From closet to costume: Jewelry & Styling tips for Halloween

Temperatures are lower, leaves turn into rich copper tones, and we can finally enjoy wearing a cute cardigan: Autumn is here for real!

Which means...

we can start thinking about what we are wearing for Halloween!!

Despite it being my absolute time of the year, perceiving it as a fun aspect of Samhain, I see that over the years, I'm not always inspired to create a Halloween jewelry collection. I was today's old when I finally got it: of course it is! When we dress in an alternative way, have black as our happy color, and can find decent home decor only in October, Halloween is not a day, but a lifestyle!

On top of that, are we really the type of people who get an already-made costume at a party store? Like... maybe, you do you! But I know that for me, I adore the challenge of creating a full costume from what I have in my closet, and dive deep into completely different inspos.

Already-made costumes are often made of synthetic fabrics, giving them this plasticky, artificial feel, on top of not being breathable (feeling way too warm at a party, catching a cold instantly when there is a bit of air). By now, you can probably feel my deep hatred of polyester. But I digress, as the whole point is that, with "real" clothes, or pieces we craft and sew, we can bring life to tons of original costumes.

This also means that the choice of accessories is incredibly large. Of course, you'll find in my shop a collection of Halloween jewelry. What you'll find here are the staples of a classic Halloween look: skulls, bats, spiders, words... Classics for a reason: they always work!

If you’re ready to go beyond the classics, I’ve got you covered. Here are some costume tips to help you shape your character, and from there, it’ll be so much easier to know exactly which accessories will bring it all to life.

Tips and tricks for an epic costume (without breaking the bank)

Think outside the box

Sure, there are always trending TV shows or movie characters everyone will go for. But what about forgotten gems?

• Book characters (fairy tales, gothic novels, fantasy)
• Legends and folklore (banshees, yokai, selkies, Baba Yaga, knights…)
• Tabletop and video games (your D&D character, Zelda villains, Elden Ring bosses, etc.)
• Or even: inventing your own persona from scratch (a haunted doll, a witch from the future, a forest spirit).

Upgrade cheap accessories

Don’t underestimate budget props:

• Paint a plastic pistol, sword, or crown with acrylic paint to add patina, rust, or antique shine.
• Add ribbons, lace, or chains to a basic hat, corset, or cape.
• Replace plastic straps/ribbons with velvet or leather for a higher-end feel.

Bonus tip: upgrade your wigs

Wigs can turn an okayish costume into an epic look. Thing is, cheap wigs can look too fake, and no all styles worth investing into a high end one. So keep in mind that you can totally upgrade an affordable wig by making it look way more realistic. The trick is to get rid of the excess shine making it looking plastiky. Most of the time, dry shampoo is more than enough for that. Add extra realism by breaking the monotone aspect: real hair is darker at the roots. Replicate this shadow root effect by adding eyeshadow at the base of the hair: as it's temporary, you can try without damaging your wig. YouTube creators have more advanced tutorials, with more complex technics such as alcohol inks.

Use your own closet

You’d be surprised what you already own:

• That oversized blazer → instantly a witchy professor.
• Black maxi skirt + belt → a sorceress or medieval-inspired character.
• Sneakers with fake blood → zombie streetwear look.

Massive advantages in this strategy:

• You'll simply look better, as everyday clothes are made with better materials.
• It's obviously more ecological to use what you already have.
• No risk of looking like someone else, your outfit will be totally unique.

Think texture + layers

Create shapes and interest in your costume by layering different clothes. A corset on top of a chemise, an interesting strap just picking out, a ruffle you can see under a long skirt: it adds authenticity to your fit.

Hair & makeup can carry the costume

Sometimes the outfit is simple, but makeup transforms it:

• Smokey eyes + contour for a vampire.
• White powder + messy eyeliner → ghostly.
• Add fake scars, glitter, or even temporary hair dye for instant character.

Think about intent & purpose. Costumes become so much stronger when you ask "How does this character live?". Their daily habits can inspire accessories you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.

