Pop culture moments to fuel your last-minute Halloween costume ideas
A year dominated by the music industry, celebrity relationships and some of the most iconic films ever screened serve as inspiration for this year’s Halloween season
Roshni Ahuja / V Mag at UVA
A witch, a devil, a cowgirl? Total snoozefest. At this point, even Barbie is overdone. To truly amaze friends at your Halloween party, consider leaning into some niche pop culture references to really set yourself apart from the crowd.
If you’re flying solo this Halloween season, some of these recent icons can be your new persona for the night. Whether it is the world’s favorite football coach or the world’s favorite halftime performer, these costumes will make you the talk of the town.
1. Rihanna at the Super Bowl
It is no secret that red is ruling the fashion world right now, and Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance was no exception. The singer-songwriter rocked out on a floating platform stage in a layered cherry red outfit that showed off her baby bump. To recreate this “Only Girl (In The World),” you only need red cargo pants, a red top and a red lip. To accessorize, consider adding a red jacket, a microphone and diamonds — or an umbrella, if you’re feeling symbolic.
2. Grimace Milkshake
In celebration of the 1971 character Grimace’s birthday promotion, McDonald’s released a purple berry milkshake flavor from June to July. The #GrimaceShake TikTok trend showed people in crime-scene-like scenarios as a result of their milkshakes, turning it into a viral marketing campaign. For this look, you could wear a full-body purple outfit and accessorize with a McDonald’s cup to fill with milkshakes — or whatever else you’d like.
3. Ted Lasso
Equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, this sports comedy-drama television show about an American football coach hired to coach an English soccer team released its third season in March with raving reviews. For this costume, you would need a collared shirt, tracksuit pants, a whistle, aviators, a soccer ball and — most importantly — the legendary chevron mustache. Consider making it a group costume by having your friends go as soccer players.
For those with a partner in crime for Halloween, there’s no better costume than some of the most newsworthy and star-studded duos. From Taylor Swift and her new boo to the dichotomy of the Biebers, these costumes are bound to be instantly recognizable.
4. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
If the Barbenheimer frenzy doesn’t suit you, consider the next best thing — pop sensation Taylor Swift and her new beau Travis Kelce, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. For Taylor, you could wear anything from an eras-tour outfit, such as a sequin bodysuit, to a reference to any one of her music videos or albums. For Kelce, you could have a football, mustache and a red jersey — bonus points if it has the number 87 on it.
5. Hailey and Justin Bieber
For those considering another celebrity couple, Hailey and Justin Bieber broke the internet this August when they wore opposing outfits to the launch of Hailey’s Strawberry Peptide Lip Treatment in New York. Justin appeared in a matching gray sweatshirt and shorts, a pink baseball hat, crew socks and yellow Crocs. Meanwhile, Hailey stunned in a red dress and matching heels, nails, purse and earrings. To recreate this contrasting couple’s look, you can go as crazy with the recreation as you would like, as long as the outfits give off two totally different vibes.
6. Post Malone and Noah Kahan
Dubbed “Folk Malone,” singer-songwriter Noah Kahan recently released a duet with rapper Post Malone of his song “Dial Drunk.” As the internet noticed, the unlikely duo have similar energies in different spheres. To dress as Post Malone, wear a flannel, braids and face tattoos. For Kahan, it is best to go as “granola” as you can get — try overalls, a flannel or jacket and a prop guitar. It helps if you have got those luscious long locks, too.