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33 Pop Culture Halloween Costumes That Are Easy to Put Together

Horror, music and soft swinging

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pop culture halloween costumes trio of costume inspiration 2050
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Halloween is approaching fast, so if you have yet to think about what you might want to dress as this year, now is the time to start planning. Yes, you could always default to a classic like Tom Cruise in Risky Business or a generic “scary” face mask you pick up at CVS. But pulling together a pop culture costume that works for this year —like pop sensation Chappell Roan or a jacked-on-sugary-soda Mormon wife—is infinitely more fun and is sure to garner many more compliments than a repeat of last year’s simple witch hat. (And don't forget to select a little costumey something for your pet, too.) Here's to pulling together looks at the very last minute with pieces you already have tucked in your closet or stowed somewhere in the house—as well as to freshening them up for this year's news. And now, the 33 best pop culture Halloween costumes to wear in 2024 (and a few honorable mentions from 2023). They're all pretty affordable and easy to put together—leaving you more time to make more Halloween snacks and drinks.

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pop culture Halloween costumes: Chappell Roan on stage
Erika Goldring / Getty Images

1. Chappell Roan on Tour

What you need: red wig, white face makeup, princess mini dress

The singer’s trademark drag performer/Kabuki theater look is yours for the miming, though you’re going to be hard-pressed to mimic her soprano high notes in case you’re thinking you’ll be karaoke-ing “Good Luck Babe.” Extra points if you wear a pink cowboy hat like her stans.

Get the look: Mehron Clown White Face Paint ($10);Pejihota Mini Princess Dress ($49); Wigbuy Red Long Wig ($22); Chappell Roan sash ($26)

pop culture Halloween costumes: Mormon wives
Hulu

2. Mormon Wife

What You Need: blue coat, blond wig, friend with blue coat and blond wig, Stanley Cups of soda

Walk into any room in this get-up, your arms linked with your fellow Mormon wife, and let the “soft swinging” commence, as the characters in Hulu’s hit The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives call wife-swapping. (Now that's what we call a funny couples costume for Halloween.) And get ready to be amped on a large, bottomless glass of soda, just like these ladies.

Get the look: Nayoo Long Ombre Blonde Wavy Wig ($30); Bankeng Wool Blend Coat ($60); Stanley Cup ($32)

3. Brat Summer

What You Need: bright green unitard

Ah, 2024: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the brat summer. Full of the IDGAF attitude of Charli XCX, who debuted an dayglo-green album called “Brat,” this brief shining moment in pop culture history saw indie sleaze style meet presidential politics, when Vice President Kamala Harris was dubbed “brat” for her upstart energy.

Get the look: PartyYeah Full Body Suit ($17)

pop culture Halloween costumes: Televised debate
Anadolu / Getty Images

4. A Springfield Ohio Pet

What You Need: cat or dog costume, a take out menu

During a televised debate, President Donald Trump told his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, that “they’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” the quote became a social media sensation. The assertion has been debunked, but we think cosplaying a nervous Ohio housepet has comic potential, if you pin a take-out menu to your chest.

Get the Look: Vavalad Adult Golden Dog Retriever Onesie ($33) or Newcosplay Black Cat Onesie ($27)

pop culture Halloween costumes: Raygun at Olympics
Elsa / Getty Images

5. Olympic Breakdancer Raygun

What You Need: baggy track pants, polo shirt, participation medal

Australia's Rachael Gunn competed in the Olympics using her nom de breakdance, Raygun. There, she caught the attention of international crowds and online haters with her unique moves, including a kangaroo hop as a homage to her native land. She didn’t medal, but she was subsequently ranked number 1 worldwide. So, it’s not over ‘til the hiphop lady sings?

Get the look: Xponni Track Pants ($28; $24), Cicilian shirt ($25); Decade Awards' Place Medals ($9)

pop cultute Halloween costumes: Taylor Swift watching football
Jamie Squire / Getty

6. Taylor Swift at the Game

What you need: football jersey, high boots, red lipstick

America's favorite long-touring musical artists is turning heads with sexy outfits…which is quite a feat when you consider we're talking how she turns up at her boyfriend's football games—most recently wearing thigh-high boots and an oversized jersey worn as a minidress.

Get the Look: NFL Jersey ($29); Tony Bianco Avah Boot ($250); Pat McGrath Labs Lip Pencil in Elson 6 ($29)

pop culture Halloween costumes: Anna Delvey on 'Dancing with the Stars'
Eric McCandless/Disney

7. Anna Delvey from Dancing with the Stars

What you need: ankle monitor, bodycon dress, dancing heels

Anna Delvey caused a media sensation when she was caught scamming associates while posing as an heiress. She's currently under house arrest, but her ankle monitor hasn't stopped her from granting interviews, walking in runways shows and appearing on ABC's Dancing with the Stars—with her court-ordered tracking device suitably glammed up.

