3 Chic Halloween Executions & Best Instagrams from Klimt Kaleidoscope Party

Halloween is upon us, and while you may have gotten away with an out-of-the-bag vampire costume in your early 20s, we all know it’s about time you took an all-grown up approach to the festivities.

We know this from personal experience, because when you’re invited to the most important Halloween gathering in New York City, you have to take it up a notch. Last weekend, we attended the Gustav Klimt-themed Roll with Gold and Soul Halloween Party hosted by Allison Sarofim and Stuart Parr at a Greenwich Village brownstone.

The party honored the iconic Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt, which was already a healthy departure from your typical groovy ghoul themed parties, and a step towards creative artistic self-expression. But, even if you’re going to a more traditionally themed Halloween party, there’s a way to keep it interesting, chic and appropriate. We all know that it takes effort to look effortless!

Here’s how to nail it.

1. Get inspired with what’s going on in pop culture.

Think of personalities that people know, and the elements of their appearance that you could replicate or interpret. It doesn’t have to be literal—be creative and use smart references.

2. If there’s a theme to the party, stick to it.

Think it through. There has to be a plan of action, and just like we do with our real life wardrobes by beginning with a style file, start brainstorming your costume with an inspiration board.

Inspiration board for Klimt-themed Halloween party

3. Shop your closet!

Instead of buying a whole new outfit, you can wear real pieces from your wardrobe. Pick things that represent the era you’re going for. You’ve got to start somewhere! This will ensure you’ll get a more authentic, well-fitting, and tasteful look. The baseline for my costume was 3×1 boot cut jeans and old Tom Ford boots, with Klimt-inspired body paint by the incredibly talented Georgina Billington on my upper body.

A photo posted by Jesse Garza (@jessegarzanyc) on Oct 24, 2015 at 5:42pm PDT

And last but not least… make sure you own it! It’s your opportunity to live your fantasy for a night. Have fun with it! Here are some of the most chic costumes from the Roll with Gold and Soul Halloween party (from Aurora Lopez Mejia to Naomi Campbell, Donna Karan and Luisa Fernanda Espinoza) and a peek into the process of their creation.