Archive * No. 027: Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

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With Halloween coming up, I have a lot of ideas, so I thought I’d share some inspiration!

Disclaimer: these costumes are for the girls and the gays. <3 sorry boys

✦ Witch

My grandma was a witch every year, so this one always reminds me of her. She’d wear a flowy black outfit and a witch hat and keep it super chic and simple. It’s a classic (maybe a little bit of a cop-out), but it’s easy and timeless, so I had to include it.

Unique Witch Hats (Masquerade Store)

Witch costume inspiration board with black dresses, pointed hats and dramatic sleeves, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Devil

Another classic. I like when people make this one cute, not scary.

Red Devil Bonnet (Etsy, this one is expensive but lots of cheaper options)

Devil costume inspiration board with red dresses, devil horns and dramatic red makeup, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Clown

DIY and campy in the best way.

DIY Pattern for Clown Collar (Etsy)

Clown costume inspiration board with ruffled collars, harlequin tights and clown makeup, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Ghost

You can’t go wrong with a tablecloth ghost, but I also love a more elevated version too with sheer veil, white dress, and a little lace.

Ghost costume inspiration board with sheet ghosts and white veils, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Government Shutdown

A little conceptual, but funny. Dress as the Statue of Liberty or the Abe Lincoln, then add a “Closed” sign.

Government shutdown costume ideas with a Closed sign, Statue of Liberty and Abraham Lincoln outfits, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Showgirl

Feels obvious but deserves a spot. A quick ThredUp search will get you hundreds of sparkly orange dresses. Add teal jewelry, a feather headpiece, and you’re done.

Orange Dress ideas (ThreadUp) | Orange Feather Head Band (Amazon) | Teal Feather Boa (Amazon) | Teal Earrings (Amazon)

Life of a Showgirl costume inspiration with an orange sequin dress, feather headpiece and teal feather boa

✦ Labubu

Very 2025. All you really need is a fuzzy hoodie with ears - maybe add makeup if you want to go full Labubu. If you don’t know what Labubu is, Gen Alpha and TikTok definitely do. NPR has a great piece on their origins.

Official Labubu Costume (Dollskill, pricey) | Pink Sweater Ideas (ThredUp) | Ears (Amazon) | Vampire Teeth (Amazon)

Labubu costume inspiration with a bunny hoodie, pink sweater and a pink Labubu keychain, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Chappell Roan The Giver

From her single “The Giver”, the cunty construction worker look.

Vest (Amazon) | Hat (Amazon)

Chappell Roan The Giver costume inspiration with a hard hat, safety vest and sledgehammer, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Miley Cyrus Can’t Be Tamed

I saw someone on TikTok do this and it was so good. Just lots of black, belts, and a studded jacket. Super easy and a fun throwback.

Jacket Ideas (ThreadUp) | Accessories (ThreadUp)

Miley Cyrus Cant Be Tamed costume inspiration with a black leather jacket and studded belt, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Shrek Fairy Godmother and Price Charming

Would make a hilarious duo or solo costume. You’ll need a red dress, wand, and sassy little glasses. A purple wig if you’re going all out, or just slick your hair back and call it good.

Red Dress Ideas (ThredUp) | Glasses (Amazon) | Wings/Wand (Amazon)

Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming costume inspiration with red sequin dress, fairy wings and glasses, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Freaky Friday Trio

A 2000s classic. Especially timely with the sequel coming out. Great group costume, easy to thrift together.

Freaky Friday band trio costume inspiration with three girls holding guitars, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

This is a great DIY!

Woman in a black and red top with a studded belt in a Halloween costume ideas video, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Grey Gardens

My college roommate and I did this one: Little Edie and Big Edie from the Grey Gardens documentary. So weird, so funny, so easy to make from whatever’s in your closet.

Credit to this blogger who shared her costume ideas for this one!

Grey Gardens costume inspiration with layered coats, headscarves and bodysuits, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Moth

For my DIY friends and way cuter than a butterfly IMO. You just need a cute dress and some handmade wings. Could even work as a couple’s costume (“moth to a lamp”).

Ears (Etsy)

Moth costume inspiration with wings, antennae headpiece and fuzzy outfits, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Dalmatian

If you own anything black and white polka dots, this one’s easy. Add ears and you’re done. Make it a couple’s look with a firefighter.

Polka Dot Dress Ideas (ThreadUp) | Ears (Etsy)

Dalmatian costume inspiration with spotted dresses, bows and dalmatian ears, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Venus Fly Trap

Another fun DIY. My mother-in-law once made this for Riley’s brother as a kid, and it was so cute (pic below). The headpiece is the tricky part, but you can simplify it with pink and green clothing and some good makeup.

Dress (ThreadUp) | DIY Headpiece

Venus flytrap costume inspiration with green and pink eye makeup, fringe jacket and pink wrap top, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis
Vintage photo of a child in a homemade red Venus flytrap costume, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Joan of Arc

This is super on trend this year. Pair a chainmail veil and sword with a white skirt or grey dress.

Chainmail Hood (Amazon)

Joan of Arc costume inspiration with chainmail hood, black corset, long skirt and sword, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Alien / Space Girl

I love an alien costume and I’ve done it a few times. My favorite way to make it cute is with a mod 60s vibe with metallics, big lashes, and a fun wig. Silver is classic, but neons or holographic make it feel more playful.

Chrome Boots (Amazon) | Alien Headband (Amazon)

Alien and space girl costume inspiration with metallic outfits and antenna headbands, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Roadkill

I think this one is so funny. Combine faux fur or animal print with distressed clothes and messy hair. Smudge on some eyeliner tire marks or leaves for drama. Morbid, but in a hot way.

Fax Fur Vest (eBay)

Roadkill costume inspiration with camouflage tank, fur boots and a raccoon tail, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis

✦ Party animal

This one’s always good. Mix any animal print you own with a party hat and you’re done. Add some glitter makeup or a boa to sell it. Easy, silly, and always a crowd favorite.

Party animal costume inspiration with a leopard print dress, party hat and noisemaker, Ideas for Your Costume Crisis
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Archive * No. 028: A Guide to Vintage Halloween Decor

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Archive * No. 026: Objects of Affection, Your Submissions