When people think of Halloween, they think of frantic chaos: plastic decorations, polyester costumes that never see the light of day again, and a flurry of last-minute Amazon orders. But I’ve always thought of something, or rather, someone, else. Morticia Addams.
I first watched The Addams Family animated series on Cartoon Network after school when I was 10 years old. I was so intrigued by Morticia in particular – the way she was positioned as the family matriarch, a confident, independent woman. It was very different to other cartoons and TV shows about girls being superficial and boy-obsessed, and in stark contrast to the representation of docile women often depicted in Bollywood.
Over the years, many actresses have taken on the legendary role. Most recently, Catherine Zeta-Jones in Netflix’s Wednesday. Before that, voiced by Charlize Theron, with Brooke Shields and Daryl Hannah also stepping into her shoes. However, for me, it is Anjelica Houston’s portrayal in the early ‘90s that is the most powerful embodiment of Morticia.
Through every iteration, her appearance has rarely differed. Lengths of centre-parted jet-black hair framing a pale face made-up with a smoky eye and a precise red lip. As for her clothing, Morticia is usually dressed in some variation of a long black form-skimming dress, perhaps with a plunging neckline or a voluminous sleeve. I love the idea that her entire look could have existed in any decade, that eternal chicness that transcends time and trend. It’s undoubtedly a classic aesthetic, but more than that, it’s elegant, composed and quietly powerful.
That is why Morticia has, and will always be, my forever style icon. The woman who manages to look immaculate in a world of mayhem. Amongst the chaos, she brings a sense of poise. She isn’t loud, and she doesn’t need to be — able to command a room with a single glance. There’s something about her that reminds me what true style and true leadership look like: considered, self-assured and unwaveringly authentic.
As a woman of colour in business, I often think of Morticia when I walk into a board meeting or step onto a panel stage. Power doesn’t always need to be performed; it can be calm, still, and deliberate. Morticia’s stillness is something I’ve always been drawn to. It’s a kind of confidence that comes from knowing exactly who you are.
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So, is it any surprise that, as well as channelling her attitude, Morticia has seeped into how I dress? While her style could initially be interpreted as one-note, I’ve created my own versions of her – Morticia Addams in the summer, Morticia Addams if she were Indian, and so on – that keep me going back to her time and time again, regardless of occasion or location.
If I’m heading to work, I might opt for a ruffle-trim black V-neck knit paired with a dramatic fishtail denim skirt and block-heel boots. A summer evening on holiday in Lake Como calls for a sheer gown embellished with a floral burnout velvet design and accessorised with a gold chain belt.
Of course, more formal events like a wedding provide the perfect occasion to dress like Morticia. A frilled off-the-shoulder gown that trails behind me, or a feather-trim Bardot dress featuring a thigh-high slit. These are my modern Morticia moments – romantic yet strong, feminine yet commanding, with the common theme of sultry, mysterious elegance prevailing throughout. Her style reminds me that confidence isn’t seasonal; it adapts to your environment but never compromises who you are.
Following the emergence of the goth girl microtrend, Halloween feels like the perfect time to celebrate Morticia and encourage others to embrace her fashion lessons in the same way I have. The weather and time of the year certainly make for a witching hour. Add to that the fact that the UK alone is responsible for an estimated 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste (the equivalent of 83 million plastic bottles) from costumes discarded each Halloween, and Morticia’s message couldn’t be more pertinent. For someone like Morticia, style is never disposable; it’s a lifelong signature.
Since founding By Rotation, the UK's leading peer-to-peer fashion rental app, six years ago, we’ve seen a huge spike in rentals around this time of year. But most people aren’t renting costumes; they’re renting looks. A statement black gown, a lace corset, a vintage slip dress. Pieces that can be styled for a Halloween party but worn again for a winter event or gala. That’s the beauty of renting: it allows you to play, to experiment, to transform, but without the waste. You can channel your inner Morticia for one night, and then let someone else do the same the next.
Whether you’re looking to add a little Morticia into your life this Day of the Dead or beyond, I’d advise not to take it too literally. I aim to put a modern, wearable twist on Morticia’s signature look by thinking about how she makes others feel in her presence. Imagine recreating that aura, not necessarily her exact outfit.
