Mexican Day of the Dead Costume | The #iwillwearwhatilike Halloween Link Up

Mexican Day of the Dead Halloween costume
Today’s optional theme for #iwillwearwhatilike is Halloween – but you can link up anything you’ve been wearing! If you’ve got a full-on costume (this year or last year) to share we’d love to see it, or a black/orange/purple combination would be great too. All the details of the link up are below.

I’d been waiting for (what seemed like) forever for Halloween to fall on a Saturday to be able to host a Halloween party – and finally we got our chance this weekend. As the husband and I were hosting, I wanted an outfit that didn’t require a huge amount of prep in advance (I knew we wouldn’t have time to sew, build or construct anything), so we went for a  Mexican Day of the Dead costume, which is very on-trend at the moment if Pinterest is anything to go by.

I’d intended to do a trial-run of the make-up the week before, but as predicted I ran out of time – I therefore thought I’d just wing it on the day. We were hosting the party at my parents’ house (more space there) and the worst happened… No WiFi as their phones were down. That meant I couldn’t access all the Day of the Dead pictures I’d pinned, so the make up you see is done from memory and from just one photo that my niece had happened to save to her iPad.

Considering all the panic that ensued I was really pleased with how it turned out – and I even managed to get Mr. Summers to have his painted too…!

It was a family party, so my mum and dad (81 and 86 respectively) were there and also joined in with the fancy dress, dressing as a fabulous (and tiny!) bat and a huge 6′ tall spider… It goes to show you’re never too old to join in with these sorts of celebrations, and to those that think “I’m too old for fancy dress” – well, you’re just missing out on all the fun!

TO THOSE THAT THINK “I’M TOO OLD FOR FANCY DRESS” – WELL, YOU’RE JUST MISSING OUT ON ALL THE FUN!

So #iwillwearwhatilike, even at Halloween – and long may it last 🙂

Did you dress up for Halloween? If you did tell me all about your costume – better still, link it up here, even if it’s only on Instagram!

Halloween | Carved Jack Skellington pumpkin
Mexican Day of the Dead Halloween costumes
Mexican Day of the Dead Halloween costume #iwillwearwhatilike
Dress: Marks & Spencer (similar) | Headdress: DIY from various flower corsages I own (I love this one and this one) | Veil: Lace offcut | Choker: New Look | Cross pendant: Bought in Paris 25 years ago | White face paint: Snazaroo | Black face paint: Snazaroo

SHOP THE LOOK:

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#iwillwearwhatilike link up | Not Dressed As Lamb

Thank you for joining my new #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!

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So link up all your fabulous outfits (or shoes, accessories, make-up, etc.) every Monday at 3pm UK time – it’ll stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!

#iwillwearwhatilike | Fashion bloggers in hats

My favourite HATS from last week’s link up (so many fabulous ones!):

(L-R) Suzanne Carillo | Style Crone | The Barefaced Chic | Rachel the Hat | Spashionista

9TH NOV IS THE ‘WEARING MY DRESSING DRESS CHALLENGE’ DAY

Click here to read what Wearing My Wedding Dress is all about –
#iwillwearwhatilike is going all things wedding outfits!

All I ask of you linking up is that you:

1. Please follow your host Not Dressed As Lamb (via Bloglovin or Instagram)
2. Link up your outfits (blog or Instagram posts) that show how you choose to wear what you like – as many as you like!
3. Include a link back to this post if you’re linking from a blog post, or add my button (below)
4. Post your outfit on Instagram (if you use it) with the hashtag #iwillwearwhatilike – Monday’s the day to join in the IG fun
5. Visit some of the other links and share the love!

Not Dressed As Lamb


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Do share the love and visit as many links as you can (you never know what other lovely like-minded ladies you might meet) – the original Instagram campaign forged some wonderful new relationships so don’t miss out!