Get the look: GoPong Ankle Monitor Flask ($15); Allegra K Women's Glitter Sequin Dress ($38)

pop culture Halloween costumes: the character of Penelope Featherington
Liam Daniel/Netflix

8. Penelope Bridgerton from Bridgerton

What you need: empire-waist gown and gloves

Bridgerton's latest heroine, Penelope Featherington, is a brilliant source of inspiration for a historic look. If you want to add a special extra touch, tote around a pamphlet from Lady Whistledown with all the hottest gossip from the year.

Get the look: Lace gloves ($10); Cider chiffon dress ($52)

pop culture Halloween costumes coco gauff
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

9. Coco Gauff

What you need: tennis skirt, racket, trophy

She’s sunny, sharp and, at only 20 years old, Coco is an American sports sweetheart. (She struggled with her game this year, after winning last year's U.S. Open, but with a change in her coaching team, we're expecting her to get back on top stat).

Get the look: Srllbby headband ($3); Under Armor tank top ($25); Los Angeles Apparel tennis skort ($44); Head racket ($99)

pop culture halloween costumes: Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams
Netflixx

10. Wednesday Addams from Wednesday

What you need: black dress, braided wig

All you aspiring ghoulish teenage sleuths, prepare to do the Goo Goo Muck dance.

Get the look: Maisonette Ravensmore Academy dress ($51), Naturalizer Mary Jane shoes ($100; $90), Urban Decay black eyeliner ($25), Mersi Black Braided Wig ($25)

pop culture halloween costumes barbie
MEGA / Getty Images

11. Venice Barbie

What you need: neon leotard, roller blades

It's not easy in the real world, but wearing this costume gives you a chance to discuss the year's most marketed film (and to drop America Ferrera's "state of womanhood" monologue).

Get the look: ComfyCamper leotard ($20) Lorna Jane bike short ($70; $40); Tanden knee pad set ($26); Exgingle Roller Skates ($60)

pop cullture halloween costumes megan the movie
Leon Bennett/Getty Images

12. M3gan

What you need: babydoll dress, samurai sword

We love this murder doll as a men’s outfit—just look at how terrifying producer Jason Blum looked when he dressed up as the title character for the film’s January 2023 premiere.

Get the Look: Keepreal Babydoll Dress Costume ($37), A New Day Opaque Tights ($9), E-Bogo Ninja Practice Sword ($29)

Pop culture Halloween costumes: Beyonce on stage
Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood/Getty

13. Beyonce on Tour

What you need: Blond wig, leotard, boots

We’re not not saying this silver leotard-and-thigh-high boots combo is going to get a lot of wear other than tonight, but you will enjoy yourself in this dramatic outfit. Extra points if you can find a strong fan to stand in front of at the party, to fetchingly blow back your wig like Bey does.

Get the look: Nlife Silver Leotard ($46; $41 at Amazon), Arqa Over the Knee Boots (from $66 at Amazon), Light in the Box Blond Wig ($31; $16)

pop culture costumes queen elizabeth
Samir Hussein/WireImage

14. Queen Elizabeth II

What you need: Gray wig, lime green suit, green heels, silver brooch, pearl necklace, white gloves

You can honor the late queen by recreating one of her standout ensembles, which typically include an eye-catching suit, white gloves and a pearl necklace. If you want to take it up a notch, you can even pair the outfit with a matching hat.

Get the look: Costume queen wig ($20); Allegra K skirt suit ($64); Steve Madden heels ($80) Rhinestone star brooch ($9); Pearl necklace ($8)

pop culture costumes lost city

15. Loretta Sage from The Lost City

What you need: Sparkly pink jumpsuit, pair of heels

Since Bullock played one of the standout characters in The Lost City—one of Paramount's biggest releases of 2o22—so it's only fitting that you pay tribute to her character, Loretta.

Get the look: Eosiedur womens 2-piece outfits ($55); Black heels ($40 at Amazon)

pop culture costumes evelyn
IAC Films

16. Evelyn Wang from Everything Everywhere All At Once

What you need: Cosplay Costume, Googly eye sticker, Black jeans

Evelyn starts off as a seemingly normal mom, then blossoms into a powerful heroine who embarks on a complicated quest to rescue her daughter. While there are quite a few memorable moments across parallel universes, it's this epic action sequence that's seared into our memory.

