Style Scenario: Casual Halloween

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. And this one is for those NOT donning a costume and joining the throngs this weekend. It’s hard to blame em’. Halloween has become a sort of 2nd New Year’s… another evening where hotspots get invaded by the plastered masses, & vomit ends up on rarely used duds. So instead, perhaps you’re sticking close to your home, handing out candy. Or, you’re headed to a friend’s place to carve a pumpkin & take down a mug of spiked cider. Whatever you’re doing, here’s one way to look good & stay comfortable while bypassing the crazy.

The Sweater: J. Crew Factory Donegal Crew – $50.50. Pretty much the perfect sweater for this situation. Casual but not boring. Flecked Wool/Nylon fabric that’s warm, yet won’t be too smothering to be comfortable in. Elbow patches keep it interesting too.

The Watch: Seiko SKX007 – $164.99. A great watch to dive… into a pumpkin with. 200m water resistance means it’ll handle pumpkin guts just fine. And it’ll be easy to wash off when you’re done. Automatic. Durable. A favorite for many.

The Jeans: Levi’s 514 Straight Fit Jean in Tumbled Rigid – $36.99. Or whatever your favorite pair of comfortable, dark wash denim happens to be.

The Belt: GAP Centerbar Belt – $34.95. The reviews seem mixed on this one, but if it’s somewhere in between the positives and the negatives, and you can get it on sale (which it typically is), then that buckle is a nice way to change things up when you’re dressed down.

The Boots: Wolverine 1000 mile McClean Cap Toe Boots – $267.90 ($400). Went on sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale back in July, but have been sitting at regular price ever since? A Nordstrom Exclusive. Made in the USA. Also available in brown, but sizes are scattered there. The black leather on top of the toasted brown sole looks pretty slick though. Too spendy? Just get a pair of Clarks Desert Boots in Black and you’ll be set.

The Tee: Declaration Clothing Made in the USA “Fatal Stamp” Tee – $28. Not cheap, but made in the States with a nod towards the U.S.A.’s history. That menacing skull and crossbones was used to make a point back in the pre-revolution days. “Printed on the Pennsylvania Journal as an act of protest to the Stamp Act of 1765,” it was a visual that showed how some of the colonists felt about being taxed by the Brits on everything from legal documents to playing cards.

The Tools: Warren Cutlery Made in the USA Carving Kit – $23.95. On back order till after Halloween, and for good reasons. Those crappy, cheap, plastic handled carving kits with super thin, easy to bend and almost guaranteed to break serrated blades are GARBAGE. At the very least, use a steady, familiar, serrated knife to do your carving. Just don’t lose any fingers.

The Beer: Elysian Dark o’ the Moon Pumpkin Stout. Yep… a smooth stout instead of a lighter, sweeter ale. Surprisingly tasty. Very strong fall spice nose without smelling like a scentsy machine gone mad. Velvety texture. Lots of flavor but still well balanced. Finished with crushed cinnamon. 6.5% ABV. From Seattle. It’s one of the most, what’s the word, sincere pumpkin beers out there. Available in 22 0z bottles.