DIY Halloween Costumes

Halloween Location Looks: Day 13 of 31 – American Horror Story

My month of DIY costumes shot in front of the actual shooting locations continues!! Day 13 is here and I even got creeped out shooting in front of this house! Today’s costume comes from:

American Horror Story - Titles

I watched the first season three years ago on the regular. I love scary movies and this show was like a weekly dose of shortened versions of horror movies. My costume inspiration for today came from Frances Conroy and Alexandra Breckinridge's portrayal of Moira, the maid. Both of them played her just at different points in time.

American Horror Story - Frances Conroy and Alexandra Breckinridge

I think that the house used in the TV show played just as big a part. It's so memorable looking and by association just creeps me out.  I mean the set decorators did a stellar job creeping it out!

American Horror Story -  House from season 1

The real life version is way less spooky, yet still I felt a little nervous shooting in front of it!

American Horror Story -  House

To complete this costume, here are the main elements:

American Horror Story -  Costume DIY

1. Black shirt (Hit up your local thrift stores, mall, or even your own closet!)

2. The hair! (my wig is c/o Party City)

3. Black Skirt (Something above the knee works! If you don't have one in your closet, here are some super budget friendly options!)

4. Short apron (Grab a white napkin, add some white ribbon to the top to tie, and voila, insta-apron!)

5. Lace trim (I took lace trim and pinned it to the cuffs and collar of my shirt. Easy copycat top!)

Time to get American Horror Story-ified!!

And, we made it to the house!!

American Horror Story -  Maid

I took a black shirt and skirt from my closet and added a bit of lace trim around the cuffs and collar to match the costume worn my Alexandra Breckinridge.

American Horror Story -  House

The apron came from a quick DIY of excess white fabric with a bit of ribbon to tie around my waist. Easy, makeshift apron!!

When standing in front of this scary house, I had to begin acting. My intentions were the following: someone is trying to get me, I need to save myself, all while pretending to get choked for the camera.  Totally method.

American Horror Story -  House

This is also a fab costume if you want to be the maid from Clue! Go with a bevy of friends as Col. Mustard, Miss Scarlett, Prof. Plum, or Mrs. Peacock and your group costume is complete!

American Horror Story -  House

One final shot...

American Horror Story -  House

...before leaving this location. I'm not going to lie - I totally ran to the car right after and shut the door quickly. I'm the most paranoid gal ever!!

Matching maids!

American Horror Story - Frances Conroy and Alexandra Breckinridge

Thirteen looks down, 18 to go!

TV Show Details:

American Horror Story (FX)

Location: 1120 Westchester Pl., Los Angeles, CA

Halloween Location Looks: Day 11 of 31 – Rebel Without A Cause

My month of DIY costumes shot in front of the actual shooting locations continues!! Day 11 is here and it’s from a James Dean classic. Today’s costume comes from:

Rebel Without A Cause - Title Card

Hello, James Dean!!

Rebel Without A Cause - James Dean

One of Los Angeles' landmarks plays a part in the film...the Griffith Observatory in Los Feliz.

Rebel Without A Cause - Griffith Observatory

Switchblades and the LA skyline.

Rebel Without A Cause - Griffith Observatory

Having the most important part of the costume hanging in my closet already made the decision to rock a little "Rebel Without A Cause" so much easier.

The key costume piece that you’ll need to rock a James Dean, is a red jacket:

Rebel Without A Cause - Halloween Costume

1. Red Jacket (I used a red suede Jenni Kayne one that I scored at a sample sale, so turn to your closet or grab one on a thrifting excursion.)

2. The hair...if you feel so inclined! (my wig is c/o Party City)

3. White T (Hanes do the trick!)

The Instagram teaser quote I gave was the following…

Rebel Without A Cause - Quote

...however, "why did you kill those puppies, John" could have worked as another memorable one. When I rewatched it recently, I had to go back and listen again to make sure that's what I actually heard!

