Sexy Halloween

Halloween – what is acceptable?

It feels like a questions as old as the inception of Hallow’s eve itself – is it acceptable to use Halloween to dress up in slutty/sexually provactive costumes and what is too much?

On a night based on ghoulish inhibition, those pesky evil creatures transgressing the boundaries of reality, we should expect nothing less than a night full of transgressions, at least in costume. Brilliantly parodied in Mean Girls, we all know the drill, how can you dress as sexy as possible? I’ve heard many a plaintive whine. And this is indeed an opportunity. What for, you decide!

The first time I remember seriously venturing on this Halloween ‘sexy more than scary’ business, I was sixteen and found the shortest red dress as possible in classy Camden Market. In fact, it was more of a red t-shirt with pleats and I paired it with red horns and boots. I had fully entered the traditional Halloween visual currency. The next year someone gave me a French maid’s outfit and I flounced around, naïve to a large extent of the pornographic connotations.

Adolescent halloween outfits

Pet, who is currently working in marketing at House of Beth, describes her first sexy Halloween venture. She was 17 and dressed as a lumberjack with hot pants, a gingham plaid top low buttoned with a bra showing.

“Would you dress like that now?”

“No, never in a million years” she quickly replies.

“Why do you think you did dress like that?”

“Because it felt sexy. I didn’t feel slutty, I felt sexy. That is the difference.”

Indeed, that does make all the difference. While clearly there is a link between adolescence and using Halloween to dress as provocatively as possible, the intention of the dresser is sometimes more interesting than the what they end up with.

The key to Halloween, whether sexually provocative or not, is to dress with imagination. So even if you are dressing as a ‘sexy witch’ or a ‘sexy cat’ this Halloween, I urge you to let your imagination run wild on how to achieve this phenomenon. Meanwhile I like to think I have left my adolescent Halloween outfits behind in my latest creations. I have been a dead venetian courtesan and Mrs Havisham and this year – Bess the black-eyed daughter from the ‘Highwayman.’

So if you do create anything particularly fabulous, tweet us some pictures! We’d love to see @house_of_beth

Rosalind Kendal

Halloween at House of Beth

"It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark!

Under the moonlight, you see a sight that almost stops your heart!

You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it,

You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes...You're Paralysed!"

Malene Birger dress UK 8-10 £80.00

It was only fitting to start this Horror/Halloween inspired blog with some of the most zombified lyrics of all time! Yes tis the season to be spooky! The nights have suddenly gotten longer, there's a chill wind in the air so it's only right you look glamorously ghoulish too...This is where House of Beth can help:

While the Little Black Dress is a staple part of every girls wardrobe, it's true to say that the elegantly dark colours take on an added significance at this time of year. It's gothic, black is the colour of giant cast iron cauldrons! It's the colour of bats and witches cats too! You too can look suitably scary in this Malene Birger Dress available online.  

The structured dress has pointed shoulders which give it's wearer an unparalleled silhouette. The perfect outfit for that more sophisticated Halloween night party, all you need to really do is find a pretty mask and some zombie killer heels!  

Vintage black knitted top UK 12 £22.00

Cobwebs are everywhere around about this time of year, if you do happen to be outside obscenely early in the morning you will be able to see them covered in dewdrops. They look amazing as the light hits them so it's no surprise that fashion takes it's inspiration from nature. This pretty floral style in black provides an instant gothic feel. Recreate this with the Vintage Black Knitted Top on the House of Beth website! Worn with a delicate lingerie style vest top underneath this top gives a real added elegance to any outfit you choose to wear on the big day. It's just as at home with a pair of jeans as it is with a long gothic style skirt! The best thing to wear at the club on All Hallows Eve!

Vintage Cropped fur coat at £55.00

Want to add a really thrilling twist to your Halloween Trick or Treating outfit?

Why not go retro as a fashionable 1920's lady? And we have just the thing to keep you warm while you are out collecting all those bags of treats. The cropped vintage fur coat with three-quarter length sleeve is in great vintage condition and will look the bomb with any party frock! As much as 50% of proceeds from many of the sales at House of Beth go to the Red Light Campaign which works tirelessly against human trafficking!

We at House of Beth wish you a safe, enjoyable and most of all stylish Halloween!

By Hema x

Knitwear at House of Beth!  

Miss Selfridge UK 10 £11

Hasn’t it gotten cooler all of a sudden! Well that’s to be expected I suppose, and although it is cold there are some really lovely winter woollies out there to look forward to! I love all the psychedelic printed knits at the moment as well as the warmer colours. And while we’re not technically in the midst of a dark cruel winter yet, there’s no harm in being prepared!

House of Beth have some wonderful ways in which to keep warm over the next few months- Among them is the Miss Selfridge Bright Pink Cardigan available online. I love the fab zig zag style with the bright colors, a brilliant cardi to liven up the dullest of autumn and winter days!

Vivienne Westwood UK 8 £45

House of Beth have some great designer pieces on offer too! The Vivienne Westwood Red Label Short Cardigan is a real gem! I love the bright red on this cardigan but also that it’s very smart too! Wear it to the office over your formal top or even over a vest top on the weekends! A versatile item of clothing that looks at home with a pair of jeans or office wear!