Get the look: Eosiedur womens 2-piece outfits ($55); Googly eye stickers ($11; $4)

costumes lotr
Amazon Studios

17. Galadriel from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

What you need: Galadriel dress, blond wig

Sure, you could opt for LOTR staples like Frodo or Gandalf, but why not take a trip to Middle Earth as the younger version of Galadriel? She's the bold, fierce heroine we can't help but root for—and this costume is sure to turn heads.

Get the look: Galadriel Cosplay Costume Dress ($56); Blond wig ($21); Elf ears ($5)

pop culture costumes mabel
Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

18. Mabel Mora from Only Murders in the Building

What you need: Faux fur coat, plaid pants, beanie, headphones

If we could add every outfit of Mabel's into our own fall closet, we totally would. But if we had to pick her best look so far from Only Murders in the Building, then it would have to be this cozy/chic yellow ensemble.

Get the look: Yellow faux fur coat ($57); Allegra K. plaid pants ($32); Zando Beanie ($7); Wireless headphones ($25)

pop culture costumes shuri
Marvel Studios

19. Shuri from Black Panther

What you need: Black Panther Shuri costume set, combat boots

We're sure you've heard the rumors about Shuri possibly stepping up to become the next Black Panther. And if you ask us, she definitely has what it takes. Take your own journey to Wakanda with the full costume, including a jumpsuit, armbands and knuckle busters.

Get the look: Women's Deluxe Shuri Costume ($70); Removable face tattoos ($8 at Amazon); Black combat boots ($70; $30)

pop culture costumes serena
Mike Stobe/Getty Images

20. Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open

What you need: Workout dress, black headband, tennis racket, tennis shoes

The tennis legend announced her retirement late in 2022, and only continues to be a cultural force. So yes, this means it's the perfect time to channel our inner Serena and practice our serve. (Bonus points if you've got a new child to hold along with your tennis racket.)

Get the look: Nike dress ($105; $79); Nike headband ($16; $14); Tennis racket ($113); Stan Smith shoes ($100; $50)

ted lasso best pop culture halloween costumes 2021
Apple TV+

21. Anyone from Ted Lasso

What you need: ’70s sunglasses, mustache, coach’s jacket and a whistle

We can’t get enough of Ted Lasso’s infectious positivity, or his comfy coaching outfit. Etsy has great options if you want to buy a realistic looking team jacket or uniform, or you can use colorful washi tape and a printed out Richmond logo to transform any navy zip-up into a coach Lasso’s jacket.

Get the look: Fake mustache ($12); Whistle ($7); Le Specs sunglasses ($85); Track Blue Jacket ($53)

britney spears best pop culture halloween costumes 2021
Lester Cohen/BBMA2016/Getty Images for dcp

22. Britney Spears

What you need: Long blond wig, sparkly minidress and handcuffs

The Free Britney movement first came to a head in 2021 with Spears’s father stepping down as her conservator. Then this year, Brit became free once again as divorce proceedings from her husband Sam Ashgari ensued. If you have an old Britney costume (like her Oops!... I Did It Again red catsuit, her Hit Me Baby One More Time schoolgirl ensemble or her 2001 VMAs look complete with boa constrictor) you can simply add a pair of handcuffs and a sign reading “Free Britney”, or you can slip into any sparkly minidress you own to embody red carpet Brit.

Get the look: Blond wig ($22; $21); Lovers + Friends dress ($178); Handcuffs ($11)

Pop culture Halloween costumes: Robby Hoffman and Gabby Windey
Christopher Willard / Getty Images

23. Gabby Windey and Robby Hoffman

What you need: A fancy dress and a rose + round glasses and normcore

Fun media couple Gabby from The Bachelorette and writer-comic Robby get our vote for the opposite-styles attract award of Halloween '23.

Get the look: Gabby - Faux rose ($17); Rails Julie Mini Dress ($198; $96); Black sandal heels (from $34); Robby - Round glasses ($39); Chambray shirt ($22; $21 at Amazon)

deborah vance from hacks best pop culture halloween costumes 2021
HBO

23. Deborah Vance from Hacks

What you need: Sequin everything and a microphone

Be sure to work on your tight five before hitting up any parties...or at the very least prepare a few quippy comebacks that would make a legend like Deborah Vance proud.

Get the look: Nshypoi sequin blazer ($40); Prop microphone ($6)

harry styles 2021 grammys best pop culture halloween costumes 2021
Anthony Pham via Getty Images

24. Harry Styles

What you need: Black leather jacket and pants, and a green feather boa

Harry Styles is our fashion inspiration for pretty much every other day of the year, so why not use him to craft your Halloween costume too? Besides, how often does one find an excuse to wrap oneself in a feather boa for the evening?

