5 Books to Read That Will Inspire Your Halloween Costume
5 Books to Read That Will Inspire Your Halloween Costume
1. Becoming Bonnie by Jenni L. Walsh | 1920s Flapper
I loved reading about Bonnie and Clyde in Jenni L. Walsh's book, Becoming Bonnie (click here to read my review and see a few great examples of 1920s dresses.) This book will inspire your 1920s flapper costume, or your Bonnie and Clyde couples costume. The best part about this costume? You could reuse it for the Chicago History Museum's Last Speakeasy event (one of my favorite events in Chicago) on Dec. 1!
2. Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson | WWII Reporter
You know how much I love my WWII novels, check out my review of Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson for examples of how I dressed in a 1940s costume a few years ago. The story is about Ruby Sutton, an American journalist who moves to London in 1940 to cover WWII. She is eager to get away from NYC and start fresh where no one knows where she came from or how she grew up. This is her big break, a chance to prove to those school nuns that she could make something of herself. Many of her new colleagues at the British newsmagazine are welcoming and quickly become good friends, but there are a few who resent her as a woman and especially an American woman.
3. Windy City Blues by Renee Rosen | 1960s Jazz Songwriter
After reading Windy City Blues by Renee Rosen, I also visited the Rolling Stones exhibit at Navy Pier entitled Exhibitionism and the original location of Chess Records located at 2120 S. Michigan Ave in Chicago. The book inspired me to learn more about the Jazz scene in Chicago, but it could also inspired a great 1960s costume. At the center of Windy City Blues is Chess Records, a recording company founded in 1950 in Chicago by two Jewish brothers from Poland: Leonard Chess and Phil Chess. Not exactly who you'd imagine running a record company specializing in blues and R&B. The story covers many decades, spanning from the 1940s into the 1970s and chronicles the rise of Chess Records which was eventually sold for $6.5 million in 1969.
4. The Address by Fiona Davis | 1880s Housekeeper
The Address by Fiona Davis is about Sara who works as the head housekeeper at London's Langhman Hotel in 1884. Theo Camden, an aspiring architect, and his wife and children are staying at the Langham when Sara saves one of the children from falling out of a window. In gratitude for saving his child's life, Theo offers Sara a position in NYC's newest and grandest apartment building: The Dakota. Sara would make an excellent Halloween costume as there is a bit of a mystery surrounding her death. Click the link above for more 1800s fashion to serve as inspiration!
5. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell | Scarlett O’Hara
I haven't reviewed Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell on the blog, yet, but it holds a special place in my heart as my parents went to see a re-showing of the movie as their first date (my mom actually fell asleep and their second date didn't happen until a year later...hahaha!) Scarlett O'Hara is a classic costume and you can find lots of different versions online, the one included below is my favorite. You can also find versions of Scarlett's green curtain dress, if that's what you prefer. The options are endless and you can never go wrong with a classic costume like this.
