This is a stock photo of three jack-o-lanterns sitting on a dark rocky surface with a light orange background. It is dimly lit with fairy lights.
HALLOWEEN

10 Costume Ideas for Halloween 2023

A little inspiration to help get the ball rolling

October 24, 2023

When you see Halloween decorations webbed around grocery stores, you know it is time to text in the group chat about Halloween costumes. You may think to yourself, do I want to find a solo costume or do a cute duo/group Halloween costume? How can I not be that basic this year? If these questions pop into your head at this time of the year…. Let’s brainstorm:

“Basic” has negative connotations nowadays, but let’s be realistic here. Some basic outfits can be elevated and considered “unique” by adding fun makeup and jewelry. Here are the top 5 basic Halloween costumes that could make it to your group chat or Pinterest board.

P.S. Basic is sometimes better than trying to be too different. My friends and I ran around Allston as a fruit salad our sophomore year. 

1. Barbie & Ken

Courtesy of giphy.com

Are you even shocked that Barbie & Ken is on this list? With the release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie this past summer starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, how could this duo not be the topic of discussion on your For You page?  There may be an over-saturation of Barbie & Ken costumes this Halloween, but luckily, there are hundreds of Barbie and Ken dolls that you can draw your inspiration from.

2. Oppenheimer

This is a GIF from the movie Oppenheimer. The GIF is in black and white and it shows the main character of the movie walking forwards and putting on his top hat while paparazzi follow him with cameras and take photographs. There are others trailing behind him in suits without cameras as well. The main character is wearing a suit with a black tie and is holding what seems to be a brief case in one hand while the other hand places the hat on his head. After he place the hat on his head, he waves forward. He has short hair, a thin face, and a slim build.
Courtesy of giphy.com

Another expected costume this upcoming Halloween season Oppenheimer core. Not only can you still be in your mysterious era with this outfit, but you can create this costume just by digging through your closet. Do you have a trench coat shoved in your closet that needs some love? Bring it out along with your cleanest necktie and suit. For accessories, you need a fake tobacco pipe, and I promise it’ll bring the whole look together.

3. Hailey and Justin Bieber at the Rhode Strawberry Glaze Product Launch

This is a photo of Hailey and Justin Bieber that was taken by paparazzi. The couple is walking into Haileys brand event for the launch of her new product. They are on a city sidewalk, with security and the car they got out of behind them. Hailey is walking in front of Justin, with her light brown hair in a high bun, a red strapless mini dress on, red kitten heels, with a red leather purse to match. She is looking out in the distance with a straight face. Justin is behind her in a grey suit suit, wearing a zip up grey hoodie zipped half-down exposing his tattoos and light grey shorts on. He has medium length white socks on, with bright yellow Crocs on his feet. He is wearing a light pink hat that is backwards. He is looking down in front of himself.
Photo courtesy of Buzzfeed

The Biebers’ outfits have always caught the eye of the media. The paparazzi love sniping them. Notably, the clashing outfits that Justin and Hailey wore to Rhode’s promotional event became the topic of conversation at the end of the summer. Hailey was glammed up with a red mini dress, red strawberry earrings, and a red hair ribbon. Next to Hailey, Justin was pictured wearing yellow crocs and a groutfit with a pink baseball cap. Although they seemed dressed for two different events, they were very much attending the same one. Not only does this give you a perfect chance to either dress down or dress up for Halloween, but it also is definitely an eye-catching duo look for this Halloween.

4. The Scream Movie: Casey Becker and Ghost-face

This is a GIF from the sixth Scream movie. The actress has a blonde, short, bob haircut and has pale skin. She's in a tan/pink-ish v-neck knit sweater. In one hand, she has a old-style white, cordless phone up to her ear. Her other arm is up by her shoulder and she is nervously fidgeting with the edges of her sweater. She is talking into the phone nervously with her eyes closed. There is a caption at the bottom of the GIF that says "Please leave me alone!" which mimics the words she is saying.
Courtesy of giphy.com

There are now six Scream movies. The first Scream movie was released in 1996, and the latest was released in March. The Scream characters have prolonged their media presence and can be considered a staple Halloween costume. Each movie welcomes new characters, meaning there is a variety of costumes that you can draw inspiration from. From Casey Becker, played by Drew Barrymore with the iconic blonde bob, to Tara Carpenter, played by Jenna Ortega with her memorable pink bloody sweater, you can approach this costume in many ways. Of course, this can easily become a group costume idea. After all, Ghost-face costumes can easily be found in most stores and can be thrifted.

