Sequins, Beads and Rhinestones...Oh, My! Halloween Formal

Halloween Formal?
Use your old evening gown as a Halloween Costume!

Out of Halloween ideas? You've already been the cheerleader or the sexy nurse. This year, if you want to try something new and use what you have, old prom and homecoming dresses with a little extra make-up and accessories can give you a great look for Halloween!

If you have an old glamour gown lying around, the options are endless. With a bright blonde wig and some snazzy red lipstick, you can have yourself a real Marilyn Monroe. Or, you can choose to not even label yourself as a specific celebrity, but as a simple glamour girl, Hollywood star or red carpet queen.

Depending on the cut and color of the dress, you could also make a more specific costume idea work. For example, if you have something long, sleek and gold, you could pull the glorious Roman Goddess out of a hat!

You can also put your old animal print dresses to good use. Simply dress yourself up with a little bit of black and white make-up to go with the zebra print, or some yellow and gold to give yourself the leopard look. This is the sexier version of the zebra or the cheetah suit.

Or dig up something really old to get the killer 1980s look! Your mom might have her old prom dress stashed away or visit a local vintage shop or Goodwill to get old, cheap prom dresses. To get a cute Southern Belle look, go for something with big sleeves and a big, ruffled skirt. Then add a wide-brimmed hat and long white gloves. You may already have a dress at home that is perfect for the the Southern Belle costume. Any prom dress with a soft floral print would do just fine.

Speaking of print, use more of your exotic-printed dresses to get the Hawaiian, islander look for Halloween. Dazzle this up with great make-up, flowers in the hair or around the neck.

Probably the easiest costume to make with your old prom dress would be just to go as Prom Queen! Use your old prom queen crown or find a gorgeous tiara at the party or Halloween store.

Sequins, Beads and Rhinestones...Oh, My!

Have you ever wondered what kind of embellishments your prom dress is made of? The most common items are sequins, beads and rhinestones, but sometimes the distinction can be a bit confusing.

Sequins are the disk-shaped beads, but they also come in various shapes, sizes and colors. We see a lot of sequins on prom dresses and shoes because they are extremely shiny and work really well under lighting. Another great thing about sequins is that they look different under any kind of light. They look very much like a 1970s disco queen and are great for any red carpet event. This great Jovani dress is covered in gold sequins and is great for any party!

Beads are another decorative item that comes in all shapes and sizes and are also made from any kind of material. Each beaded dress is unique with delicate workmanship and style. Keep in mind that beaded dresses are often way heavier than non-beaded gowns. This Sherri Hill gown is stunning in silver sequins beads.

The last kind of decorative embellishment is the rhinestone that is ever-so-popular and gaudy. A rhinestone is a "diamond simulant made from rock crystal, glass or acrylic," according to information from Wikipedia These little rocks look exactly like diamonds, except for the true glistening effect. However, good manufacturers have created rhinestones that successfully shine as bright as diamonds. Here is another Sherri Hill gown that is dazzling in rhinestones and pearls.