From Barden Bellas to Pretty Little Liars, 10 Stylish Halloween Costumes Inspired By Pop Culture Icons
1/11You’ve already lived these epic pop culture moments this year, so why not be one of them? Well, for one night out of the year when it’s actually encouraged to be someone other than yourself: Halloween.
Buying a pre-made costume is a bit passive, if not lazy, and not everyone has the magical DIY makeup talents of Michelle Phan, but there are ways of impersonating your favorite pop culture moment without hiring a costume designer or taking sewing lessons. It just takes a little creativity, some resourcefulness and definitely a touch of fashion knowledge. You probably even have parts of these costumes in your closet already. And bonus: you could definitely incorporate these pieces into your regular wardrobe on some of the other 364 days of the year.
So check out 10 ideas for your killer costume that will have everyone talking on Halloween.
2/11Maddie Ziegler in Sia’s “Big Girl Don’t Cry” Video
All you need is a flesh-toned leotard, Footundeez (yes, that’s what they’re called) for dancer authenticity and a triangle-shaped bleached blonde wig with bangs. If you’re in need of more coverage, layer tights and turtleneck bodysuit in a lighter shade underneath the leotard. Jagger-esque dance moves are up to your own interpretation.
Capezio leotard with clear transition straps, $23 to $28, amazon.com
H&M Sleeveless turtleneck bodysuit, $18, hm.com
H&M 2-pack tights 20-dernier in beige, $6, hm.com
Capezio Footundeez, $18, dancewearhouseusa.com
Generic fashion wig, $15, amazon.com
3/11Ariana Grande in Scream Queens
Now, you could walk around carrying (and licking) a tray of donuts all night. But you’d probably have more fun lording over the party in a mix of silver and furry pink as Ariana Grande in character as Chanel #2 on Scream Queens — and dressed for a fairly pivotal moment at that. Just make sure to carry your iPhone around all night, just in case a red devil-costumed party goer wants to get in touch via text. Ahem.
River Island, Light pink premium faux fur coat, $180, riverisland.com
Choies, Cream skater miniskirt, $30, choies.com
Topshop, Metallic frill tee, $48, topshop.com
Xhilaration, knee high socks, $3, target.com
Jeffrey Campbell, Carnie leather sandal, $135, nastygal.com
4/11Cookie Lyon in the Empire Season 2 Premiere
Don’t be like the 10 other head-to-toe leopard print wearing Cookies to your Halloween party. We suggest an elevated Cookie in Moschino-inspired patchwork denim and layers and layers of opulent statement jewelry. And broken down into separates, your Cookie outfit really is the Halloween costume you could wear again, in real life, as you’re trying to regain control of your family business and sign the next big musical talent.
Mango, Medium denim jacket, $90, mango.com
H&M, Pencil skirt, $25, hm.com
Fashion Focus, gold metal link belt, $21, bluefly.com
Forever 21, Faux pearl necklace, $8, forever21.com
Chic Nova, Chunky alloy short necklace, $4, chicnova.com
Forever21, Triangle statement necklace, $13, forever21.com
Charming Charlie, Gala event pave earrings, $10, charmingcharlie.com
Baublebar, Dimension ring, $38, baublebar.com
5/11Barden Bellas in Pitch Perfect 2
Don’t even bother attempting to recreate all the “Bad Blood” outfits for your entire squad — it’s way too much of a commitment (and financial investment). But the Barden Bellas from Pitch Perfect 2 is the next best thing. Plus, it’s another way to make extra use out of your skinny black jeans (extra points if you actually own the Paige denim zipper pocket jeans the girls actually wore in the movie) and white t-shirt or tank. But invest in the same suit vest to make the girl-group look consistent and make sure you’re all toting portable mics — preferably a glittered out ones — in case an impromptu riff off occurs.
Choies, Black skinny jeans with zipper detail, $26, choies.com
H&M, Jersey top, $5, hm.com
Mango, Waistcoat, $60, mango.com
Old Navy, Women’s sueded high tops, $12, oldnavy.com
Microphone, $2, wholesalehalloweencostumes.com
6/11Redcoat from Pretty Little Liars
Who needs a monster or demon costume when you can be the most nefarious, evil-doing villain in Rosewood? Just throw a red raincoat over your usual black skinny jeans, accessorize with stacked heel booties and a blonde Cece/Charlotte/Ali-like wig and start sending ominous texts to all the other guests at the party.
