As the chilly air settles in and the leaves begin to turn, we know it’s time for everyone’s favorite candy-centered holiday – Halloween. While some spooky enthusiasts plan their costumes months in advance, others (like me) leave their dress-up plans up until the very last minute.
You might not know where you’ll end up this Halloweekend, but I think it’s important you figure out what – or who – you’ll be dressed as. I know it can be tough choosing the perfect costume that isn’t overdone or too niche, that’s why I’ve developed a comprehensive guide to this year’s Halloween costume line-up: no more cops (yawn) and no more prisoners (bigger yawn).
To begin, I think dressing as your favorite series or movie character is a timeless choice.
To give some great examples of easily recognizable characters, there’s Phineas and Ferb (this could also work as a group costume with the other characters), the live-action Bratz crew and characters from Inside Out.
Groups can be tough, as most costumes seem better fit for a duo or single, however I think I’ve discovered some amazing options for trios, quartets and quintets alike.
I’ve seen multiple Pinterest and TikTok inspo photos of jungle felines such as a cheetah, leopard, puma, lion, jaguar, panther and many more. I also think the idea of going as a fruit salad (a great LGBTQ+ pun) would be adorable.
There are always, of course, those who function better as a solo. At least if you choose to dress up on your own you can avoid relying on the rest of your group to be ready for the big day. As for a cool one-person costume option I think any album cover would be fire. Dress up in all orange and go as Frank Ocean’s best album, or sport lime green and go as the album of the summer “Brat.” You can also dress as your favorite artist on their most popular album cover!
I, of course, want to see some cheeky costumes this year too. Gold digger’s and party animals are some great options that can be conveyed in a ton of different ways. I’ve also always loved the idea of a group of four going as the ladies from the Moulin Rouge music video.
More cheeky options include “kiss, marry, kill” (or the other version of this some of you may know), the seven deadly sins or my personal favorite, a female dog (easily achieved by throwing on some dog ears and a bow).
There’s always, of course, the funny costume options. I’d love to see some Teletubbies, red flags or any clockable pop-culture references. Funny isn’t usually my style though, so the jokesters of the holiday may have to rely on someone else for guidance.
If you want to go all out and win major creativity points, there are lots of interpretations of Fancy Nancy, a jester (NOT a clown) and your favorite cocktails – an Aperol spritz, a Moscow mule or a cosmopolitan would be an absolute hit in my book.
Before you open up Amazon, I’d like to emphasize the importance of being culturally competent. We’re young, sexy and oh-so-fun, but nothing kills the vibe more than seeing some offensive costume. It’s not always easy to tell which lines are okay to cross, but there are many guides out there that can help clarify for anyone confused.
My suggestion is: if you have any hesitation, don’t do it. I’d also suggest asking for second and sometimes even third opinions. I don’t want to see any more white people in orange afros dressed as Ice Spice (yes that is offensive, and if you had asked a Black friend, they may have advised you against it).
Nevertheless, I encourage everyone to have a fun, safe and exciting Halloween. I hope to see some of my amazing recommendations come to life this spooky season.