Women In History Halloween Costume Ideas
To celebrate Halloween this year, we’ve gathered a list of our favorite female heroines and ideas for how you can create a costume to emulate their looks! Go forth, have fun, and share some Women’s History with your friends!
ARTIST FRIDA KAHLO (1907–1954)
“Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?”
Frida Kahlo was an influential painter who created bold surrealist portraits in her hometown of Mexico City. Her distinct manner of dressing, with long earrings, bold lipstick, extravagantly beautiful headdresses, and richly colored clothing is famous to this day. And of course, we can’t forget her iconic and enchanting unibrow. She is a wonderful example of individuality and creativity to represent this Halloween.
PILOT AMELIA EARHART (1897–1939)
“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.”
Amelia Earhart is a Smart Girls classic. This revolutionary aviation pioneer was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. To dress up as this adventurous and courageous woman for Halloween you’ll need to wear linen pants, a “leather” jacket, a vintage head piece, old-fashion googles, a neck scarf, and lace-up boots. Bon Voyage!
📷: NBC News
ACTIVIST ANGELA DAVIS (1944-Today)
“Radical simply means “grasping things at the root.”
Radical political activist, scholar and author Angela Davis is an icon of the civil rights movement. If you choose to dress up as this revolutionary figure of equality you’ll need to put on some bold earrings, and wear a black turtleneck or black knit dress. Lastly, top off this look with dark combat boots and a “FREE ANGELA” pin.
Photo Credit: http://hotmc.rockit.it/angela-davis-lautobiografia-della-rivoluzionaria-piu…#
ATHLETE MIA HAMM (1972-Today)
“A winner is that person who gets up one more time than she is knocked down.”
Mia Hamm is a celebrated and exceptional US soccer player. Now retired, she helps inspire and create opportunities for young female athletes. If you have an old soccer uniform and cleats lying in your closet then give them some new life this Halloween and dress up as the talented and determined Mia Hamm.
Photo Credit: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/olympics-greatest-american-summer-olympia…
WRITER ALICE WALKER (1944-Today)
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
Alice Walker is a renowned and influential author and activist. Her most famous book “The Color Purple” won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. To dress up as this distinguished author you’ll need to copy her distinct personal style. Alice Walker always wears her oval glasses, beaded earrings and necklace, and is often seen dressed in either a black sweater or a distinctly patterned shirt. To ensure recognition, you could even carry around a copy of your favorite Alice Walker novel.
Photo Credit: http://www.notablebiographies.com/Tu-We/Walker-Alice.html
ANTHROPOLOGIST JANE GOODALL (1934-Today)
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Jane Goodall is a distinguished anthropologist, ecologist, and primatologist. She is also a crucial activist for chimpanzee and animal rights. To dress-up as this patient and compassionate woman, all you’ll need is a pair of kaki pants, a button down cotton blouse, a safari vest, low ponytail, hiking boots, some binoculars, and a stuffed chimpanzee companion.
Photo Credit: http://www.janegoodall.org/
MATHEMATICIAN ADA LOVELACE (1815–1852)
“The purpose which that engine has been specially intended and adapted to fulfill, is the computation of nautical and astronomical tables.”
Ada Lovelace was a nineteenth century English mathematician and metaphysician who created the grounds for the first computer and is even considered the earliest computer programmer. If you choice to be this exceptional woman for Halloween, then I recommend wearing a purple Victorian style dress, holding a black fan and styling your hair with two buns on either side of your head as seen in the photo above.
Photo Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace
ASTRONAUT DR. MAE JEMISON (1956-Today)
“Some people say they feel very small when they think about space. I felt more expansive, very connected to the universe.”
Dr. Mae Jemison is a groundbreaking NASA astronaut and physician. She made history on September 12th, 1992, when she became the first ever African American woman to orbit in space. All you need to dress up as this pioneering woman is a classic orange space suit and helmet.
Photo Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_Jemison
DANCER MARTHA GRAHAM (1894–1991)
“You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost.”
Martha Graham is an iconic and inspiring dancer/choreographer named as the mother of modern dance. To portray this figure of artistry and grace all you need is a flowing dress, heavy foundation, dark eyeliner, and red matte lipstick.
Photo Credit: http://marthagraham.org/about-us/our-history/
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR (1954-Today)
“Until we get equality in education, we won’t have an equal society.”
Sonia Sotomayor is one of four women to ever serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Not only this, but she is also a strong advocate for diversity and education. If you want to dress up as this compelling smart girl, all you’ll need is a black supreme court justice gown and a gable.
Photo Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Sotomayor
BONUS SMART GIRL! LESLIE KNOPE (1975-Today)
“We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn’t matter, but work is third.”
As a bonus fictional (yet no less remarkable) Smart Girl, we have Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope, played by our very own Amy Poehler. This character is tenacious, motivated, hardworking, highly competent, extremely generous, and an amazing friend. She is always standing up for the members of her community and never stops striving to change the world by being her wonderful self. To put together this fabulous costume all you’ll need is a button down shirt, snappy blazer, a “KNOPE 2012” pin, and most importantly … a can-do attitude!
Photo Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Knope
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