Catherine

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN | YOUTUBE | NEWSLETTER

Linking up to: iwillwearwhatilikeVisible MondayLet It ShineMonday MingleStyle SessionsTurning Heads TuesdayTrend Spin Link-UpWhat I Wore WednesdayBrilliant Blog PostsThrowback ThursdayPassion for Fashion FridayFriday’s Fab FavouritesStyle Stories

54 Comments

  1. 7 November 2015 / 4:27 pm

    Very good. I would have loved to see your parents too. Is Halloween big in the UK? I love dressing up but in The Netherlands they don't celebrate Halloween. Bummer.
    Greetje

    • 13 November 2015 / 6:17 pm

      It's been getting steadily bigger each year, Greetje – the shops are FULL of Halloween stuff to buy once kids go back to school in September. I think this is it's biggest year because of it falling on a Saturday night and people hosting parties… like we did! But it's nowhere near as big as it is in the US and Canada – but give it another 10 years, we'll catch up 😉

  2. 5 November 2015 / 12:44 am

    I did!! I was a Sugar Skull too!!! (although in hindsight I realize I forgot the black lines across the lips). You look GREAT and did a FAB job with your make-up!!

  3. 4 November 2015 / 12:13 pm

    Wow, you look awesome in this costume! How fabulous that both your Mum and Dad were there too and they are both over 80 – adorable!

    • 13 November 2015 / 6:15 pm

      They had no choice, Yvonne – we held it at their house!! They have much more room than we have at our house, plus we live in the town centre so we'd be constantly interrupted by trick-or-treaters!! Thank you xx

  4. 4 November 2015 / 4:44 am

    Your makeup is just the best , such a great job considering it was from memory. Halloween is slowly becoming more popular in Australia but mainly for children. Thank you for hosting#iwillwearwhatIlike.

  5. Carly Walko
    4 November 2015 / 12:06 am

    this makeup is INSANE…I freaking love it. I am not much for Halloween…but I love it for the kiddies…starting to think if I had you doing my makeup I would like it more!

    What a FUN linkup. I don't have anything Halloween inspired but I will definitely link up next week!
    C

    • 13 November 2015 / 6:13 pm

      Thanks Carly – but don't forget the theme is always optional!! You can link up *anything* you've been wearing 🙂

  6. 3 November 2015 / 7:18 pm

    You both look terrific! Hope mum and dad had a blast too. My mother still likes to party at 85!
    Thanks for hosting
    Laurie x

    • 13 November 2015 / 6:12 pm

      That's so nice to hear that she does, Laurie!! Thanks sweetie x

  7. 3 November 2015 / 3:22 pm

    I can't believe that you managed to create this gorgeous – and creepy! – "Day of the Dead" look from memory, dearest Catherine!! Your party must have been so much fun with the whole family dressed in their scary best; Robin and I spent the evening with friends, a bowl of popcorn, and a monster movie…but now I'm rather regretting not taking better advantage of the fact that Halloween fell on a Saturday this year!! ;D

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com

    • 13 November 2015 / 6:11 pm

      thank you Monika!! I could have done so much more decoration-wise on my face but that much took so much time I had to stop somewhere with it and start prepping the party!!!!

  8. 3 November 2015 / 1:40 pm

    Oh my! You have mad skillz at making up and you and your husband both look mighty scary. xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

  9. 3 November 2015 / 9:14 am

    Day of the dead seems to be the 'in' theme this year! You did such a fab job with the makeup. X

  10. 3 November 2015 / 2:57 am

    Love this!! Your make up is perfect! We were a family of skulls and I was the only one with face paint and it looked awful but it make it scary which was okay with me.

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

    Hope to see your Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.

    • 13 November 2015 / 6:10 pm

      hehe the good thing about Halloween is that you don;t have to be "perfect", Alice – always a good thing! Thank you x

  11. 3 November 2015 / 2:37 am

    Oh my goodness lady, you look amazing! Well done on the make up! Check out my post. Linking it up now.

  12. 3 November 2015 / 1:31 am

    Well you look fabulous! What fun!! I wish I could have been at the party–sounded like a great time.

    Here's to November Catherine!!

    Love,

    Ann from Kremb de la Kremb

    • 13 November 2015 / 6:08 pm

      They've always been young at heart like that, Jess… Hope I stay that way too!

  13. 2 November 2015 / 8:00 pm

    PS…thanks for featuring me : )

  14. 2 November 2015 / 8:00 pm

    These turned out wonderful! I want to try this for next year.

    bisous
    Suzanne

  15. 2 November 2015 / 8:00 pm

    WOW! What a superb costume. Bravo, and bonus points for being so on trend!

