Study Ireland – Stories & Guides from International Students

Read Study Abroad UL Global Student Ambassador Efforti’s blog offering some easy costume ideas!

It is October, which means it is “Spooky Season”! Houses are now decked out with scary decorations, pumpkins, and a vibrant mix of purples and oranges. Halloween has always been one of my favourite events here in Ireland. Halloween is not widely celebrated in my home country, Indonesia, as a cultural event, it is an opportunity for a lot of young Indonesians to have fun, go out at night with friends, and, of course, dress up in awesome costumes.  

Over the years, my perception of Halloween has shifted from associating it solely with “scary” costumes to recognising the evolving traditions surrounding this holiday. In contemporary times, it’s become common for people to gravitate towards “trendy” or “skimpy” costumes as opposed to the traditional scary ones. After reading some historical articles and engaging with video essays, I have gained valuable insights into the underlying reasons for wearing scary costumes on Halloween. I am going to share my reflections on this matter and offer some simple yet effective costume recommendations that manage to encapsulate the eerie spirit of this festive occasion. 

The tradition of wearing Halloween costumes may have originated over 2000 years ago. It has its roots in the Celtic Pagan festival of Samhain, marking the end of summer and the beginning of the darker, colder seasons of autumn and winter. During this time, it was thought that the boundary between the human world and the realm of the supernatural was blurred, allowing mischievous spirits to roam freely. To ward off these spirits, people would leave out offerings of food and treats, and some would disguise themselves in frightening costumes to blend in with the otherworldly beings. This practice was believed to confuse and deter the wandering spirits from causing harm. 

We live in a time where Halloween costumes are generally cute and inspired by pop culture. However, to honour the historical roots of Halloween and its tradition of spooky costumes, I have compiled some costume suggestions. All you need is a black dress and some accessories to complete the look. 

1. Witch 

Image Credits: 

https://unsplash.com/photos/womens-black-and-red-dress-Ucoi3xtWzE4

Choose any black dress you have, whether it’s a maxi or a mini dress. Pair it with a classic black pointy witch hat. Complete your look with black tights, long gloves, and some necklaces. For makeup, I suggest bold and dark tones to enhance the witchy vibe.  

2. Vampire 

Image Credits:  

https://www.pexels.com/photo/gothic-woman-in-dark-corridor-with-makeup-29002896/

It’s time for your maxi whimsical dress to shine! I think long red or black beaded necklaces and earrings are the perfect accessories for this costume. You can also paint your nails red, wear fake fangs, and have bold and “hollow” makeup to complete the look. 

3. Black Swan 

Image Credits: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/black-swan  

For a striking black swan look, go for a black corset top with a ruffled tutu skirt or dress with a ruffled skirt, a black tiara, and some DIY feathers. Focus on bold eye makeup to complete the ensemble. This could be a lot of hard work, but trust me, it will look great.