• A swordsman might wear a fingerless glove on their dominant hand to avoid blisters.
• An enchantress would have pouches dangling from her belt for herbs, oils, and ointments.
• A Victorian scientist might carry a notebook and a pocket watch.
• A pirate could add ropes, keys, or trinkets tied to their belt: anything they stole and got, including accessories from the bourgeoisie, worn in a sarcastic way. On this topic, I really invite you to dive into pirates' history, and learn, for example, why and how they wore wigs they stole. Sorry, not sorry: I'm passionate about that, so of course I had to degress.
• A forest spirit might be covered in charms, feathers, or tiny bells.

The small details not only make the costume more authentic, but also give you space to play with accessories and jewelry in unexpected ways.

Reinvent a character

You don’t always need to invent something from scratch: you can twist an existing character in unexpected ways.

• Gender-swap them.
• Place them in another era.
• Or give them a monstrous spin (a zombie Alice in Wonderland, a vampire Barbie, a ghostly Sherlock Holmes).
• A villain version of a sweet character, an evil one turned good.

Jewelry tips to complete your costume and make it unforgettable

Think by keyword & era.

If your character is Victorian, steampunk, Edwardian, Rococo, or medieval, search for jewelry by those era names. Even if the jewelry isn’t exactly what your character would wear, the period vibe helps sell the look. Then choose a piece that fits your aesthetic.

It will look awesome with your Rococo dress, it will also add tons of style to your oversize blazer outfit. Can't go wrong with this Labradorite and Onyx choker.

Choose pieces you’ll reuse.

Rather than something so specific that it can only be worn for one costume, go for jewelry that has versatility.

You can lean into the spirit of Vivienne Westwood’s wisdom:

“Buy less, choose well. Make it last. Quality, not quantity.”

Use this as a guiding motto: invest in a few quality accessories you’ll reuse, rather than many disposable ones. These are principles I apply every day in my shop, by crafting comfortable pieces that are durable and as versatile as possible. These are principles that also help significantly build a closet and a jewelry collection you'll love and use a lot.

You'll never regret investing into a stainless steel sword necklace: elegant and alt outfits, paired with a tartan skirt, or worn with a medieval dress, it works every time.

Repurpose and reposition pieces in creative ways.

Jewelry doesn’t always have to be worn “as intended”: you can make it do double duty in costume. For example:

• A necklace can become a head chain
• It can be pinned to a belt, corset, or sash as a decorative drop
• A bracelet could bridge between the two sides of a pair of stays (adding detail to a bodice)
• Brooches can be pinned on cloaks, hats, or even used on a ribbon to become a choker

Epic for everyday life, this chainmail necklace looks awesome worn as a head chain, with the chainmail part on your forehead. Hello Medieval Fantasy enchantress!

Layer and mix metals/textures.

Don’t worry if your costume is generally one color or tone. Layering different metals or mixing textures adds depth. Even pieces that don’t exactly match the character's “canon” still help make your look feel rich and intentional.

Use statement & anchor pieces wisely.

Pick one or two “anchor pieces” (a bold necklace, a dramatic pendant, a cameo) to ground the costume. Let smaller or flexible pieces (rings, ear cuffs, chain drapes) play supporting roles.

Something that looks like a toga, over a maxi tshirt dress to replace a "tunica intima", and here you are: a Roman merchant of the 3rd century, spending time at the tavern between two deals.

Think scale & proportion.

If your costume has large collars, heavy fabrics, or dramatic silhouettes, match with jewelry that has weight and presence (chunky chokers, big pendants). If your look is delicate, opt for fine pieces with dainty chains, tiny charms, or filigree.

At the end of the day, Halloween isn’t about being perfect—it’s about having fun, being creative, and going a little extra dramatic if you feel like it. You might reinvent a forgotten legend, craft a zombie version of a favorite hero, or let a single piece of jewelry carry the whole vibe. As long as the look feels yours, it’s already a success. And if you’re hunting for those little details that make the outfit pop… You already know where to look!