Editor’s note, October 29, 2026, 10:15 a.m. ET: This article was originally published in 2022 and updated for Halloween 2026.
Kimberly Murphy’s birthday is October 30th, so naturally she takes Halloween very seriously. Murphy, a natural redhead, dresses up as iconic crimson-haired characters like Wendy’s mascot and Chucky from “Chucky.” dwarfBut nearly a decade ago, when she started dating now-fiancé Brian, Murphy’s wardrobe upgraded. Murphy and Bryan’s Halloween Picks: “Dexter” and “Dee Dee” Dexter’s Laboratory, Ms. Frizzell and the bus of the same name from magic school busjack and sally from The nightmare before christmas, Tormund and Brienne of Tarth game of ThronesShaun White and snowboards.
“We put skis on his back so I could actually ‘ride’ him,” said Murphy, who always dressed as a redhead regardless of his character’s gender. “It brings a fun, experiential element to clothing.”
The couple, who are both in their early 30s, are getting married in October this year and will film “The Haunting of Chucky” and “The Bride of Chucky” during Halloween. (You can guess who will be wearing a white dress.)
In childhood, Halloween was one of the few days of the year when you could go to school and to strangers’ doorsteps in your most imaginable costume. As you get older, this youthful creativity can wane, and figuring out what to wear to a costume party becomes another little puzzle. Whether you’re into dressing up or a cosplay enthusiast, coming up with a creative yet approachable Halloween costume doesn’t have to be a glitzy or expensive experience. Costume art experts will give you advice on conceiving and executing the best costume so that you can take top honors in this year’s costume contest.
It can be overwhelming to focus on one idea when every character, celebrity, historical figure, animal, pun, and meme is potential costume material. Limits and parameters are your best friends. Use your own appearance – Is there a person or fictional character who has a similar style to you? Fuzzy comparable features? – and the media that interests you this year as a starting point. Everything from YA novels and nostalgic ’90s TV shows, to extremely local jokes and gags (public transportation, sports mascots), to niche memes (hello, Chris Pine astral projection) are major inspirations.
Are you interested in exploring your alter ego? Cosplayer and photographer Hope Elmekies often dresses up as characters with whom she has a personal connection, such as Morticia Addams. “I very much feel that I am related to [her] Because she doesn’t adapt,” she said. “I feel a kinship with that character. “
As with all the outfits, Murphy used her red hair and the height difference between her and her fiancé (she’s 5 feet tall, he’s 6 feet 2 inches) to guide her choices. She recalls important pop culture or historical moments that fall into these categories. For example, Murphy’s mark queen strategy as a potential combination because of its popularity and the fact that the main character has red hair. “I take this formulaic approach to Halloween, and if it’s unusually small or red-headed,” she said, “that fits my formula for potential Halloween candidates.”
For group or family outfits, it may be helpful to focus on a common interest, accessory, or hobby. If you both meet in an adult dodgeball league, maybe you want to dress up as dodgeball players. Maybe your group consists of three couples and you want to make a grease– Inspired collaboration.
Then, figure out what you want the garment to accomplish. Is your goal to make people laugh? Be the sexy one? Full attention to detail? Inviting a few friends to wear group costumes? This can help you zero in on your ideas.
Correen Borst-Straub, a custom costume maker at Correen’s Creative Designs, said the location of the Halloween bash can help further narrow down the options. Think about where you will wear the dress to determine what is appropriate. If you’re going to a party in a small apartment, you might not want to wear a giant Marie Antoinette gown, or you might want to think twice about wearing vampire fangs to a dress-up fundraiser and dinner.
Buck Assembly, Respectfully
Using pop culture as inspiration can yield some potential ideas, but if you really want a memorable look, approach these concepts in a non-traditional way. Many people tend to dress up as protagonists from popular shows, but supporting characters or genre tropes can also be flattering costumes. Dani Cabot, manager of New York vintage boutique Screaming Mimis, donned her all-time favorite Halloween costume and dressed up as a virgin sacrifice. “I bought sheets and a classic ’70s Roman goddess dress, and a huge wig and a choker that made it look like my throat had been cut,” she said.
