The Pink Bunny Halloween Costume

Start with a dress you would wear again

The reason most bunny costumes look sad is the bag they come in. Thin fabric, one size, done. The pink corset long sleeve mini dress is the opposite. Square neckline, a gathered waist, sleeves that flare at the wrist and a tiered skirt that actually moves.

That structure is what makes it look expensive. It also means fit matters more than usual, so pull up the size chart on the listing and measure your bust and waist before you pick. If you land between sizes, size for the bust, because a corset that pinches there will be all you think about.

The long sleeves are a gift on Halloween. Most party costumes assume it is July. This one covers your arms, and if the night turns cold you can add sheer tights without wrecking anything. I would rather be warm and cute than cute and miserable.

Ears, collar and cuffs do the costume part

The bunny set comes with pink fluffy ears on a headband, a white collar with a pink satin bow tie, two white cuffs with pink buttons and a round white tail. That set is the only part that says costume. Everything else is just a really good pink outfit, which is the whole trick.

Put the ears on last, after your hair is done, and push the headband back a little so the ears stand up instead of flopping forward. Pin the tail to the back of the skirt and check it sits in the middle before you leave.

Shoes and a bag you can actually carry

The fuchsia suede platform pumps look tall, and they are, but the platform under the toe takes some of the angle off. Wear them around the house for an evening before the party. If your feet hate heels, a pink flat from your own closet works fine. You just lose a little of the drama in photos.

The faux fur heart clutch hangs on a gold chain, so it doubles as a shoulder bag. It fits a phone, a lip gloss and a key. That is it. The pink pearl drop earrings are the finishing piece, small enough that they won't tangle with the collar, and they keep the whole look sweet instead of party store.

Comfort check before you leave the house. Sit down in the dress, raise your arms and walk up a flight of stairs. If the corset digs anywhere, loosen whatever closure it has now, not at the party. And bring flats in your car, because the second half of a costume party is always longer than the first half.

Getting ready in the loft

I took these getting ready in the loft. If you want a full length photo, stand a little farther back than you think, because the ears add height.

To keep it cheaper, buy the bunny set and the dress and pull shoes, bag and earrings from what you own. Hair goes down and smooth, soft pink blush, glossy lip. After Halloween, take off the ears and that dress goes to a holiday party in December, and nobody will ever know it had a tail.

Anything in the photos that is not on the shopping list above is a styling extra, so use what you already own.