Here’s our guide on how you can wear the best Halloween costume without killing the party mood
When Halloween is just days away, I look forward to three things: haunted houses, Halloween parties, pumpkin spice lattes and checking out the most controversial outfits of 2017. Oh, we get it: Halloween is about turning heads – whether as the dead or alive. Just make sure to stay away from anything racist, sexist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, and anything downright disrespectful. But if you’re not keen on turning up at a party as the 50th Pennywise (remember when everyone was Suicide Squad’s Harley Quinn last year?), and you’re in search of the next best thing to go as, here are some handy hacks to avoid drama and drawing unwanted attention to your costume. Let’s face it: There’s nothing cool about upsetting a group of people.
Dressing as a god or religious figure? Just don’t.
This includes making religious clothing sensual – yes, I see you, sexy nun. For many people around the world, the kippah, niqab, hijab and turban aren’t costumes, but significant element of the faith they practice. Mocking someone’s religion or pretending to belong to that religion is in no way cool. Remember Heidi Klum as the Hindu goddess Kali in 2008? Take that as a no.
Do go as someone you admire
Whether that be Albert Einstein, William Shakespeare, Frida Kahlo or Hilary Clinton… see, even Katy Perry does Clinton!
Don’t appropriate other cultures
We can’t emphasize this enough. Other people’s traditions are not considered less sacrosanct just because you don’t practise it or see its significance. Fair enough if you’re going to traditional wedding or celebration, but not to a Halloween bash. Wearing Indian saris, Arabic keffiyeh and Native American headdresses as costumes is not acceptable. Making references to a certain community can damage racial stereotypes even more; we’re talking wearing a colourful poncho with a sombrero and a moustache. There’s a term for opting other people’s cultures for your Halloween get-up; it’s called ‘Columbusing’. Basically, ditch anything that isn’t part of your heritage.
Do dress up as your favourite fairytale character
Paint yourself Shrek green, or dress up as Red Riding Hood, Tinkerbell, Maleficent or that witch with the apples in Snow White – she’s pretty creepy, right?
Don’t do blackface
This includes yellowface and brownface. We can’t believe we have to say this, but here in Singapore there are still people who just don’t get it – we all remember what surfaced in the media last year. Someone else’s skin is not a costume. And you don’t win extra brownie points for such a stunt. But painting yourself a colour humans don’t naturally have like greenface or blueface a la Avatar? Be our guest.
Do keep it simple
If you need to keep explaining your costume, especially after a couple rounds of booze, then ditch that getup. Sometimes, less is more. Going as Danny and Sandy from Grease with some leather jackets and tights, as well as Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction with a white shirt, black trousers and a bloodied nose is as easy as it gets.
Don’t go crazy on body paint and makeup
In Singapore’s heat, layering yourself with body paint and makeup comes with a price. Do you need loads of it? If you’re going to sweating your butt off, especially when the night gets hot and heavy, then be warned: your body paint and makeup will be melting, and it ain’t going to be a pretty picture.
Do it yourself
Nothing more satisfying than getting those juices flowing and creating something you can call your own. Here’s how you can get started.
Too soon? Too disrespectful? If you need to ask…
Dressing up as dead Harambe, or even LKY is well… too soon. People were genuinely upset by their deaths, and that’s not really a good basis for a joke.
Dressing as the Kardashians is great fun, but give Caitlyn Jenner a miss. Going as a trans person or someone from the LGBT community is a no-go in our books. Also, being Kim Kardashian is fine, but not a getup of her being robbed at gunpoint. Don’t be anyone living their most terrifying experience.
Do dress up as something genuinely funny (or scary)
Gathering the squad and dressing as your favourite TV show and movie characters are great fun – think Stranger Things, Harry Potter and gang, The X-Men or The Avengers. For the laughs, memes are great fun. Go as Salt Bae, Big Shaq, Roll Safe, the little girl who interrupted her dad’s BBC interview, or Snapchat’s hot dog character – the list is endless.
Like this story? Here’s more we think you’ll enjoy:
Halloween events, heart-racing activities and haunted houses to get your scare on
Get your freak on at the city’s hottest Halloween parties
Costumes stores to prep your Halloween outfits
Complete your look with DIY Halloween-themed nails