In my book, Halloween is kind of like New Year’s eve— cosplay edition. It’s an opportunity to recap the year of pop culture, especially the fashionable moments. From popular movies, TV shows, to the most iconic people of the year. Rather than buying a store-bought costume, you can create your own with fashionable Halloween costume with items right from your closet.
Being the Halloween aficionada that I am, I created several fashionable Halloween costume ideas from some of my favorite popular characters of the year and also rounded up some from other bloggers. Not into trends? I also included a few iconic fashion costumes that you’ll easily be able to recreate
Fashionable Halloween Costume Ideas from Pop Culture for Women
Midge Maisel from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel “We got the Rabbi” Outfit
Are you a fan of the foul-mouthed Mrs. Maisel? Who can forget the famous scene from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel when Midge runs out of the butcher shop shouting, “We got the rabbi” into the bustling streets of New York? It’s an iconic moment in the series, but also one of my favorite outfits from the show. Costume designer Donna Zakowska is a genius when it comes to styling all of Midge’s most memorable looks from the show, and believe it not they are pretty easy to recreate.
For my “We got the Rabbi” outfit, I focused on a few key pieces:
- Pink coat
- Fuchsia dress
- Vintage hat (a beret will do!)
For fans of the show, seeing these few items together should be a dead giveaway. If you have gloves to match, it’s also a nice added touch, but I didn’t have any at the time. Now all you have to do is brush up on your jokes and comedic skills to really step into Mrs. Maisel’s shoes for a night!
Iris Apfel
Iris Apfel is a former interior designer, but she has spent a lifetime as a style icon. You may recognize the 98-year-old from her recent partnership with Magnum Ice Cream, but if you’re into fashion, she’s probably been on your radar for years. Being from South Florida, I’ve always known Iris as a Palm Beach socialite and fashionista. I grew a strong affinity towards her after seeing the documentary, Iris in 2015. The day I laid eyes on Iris, I knew she is everything I dream of being when I get into my golden years. But why wait until then?
To channel your inner Iris for Halloween or just for the heck of it, there are a few iconic style elements to keep in mind:
- Large glasses (if they are circular, even better!)
- Red lipstick
- Statement accessories (and don’t be afraid to layer them on!)
- Fur outerwear (think coats and vests in bold colors and prints)
I created an Iris Apfel inspired costume using pieces I already had in my closet. This look is practical enough to wear for fun (I wore to explore Pioneer Square in Seattle), but can also double as an easy Halloween costume. It’s perfect for a last-minute Halloween party costume idea, or a work-appropriate costume that you can wear to the office.
Ariana Grande
Where are my Arianators at? I’m sure you don’t need to hear it from me, but Ariana is a big deal in pop culture and is known for her signature style.
My friend (and eco-friendly lifestyle YouTuber), Madison, created this awesome Ariana Grande costume. There are a few key things to keep in mind when creating an Ariana Grande costume:
- Blunt cut bands and thick, long hair
- Winged eyeliner
- Oversized hoodie
- Knee boots
You see it, you want it, now go dig through your closet to get Ariana’s look!
Cruella Deville
Disney costumes are always a hit at parties because everyone loves Disney. There are those who love Disney princesses but for me, I prefer to dress up as a Disney villain for the night. I have to say, most of the villains are pretty fashionable, but one of my favorites will always be Cruella Deville.
You don’t need 101 dalmatians to captures Cruella’s look, although you will need a good amount of dalmatian print. In my case, I decided to go with polka dots, that had a very Cruella Deville vibe.
A few musts for a Cruella Deville costume:
- Black and white spotted print or polka dot print (Think a coat, dress, or blazer)
- Red accessories
- Red lipstick (Here are some of my favorite red & vampy lipsticks!)
