movie. I’m all for having an epic Halloween time, but I usually always get sick on Halloween, time again year after year, so that’s literally what happened last year so just having the final result—it now still sits on my shelf, that fuck ass VHS, but it was so satisfying. My second personal best was my Carrie costume in 2022, which I also never even went out and it was just to capture. It creatively fulfilled me so much. I love a good costume for a creative fulfillment too.
Any tips?
Liposomal vitamin C and avoid 6th Ave like the Plague, but other than that, go crazy kids. No tricks, all treats, ball out.
Nicolaia Rips
“Cicciolina 2021, iconic pornstar, politician, and Jeff Koons’ first wife. This is a great costume for when you’re single because you can wander around a party asking hot but insipid men if they’ll be your Jeff Koons.”
Steff Yotka
“As you can obviously tell, my husband was Salvador Dalí and I was his ocelot. We made the moustache by cutting off the ends of my hair and securing them to Aaron’s existing moustache with clear nail polish.”
Alex Kessler
“One year I went as a Space Bar. Needed some Space.”
Alice Lees
“Chopova Lowena Clown.”
Ernesto Macias
“This picture was brought back to my attention thanks to the iPhone’s reminder feature. I think this is the first time Ben and I met IRL. It was 7 years ago. I hope he’s OK with me sharing it. Love you Ben.”
Douglas Greenwood
“I can’’t tell you how old I was in this picture, maybe 6 years old. I love that I’’m a pumpkin with a pumpkin mask on. This may also be the last time I dressed up; I’ve found it humiliating ever since.”
Flora Medina
“My fifth costume of the halloween season at my haunted southern art school in 2023. As my roommate and I were a silly Wasian/blonde girl duo of our own, it was only right for us to be Maya and Anna (and I somehow already had the appropriate wig on hand).”
Sarah Lou Kiernan
“Last year I was the infamous Duane Reade bag with the handles tied from Lily Allen’s ‘Pussy Palace’ song. The costume somehow got onto Miss Allen’s Instagram story, which I would say is my crowning achievement in this life. I love gay Halloween!!!”
Marley Wendt
“I’ve lost most of my photos but I dressed up as a polar bear every halloween (and day) of my childhood.”
James Creighton
“Woof.”
Ch’lita
“In high school, I dressed up as a member of Insane Clown Posse. To my chagrin, everyone else was an angel or a sexy cat. Nobody recognized me—and my night ended up in A&E.”