I love Santa Claus and his cadre of eight tiny reindeer just a much as the next gal, but as far as the holidays go-Halloween wins. Visions of rotting my teeth out with a bucket o' Skittles while "on a break" from handing out candy dance in my head. I've been a car mechanic, Medusa (an angsty little 8th grader with sprayed green hair and artfully arranged bobby-pinned plastic snakes), and Michael Jackson (twice! I don't know why my mom didn't stop me).
Questionable parental judgment aside, this year, I've been assigned the tricky task of making sure you've got an incredible (yet office-appropriate) costume. We all know showing up as a sexy sailor, nurse, cat, or pirate isn't an option-but how can you be creative (and-let's face it-cute) in something that still looks borderline professional?
Here's my best suggestion for all you festive 9-to-5ers: Dress up as your favorite cubicle dweller from the big (or small) screen.
MCDDEWEFE0441. The Devil Wears Prada
Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway) & Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep)
Grab a buddy for this one. Of course, you'll have to flip a coin to see who fumbles the lattes and wears the dumpy Gap-style sweater and sensible shoe ensemble versus the coifed sterling wig, black pearls, and power suit. That's all.
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Mad Men2. Mad Men
Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks) & Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss)
This one is also a team project, albeit mid-century inspired. What's the fun of being Joan (in a jewel-toned vampy figure-hugging frock) if you can't light up a candy cigarette and gossip to Peggy (dressed like a church girl) about how your Canadian Club swilling boss is marrying the secretary?
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WorkingGirl3. Working Girl
Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith)
The '80s were definitely a decade of office-inspired film (Wall Street, anyone?) but I know dressing up like a suspendered, heavily hairsprayed Michael Douglas is a hard sell. Try Melanie Griffith's brand of '80s office perfection instead: a big perm, padded shoulder suiting with a turtleneck sweater, white Reeboks, and lots of gold jewelry. Even if your officemates don't get the film reference-it'll still be fun to flag down a cab dressed like it's 1988.
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Mary Tyler Moore4. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Mary Tyler Moore
MTM was the original working girl-a 30-something leaving her fiancé (scandalous for 1970) to relocate to Minnesota in a white Mustang. She is instantly hired to work for a local TV station and proceeds to take over the world in her miniskirt and tall boots. And, hey, there's nothing stopping you from doing the same.
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tootsie5. Tootsie
Dorothy Michaels (Dustin Hoffman)
If you've ever wanted to dress like your grandma, an early '80s librarian, or Dustin Hoffman-now's your chance. Get thee to a high-necked pastel or floral dress with ruffles and a bow, a pair of rose-framed glasses on a chain, and a strand of knotted pearls, and you're on your way. There's absolutely no reason you can't play a (male) out-of-work actor who dresses like a lady to audition for hospital administrator in a soap opera (although-you may have to pencil in that 5 o'clock shadow.)
Untitled #2This article was originally published on The Daily Muse. For more fun ideas for the office, check out:
Celebrate Good Times: Office Parties That Don't Suck
Planning a Work Holiday Party? How to Pick the Right Menu
Costume Class: What to Wear to Work on Halloween
About the Author: Varci Vartanian is a jack (er, Jill) of all trades. After a successful career in healthcare, she traded her lab coat for her current position as chief temper tantrum tamer/play date consultant for her two-year-old. She also enjoys writing short stories, freelance magazine work, and carbohydrates.
