We don’t know a single person who wasn’t gripped with Netflix’s Inventing Anna this year, the Shonda Rhimes miniseries inspired by the real-life story of Anna Sorokin, née Anna Delvey, based off the New York magazine article, “How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People” by Jessica Pressler about the infamous New York grifter. The story of how this Russian-born woman pretended to be a German heiress named, gaining access to private New York institutions and even raising millions in capital for her namesake art foundation, is stranger than fiction. That’s what makes it one of 2022’s best Halloween costume ideas.
Anna Delvey Halloween Costume Ideas
The mysterious figure, who later went to court and was found guilty of theft of services and grand larceny in 2019, was played so expertly by Ozark star Julia Garner. Julia so transformed into Delvey that she earned two Emmy Awards for her performance. And now you, too, can play the part by convincingly dressing up as her for Halloween.
In addition to dressing in the outfits we’ve outlined below, we also recommend brushing up on Anna’s iconic catchphrases, including: “What are you wearing? You look poor;” “I’m in prison, but I’m still accessorizing and had it pressed;” and our personal favorite, “Why are you being like this? So dramatic!”
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Anyone wanting to fully commit to the character (the real-life version or Julia Garner’s award-winning version) should start with a blonde wig for earlier appearances or a red one for later ones, unless you’re lucky enough to already sport these hair colors. The next must-have for any successful Anna Delvey costume – especially the court room looks – is a thick pair of glasses. Anna wore Céline frames, which is a good excuse to treat yourself to some new luxury frames, although any pair will work. Here are scene-by-scene options for what to wear:
1. Black pants and white shirt
Perhaps the most recognizable look of Anna’s for replicating is her court room style, which became decidedly sleek and chic as her trial went on. After her defense team, which included Courtney Love’s former lawyer, reportedly decided that her brown Rikers-issued uniform made her look guilty, the defendant started wearing more a business-like dress code.
Black pants and a white shirt seems like a pretty standard court look (or any formal occasion look) but it’s very easy to make it instantly recognizable as an Anna Delvey costume with just a few added extras. And best of all, you can a) use what you already have in your closet, or b) buy something new knowing full well you’ll get to use it many times again.
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Here’s the look step by step:
1. Black cropped pants
2. White shirt
3. Black pumps
4. Black choker
5. Black thick rimmed glasses
2. Little black dress
Another favorite look is the sleek black, low-cut dress with conservative black tights and flats. She gave the simple look some flare with a choker necklace, and of course her signature black Celine glasses to make her look more serious. Her hair was well-styled. This is so fun and even a bit stylish to replicate.
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Another easy to create outfit as we *all* have an LBD in our closets! Anna’s was actually from Zara, believe it or not.
1. Black babydoll dress
2. Black glasses
3. Dark colored tights
4. Black pumps
5. A hair tie to create Anna’s effortlessly messy high pony
3. Sexy LBD
If you want something a little less conservative, this is a great effortless outfit to go for! Anna wore a Michael Kors shift dress for this court day, but any black dress with a plunging front will work!
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Here’s what you’ll need to copy the look:
1. A black shift dress with a daring plunging front
2. Thick black glasses
3. Black choker
4. Hair straighteners to achieve that poker straight down do
4. Angelic white dress
This outfit is a complete 180 compared to most Halloween outfits! Most people will be dressing up as devils and other spooky creatures, so dressing up in an angelic white ensemble will definitely make you stand out!
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Here’s what you’ll need:
1. A white mini dress, preferably with a sheer lace top and sleeves
2. Black pumps
3. Black glasses
4. Black choker
5. Front row at fashion week look
Julia Garner as Anna was living her best life in this fashion week scene, wearing a one-shouldered blouse and skirt from designer Jonathan Simkhai and shoes by Sarah Jessica Parker.
Here's a breakdown of the ingredients:
1. A pale pink one shouldered satin dress
2. Glamorous drop earrings
3. Soft pink lipstick
4. A hair tie and pins to recreate this chic hairstyle
6. Chic plane outfit
No athleisure for this traveler! This chic black-and-white dress by Maje was a first class outfit in more ways than one. If you don't have the budget for Maje, here's how to replicate the look with a few simple items from your closet:
1. A crisp white shirt
2. A monochrome tweed cardigan, sweater, or blazer
3. Oversized black shades
4. A fierce black tote bag that shows you mean business
5. Hair curlers or heated rollers to create a bouncy down do
7. Red dress
This look made Julia/Anna the epitome of class and sophistication. And we want in! "We just wanted that feeling that this was her To Catch a Thief moment," the show's costume designer Lyn Paolo told Shondaland. Here's how to do your own To Catch A Thief Moment at home:
1. A red dress – Bardot neckline optional, but encouraged
2. A multicolored silk scarf to tie around your head and neck. Extra points if someone can follow you round with a wind machine (or a fan for a more budget friendly version) to recreate the wind!
3. An oversized canvas tote bag
4. Oversized square sunglasses
5. A fine bangle or any other jewelry you think would make an outfit pop!
