 ll Hallows’ Eve: A dark and chilling autumnal night perennially beset by the pervasive spectre of all manner of witches, wizards, ghouls, zombies and wayward apparitions alike descending upon the world with an intent upon delivering considerable ephemeral fright; A beloved evening of (sensible) debauchery and holiday delight endearing in its own unique traditional right that is markedly a celebratory occasion to which a gentleman is rarely tasked (nor expected, save for masquerade balls) to rakishly flex his sartorial might…or so we've come to (begrudgingly?) accept without further insight. |
That having been said, it certainly would not be a stretch to surmise herewith that yours truly has never been of the peculiar ilk who arrives come the witching hour of Hallowe'en struck by an enduring volition -- beyond that which was previously present during my formative years mind you — to comically “play dress up” nor do I count myself amongst the nostalgically besotted lot en masse who are seemingly all but too keen upon falling prey to the prospective age-old traditional of children and adults alike donning the sort of 'costumed' affairs that (when worn by grown men rather than toddlers, the latter of which have carte blanche to sport whatsoever costume pleases them most) can often be immediately grouped into one of two categories of dressage: distastefully kitschy or lazily cliched (read: old hat).
Inasmuch, it was certainly with great surprise (and a latent potency of guilty pleasure therein) that I recently caught myself (for the first time in many years) whimsically cast adrift daydreaming about of alternative sartorial ’alter-egos’ I would fancy adopting as a "costume" if but only for one evening should the personal desire or a peculiar social calling arise and present itself that necessitates the wearing of a costume.
And so it was from that uncommon occurrence to which the sartorially discerning All Hallows’ Eve "costume" style guide resting before you today came to fruition.
Fashioned primarily to satiate the discerning tastes of style-conscious modern gentlemen the world round whilst being purposefully presupposed to function as an inspired point-of-reference for any who may be looking for alternative ways to tastefully “dress” up come the occasion, it warrants immediate note that this exploratory feature henceforth consists of five distinctively rakish, pop-culture inspired ‘costumed’ affairs each chosen and fastidiously curated so as to adhere to the following styling criteria:
Inasmuch, it was certainly with great surprise (and a latent potency of guilty pleasure therein) that I recently caught myself (for the first time in many years) whimsically cast adrift daydreaming about of alternative sartorial ’alter-egos’ I would fancy adopting as a "costume" if but only for one evening should the personal desire or a peculiar social calling arise and present itself that necessitates the wearing of a costume.
And so it was from that uncommon occurrence to which the sartorially discerning All Hallows’ Eve "costume" style guide resting before you today came to fruition.
Fashioned primarily to satiate the discerning tastes of style-conscious modern gentlemen the world round whilst being purposefully presupposed to function as an inspired point-of-reference for any who may be looking for alternative ways to tastefully “dress” up come the occasion, it warrants immediate note that this exploratory feature henceforth consists of five distinctively rakish, pop-culture inspired ‘costumed’ affairs each chosen and fastidiously curated so as to adhere to the following styling criteria:
To that end, and if save for nothing else, you could say that this feature provides visual proof that even those of the most discerning and sound sartorial mind can endeavour to fully embracing “dressing up” in comfort and style come All Hallows’ Eve given they pursue a "look" that is perhaps a touch more tastefully poised, sartorially sensible, and characteristically becoming rather than something plucked from the atypical splattering of cookie-cutter pirates, Roman (toga wearing) senators, and (shirtless) vampires that are commonly referenced en masse all too often.
To wit, you can (sartorially) rest assured going forward in knowing that the following Halloween costumes are all faithful characteristic renditions of some of the most sartorially revered and iconic (as well as a few underrated) characters to have ever graced the silver-screen (and classic/pop literature) over the past century — those with signature styles worth aping that are primed to please even the most discerning eyes in one respect or another.
To wit, you can (sartorially) rest assured going forward in knowing that the following Halloween costumes are all faithful characteristic renditions of some of the most sartorially revered and iconic (as well as a few underrated) characters to have ever graced the silver-screen (and classic/pop literature) over the past century — those with signature styles worth aping that are primed to please even the most discerning eyes in one respect or another.
