11 American Horror Story Costume Ideas and How-Tos for Halloween (or Everyday Life)
Last night saw the world premiere of American Horror Story: Hotel, and contrary to popular belief it was not about the time I stayed in Montreal for three days in a room with a broken bed and stains everywhere.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on what you’d rather watch), it’s another Ryan Murphy free-for-all — one in which the first episode brought us group sex and blood-drinking and Lady Gaga (a.k.a. I guess just another Wednesday night).
That’s why we’ve rounded up the most iconic AHS looks and provided our tips and tricks for getting them yourself. And while we’re not going to officially call it a Halloween costume guide because it’s barely October no one here is deranged, note that as I type this yes I am winking while carving a pumpkin.
American Horror Story: House
The Maid
On the one hand, we have a traditional Halloween choice: the stereotypical “sexy” maid look, courtesy of the young-and-also-deceased Moira O’Hara — complete with miniskirt, garter, stockings, and Joan Harris-like red hair (which will either require a wig or a serious commitment on your part). On the other? We have older-and-equally-as-deceased Moira O’Hara, whose hair is as clearly as glorious, but whose get-up is a little more work appropriate since we can’t actually see her garter.
Either is great, both are fine, but one allows for the wearing of sensible shoes which allows for optimal trick-or-treating (because we’re all still doing that, right?).
American Horror Story: House
Tate Langdon
Admittedly, to commit to the aesthetic of young Tate Langdon — a.k.a. the spirit of a dead teen played by Evan Peters — will take more time and skill than most of us have or are willing to master. On the other hand? For the first time, you’ll be able to channel the majesty of Rick Genest/Zombie Boy, while justifying the purchase of a new leather jacket. Just remember to powder your face first.
American Horror Story: House
Rubber Man
Granted, I’m wearing this right now, but if you’re gunning for a costume that will scare and disturb anyone within a 10 km radius, behold: the power of the onesie. Although, if you’d like to avoid passing out in a costume that will allow absolutely no body heat to escape, you may want to pick up a nylon equivalent (found wherever school spirit/costumes are sold), and paint it black. Which is exactly what that Rolling Stones song is about.
American Horror Story: Asylum
Lana Winters
Vintage aficionados, this one’s for you. To perfect the look of the smart and victimized Lana Winters, you need only one thing: patience, while rifling through racks of old clothes for the perfect two-piece suit. Since the series is set in the early 1960s, any muted tones in era-appropriate styles will work — but only if you master Lana’s cat’s eyes, muted tones, curls, and expression of complete and utter horror.
American Horror Story: Coven
Fiona Goode
I understand that Coven embodies the mantra, “On Wednesdays, we wear black.” But where the rest of the coven borrow from the Stevie Nicks school of dress (see: a little less tailored, a little more bohemian), Fiona brought it, high fashion-style. Head-to-toe black, peplum, and a super-fitted pencil skirt helped cultivate the former Supreme’s reputation for boss-ass witchery, while her leather gloves and oversize sunglasses made her seem like a supernatural hit-woman. Which, of course, she kind of was. Just leave any/all cigarettes at home.
American Horror Story: Coven
The Rest
And since it’s actually a crime not to include the pieces that cemented Coven as an aesthetic gift, behold: your other options, ranging from gold corsets, gold shorts, feathers, and a scarf. Alternatively, you can also just wear these pieces at any point, except maybe the arm-warmers since it’s 2015 and not the set of Step Up.
American Horror Story: Coven
Myrtle Snow
File under: life goals. While her M.O. is ultimately to bring down Fiona, ours should all be to channel the majesty of Myrtle Snow whose bright red hair, cat’s eye glasses, and Victorian-style gloves and silhouettes make everything most of us own look like garbage. So in that case, maybe use Halloween as the Myrtle Snow gateway: introduce the world to your new permanent aesthetic, while giving yourself a reason to dye your hair red, finally (following a wicked-real perm).
American Horror Story: Freak Show
Bette and Dot Tattler
Bless us everyone. Despite the twins’ minimalist hair and makeup (earthy tones and a straight bob — so, low maintenance and completely doable), this is the costume you’ll have the most fun in. Why? Because, after almost ten years after we saw it, you can finally channel Michael Scott.
And honestly that is a double date I would be here for.
American Horror Story: Freak Show
Elsa Mars
As far as I’m concerned, the best part of Freak Show was the costume department. Case in point: the pastels of Elsa Mars, whose inner darkness works in complete contrast to her costume brights. Matching her aqua eye shadow to her aqua blazer and bowtie (and capping off with a pink lip colour), she’s reminds us that throwing a neutral tone into the mix is never a bad thing. Also: that finger waves really do look good with everything.
American Horror Story: Hotel
Iris
The official costume of anyone who doesn’t want to dress up at all and just wants to wear a good outfit so seriously, everyone, just step off and—what do you mean there isn’t any candy here?
American Horror Story: Hotel
The Countess
Maybe you dressed up as Lady Gaga a few years ago. Maybe you still want to dress up as Lady Gaga. Maybe you are Lady Gaga. So, enter: The Countess, AHS’ most recent main character whose life choices make me anxious, but not nearly as anxious as her sparkly gloves complete with finger nails do. Ultimately, she’s Gaga Goes to the Oscars™ by embodying the singer’s Rat Pack-inspired glam via fitted pieces, swept updo, and smoky eyes. Also, last night she wore a kimono robe. (So if you literally don’t want to get out of bed to go to a party, you’ve found a compromise.)