Yoins, Red belted trench coat, $42, yoins.com
Map of Beauty, long long wave wave wig, $8, amazon.com
7/11Cara Delevingne at the Met Gala
On one hand, you could just pull your sweats, ironic t-shirt and Timbs out of your closet. Or, better yet, glam it up as Cara Delevingne at this year’s Met Gala, which is actually just as easy — if not easier — to put together. Start with a cut-out black jumpsuit that you could totally wear to your winter dance, a pair of ankle-strap heels and some faux statement bling. Then, your body is your canvas to fake tat yourself out with a series of cherry blossom artwork.
Choies, Black plunge strap cut out back cami jumpsuit, $27, choies.com
Forever 21, Faux suede ankle wrap sandals, $30, forever21.com
Charming Charlie, Emerald sparkle huggie hoops, $10, charmingcharlie.com
Tattoo Fun, Yellow koi fish fake tattoos, $5, tattoofun.com
Tattoo Fun, Small cherry blossom fakte tattoos, $7, tattoofun.com
8/11Miley Cyrus at the VMAs
It’s so hard to pick just one from all the batshizz crazy looks that Miley wore to host the VMAs, but this giant lips and eyes ensemble will make the most of your crafting skills. First, head to your recycling bin and grab a couple cardboard boxes to fashion into lip and eye shapes. Then, take some old school construction paper to cover the lip and eyes using glue and/or tape. Borrow some markers from your little bro or sis and color in the eyes and eyebrows. Then, staple/duct-tape/sew the eyes onto a bandeau top or shoulder and midriff-covering tank and the lip onto old shorts, leggings or a mini-skirt lying around in your drawers. Save your money to invest in a pair of over-the-knee white boots and a neon visor. Stick your tongue out as necessary.
Pleaser ,Women’s vanity knee-high boot, $95, amazon.com
Construction paper, $2, discountschoolsupply.com
Power Lines washable markers, $9, crayola.com
Visor, $3, partyatlewis.com
9/11Catastrophe in the “Bad Blood” video
Similar to Miley’s VMA wardrobe, Taylor Swift’s outfit collection in the “Bad Blood” video is just as vast, but totally covet-worthy. It’s so hard to choose, but the latex criss-cross accented catsuit would be a breeze to co-opt with your wardrobe basics and that roll of duct tape gathering dust under your sink. Just re-create the line detail on a black turtleneck and matching leggings with the aforementioned industrial tape. Borrow a welding mask from the family tool shed or buy a minimalist industrial face shield that could double as your serial killer costume for next year. Make sure you walk with a badass strut all night while carrying a red glow stick because they won’t let you into the party with an actual flare. Fire hazard.
Uniqlo, Heattech turtleneck long sleeve shirt, $15, uniqlo.com
Topshop, Ankle leggings, $20, topshop.com
Duck Tape, duct tape, $8, staples.com
Goggle/face shield, $25, industrialsafetyproducts.com
25 premium glow sticks assorted, $10, amazon.com
10/11What North West Wears to Ballet Class
Admit it, being North West would be a pretty rad gig. You get to sit front row at the hottest shows during Fashion Month, you get first dibs on custom Yeezy goods (thanks, dad) and all of mom’s fashion designer friends make you bespoke stuff. Like that time Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing made the tot a double breasted blazer to wear over her tutu for ballet class. While you’re waiting for Kimye to adopt you, dress the part at least. Grab a white blazer leftover from summer (or buy a wallet-friendly one) and customize it, Balmain-style, with your own posh gold buttons. Throw it on over a tutu-ed out tulle dress, pull your hair up into a ballerina topknot and accent your ears with the most massive (fake) diamond studs you can find.
Choies, White angel lace piff dress, $40, choies.com
H&M, Jacket, $30, hm.com
Quilt fashion button, $2 each, mjtrim.com
Bloch, women’s Dansoft ballet slipper, $12 to 20, amazon.com
Charming Charlie, Gallery 10mm round CZ studs, $12, charmingcharlie.com
11/11Bunny Ear Girl Emojis
Enlist your BFF and grab a couple black leotards and bunny ear headbands and voila — you and your besties are now adorable emojis. Warning: you will have to spend the entire night walking around together in order to make any sense and be ready to perform the coordinating emoji stance upon request.
Danina, Women’s leotard, $16, amazon.com
Cara Drama lace bunny ear headband, $28, nordstrom.com
Jessica Simpson Labelle jeweled almond toe flats, $60, dillards.com