From Frank Bullitt and Dr. Jones through Skellington, Tintin and 007, these 5 'costumes' are as sartorially astute as they are culturally iconic…
Undeniably handsome, rakish, immediately identifiable (within certain circles that is), and (dare I say it) each of underlying investment worthy sartorial merit (as consequence of utilizing everyday wardrobe staples that can be sported well beyond Halloween), what this cultivated collection of my “top five” Halloween costumes consists of are what could be confidently deemed as being amongst the most tastefully stylish (or alternatively playful; i.e. Tintin) costumed personas in existence; those wholly deserving of all due consideration by any gentleman of style and substance who is looking for something with a little more sartorial clout behind it come this (or any other) Halloween.
Wear each precisely as presented or however you personally see fit to any party or event you attend between now and the 31st before thereafter proceeding to both repurposing and utilizing the various traditional wardrobe staples highlighted within each in due course of crafting what can actively surmount to being a seasonally bridging array of sartorially astute and ruggedly handsome A/W looks (i.e. tweed sports coat with raw selvedge denim and chukkas for example) that will help you transition from work to play for years to come with effortless panache in hand — from sporting Jack Skellington’s chalk stripe suit at the office (or leisure) and Tintin’s mac on rainy days through 007’s dinner jacket on special occasions/weddings and Bullitt’s turtleneck whenever the desire for simple elegance strikes.
Wear each precisely as presented or however you personally see fit to any party or event you attend between now and the 31st before thereafter proceeding to both repurposing and utilizing the various traditional wardrobe staples highlighted within each in due course of crafting what can actively surmount to being a seasonally bridging array of sartorially astute and ruggedly handsome A/W looks (i.e. tweed sports coat with raw selvedge denim and chukkas for example) that will help you transition from work to play for years to come with effortless panache in hand — from sporting Jack Skellington’s chalk stripe suit at the office (or leisure) and Tintin’s mac on rainy days through 007’s dinner jacket on special occasions/weddings and Bullitt’s turtleneck whenever the desire for simple elegance strikes.
Be that as it may, each costume to follow is as sartorially astute in both its (everyday) practical utility and transitional versatility as it is easy to pull together (given your wardrobe is more smart then casual that is) as a Halloween costume seeing as the vast majority simply call for the sort of commonplace wardrobe staples that many amongst us have already hastened ourselves to investing in (and should you be missing any of those needed don't fret as there is indeed an accompanying shopping guide to fill in any gaps/styling desires you may have).
Howbeit, I'd argue that this collection of handsomely poised ensembles tastefully strikes that perfect balance between channelling the playful spirit of the holiday and ensuring you cut an (unexpected )sartorial dash irrespective of your final holiday destination be it a laid-back workplace soiree, hosting your own cocktail party in the comforts of home, or toying with the prospect of attending the ne plus ultra of sartorial halloween affairs, a black tie masquerade ball.
Being at once equal parts sartorially iconic, cinematically revered, and timeless genteel, who knew that wearing a ‘costume’ on All Hallows' Eve could be so fashionably sensible, aesthetically pleasing, and rakishly inspired.
All that having been said, let this style guide put all witches, ghouls and goblins alike on high notice that these fashionably astute 'costumes' are primed to set a new standard for what it means to get truly 'dressed up' come Halloween…
Howbeit, I'd argue that this collection of handsomely poised ensembles tastefully strikes that perfect balance between channelling the playful spirit of the holiday and ensuring you cut an (unexpected )sartorial dash irrespective of your final holiday destination be it a laid-back workplace soiree, hosting your own cocktail party in the comforts of home, or toying with the prospect of attending the ne plus ultra of sartorial halloween affairs, a black tie masquerade ball.
Being at once equal parts sartorially iconic, cinematically revered, and timeless genteel, who knew that wearing a ‘costume’ on All Hallows' Eve could be so fashionably sensible, aesthetically pleasing, and rakishly inspired.
