Wednesday 8th October marked the season premiere of the fourth season of American Horror Story, otherwise known as American Horror Story: Freak Show. As an avid fan of the TV horror franchise, and with Halloween creeping upon the horizon, what better way to combine the two than by making a list of the best horror characters (and outfits) which appear throughout all seasons. The great thing about wearing an outfit inspired by and/or based on American Horror Story is that it doesn’t follow the truly conventional Halloween outfits, but instead takes a spooky and stylish approach – which is essentially what the scary season should be all about!
American Horror Story: Murder House
American Horror Story: Murder House is the first season of the horror franchise. The show is set in Los Angeles, where a new family, the Harmon’s, learn of the secrets (and ghosts) that haunt their new home. Whilst some ‘unwanted’ inhabitants are nicer than others, there still lurks tons of spooky characters, including the following…
Moira O’Hara – Murder House Maid
Without trying to give away any spoilers, Moira is a maid within the Murder House. She has worked in the household for many years and is somewhat of a permanent fixture to any family who inhabits it. We understand that maid outfits are a commonly seen on Halloween night, yet what makes Moira so interesting a character, and I guess you could say a costume, is the secret that haunts her very existence. If you dare to know more you should watch the first season, but if not, then like the picture above, you could put a truly gruesome ‘twist’ on the maid ensemble and make the outfit more terrifying than sexy.
American Horror Story: Asylum
American Horror Story’s second season, titled American Horror Story: Asylum, takes viewers back to a 1960’s mental institution called Briarcliff Manor. Situated within Briarcliff’s walls lies a whole cohort of demonic and disturbing characters, and that’s not even covering the inmates! This season is often branded as the most ‘gruesome’, so if you’re looking to really frighten people this October be sure to check out the following outfit suggestions…
Sister Mary Eunice & the ‘White Nun’
Sister Mary Eunice (Lily Rabe) is a nun at Briarcliff. The whole institution is maintained by nuns, and throughout the season they, Sister Mary in particular, go through physical and mental changes; changes in which transform them from models of chastity, to dark and seductive spirits. The great thing about wearing a nun costume is that it’s not all that common and they are often underrated when it comes to Halloween. In fact, nuns are often seen in horror movies and are frequently used to advertise these genre, eg. The Devil Inside, AHS.
American Horror Story: Asylum’s promo poster also features a nun. However, this nun differs slightly from the conventional image, instead adopting an all-white dress and tears of black. This is a very easy yet creative approach, and would no doubt scare the pants off your friends. Pinkstylist, a YouTuber who specialises in special effects and theatrical make-up, has even uploaded a video on how you can achieve this awesome look!
American Horror Story: Coven
Ryan Murphy’s third season steers clear from conventional ‘bloody’ horror, instead favouring the idea of a series based on the antics and everyday lives of teenage witches. Forget Sabrina, because Murphy is taking a leaf out of Carrie’s book and making his coven ‘supreme’ (You’ll have to watch the season to get this pun). The whole series centres on Miss Robichaux’s Academy, a boarding school which houses a coven of Salem descendants, and is led by the glamorous and undoubtedly sassy Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange). The whole season is pretty darn awesome, especially if you’re into witchcraft and the idea of the magical ‘seven wonders’.
Witches of the Coven
What is so fantastic about the witches within Coven is that Murphy proves that no matter what age, race, or size, a witch is a witch, and can cause some serious damage. American Horror Story’s portrayal of its Coven draws upon orthodox ‘witch’ customs, eg. wearing black and having the ability to use supernatural powers. However, it also uses influences from modern day life to achieve this stylised look. As from the above pictures you can see the different ‘witch’ styles (sunhats, bowler hats, high heels, trainers, sunglasses). Instead of donning the pointy hat and broomstick this year, incorporate your own style into your look and model an outfit which says something about you.
Marie Laveau – ‘The Voodoo Queen’
Sadly, another ‘horror’ component that is often brushed under the carpet on Halloween is the idea of the voodoo ritual. Coven’s Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett), otherwise known as ‘The Voodoo Queen’ is the perfect example of this. Not only is she feisty and knows what she wants, but she’s also pretty damn scary when she wants to be. Not every Halloween costume has to be physically bloodcurdling. Sometimes an aurora of terror can be just as powerful. So put on that leather jacket, wear those gold hoops and get them claws out.
American Horror Story: Freak Show
There’s not really much to be said about Freak Show at this time. But from what I can tell you after watching this week’s first episode is that this could possibly be the best season to date. From Jimmy Darling “the lobster boy” (Evan Peters) to conjoined twins Bette and Dot Tattler (Sarah Paulson), the season is proving to be the most stylised and visually aesthetic yet. And that’s not even mentioning the most terrifying clown to ever exist. Enter “Twisty”…
The “Freaks”: Desiree Dupree “The Three-Breasted Lady” and Ethel Darling “The Bearded Lady”
Two “freaks” who are set to feature highly in this hotly anticipated season include Desiree Dupree, a lady with three breasts, and Ethel Darling, a woman who not only gave birth to her own ‘prodigy’ (“the lobster boy”), but who also has her own freakishly strange feature: a beard. I don’t think you’d bump into anyone else wearing one of these costumes whilst out trick-or-treating or partying in the club. And that’s what makes them that much more fantastic! Of course creating a third breast might prove difficult, but it would undeniably draw some attention. As for a woman with a full grown beard, well…who comes across that everyday?
American Horror Story: The Boys
If you’re looking for something a little different this Halloween, keep reading…
Tate Langdon
I couldn’t possibly write an article on American Horror Story without mentioning my all-time favourite character – the one and only Tate Langdon. There’s nothing that can really be said about him without giving away some serious spoilers, but nonetheless his ‘skull face’ can really speak for itself. It’s simple, scary and downright sexy. Pinkstyle has again uploaded a tutorial on how you can achieve a similar look to this.
Rubber Man
Simple yet effective. The Rubber Man suit is the perfect balance between mysterious and terrifying. Not knowing who or what lies beneath the suits projects a real sense of unease, and nothing says unease better than Halloween night…
“Twisty” the Clown
The newest addition to the AHS family…Twisty the Clown! Quite possibly the most frightening clown known to existence. Just look at him! That’s enough to scare anybody, no matter how old you are. And after all, nothing says Halloween better than a truly petrifying clown outfit…