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Last night saw the world premiere of American Horror Story: Hotel, and contrary to popular belief it was not about the time I stayed in Montreal for three days in a room with a broken bed and stains everywhere.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on what you’d rather watch), it’s another Ryan Murphy free-for-all -- one in which the first episode brought us group sex and blood-drinking and Lady Gaga (a.k.a. I guess just another Wednesday night).
That’s why we’ve rounded up the most iconic AHS looks and provided our tips and tricks for getting them yourself. And while we’re not going to officially call it a Halloween costume guide because it’s barely October no one here is deranged, note that as I type this yes I am winking while carving a pumpkin.
American Horror Story: House
The Maid
On the one hand, we have a traditional Halloween choice: the stereotypical “sexy” maid look, courtesy of the young-and-also-deceased Moira O’Hara -- complete with miniskirt, garter, stockings, and Joan Harris-like red hair (which will either require a wig or a serious commitment on your part). On the other? We have older-and-equally-as-deceased Moira O’Hara, whose hair is as clearly as glorious, but whose get-up is a little more work appropriate since we can’t actually see her garter.
Either is great, both are fine, but one allows for the wearing of sensible shoes which allows for optimal trick-or-treating (because we’re all still doing that, right?).
American Horror Story: House
Tate Langdon
Admittedly, to commit to the aesthetic of young Tate Langdon -- a.k.a. the spirit of a dead teen played by Evan Peters -- will take more time and skill than most of us have or are willing to master. On the other hand? For the first time, you’ll be able to channel the majesty of Rick Genest/Zombie Boy, while justifying the purchase of a new leather jacket. Just remember to powder your face first.
American Horror Story: House
Rubber Man
Granted, I’m wearing this right now, but if you’re gunning for a costume that will scare and disturb anyone within a 10 km radius, behold: the power of the onesie. Although, if you’d like to avoid passing out in a costume that will allow absolutely no body heat to escape, you may want to pick up a nylon equivalent (found wherever school spirit/costumes are sold), and paint it black. Which is exactly what that Rolling Stones song is about.
American Horror Story: Asylum
Lana Winters
Vintage aficionados, this one’s for you. To perfect the look of the smart and victimized Lana Winters, you need only one thing: patience, while rifling through racks of old clothes for the perfect two-piece suit. Since the series is set in the early 1960s, any muted tones in era-appropriate styles will work -- but only if you master Lana’s cat’s eyes, muted tones, curls, and expression of complete and utter horror.
American Horror Story: Coven
Fiona Goode
I understand that Coven embodies the mantra, “On Wednesdays, we wear black.” But where the rest of the coven borrow from the Stevie Nicks school of dress (see: a little less tailored, a little more bohemian), Fiona brought it, high fashion-style. Head-to-toe black, peplum, and a super-fitted pencil skirt helped cultivate the former Supreme’s reputation for boss-ass witchery, while her leather gloves and oversize sunglasses made her seem like a supernatural hit-woman. Which, of course, she kind of was. Just leave any/all cigarettes at home.
American Horror Story: Coven
The Rest
And since it’s actually a crime not to include the pieces that cemented Coven as an aesthetic gift, behold: your other options, ranging from gold corsets, gold shorts, feathers, and a scarf. Alternatively, you can also just wear these pieces at any point, except maybe the arm-warmers since it’s 2015 and not the set of Step Up.
American Horror Story: Coven
Myrtle Snow
File under: life goals. While her M.O. is ultimately to bring down Fiona, ours should all be to channel the majesty of Myrtle Snow whose bright red hair, cat’s eye glasses, and Victorian-style gloves and silhouettes make everything most of us own look like garbage. So in that case, maybe use Halloween as the Myrtle Snow gateway: introduce the world to your new permanent aesthetic, while giving yourself a reason to dye your hair red, finally (following a wicked-real perm).
American Horror Story: Freak Show
Bette and Dot Tattler
Bless us everyone. Despite the twins’ minimalist hair and makeup (earthy tones and a straight bob -- so, low maintenance and completely doable), this is the costume you’ll have the most fun in. Why? Because, after almost ten years after we saw it, you can finally channel Michael Scott.
And honestly that is a double date I would be here for.
American Horror Story: Freak Show
Elsa Mars
As far as I’m concerned, the best part of Freak Show was the costume department. Case in point: the pastels of Elsa Mars, whose inner darkness works in complete contrast to her costume brights. Matching her aqua eye shadow to her aqua blazer and bowtie (and capping off with a pink lip colour), she’s reminds us that throwing a neutral tone into the mix is never a bad thing. Also: that finger waves really do look good with everything.
American Horror Story: Hotel
Iris
The official costume of anyone who doesn’t want to dress up at all and just wants to wear a good outfit so seriously, everyone, just step off and---what do you mean there isn’t any candy here?
American Horror Story: Hotel
The Countess
Maybe you dressed up as Lady Gaga a few years ago. Maybe you still want to dress up as Lady Gaga. Maybe you are Lady Gaga. So, enter: The Countess, AHS’ most recent main character whose life choices make me anxious, but not nearly as anxious as her sparkly gloves complete with finger nails do. Ultimately, she’s Gaga Goes to the Oscars™ by embodying the singer’s Rat Pack-inspired glam via fitted pieces, swept updo, and smoky eyes. Also, last night she wore a kimono robe. (So if you literally don’t want to get out of bed to go to a party, you’ve found a compromise.)){kind=link}