Diane Kruger is Cabaret-chic and office appropriate; Photo: Elle.com
by Renae Virata
Office parties — especially ones that involve costumes — can be a nightmare…or an opportunity to show off your creativity in a way you’re normally not allowed to do at work. If you’re encouraged to dress up for Halloween or attend a Halloween-themed office party, you don’t have to suffer a complete meltdown trying to think of a good costume that will get you attention, but not the kind that’ll get you fired. Audrey, a CPA in Houston who also writes about fashion for her blog Chic Girl Style, has tips for figuring out how to make your Halloween costumes office appropriate.
- Tone down your real costume: Audrey says that she uses an office-appropriate version of the costume she’s planned for parties with friends. “One year,” she explains, “I was Bonnie, as in Bonnie and Clyde. My hair was already a blonde bob that year so I sported a cream beret, a Bonnie type sweater, switched my short skirt and fishnets I wore to the non-office Halloween party for a longer skirt, no fishnets and work heels.”
- Make an effort: If you don’t already have a costume planned, show your boss that you’re a good sport and don a pair of cat ears and an all-black outfit, like Audrey did one year. You don’t have to wear yoga pants and mittens like you did as a kid but could wear a fitted black pencil skirt and black blouse or cardigan, with boots or pumps, depending on the weather. If you’re not a fan of cats, “you could do something similar and simply wear a witch hat,” Audrey suggests.
- Get a feel for the office vibe: Ask your office mates what they’re planning to wear on Halloween to avoid a Lindsay Lohan Mean Girls moment. If no one’s really dressing up, just bring a fun accessory like cat ears or a cowgirl bandana. “If short skirts are a no-no at your office,” Audrey says, “then turn your party-appropriate sexy fireman/french maid/kitten/witch/whatever costume into a toned down version!”
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