Believe it or not, Halloween is here! If you’re still trying to hold onto that last bit of summer, odds are you haven’t even begun to plan for Halloween. Well, have no fear, because Turn Style is here to help!
No matter your age, Halloween is all about having fun! Just because you’re ‘too old’ to trick-or-treat (we question this), it doesn’t mean you have to be stuck on the sidelines when it comes to costumes. So, if the idea of finding the perfect costume gets you excited, deny your inner child no more – here are some great costume ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
Trendy Costume Ideas
Get in on the latest pop-culture trends with these fun costumes.
Barbie (and Ken)
What’s been more popular this year than the Barbie movie? Pretty much nothing!
That’s why Barbie, normally a timeless classic, has turned into a trendy Halloween costume for 2023. It’s a fairly easy look to achieve, with one main consideration: think pink! But, if you really want to go all-in, consider some of these iconic Barbie movie outfits:
Sporty Barbie — featuring a brightly patterned one-piece swimsuit over pink high-waist spandex athletic shorts or leggings. Bonus points for a sun visor and roller blades!
Cowgirl Barbie — this outfit centers around a cowboy hat and a pink bandana, but adding a pink romper or jumpsuit really brings the look to life.
Movie Barbie — the pink gingham dress was one of Barbie’s go-to outfits in her new movie, and it makes for a great Halloween costume! Finding a similar dress may be difficult, but anything cute and pink should do the trick.
If you’ve got a friend or loved one with you, consider dressing as Barbie and Ken. But, remember that Ken should be the ying to Barbie’s yang. Pair Sporty Barbie with Sporty Ken, Cowgirl Barbie to Cowboy Ken and so on. The tip for Barbie is that you can never have Kenough pink.
Oppenheimer (and Jean Tatlock)
In addition to the Barbie movie, there was another movie that got people flooding back to the theaters this past summer: Oppenheimer.
If you’re interested in a pop-culture costume with a little less cheer and a little more drama, Oppenheimer may be for you. To recreate the Oppenheimer look, simply look for a dark suit or any sort of muted, formal-looking clothing (the more drab the better). Add in some suspenders, an old-timey hat and a pipe, and you’ve got yourself the father of the atomic bomb.
If you’re interested in a couple’s outfit, you may want to dress as Oppenheimer and Jean Tatlock, his supposed lover (and quite the spicy movie character). Want an ever bolder pairing? Try mixing Oppenheimer and Barbie, known as Barbenheimer due to the incredible success of both movies simultaneously.
Taylor Swift
Who else can double the resale value of NFL tickets just by showing up to a few games? Move over, Barbie and Oppenheimer — nobody owns 2023 like Taylor Swift.
To dress up as the one and only T-Swift, we suggest putting together a glamorous stage outfit. While performing, Taylor usually dresses to impress with dazzling, sparkly dresses, skirts and tops.
Due to the popularity of the Eras Tour, find your favorite look from her nearly 20 years in the spotlight. This can come from her music videos or album covers (and you can make them more modern by looking at the Taylor’s Version albums recently released).
If you would rather not search for a specific look or article of clothing, search for anything that fits the right vibe. As long as it looks like it could be worn by a pop star, it’ll work nicely — especially when paired with the right hairdo and some red lipstick. Get yourself a fake microphone to complete the look, and you might just feel famous for a night.
Want to turn this into a couple’s costume? You already know what to do! Find yourself somebody to play the role of Travis Kelce and you’ll be extremely timely, relevant, and maybe even annoying to some. You’re welcome.
Classic Costume Ideas
Not into trendy? Tried-and-true is also always great!
Toy Story
Debuting in 1995, Toy Story became an instant classic, captivating children and adults alike. The original movie features many great characters, and even more are introduced in Toy Stories 2-5, but nobody tops the faithful Woody. Partner up with somebody dressing as Buzz or Jane, and you’ve really got a winner! If you’re into DIY projects, you can make your Woody outfit at home. First, use a red marker to draw checkerboard-style lines on a yellow button-up shirt. Next, cut down a white t-shirt into a vest, and add some cow spots using black fabric paint. Wear some jeans and pair with a red scarf, cowboy boots, and a leather belt. Oh, and don’t forget your trusty cowboy hat!
Marilyn Monroe
Every Halloween party needs a Marilyn Monroe, so why not fill the role? This costume is always satisfying to wear — it’s timeless, feminine, and classic! As the case with Joyce Byers, you’ll need to nail the hair. Get yourself a short, well-styled platinum-blonde wig. But don’t forget the bright lipstick, flowing eyelashes, bright lipstick, and, of course, the beauty mark. Now all you need is a pretty little dress to pull it all together. Maybe you’ll luck out and find a white halter dress reminiscent of Monroe’s classic air vent photo.
A Disney Princess
What little girl doesn’t want to be a princess? We may be grown-ups now, but let’s face it, we all still want to be a princess sometimes. Well, this Halloween, you can be! Choose your favorite one — maybe Belle, Cinderella, or Snow White — or choose a princess who fits with what you can find out on the Turn Style racks. We’re not gonna bother telling you how to pull this off: we know you’ve been practicing since you were two.
Catwoman
Catwoman’s character may be complex, but her outfit isn’t. Add some cat ears to a tight, black outfit, and boom! A Catwoman is born. Technically, Catwoman wears a one-piece bodysuit, but you can still pull off the right look with a tight shirt and pants. The shinier the material, the better. And if you want to go the extra mile, get yourself a black mask to add some mystery to the outfit.
Still Can’t Decide?
There are some things to consider that might narrow down your options! Think about the following before committing to your Halloween costume:
Are You Going to be Outside?
If so, make sure you wear something weather-appropriate! Dressing as Kim Kardashian might look great, but probably won’t make for a fun time unless you’re going as Ski-Resort-Kim.
Funny or Sexy?
It’s a costume-conundrum as old as time. Instead of framing your decision-making process like this, ask yourself, “How do I want to express myself?” Maybe you’re feeling good and want to show off (nothing wrong with that!), or maybe you want to pay tribute to your favorite piece of pop-culture or your own sense of humor. The beauty of Halloween is that nobody will judge you either way!
But still be appropriate!
Okay, maybe that last sentence should have an asterisk. Sure, Halloween is a time when people generally reserve judgment, but that doesn’t mean there are no rules. Of course you’ll want to be mindful that, if you’re around children or coworkers, your outfit isn’t ‘too much’.
That being said, make sure you HAVE FUN this Halloween! It’s a great opportunity to drop your inhibitions and play dressup, which doesn’t happen enough in the adult world.
Stop by your local Turn Style to get more ideas or find the perfect outfit for your costume of choice. We get new items in daily, so you’re sure to find something that will tie your costume together.
