How To Dress Up For The Day Of The Dead Celebrations

Halloween was first founded to ward off spirits, but the Day of the Dead is known to both honor and welcome the dead.

The Day of the Dead originates in Mexico and is a way to honor our friends and family who have passed away. It’s one of the most vibrant events of the year combining the macabre with joy and remembrance.

Celebrators dress up like skeletons, which are called “Catrinas” (for women) and “Catrines” (for men). To get a classic Catrina look, wear a ring of marigolds lining a headband or a cowboy hat.

“I believe that it’s not just the costumes themselves, but the meaning they hold for each person that makes them spectacular,” Saul Montiel, chef for Cantina Rooftop and 1604 Broadway in New York City, who is from Hidalgo, Mexico.

Paint your face with “Sugar Skull” style makeup using black and white face paint, drawing large black circles around the eyes and nose, creating a classic skull shape. Add in details like flowers, hearts and teardrops.

Women can dress up like the classic Cantina, starting with a floral crown or headband made from fake flowers or marigolds, paired up with a maxi dress in black or white lace. A wide brimmed hat can be decorated with marigold flowers or a veil, and skull-themed makeup and jewelry can be used. For men, dress up like dapper skeletons wearing black suits and white shirts, wide-brimmed hats, like a top hat adorned with roses, and classic skull face makeup.

According to Lindsey Bernay, a stylist and author of “You Can’t Leave the House Naked,” party guests can blend tradition with style to honor the Mexican holiday’s cultural roots.

“You can wear embroidered tops or skirts; in terms of a color palette, lean towards vibrant colors like red, orange, yellow, and turquoise,” she said. “Celebrators can decorate their faces with skull patterns, symbolizing the cycle of life and death. Día de Muertos celebrates life, honoring departed family members with love and respect.”

She recommends that the best makeup and outfit for women is to use bold shades like red and blue. “Incorporating floral designs into your makeup look pays homage to the cultural significance of marigolds, often used in altars to honor loved ones,” she said. “A defined, red lip is perfect for Day of the Dead.”

“It’s about adding a touch of tradition to your wardrobe,” said Mexican stylist, Tiffany Briseno.

“Look to your closet for pieces that resonate with the festival’s colorful and artisanal aesthetic. Bright hues and intricate textures can offer that nod to the holiday.”

Briseno recommends wearing pieces like A-line skirts adorned with floral patterns, flounce sleeves, which pay homage to traditional Mexican craftsmanship and shirts with Peter Pan collars, which give a charming vintage flair to your look.

She also recommends incorporating accessories like bold, oversized earrings, weaving flowers into your hair, skull makeup, veils and decorative fans. “All of these not only enhance your look, but also pay homage to this cherished tradition,” she said.

Pedro Zamora, a Mexican-born New Yorker, is the founder of including the Cantina Rooftop, and 1604 Broadway, a Latin entertainment complex in New York City’s Times Square, including Broadway Pizza and Bites, Circo restaurant and nightclub, and Palma Verde restaurant.

“The Day of the Dead traces back to ancient Mesoamerican traditions that honor the spirits of the deceased with offerings and celebrations,” said Zamora. “In New York City, these gatherings not only keep the tradition alive but also serve as a powerful way to spread and share Mexican culture, educating and inviting everyone to be part of this special celebration.”

The Day of the Dead is a major celebration for Zamora, who will be hosting a celebration at Cantina Rooftop and 1604 Broadway on November 2. “The Day of the Dead is a celebration where we receive the souls of our loved ones, with the well-known ‘altars of the Dead,’” he said.

Typically, Day of the Dead altars feature dishes, fruits, cigarettes, tequila, bread and favorite dishes. According to Zamora, the fragrance of the yellow marigold flower, also known as the cempasúchil, its Aztec name, is said to lead souls from their burial places to their family homes.

It also helps bring a dash of color to an otherwise somber event, making it celebratory. “Our photos of the loved one we honor will also grace our altar,” he said.

When it comes to costumes, the Day of the Dead is very different from an event like Halloween—there’s a specific dress code. “People dress up like skeletons and paint their makeup like skulls,” said Zamora. “In this sense, skeletons are a fun symbol of life after death,” he said.

Zamora has spent over 30 years in the Latino music industry as an executive and producer of Latino concerts and Hispanic entertainment events. Originally from Nuevo Leon, Mexico, he owns Zamora Entertainment, La Boom Inc. Z Live, national radio stations and hospitality venues including HK Hall. He has celebrated Day of the Dead every year since he was a child in Mexico.

On November 2, Zamora plans to host a stylish, costume-filled celebration with food and drink crafted especially for the occasion, with skeleton-themed desserts created by chef Montiel.

They will have a large grand “ofrenda” (altar), honoring the lives of iconic Mexicans and Americans. “It’s a meaningful and vibrant tribute,” said Zamora. Cantina Rooftop will also host a series of altars to represent the different states of Mexico.

“We plan to represent all different kinds of ‘catrinas’ that will give the magical touch to our celebration, accompanied by traditional music such as Mariachi bands, and local Latin music groups and artists,” he said.

To Montiel, he places dishes on the altar that loved ones cherished during their lifetimes. “The best way to incorporate the Day of the Dead is to enjoy each moment, one dish at a time,” he said. “Each plate I prepare carries love, passion, and deep nostalgia, celebrating not only the Day of the Dead—but also life itself.”

There are Mexican figures like Charro González, a Mexican singer, who Montiel looks up to, and his children love dressing up each year. His son dresses up like an elegant Mariachi Catrin each year, while his daughters love dressing up as Catrinas, “without me having to suggest it,” he said.

“When I asked my daughter Ella, who is 9 years old, why she wants to dress as a Catrina, she told me, ‘Because it represents who we are, dad.’”

This annual celebration will add warmth, color and joy to a bustling Times Square. “Latin culture is growing through new Latin-owned venues and cultural festivals, attracting tourists and encouraging New Yorkers to explore the area,” said Zamora.

“This growth enriches diversity, boosts the local economy, and fosters connections, enhancing the vibrancy and inclusivity of Times Square.”