St John's Collection UK 12 £65

Although often seen as being chunky, knitwear can be very feminine and flattering on the body too! I love this tie belt cardigan from the St John Collection by Marie Gray. The beige and gold is also very seasonal, along with the tie belt at the waist and the strong shoulder lines it’s a really attractive piece. A fabulous everyday way to be glam! This cardigan has definitely got ‘wear all winter’ potential!

Take a look at the knitwear collection at House of Beth for some perfect pre-loved pieces for your winter wardrobe!


By Hema

What Women Wear

What Women Wear: Deborah Blausten

Deborah Blausten works for the Movement for Reform Judaism as a Jeneration Fieldworker (Jeneration is their student and young adult department). She is currently on a Sabbatical from Med School but she has rabbinic aspirations. She loves teaching and does a lot of freelance education. In her spare time she tweets (@DebzyBee), sleeps and shops!

What do you wear to work?

I work in a place where I can express myself through my clothing, which I love! No-one bats an eyelid when I turn up in a maxi skirt and lots of necklaces one day and a mini skirt the next day.My most recent fashion stress was whether my tallit and dress matched for a service I was leading on Rosh Hashannah (Jewish New Year). 

Is fashion important to you?

Very. More like playing with fabrics and prints and the self expression of it – rather than the

what everyone is wearing which is why I prefer catwalk and young designers over high street trends. The way I dress is big part of who I am. People now only laugh a bit when they see I have a Talmud and a Vogue on my desk.

When buying an item of clothing what are your main considerations?

Print, then Fabric, then Cut.

What is your favourite item of clothing and why?

I have a failsafe dress – I got it in Urban Outfitters a few years ago in New York. I wore it to New York Fashion Week last year, I can wear it to Synagogue and I can wear it to the pub.

Who is the woman you admire most from past or present?

I am one of those feminists who always gets told off for having lots of male role models. I grew up with a lot of inspiring women around me so I never felt like I needed to idolise Britney Spears. I do think Caitlin Moran is the best thing ever – she is a modern woman and she's laugh-out-loud funny, gloriously (but somehow stilishly) vulgar and so down to earth. She started conversations between me and my friends about things that we would never have properly talked about otherwise.

Otherwise, I guess my Grandma – she is in her late 80s and still a GP! Her, or Ruth Bader-Ginsburg!

Tips on Warm Living:

HOT BLOGS

Perhaps a thicker version of this?

Autumn thus far, has been freezing, and we all know it’s only going to get worse. Rain, hail, wind. Wrap up warmly our mothers say, but the truth is, no matter how many layers you expertly put together, out in the blistering streets, your face will always be cold and exertions will make your body sweaty. Until Alexander McQueen showcases some wearable-ish balaclavas (maybe with lace?) nothing is going to help.

You can feel it coming; this weather can not be stopped nor denied. So I am going to offer you some suggestions on how to keep you warm with some blogs to keep you smiling, though from your hair icicles may be dangling.

Duvet Sandwich: My housemate used to do this, making a duvet sandwich, with one duvet below and one on top. Like a much less restrictive, elongated sleeping bag. Perfect with a hot water bottle if you’re not already sharing your bed with a human heater (man/woman).

Heat things: Once upon a time I was working in Manchester (God, it was so cold!) and I think my favourite day ever was when a company were giving heating pads out free at Manchester Piccadilly station. They are small bundles of heat joy you can stuff in your pockets, nestling your gloved fingers next to them. 

Best Buy: various heat pad in different shapes and sizes

Blogs to read: Apart from House of Beth of course, here’s a few that will warm the cockles of your lungs.

 

A curvy-friendly read:

http://fullerfigurefullerbust.com/

All you’ll ever need to know on chic dressing:

http://www.fashiontoast.com/

London centered, savvy reviews on fashion & culture

http://www.notsolonelylondoners.com/

For the feminist leaning amongst you

http://wordsaboutwomen.tumblr.com/

Ethical fashion news

http://www.ethicalfashionblog.com/

http://designandkindness.blogspot.co.uk/

Always great comedic value

http://www.how-tobeawoman.com/index.php/category/blog/

Keep dreaming, laughing and stay warm.

By Rosalind Kendal

The London Fashion Week review

We have just seen Fashion Week and a sneaky peek at what’s to come for us in spring and summer
2013! I’ve been checking out some of the big designers and there have been some really adorable
pieces on show. We have seen a lot of prints and geometric shapes especially in the case of Sass
and Bide’s cheeky burlesque inspired short dresses! Maria Grachvogel’s collections of pastel and monochrome inspired dresses have some amazing feminine aspects to them. As for accessories I love the Anya Hindmarsh Satchel style bags with neon shoulder straps too.

There’s a lot to look forwards to, but spring and summer 2013 seems like an age away! What about
over the coming months? Here are some of the top trends to help you look hot on those cooler
days!