Hello Griffith Observatory!!

Rebel Without A Cause - Griffith Observatory

Hello JD.

Rebel Without A Cause - Griffith Observatory

This might be the only shot where the wig actually agreed with me!

Rebel Without A Cause - Griffith Observatory

It was a wig flying in the wind, kinda day for the rest of the shots. I kept thinking that James must have dealt with bad hair days as well :)

Rebel Without A Cause - Griffith Observatory

The 50s vibe is down, using this fab black & white filter.

Rebel Without A Cause - Griffith Observatory

I was trying to be as tough looking as possible. Just like these dudes.

Rebel Without A Cause - Griffith Observatory

Nothing like standing in the same spot as James Dean did, almost 60 years later.

Rebel Without A Cause - Griffith Observatory

There's something pretty cool about that.

Rebel Without A Cause - Griffith Observatory

Fun costume to add to the potentials list! With a Natalie Wood on your arm, you've got a fab duo look!

Rebel Without A Cause - Griffith Observatory

Eleven looks down, 20 to go!

Movie Details:

Rebel Without A Cause (Warner Bros.)

Location: Griffith Observatory, 2800 E. Observatory Rd,, Los Angeles, CA

Halloween Location Looks: Day 7 of 31 – Cruel Intentions

My month of DIY costumes shot in front of the actual shooting locations continues!! Day 7 is here and it's from one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies. Today’s costume comes from:

Cruel Intentions - Title

The final scene from this film was shot at the All Saints Church in Pasadena...

Cruel Intentions - Title

...so it had to be one of this month's remakes! Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn is my costume inspiration.

Cruel Intentions - movie clip

The key Sarah Michelle Gellar costume pieces that you’ll need, include:

Cruel Intentions - Costume Elements

1. White Blouse (Straight from my closet leftover from my serving days!)

2. Cross (I used one from my collection but there are lots of Cruel Intentions fan sites that sell her exact one. Mine doesn't carry anything inside it though...)

3. Brown Wig (c/o Party City)

4. Plaid Skirt (This was a Goodwill, vintage Express find! Check out uniform supply stores too!)

5. Black Cardigan (From my collection, but this is another easy find, whether you hit H&M or Salvation Army.)

I featured one of my favorite quotes from the movie to tease today’s post on Instagram

Cruel Intentions - quote

Oh Sebastian...

Cruel Intentions - Halloween Costume - Sarah Michelle Gellar Ryan Phillippe

Using those five costume elements, my DIY Kathryn costume came together quite nicely!

Cruel Intentions - Halloween Costume

The collared shirt is key, so any sort of sweater or cardigan that you can add on top of it works like a charm! Throw on a patch as well to really give it the private school look.

Cruel Intentions - Halloween Costume - Sarah Michelle Gellar

The final scene of the movie is my favorite! Kathryn gets a little taste of her own medicine...

Cruel Intentions - Halloween Costume - Sarah Michelle Gellar

...and gets served by Selma Blair's character.

Cruel Intentions - Halloween Costume - Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar walks on one of the same sets of stairs...

Cruel Intentions - Halloween Costume - Sarah Michelle Gellar

...that I'm walking on below!

Cruel Intentions - Halloween Costume - Sarah Michelle Gellar

Tsk tsk tsk, SMG.

Cruel Intentions - Halloween Costume - Sarah Michelle Gellar Selma Blair

This is one of the perfect "last-minute costumes" that you can put together with things that you probably own already!

Cruel Intentions - Halloween Costume - Sarah Michelle Gellar - Kathryn costume

Just grab a gent to be your Ryan Phillippe or a gal pal to rock Reese Witherspoon or both for the perfect trifecta of Cruel Intentions awesomeness!

Seven looks down, 24 to go!

Film Details:

Cruel Intentions (released by Columbia Pictures., dir: Roger Kumble)

Location: All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena, CA