Halloween is today and you have put exactly zero effort into the festivities thus far, except that is for RSVP-ing to that party tonight. Showing up sans costume is not an option – these people take Halloween seriously. What do you have to work with from now until 6 p.m.? What you’ve currently got on and maybe a side trip to Shoppers Drug Mart. Luckily, 2008 may just be the year you can go straight from work to the party. Here are a few suggestions for minimal effort, workwear-inspired costumes. Just don’t expect to come home with a prize.
Patrick Bateman (American Psycho): Wear your suit, a plastic raincoat, carry an axe and splatter yourself in blood.
Gordon Gekko (Wall Street): Hopefully today you’re wearing your suspenders, tie clip, loud clashing tie, and blue pinstripe shirt. If so, buy some gel and slick your hair back.
Don Draper (Mad Men): If you’re wearing your trusty conservative grey suit and skinny tie today with a white pocket square and plenty of pomade, you can complete the Don Draper look by holding a glass of rye at all times. For an accurate impersonation, stick to Canadian Club.
James Bond (Quantum of Solace): All you need is a dark suit, white shirt, white pocket square and sunglasses. Tie optional; hot date a must.
And ladies, I know you’ve already given plenty of thought to your less than demure Halloween costume this year but just in case you’ve left your “Sexy [insert any job at all]” costume at home, here are a few suggestions.
Anna Wintour: Wear a polished outfit with large dark sunglasses and a blonde bob wig.
Sarah Palin: Wear your work suit, buy some tacky earrings and a brooch, put your hair in an up-do and put on some rimless glasses. You definitely won’t be the only one.
Miranda Hobbes (Sex and the City): Get a short red wig and very little else needs to be done as you are probably already dressed a lot like her. Works better if you show up with your three closest friends.
Terry Chan is a Canadian lawyer practicing finance law in London. She writes every Friday on style and fashion, perfectly aware that the next big thing is not looking like a lawyer.