5. Beyonce Renaissance

This is a photo of the famous Beyonce while she is performing in concert. She is standing on stage in front of a grey, blurred background. She is wearing a fully metallic outfit. She has on a metallic hat that is sideways on her head, futuristic silver sunglasses, a stringy silver body suiit that has sleeves, and metallic boots that connect to her body suit through a strap that comes up the sides of her legs. She has one hand by her side with her palm facing the floor while her other hand grips the microphone to her mouth.
Photo courtesy of InStyle

Make the crowd go mute by bringing out Beyoncé’s energy with your crew. Silver metallic outfits are making a comeback within the fashion sphere. Silver metallic cowboy hats, silver tops, silver bottoms, and a pair of knee-high boots (silver or white) will scream ENERGY!

6. Sassy Man Apocalypse: Prayag from TikTok

This is a photo taken from the up and coming Tik Toker, Prayag's account. It comes from a video he posted on his channel where he is in his car that has grey seats, leaning back with his arms up and his hands folded behind his head. He has on a purple, blue, and mauve printed button up with purple square lens sungalsses to match. He has a dark colored beard and dark hair. He has earrings in and is looking at the camera.
Courtesy of @444pray on TikTok

Recently, Prayag has gained over a million followers over a couple of weeks for making “sassy” content. With his famous tagline, “It’s the way you act,” you can bring out your sassy personality with a simple hoodie and colorful rectangle sunglasses.

7. Men in Black

This is a GIF from the men in black movie of famous actor Will Smith. He is in a blue dome room that has random graphics. He has a medium skin tone with short, dark hair. He is wearing a black suit with a white dress shirt and a black tie. He is putting on his black sunglasses with both of his hands while he is smirking.
Courtesy of giphy.com

This classic costume can become an iconic group costume idea. This look is easy to recreate with a simple black suit with sunglasses, and your friend group will look the coolest at the function. Channel your inner agent to your Halloween parties.

8. Alien and Astronaut

This is a GIF that is taken within a person's home a little boy with an alien costume on. The alien is green and blue on the button and is blown up on the back of the little boy that is wearing it.He is wearing a black shirt and is running behind the wall to hide from the camera. He accidentally walks into the wall and falls for a second and gets back up and runs behind the other wall.
Courtesy of giphy.com

Over the summer, NASA reported that they have seen UFOs. With that in mind, dressing up as an alien and/or an astronaut seems to be timely. There are endless options on how to execute this costume. This look can be makeup-heavy with a basic costume. Or you can choose to pick the perfect alien/astronaut costume.

9. Pulp Fiction’s Mia Wallace

This is a GIF of character Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction. She appears to be in a public place that may be a bar/restaurant that has dim lighting. She has short black hair that is cut into a bob with bangs. She is thin and is wearing a white shirt, a black bra that is slightly exposed, and is wearing red lipstick. She is intensely staring at the person in front of her while she sways her shoulders back and forth.
Courtesy of giphy.com

Pulp Fiction hit the theaters in 1994, but Mia Wallace’s memorable short bob hair, a simple white button up, a red lip, and with a bit of fake blood is still a fashionable choice in 2023.

10. The Succession Widows: The Funeral

This photo is from the show Succession that aired on HBOMAX. There is a group of people all wearing black and talking to one another. In front of the group, there is a woman standing alone, looking off into the distance. She has black hair, dark eyes, and lipstick on. She is wearing all black; she has a black dress on, a black pea coat, and a black fascinator on.
Photo courtesy of HBOMAX

Get out your black jackets, berets, and hair clips to become Logan Roy’s widows. We are attending a funeral this halloween.

Have fun, be safe, and have a happy Halloween!