Fast and fun pop culture costumes for an epic halloweekend
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Did you just realize you might need three costumes for college Halloweekend instead of just one? Here are some unique and, most importantly, easy costumes you can whip up at the last minute. Featuring inspiration from popular music releases, new movies, and sports icons, these on-trend looks will prevent you from blending in with the basic costumes everyone resorts to. So grab a few friends or go solo, and start digging through your closet!
Photo Credit: Ben Symons / Peacock
Love Island
“Love Island USA” Season 6 had everyone buzzing with its sun-soaked drama and exciting new bombshells! Rob Rausch, the ultimate "snake wrangler," charmed everyone with his ability to navigate tricky situations with the girls. If you're looking to recreate his iconic look, just grab some blue jean overalls and skip the shirt!
And who could forget Leah and the stunning bombshells? Often dressed to the nines around the fire pit, they brought the heat! If you have a little black dress you’ve been wanting to wear or a neon dress that didn’t make it out this summer, any mini dress that makes you feel fabulous will work perfectly.
To complete your outfit, grab a water bottle and write your name in cursive down the side. Feeling extra? Order a $7 lavalier mic from Amazon to clip onto your dress for that authentic reality TV feel.
Photo Credit: Blair Caldwell
Beyoncé: Cowboy Carter
This ain’t Texas, but that shouldn’t stop you from rocking Beyoncé’s new Western look. Released March 29, 2024, “Cowboy Carter” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making Beyoncé the first Black woman to have a number-one country album. With iconic lyrics and imagery, “Cowboy Carter” showcases Beyoncé’s country roots in Houston, Texas.
Any combination of red, white and blue clothing perfectly recreates her album cover, especially if you have denim chaps! To top off the outfit, make sure to put on a cowboy hat and don a sash that reads “Cowboy Carter.” Bonus points if you have a horse to carry around.
Photo Credit: Pixar/Disney
Inside Out 2
The sequel to the animated Disney movie “Inside Out” was released this summer. While the original film stole audiences' hearts by showcasing how Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust and Anger navigated a young girl's emotions, “Inside Out 2” brought things to the next level with the addition of Anxiety, Ennui (a sense of existential boredom), Embarrassment, Nostalgia and Envy — making it the highest-grossing animated film of all time globally.
These new emotional characters open up even more fun options for Halloween costumes and are ideal for a big group. Everyone can easily dress in their respective colors — for instance, Anxiety in bright orange, Ennui in black and dark blue, Disgust in green and Anger in red. Turn the night into a game of improv as everyone embodies their chosen emotion. Enhance the outfit and distinguish characters by adding a "Hi, My Name Is" name tag.
Photo Credit: MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection
Challengers
“Challengers,” released in April 2024, stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a tennis player turned coach determined to help her husband, Art Donaldson, played by Mike Faist, win the Grand Slam. This steamy film features a love triangle involving Tashi and two ex-best friends, along with impressive tennis matches set to an original score by Nine Inch Nails frontmen Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
To recreate this look, any tennis outfit will work — think tennis skirts and tanks or athletic shorts and polos. To complete your costume, make sure to either get your blood pumping for that post-match glow or nail the wet look, as Art and Patrick were always dripping with sweat!
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
Joker and Harley Quinn
Maybe your costume can make up for the low ratings of the new movie in the Joker franchise, “Joker: Folie à Deux,” released this month, October 2024. Starring Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, this installment modernizes the looks of these iconic characters.
This costume is all about the makeup and face paint. For the Joker’s look, you’ll need white face paint, blue eyeshadow and the classic red Joker smile. Harley Quinn’s style is a bit more reserved, featuring messy red lipstick and either black or blue eyeshadow. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can spice up the look with a touch of glitter.
Photo Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
Caitlin Clark
If you’re going for athletic prowess, this is the look for you. Known for consistently sinking three-pointers for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, Caitlin Clark almost led her team to the NCAA Women's Basketball tournament this year and became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA basketball.
To get her signature look, pull your hair back into a ponytail and add the number 22 to a black jersey. It’s always fun to bring a prop with you on Halloween, so don’t forget to grab a basketball or a faux ball to complete the costume.