Fright night: Halloween dress-ups

"Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it."

Comedian Tina Fey, who wrote the film Mean Girls, which that quote is pulled from, is a genius. Has a movie line ever been so spot on? What is it about the date October 31 that makes normally sane women lose all sense of style and modesty and want to dress up like cheerleaders, schoolgirls or naughty policewomen?

It's like in Sex & the City when Miranda is searching for a Halloween outfit and discovers the only two options for women: witch and sexy kitten. But, dear readers, there are other options. If you happen to be attending a Halloween dress-up party this weekend, here are five fashion-inspired options.

1. Lady Gaga

The beauty of dressing up as Lady Gaga is that there are so many Gaga personas to choose from. Do you go for the teacup carrying geisha Gaga? Edgy Gaga in leather, PVC and studs? Disco Gaga with keytar? Creepy Gaga dressed in white with bloody face and drips? Or Fashion Week Gaga in a red lace bodystocking? Or do you go for the more wearable Gaga hair bow? Whichever you choose, being sans pants is the only option. Of course you might see many others dressed up similarly - we expect Lady Gaga to be the most popular get-up this year.

2. Karl Lagerfeld

Put talcum powder in your hair, throw on a sharp, slim-fitting monochrome suit and walk around saying things like, "My best friends are all lesbians. It's very easy for people to live with lesbians. Men don't dislike women, why women should dislike women, hmm?"

3. Max from Where The Wild Things Are

The movie isn't released here until December 3, but that shouldn't stop you from embracing your inner child and dressing up like little Max in a wolf suit. Any onesie will do, but if you're really lucky you would have managed to get your hands on one of Opening Ceremony's special Max playsuits with tail, gloves and ears. And don't forget the crown.

4. Grace Coddington

The Vogue creative director charmed everyone with her star turn in The September Issue, and while some people may think you've dressed up as a crazy lady with frizzy red hair and no eyebrows, hardcore fashion fans will get it and love it. Once you get the hair sorted (a wig is probably easiest), the rest is simple - just wear a black shift dress, clomp around in flat sandals and wax lyrically about how beauty and inspiration is everywhere.

5. Early Michael Jackson

No explanation needed really. And this one is super-easy because almost everyone is ripping off Michael Jackson's style right now - just get something sequinned and/or with bold shoulders and you're pretty much done.