Houndstooth/Checks and Tartan

This is a huge trend over the coming months; we are seeing a lot of tartan and check patterns. You
don’t have to be part of a highland clan to rock that tartan on your six inch stilettoes! Houndstooth
is also going to be huge this season and not just on coats. Think oversized and asymmetric black and

white patterns on dresses as well as accessories; mix this up with your tartan rara skirts or fitted
jeans.


Wedge heels and Flatforms

The last time we saw flatforms was back in the 1990’s when the Spice Girls rocked those towering
platform trainers. Without a heel they were named the ‘Flatform’. Over the summer we saw some
absolutely gorgeous summer shoes, the trend is still going strong well into the autumn. Don’t go
throwing those peeptoe or sandal flatform to the back of the wardrobe just yet. Instead try wearing them with some patterned woolly tights? Add some legwarmers around the ankles for added warmth and a quirky style.


Peplums

Once a reserve of those wanting to relive those Joan Collins Dallas days; we saw the peplum backwith a vengeance over the summer. On those bright colour block and floral dresses during the summer months. The shorter skirt over the longer skirt style is very in and does amazing things to any girl’s waist regardless of size and shape. Perfect for those ‘straight up and straight down’ figures adding shape while also great on those curvier girls.

Motifs: This is another very popular trend this season; we have seen everything from cats to oddly
moustaches! It’s anything goes when it comes to motifs. Some may consider animals on clothing
to be childish and a little eccentric maybe, but wildlife motifs are everywhere this season. Foxes, owls and rabbits can be seen on sweaters and scarves as well as accessories! Call it revisiting ourchildhoods but we love them! Why not sport an animal motif that’s most like you? Are you as cunning as a fox? As wise as an owl or fluffy like a cute little bunny? Take your pick of this season’s animal motifs!

By Hema

Ripping it bare

Whether you wax, lazer, trim, use burning cream, or shave: most females reading this, remove your pubic hair at least twice a year, if not twice a week. There are so many different ways to exterminate or cultivate all those hairs piercing your smooth skin, but today let us ask why we spend so much time, money and effort doing this? (And on that note, why arm hair? Why leg hair?)

“Body hair is ugly” says little miss normalised. “If you’re going to share, it ought to be bare,” says little miss conventional. But during this article, gag the little misses with scarves made of your own discarded pubic hair, because the removal of hair can be a so very painful and expensive process, we need to examine our reasoning. Indeed, feeling on occasion like paid-for-torture, just so you can be a ‘normal woman’, the wax process, for anyone not familiar goes like this: a woman in a lab coat towers over you, dripping hot (but pink!) wax onto your skin, and as she rips the thick wax from your shuddering body, you cry out from the hideous pain and she cackles. That’s why the lazer, for over a hundred a go, is so popular. Wax is torture, lazer is expensive, shaving and epilating does your skin no good, and cream isn’t precise. It is uncomfortable and expensive and yet we consider it almost a necessity to our lives.

Do all cultures make the same cut? And what is the history of the hairless? Well, there is evidence for it in ancient Indian and Egyptian cultures, especially amongst the upper echelons of society. There are moments of women taking a stand against the excessive hair removal in history too, the habit falling out of fashion after Catherine de Medici, then queen of France, forbade her ladies in waiting to remove their hair any longer from one of the most sensitive places on their body. But the history of waxing, like the history of menstruating is an obscure one, the female body, unless she was a prostitute, was a private body.

Catilin Moran argues that our obsession with making our bodies resemble a pre-puberty time is a pornographic aesthetic. In pornography, they keep it clear so you can see the genitals better, and it has now become a fashionable trend. I would add to this that until the 20^th century, the majority of classical western painters seemed to conveniently miss the pubic hair upon their nude women for perhaps a similar reason? While literature never seemed to explicitly mention women’s body hair, not in Shakespeare and certainly no Jane Austen character went off for a wax.

Indeed, it’s as if female body hair and the everyday women removing it, just never quite existed until recently. Although from the way bikinis and lingerie is cut, it seems the existence of pubic hair doesn’t factor in their designs at all. Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if these companies were in cahoots with the waxing industry, shaking hands over secret deals to make tiny underwear that only looks good if you’re barely there.

There is history behind the idea that hair on the body, signifies an unkempt disinterest in basic bodily grooming like an unattractive heathen, even your own underwear is against you!

This has reminded me of the time I confessed myself a feminist to my thirteen year old classmates. ‘That means you have hairy armpits!’ was the intelligent conclusion they taunted me with that break time. I should have replied “Yeah, so what?” defiantly. But I let them instill a sense of shame in me so that I could fall in line with their hairy politics. Didn’t we all? Hair ultimately symbolises subversive contempt for the public ideal of beauty, showing there is someone who does not let the needed approval of others govern her own body. Like the fall of paradise, we became aware not of our nakedness, but of our hair that needed to be governed.

We will carry this playground shame and continue our efforts until someone makes body hair seem beautiful. But meanwhile I’m asking for baby steps. Do you need to rip it all off? And so often? Can you ever feel comfortable with the fact that there is hair growing on your body? This is my parting gift to you.

By Rosalind Kendal