All that having been said, let this style guide put all witches, ghouls and goblins alike on high notice that these fashionably astute 'costumes' are primed to set a new standard for what it means to get truly 'dressed up' come Halloween…
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Clockwise from top left -- THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX, BLONDIE, V, RICK O'CONNELL,
SHERLOCK HOLMES, MATT SMITH'S DR. WHO, THOMAS SHELBY & ALBERT EINSTEIN
SHERLOCK HOLMES, MATT SMITH'S DR. WHO, THOMAS SHELBY & ALBERT EINSTEIN
 alloween, otherwise unofficially known as international cosplay day for nearly one-and-all (save for those alike myself), is at once a time of social reverie, drunken debauchery (for some) and cheap haunted thrills. It is also traditionally an ominous, dark and foreboding holiday with a less then rosy charted history that long ago gave way of its previous cultural underpinnings so as to fully embrace the commercially driven candy and kitschy costume-laden modern cultural landscape that has all but seen fit in distastefully stripping it of its bygone glitz, glamour and style (not to mention much of its associative debauchery as well). | : Masquerade Ball Style Guide :  |
And yet, if truth be told all is certainly not lost, nor is the holiday a complete sartorial wasteland given one is afforded the opportunity or invitation to attend the right sort of events (i.e. elegant cocktail parties + charity black tie masquerade balls) and knows how to truly channel both the spirit of the season and said occasions all in due course of ‘dressing up’ with suitable panache.
To that end, this exploratory style guide touches upon just how to accomplish such a feat whilst espousing upon some of the most sartorially astute Halloween ‘costumes' for modern gentleman of style and substance to reference this upcoming October 31st (as well as the cold weather seasons to follow).
To that effect, I can only hope that it has helped cast a refreshing and inspired light upon just how tastefully elegant and sartorially poised All Hallows’ Eve can be given the proper venue be tendered and a refined ‘costume’ donned to mark said occasion by all those with an innate predilection for celebrating this very unique holiday in a truly rakish capacity.
All that having been said, you could say that after years of resigning myself to accepting the status quo as well as to being nothing more then a spectator to the kitschy Halloween costumery that perennially litters the streets this time of year, that I myself have even come full circle in renewing both my stance on the holiday and what it truly means to ‘dress up’ and cut a sartorial dash come the witching hour.
To wit, I am now of the staunch belief that a gentleman — should he desire something a touch more modest and sartorially enterprising then a toga for example — need never again have to choose between abiding by the status quo and looking his best on Halloween (which more often then not previously meant for yours truly going costume-free) as there is always another option out there awaiting those in which are willing to look.
And so ladies and gentleman, it is with that renewed Halloween vigour as well as this style guide in hand that I propose raising an (eyeball free) glass to both the holiday as well as all those who endeavour to bringing back but a small glimmer of the now bygone glamour and sartorial decadence that has for far too long been missing from All Hallows’ Eve…
To that end, this exploratory style guide touches upon just how to accomplish such a feat whilst espousing upon some of the most sartorially astute Halloween ‘costumes' for modern gentleman of style and substance to reference this upcoming October 31st (as well as the cold weather seasons to follow).
To that effect, I can only hope that it has helped cast a refreshing and inspired light upon just how tastefully elegant and sartorially poised All Hallows’ Eve can be given the proper venue be tendered and a refined ‘costume’ donned to mark said occasion by all those with an innate predilection for celebrating this very unique holiday in a truly rakish capacity.
All that having been said, you could say that after years of resigning myself to accepting the status quo as well as to being nothing more then a spectator to the kitschy Halloween costumery that perennially litters the streets this time of year, that I myself have even come full circle in renewing both my stance on the holiday and what it truly means to ‘dress up’ and cut a sartorial dash come the witching hour.
To wit, I am now of the staunch belief that a gentleman — should he desire something a touch more modest and sartorially enterprising then a toga for example — need never again have to choose between abiding by the status quo and looking his best on Halloween (which more often then not previously meant for yours truly going costume-free) as there is always another option out there awaiting those in which are willing to look.
And so ladies and gentleman, it is with that renewed Halloween vigour as well as this style guide in hand that I propose raising an (eyeball free) glass to both the holiday as well as all those who endeavour to bringing back but a small glimmer of the now bygone glamour and sartorial decadence that has for far too long been missing from All Hallows’ Eve…
Share your thoughts, musings and sartorial anecdotes…
Do you 'dress up' for Halloween? If so, how do you prefer going about it and where do you typically set off to in due course of celebrating the holiday? Also, what would be you deem to be your top 5 rakishly-inspired All Hallows' Eve costume picks?
Share below should the inclination arise (or even if you have but a simple question for me)…
ENJOYED THE READ? PERHAPS THESE MAY ALSO BE OF INTEREST:
Share below should the inclination arise (or even if you have but a simple question for me)…
ENJOYED THE READ? PERHAPS THESE MAY ALSO BE OF INTEREST:
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