2. The Retro 1950s Housewife Zombie
Contrast is the key to a truly memorable Halloween costume, and nothing contrasts more delightfully with zombie gore than the pristine, cheerful aesthetic of a 1950s housewife. This look thrives on the irony of a perfectly coiffed, polka-dot-wearing homemaker who has developed an insatiable hunger for human brains. Start with a classic A-line swing dress in a bright color like cherry red, pastel mint, or lemon yellow, complete with a petticoat to give the skirt its signature volume. Add a crisp white apron tied neatly around the waist.
The fun begins with the destruction of this mid-century perfection. Tear one of the shoulder straps of the apron, and use fabric paint to create splatters of arterial spray across the front of the dress. For makeup, start with a flawless, vintage-inspired red lip and a sharp liquid winged eyeliner, but then smudge one side of the face to look as though she was attacked mid-makeup application. Add prosthetic bite marks on the neck or forearm, painted with realistic bruising in shades of yellow, green, and deep purple. Style your hair into perfect victory rolls, but let a few strands fall loose and messy, tangled with fake leaves or twigs to show she has been clawing her way through the neighborhood gardens.