Vintage Halloween Costume Ideas
When looking for a vintage Halloween costume for a party or a masquerade ball, draw inspiration from a particular decade in cinematic or musical history. Locate an image in the vintage style you are keen on and then bring it with you to a vintage shop. This allows you to compare what's available. Seek out specialized vintage shops that focus on particular eras for easier shopping. Include accessories such as jewelry or ties but limit props as they can be awkward to lug around.
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Roaring '20s
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This decade marked the beginning of talking pictures with Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplain, Clara Bow and Louise Brooks. Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington introduced jazz music and fashion to dance halls and clubs.
Vintage costumes from the 1920s invoke images such as the flapper and Art Deco inspired fashion, collegiate apparel and business suits. Pull together a straight, angular low-waisted dress with a V- or U-shaped neckline with a long length of vintage pearls or similar and a cloche.
Optional looks for men are high-waisted trousers with wide legs and Faire Isle patterned v-neck sweaters. Include a boater straw hat or English driving hat and bow-tie for the finished college look.
Focus on jazz club attire such as a black tails coat, single-breasted tuxedo jacket or fitted suit and starched white shirt. Items like opera scarf, top hat, suspenders and spats will complete the costume.
Dirty '30s
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Remembered for the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, the 1930s were also distinguished by speakeasies, gangsters and outlaws such as Al Capone and Lucky Luciano. Locate images of starlets such as Jean Harlow, Greta Garbo and jazz singer Billie Holiday.
Be on the lookout for a vintage 1930s ankle-length dress with a bias cut or halter bodice, along with essentials such as a boa or wrap and gloves. Achieve Greta Garbo's classy but comfortable style with a slouchy fedora, 1930s tailored white shirt, wide pajama pants and black silk tie.
Capture gangster flair with a vintage pinstriped suit, fedora hat, wide tie and suspenders along with two-tone shoes. A formal dress costume should consist of a white double-breasted dinner jacket, white tuxedo shirt, black pants, black bow-tie and handkerchief in the pocket.
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Swinging '40s
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The United States entered World War II in 1941. From the 1940s came the sensible fashion of the USO and the swinging chic of be-bop jazz and Big Band. When searching, take color into account and choose outfits that exemplify work and patriotism.
Explore the Andrew Sisters and Lena Horne, pin-ups Rita Hayworth and Betty Grable. Costume ideas should embrace 1940s tailored gabardine suits, fitted waists and shoulder padding, satin bodice dresses, swingy skirts.
Take a cue from the conservative yet stylish Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra or jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong.
Follow in Sinatra's footsteps with a fedora, silk tie and orange pocket scarf neatly folded. Complete the ensemble with a vintage bespoke suit which was tailor-made, crisp white shirt and high-waisted trousers that rise above the shoe.
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