Even if you don’t share all the physical characteristics of a character, you can use your differences to your advantage. Murphy and her fiancé often dress up as characters historically depicted as opposite to the couple’s own gender presentation. “Gender is always very subjective,” says Philadelphia drag queen VinChelle. “Everyone can express themselves however they want.” VolChelle often performs in looks inspired by Beyoncé, referencing photos of the star for reference. She would then source the garments at a fabric store in Philadelphia or New York City and work closely with a seamstress to create the garments. “Beyoncé is a glorious drag queen,” she said.
To be clear: this is no Provide excuses for adapting to another culture, using cosmetics to darken your skin, or wearing racist clothing. Kate Farrier, costume manager at Resorts World Sentosa Entertainment Group (RWS Entertainment Group), says if you’re not sure whether an outfit is appropriate, start by asking a few friends to pitch in on your ideas. Resorts World Sentosa Entertainment Group is an entertainment and events production company that creates haunted experiences for theme parks such as Six Flags America, SeaWorld and Legoland.
Consider your personal style
Consider how you can incorporate your personality into popular ideas. Let’s say you want to be a witch or a vampire. What can you do to make the outfit feel like you? If a leather jacket is a staple in your wardrobe, dress your witch character in a leather jacket. “If you’re always on your phone, maybe you’re a celebrity vampire, a social media vampire,” Farrier said. “Try to put your personal items in it and make it something you’ll always have because that will make it special to you.”
One year, a Screaming Mimis shopper spiced up their vampire costume by adding ’70s disco accessories. “They did this crazy disco vampire look in Studio 54,” Cabot said. You could also take a character not known for fashion (like Pac-Man) and create a fun costume inspired by their aesthetic.
Another way to differentiate is to make subtle changes to tried and true descriptions. Borst-Straub has a 25% rule; she adds her own creativity to well-known designs, so the final look is 75% pop culture and 25% her own style.
Elmekies got inspiration by searching for her costume ideas and “cosplay” on Pinterest to see how others were approaching the concept. Don’t worry about being so niche that everyone has to ask you what you are, Elmekis said. “So, what are you?” is a great icebreaker. “Sometimes when I’m out as Belle beauty and the Beastpeople don’t necessarily know who I am because this isn’t a Disney knockoff; it’s more sturdy and you can wear it every day. said Elmekies.
Use what you already have (or buy secondhand)
Halloween costumes shouldn’t cost a lot of money. Consider the color, shape, and silhouette required for the garment to help you determine what will make up the look. For example, to achieve the gargoyle look, you’ll need a lot of gray clothing and makeup. “Think about the shape of the thing rather than the actual object,” says Ryan Walton, producer of Halloween experiences at Resorts World Sentosa Entertainment Group. “[Say] I need something like a ring. What can I do that is both round and loopy that won’t cost me a lot of money and then I can recreate it? “
Search your closet (or your friends’ closets) to find the pieces you need. If you want to look like a mod girl, pull out a slip dress if you have one. Then, let your accessories and props do the talking. “So items like jewelry, gloves, stockings, headwear, masks, etc. can really transform a basic item into something outstanding,” Cabot said.
For anything you don’t already own, go to a local antique or thrift store or independent clothing store to get materials. Cabot says staff at these stores can offer expert clothing advice, and by shopping in person, you can be sure you’re getting exactly what you want without the surprises of ordering online. Buying secondhand is also more sustainable than buying polyester clothing from big box stores. You can even incorporate aspects of your outfit into your regular wardrobe.
Ultimately, you’ll have the best time wearing clothing that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Think about how the fabrics and props feel; it’s not worth being constrained by shoes you can’t walk in. “You’ll be happiest when you’re wearing something you love,” says VinChelle. “When I put on my favorite outfit, I’m a completely different person.”
Even if you feel like you don’t have the “right” body type for a certain role or look, “you can look at it because that’s my character, and my character is just curvy,” Elmakis said. “It’s incredible to realize how incredible your character is.”