As per usual, my Halloween costume will be thrown together last minute, which is why I tend to end up in costumes like a flapper, an Olsen twin, or a detective. These are costumes that can be pieced together with a rummage through my closet and last minute trips to a thrift store and a Rite-Aid for makeup. Perhaps my favorite version of the lazy costume is to simply go “dressed up” like the year I went as “Blue”. I wore a blue outfit, blue wig, blue fake eyelashes… you get the idea. It’s an excuse to do your hair and makeup all crazy and dress wild without the stress of trying to think of something really creative to be or going as a “sexy blank” (my least favorite type of costume). Luckily for all us lazy girls out there, the spring 09 runways had some theatrical hair, makeup and clothing to use as inspiration for Halloween. And if you are lucky enough to be at a party with fellow fashionistas, your outfit may just end up deemed “genius” rather than haphazard.

To do the Maison Martin Margiela look keep it simple in a black or white oversized blazer (or go wild with the shredding if you are really feeling zany), with hosiery over your face (tie at the back of your head) and bright red lips. I’m not promising that this look is going to be comfortable, or that you will be able to see out of it. Maybe cut out the eyes and mouth and paint your real lips red rather than the hosiery for more functionality…

Recreate the huge red lips at A.F. Vandevorst and allergy red eyes at Viktor & Rolf and you can go as “Red”.

All you need is three dark wigs and some hosiery to get this freaky look from the Margiela runway, and you’ll definitely be a contender for the scariest costume at your Halloween party. The wigs can be cut up (you may need a few more) to create the funky body-head that came down the Jean-Charles de Castelbajac runway. If you can’t find a tee with a huge face on it, just draw your own on an oversized mens undershirt.

Rat out a long blonde curly haired wig and use a whole can of Aqua Net to get the ghost-of-Marie-Antoinette hair that came down the Comme des Garcons runway. A bright curly wig, fake eyelashes and a whole lot of makeup will give you John Galliano’s pretty clown. I would finish this look off with a girly dress, just like he did.

Skeletons in your closet? Take a cue from Rodarte cut up a bone colored dress to look like a ribcage, pairing the look with like-colored tights and heels. You can get the oversized ribcage necklace from the Christian Lacroix collection by cutting up manila folders, and gluing the pieces together to resemble a skeleton. Take it a little further by going down all the way to the sternum or even down to each of the 10 toes. I like the idea of keeping it a little abstract, like it is seen here, but you may need to get a little more literal for those who have been hitting the witches-brew punch a little too heavily.

Inspired? You can click on any of the underlined links above to get the wigs, eyelashes, makeup and clothing to get started on your own runway inspired costume. Still haven’t found what you are looking for? Try our Halloween Shopping Guide. Get your tricking and treating on (why do only one?) and, as my mother would say, have fun and be careful!

Image Source: New York Post, Style.com