- Cigarette holder
Funny enough, I was inspired to create a Cruella Deville costume after seeing this jacket on Poshmark. It was under $20 and was the fundamental piece for my costume. I then added in a black skirt from my closet, along with scarlet red shoulder gloves and tights from We Love Colors (by the way, they make size-inclusive tights in dozens of colors!). Paired with the right accessories, this outfit will send dalmatians running away! J/K… Give me all the puppies!
Elton John “Rocketman” Costume
In my opinion, Rocketman was one of the best movies in 2019. I’m an Elton John fan, but this movie really served it up when it came to the looks. As soon as I saw the all-white outfit with the feather winged blazer, I knew I was going to have to recreate this look for Halloween.
To create the Elton John “Rocketman” costume, you’ll need a few key items:
- Feathered blazer (see my tutorial how to easily create this blazer)
- White shirt, pants, and shoes
- Circular glasses (the more eclectic, the better!)
I’m pretty crafty and made this blazer in under an hour. If you have to go thrift a blazer, it may take you a few hours, but it’s an easy costume to whip up a day before you have to go to a party. If you don’t have time for arts & crafts, don’t worry! The glasses paired with an all-white suit should do the trick!
Harriet the Spy
This costume is a throwback to your childhood, but if you’re headed to a 90s theme party, this Harriet the Spy circa 1996 costume is perfect! I have to say, my friend Megan from Diary of this Girl Megan nailed this Harriet costume.
The best part? It’s really simple to create. All you need is a yellow rain jacket, red sneakers, and a few key accessories!
Eleven from Stranger Things
Season 3 of Stranger Things was amazing. I have to admit, I was more obsessed with the costumes, than I was with the trip to the upside down, although that was good too. The 80s fashion looks were so good, and I love that the show partnered with Target, Levi’s, H&M, and Spencer’s to bring the looks from the set to the street.
One of the most popular looks from the show was Eleven’s psychedelic romper. It was available at Target and sold out very quickly. I was lucky enough to get one thanks to my husband, but I know that a lot of people were left with an empty shopping cart. For a close dupe that’s super wearable, check out the Nooworks Magic Suit in Candy print and pair it with white boots, like my Chinese Laundry Finn booties. Dab a little fake blood under your nose and you’ll magically transform into Eleven.
Pro Tip: Don’t have all the items to create your fashionable Halloween costume? consider borrowing them from a friend, thrifting them, or buying new items that you can see yourself incorporating into your existing wardrobe.
Now that you’ve got a ton of costume ideas, you may want to think about makeup. Or better yet, costumes that have makeup as the focus. Here are 13 Halloween makeup ideas to make your costume come to life!
Carrie Bradshaw
You can’t do a fashionable Halloween costume ideas roundup without including one of the biggest fashion icons of TV history– Carrie Bradshaw.
I live bi-curiously through Carrie through most of my 20s and dreamed of a NYC brownstone and an endless collection of designer shows. I mean, who didn’t? While all don’t have Carrie’s bank account, we can all have her style for Halloween.
[Related post: DIY Carrie Diaries Purse Tutorial]
My friend Jenn from Hello Rigby created a round-up of 5 Easy to Create Carrie Bradshaw costumes from some of her most memorable looks. Which one is your favorite?
Flamingo Costume from White Chicks
Take it back to the early 2000s with a White Chicks-inspired costume. I enjoyed the movie, and I heard White Chicks 2 is currently in the works. But let me be honest, you guys know that I created this costume for the flamingo, not the movie.
This costume is pretty easy to make. I wish I made a tutorial, but this DIY Flamingo Costume tutorial was really helpful when I made more.
Daphne Blake from Scooby-Doo Costume
I love Daphne from Scooby-Doo, mostly because she encapsulates my favorite styles of 60s. She is best known for her purple dress, orange hair, and green headband. For this look, I went with a more modern take on Daphne’s mod fashion style, by creating a look with lavender Doc Martens and a checkered skirt. I did a purple headband because I didn’t have green, but I highly suggest using a green headband instead!
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