So, Halloween was creeping up, and like every year, the big question hit me: “What am I gonna be?” I tossed around a few ideas, nothing really stuck. Then, scrolling through my phone, it just clicked. Rihanna. It had to be Rihanna. Not just any look, though. I wanted that effortless cool, you know?
Getting the Vision Straight
I decided to go for one of her more iconic, but kinda doable, streetwear-inspired looks. Think cool jacket, some edgy pants, lots of attitude. Seemed straightforward on paper. Boy, was I in for a ride. You know how it is, you picture it in your head, looks amazing, then you actually try to find the pieces, and suddenly it’s a quest of epic proportions.
My main challenge was finding the right kind of oversized, slightly distressed denim jacket. You’d think these would be everywhere, right? Wrong. I went to like, five different stores. Everything was either too new-looking, too fitted, or cost an arm and a leg. I was about ready to give up and just wear a sheet with eyeholes. Classic ghost. Always a backup plan.
The Hunt and Gather Phase
I finally struck gold at a thrift store, tucked away in a corner. It was perfect! A bit worn, the right shade, and super cheap. Score! That was a good day, I tell ya. Then came the pants. I wanted something kinda baggy, maybe cargo-style, but make it fashion. This took another couple of trips. I ended up finding some dark camo pants that I thought could work with a bit of styling.
Accessories were next. Rihanna always has strong accessory game.
- Big hoop earrings? Check.
- Some chunky necklaces? Check.
- Sunglasses, even if it’s dark? Absolutely. Found a killer pair.
I already had some combat boots that fit the vibe, so that saved me some trouble.
Putting It All Together (The “Crafty” Bit)
So, the jacket was good, but I felt it needed a little something extra. I decided to add some patches. Not too many, just a couple to give it that personalized, ‘I’ve lived in this jacket’ feel. I spent an evening figuring out placement and ironing them on. My ironing skills are, let’s say, developing. Almost ironed a patch to the ironing board. That would’ve been a whole different kind of project.
Then, I tried on the pants. They were a bit too long. So, I had to do a quick and dirty hem job. No sewing machine, just me, a needle, and some thread, trying to remember what my grandma taught me. It’s not couture, but it worked. Nobody was gonna be inspecting my ankle seams, hopefully.
The All-Important Hair and Makeup
This part, for me, is always where the character really comes alive. I’m no makeup artist, but I watched a ton of tutorials. Tried to get that sharp eyeliner, that bold lip. It took a few tries, a lot of makeup remover, and some patience. My bathroom counter looked like a beauty store exploded. For the hair, I went for a sleek, pulled-back style. Lots of gel, lots of hope.
The Final Reveal (to Myself, Then the World)
Okay, moment of truth. I put everything on. The jacket, the camo pants (now correctly hemmed!), boots, all the jewelry. Stood in front of the mirror. And you know what? It wasn’t half bad! I actually felt pretty cool. That “Rihanna” energy was starting to flow, or maybe it was just the caffeine from all the prep.
Wore it out to a small Halloween get-together. The best part? People actually got it! Someone yelled “Work, work, work!” at me, which, you know, made all the thrifting and dodgy hemming totally worth it. It wasn’t super elaborate, but it was a vibe, and I think I nailed that part.
So yeah, that was my journey to becoming Rihanna for a night. A bit more running around than I initially thought, especially for that darn jacket. But hey, that’s half the fun of Halloween, right? The process, the near-disasters, and then finally stepping out feeling like a whole new person. Would I do it again? Probably. But next year, I’m starting my costume hunt in August. Maybe.