  16. 2 November 2015 / 7:42 pm

    Your costume is beautiful and you did a wonderful job on your face painting! Fabulous choice of dress and accessories. Halloween has always been one of my very favorite holidays and I have enjoyed dressing up the past few years.

  17. 2 November 2015 / 7:17 pm

    I love Halloween, isn't dressing up so much fun! You face paint is awesome, no need for a trial run!
    Lauren
    livinginaboxx | bloglovin

  18. 2 November 2015 / 6:22 pm

    Very creative costume and great linkup, as always! Thank you so much for the "hat mention!"

    • 2 November 2015 / 6:42 pm

      It's my pleasure, Judith – couldn't exactly NOT have you in there, could I…?!! Thanks sweetie x

  19. 2 November 2015 / 5:24 pm

    Love how you paried the floral head-piece with floral dress to celebrate "El día de los muertos"!

  20. 2 November 2015 / 5:15 pm

    I love your hatted women picks from last week.
    You've proven that it doesn't take lots of money for a costume to go all-out for Halloween. What a great idea. The results are fantastic, even without a photo (what a panic that must have been!). Thanks for the linkup party, Catherine.

    • 2 November 2015 / 6:41 pm

      Thank you Melanie! We were always brought up to make costumes out of whatever we could find at home, only picking up bits and pieces we needed from charity shops or similar… I guess because my parents couldn't afford to buy costumes for four kids, and I'm glad that we always make them out of stuff around the house!

      And yes, it was a major panic. I knew their phone line was down but it never occurred to me that it would of course mean no internet connection!! I know for next time: Save pictures to my camera roll!

  21. 2 November 2015 / 5:13 pm

    What a great costume! I just barely had time to get my daughter in her costume, so I didn't wear one. But maybe next year! 🙂

    • 2 November 2015 / 6:38 pm

      Thanks Laurie – and yes you should definitely join in next year…!!! I'll hold you to that, haha 😉

  22. 2 November 2015 / 4:46 pm

    Fantastic sugar skull Muerta face, Catherine! All the more impressive knowing it was done from memory.
    Thank you so much for including me your favorite hats from last week, and for hosting the linkup!

    Alicia
    spashionista.com

    • 2 November 2015 / 4:52 pm

      Alicia it was my pleasure to feature your lovely hat! And thank you for the lovely compliment, I rather surprised myself with how well it turned out…!!

  23. 2 November 2015 / 4:36 pm

    Stunning make up, Catherine and something a little bit different from the usual Halloween costumes.

    • 2 November 2015 / 4:51 pm

      Thanks so much Jacqueline, it was actually a lot of fun to do :))

  24. 2 November 2015 / 4:15 pm

    How fun! Looks like a lot of work went into your costume!

    • 2 November 2015 / 4:50 pm

      Amy thank you – it was really only the make-up that needed a lot of effort… it took me SO much longer than I predicted!!

  25. 2 November 2015 / 3:54 pm

    That's the best Halloween costume and make-up I have seen, Catherine! We don't have Halloween in Germany but my daughter saw amazing costumes in London she told me!

    xo
    Annette | Lady of Style

    • 2 November 2015 / 4:05 pm

      Annette was a lovely compliment – thank you so much!! Halloween is nowhere near as big here as it is in the US, but it's been getting more and more popular over the years. I think the combination of the rise of social media for sharing pictures and the fact that it fell on a Saturday for the first time in ages meant that this year it's been bigger than it's ever been in the UK.

      Unlike the US though we only really dress in scary costumes. If you dressed in something that didn't have a scary theme I think you'd be asked why you're dressed as Cinderella – unless you're a zombie Cinderella, of course…!! 😉

  26. 2 November 2015 / 3:47 pm

    What a great costume!

  27. 2 November 2015 / 3:17 pm

    WOW…you both look amazing! Thank you for hosting the link up.

    xo,
    Janise

  28. 2 November 2015 / 3:11 pm

    You are both wonderful. What a fantastic job you have done to celebrate "El día de los muertos".
    Glad to join you and your fabulous link up.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    • 2 November 2015 / 4:00 pm

      Aww Sacramento thank you so much – and for linking up too! Much love to you x

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