Believe it or not, when thrift and retail stores start rolling out their Halloween costumes this time of year, I find plenty of garments that were intended to be costume pieces…and turn them into regular clothes. Ostentatious fur coats, wacky plaid hats, 1950’s housewife dresses – add some modern (or otherwise contradictory) accessories and you’ve repurposed the “costume” into a proper contemporary outfit. Multicultural apparel makes this even easier. Let’s take a look at a few…

Harem pants, like ‘em or not, got a high-fashion (and street style) reboot over the past couple years. Rich colors and dangling paillettes push this look more into ‘gypsy’ territory.

Do ninjas wear high heels? Answer: who cares?! This outfit rules! It looks just like a sexy pair of pajamas, only with more weapons! Score.

Rompers were all the rage a couple summers ago, but the ‘adult onesie’ is better as these cute embroidered lederhosen – especially with white knee-socks.

Scarves. Tie one in your hair, one around your waist, another around your neck… Add a flouncy skirt and a pair of pointy boots and you’ve got a funky statement.

A gilded maxidress is very on-point for 2014 trends. Not to mention the chunky armbands and accessories. And ‘color blocking’. I’m calling French Vogue!

I can see this look, in its entirety, being worn to the Daytime Emmy awards or some kind of cleavage-heavy red carpet event. I love the pops of sky blue.

Image sources:

http://www.buycostumes.com