Get the look: Leather trench coat ($199); Vegan leather pants ($90; $53); Feather boa ($15)

pop culture costumes janine
ABC

25. Janine Teagues from Abbott Elementary

What you need: Beige turtleneck, brown skirt, waist belt, golden hoop earrings, lanyard

Let's face it: Janine is the second grade teacher we all wish we had—but we'll settle for watching her shenanigans with the rest of the staff at Abbott. (And of course, dressing up as her for Halloween.)

Get the look: Turtleneck long-sleeve top ($89); Stretchy waist belt ($17); Brown pleated skirt ($32); Gold hoop earrings ($18; $14); Lanyard & badge holder ($9)

pop culture costumes league uniform
Columbia Pictures

26. Rockford Peaches Player from A League of Their Own

What you need: A League of Their Own costume set, white sneakers

Prime Video dropped a reboot of the classic film that's gotten plenty of praise. Sports fans, gather your squad and join the Rockford Peaches with these epic uniforms, complete with red caps and pink dresses.

Get the look: Baseball Dress Halloween Costume (from $59; 45); Skechers BOBS ($50)

bernie sanders 2021 inauguration best pop culture halloween costumes 2021
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

27. Bernie Sanders and His Mittens

What you need: Blue medical face mask, gray parka, black pants and hand-knit mittens

So, you want a fun pop culture costume that prioritizes comfort over everything else? Look no further than Bernie’s iconic inauguration getup. It’ll keep you warm, cozy and safe from spreading disease, all with a hilarious pop culture twist.

Get the look: Etsy mittens ($28); 3-Ply face masks ($11); Lomon jacket coat ($56; $44)

pop culture halloween costumes megan rapinoe
Alex Pantling - FIFA / Getty Images

28. Megan Rapinoe

What you need: soccer shorts, knee socks

Even though Rapinoe retires from professional soccer after the 2023 National Women's Soccer League season, she's continuing to give us kicks as an activist.

Get the Look: Blue hair wig ($30; $10); The Victory Store jersey ($30; $18); knee high socks ($11)

hopper stranger things
courtesy of netflix

29. Hopper from Stranger Things

What you need: A Hawaiian shirt, light-wash jeans and a mustache

As we continue to anticipate season five, we might as well channel Hopper's laid-back, Hawaiian shirt-ed style. Simple, comfortable and can also pass as someone’s dad on vacation in the ‘80s in case people aren’t familiar with Stranger Things.

Get the look: Fake mustache ($20; $11); Hawaiian shirt ($20); Pacsun Dad jeans ($57; $40)

fran lebowitz best pop culture halloween costumes 2021
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Netflix

30. Fran Lebowitz

What you need: Round glasses, oversize button-down shirt and blazer, loose jeans and practical boots

Martin Scorsese’s Pretend It’s a City made us fall in love with Lebowitz all over again and introduced the writer to a whole new group of fans ready to embrace her signature no-fuss style.

Get the look: Diff glasses ($89); Black blazer ($95); Classic cotton shirt ($70; $35); Levi's Wedgie Straight jeans ($98); Timberland boots ($160; $115)

barb and star best pop culture halloween costumes 2021
Lionsgate

31. Star And Barb from Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar

What you need: Tropical tops, elastic-waist capri pants, leis and a tropical cocktail

The brighter and tackier the clothing, the better. You can also add a visor or large sunhat and oversize sunglasses, or opt for a one-piece bathing suit and coordinating sarong. And don’t forget to blow your hair into voluminous mid-western curls for the perfect finishing touch.

Get the look: King Kameha shirt ($20); L.L.Bean capris ($79); Pack of 12 leis ($10)

pop culture halloween costumes wordle dress
Redbubble

32. Wordle Game

What you need: Wordle-themed dress, Wordle earrings

If you need some creative inspo that's got recent years written all over it, then look no further than this word-teaser game, which took over social media and went viral at the beginning of 2022. (Pro tip: Personalize your look by adding some letters to your Wordle-themed dress.)

Get the look: Ajmatos Wordle A-Line Dress ($45); Customizable Word earrings ($12)

wandavision best pop culture halloween costumes 2021
Walt Disney Pictures

33. Wanda Maximoff from Wandavision

What you need: Red one-piece bathing suit, pink tights, red shoes, cape, gloves and Wanda’s signature headpiece

There are tons of fun Wanda looks you can recreate from this time-hopping series, but if you don’t want to be confused for Lucy Ricardo or a generic ’60s babe, opt for Wanda’s very meta Scarlet Witch costume from the show’s Halloween episode. (P.S. If you want to make the headpiece yourself, here’s an easy tutorial using cardboard.)

Get the look: V-Bathing suit (from $20); CozyWow tights ($9); Mix No. 6 Bootie ($80; $50); Superhero cape ($9; $8); Wanda Maximoff headpiece ($13); Babeyond opera gloves ($8)


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