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Pop Culture-Inspired Halloween Costume Ideas to Pay Tribute With

It's time to retire the cat ears.

By Shelby Comroe

Jul 16, 2020

pop culture halloween costumes

Shutterstock

Breaking news: Halloween is just around the corner. Okay, maybe it's a little while off yet, but let's be real—it's never too early to start thinking about your costume. There are two groups of people when it comes to dressing up for Halloween: the kind who plan their costume months in advance, and those who find themselves resorting to cat ears for the fifth year in a row. If you're the latter group, it's time to retire the cat ears, because it's so easy to come up with a hilarious and easy costume based on a memorable pop culture moment. To that end, we've put together costume ideas inspired by recent pop culture, ranging from Britney's iconic 2001 VMAs performance to everyone's favorite TV villain, Carole Baskin. These costumes are cheap, easy to recreate, and above all, very recognizable. Bottom line: I guarantee that these costume ideas will make you a Halloween person.

pop culture halloween costumes

Instagram

Kim K In the Instagram Yeezy Campaign

Tip: Your look doesn't have to be this exact color. When it comes to Yeezy, any neutral tones work.

Missguided Sweatpants, $17

Missguided Crop Top, $6

Nasty Gal sock booties, $28.80

pop culture halloween costumes

Euphoria

Maddy From 'Euphoria'

Tip: Euphoria is known for its amazing makeup looks, and a Maddy costume would be nothing without rhinestone eye makeup. Watch Desi Perkin's YouTube tutorial for a step-by-step guide to recreating this exact look.

I. AM. GIA Lucid top, $40

I. AM. GIA Lucid Pant, $75

BaubleBar Dalilah Large Tube hoop earrings, $38

Amazon body rhinestones, $8

2001 mtv video music awards show

Frank Micelotta ArchiveGetty Images

Britney's 2001 VMAs Performance

Tip: If you don't feel like buying the full costume, you can totally DIY this look yourself. Pinterest has great step by step tutorials for Britney's iconic outfit.

Urban Outfitters Pop Diva Halloween Costume, $60

Amazon plush snake, $12

2000 mtv video music awards lopezcombs separation

Frank Micelotta ArchiveGetty Images

J.Lo At The 2000 VMAs

Tip: If you're a true DIY queen, you can bedazzle the Sean John logo onto your crop top.

Free People cropped tank top, $30

AG low rise white jeans, $188

Amazon white bandana, $7

B-Low The Belt crystal belt, $158

Forever 21 crystal hoop earrings, $8

breakfast at tiffany's

Donaldson CollectionGetty Images

Holly Golightly

Tip: If you want to take your look even further, add a pair of black sunnies and a long vintage cigarette holder.

ASOS LBD, $29

Etsy opera gloves, $11

Etsy 4 Row Pearl Audrey Hepburn inspired choker, $29.95

Amazon mini tiara, $15.99

popculture halloween costumes

MIDSOMMAR

Midsommar

Tip: When it comes to your flower crown, the bigger, the better.

Forever 21 floral embroidered peasant dress, $24

Etsy Midsommar flower crown, $37

pop culture halloween costume

ANDREW COOPER

Sharon Tate from 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'

Tip: Add a blonde wig (or blow out your hair) to replicate Sharon Tate's perfect bouncy blowout.

Everlane black turtleneck, $30

Nasty Gal white mini skirt, $16

Amazon white boots, $35.80

indio, ca april 21 beyonce knowles performs onstage during the 2018 coachella valley music and arts festival at the empire polo field on april 21, 2018 in indio, california photo by kevin mazurgetty images for coachella

Kevin Mazur

Beychella 2018

Tip: Crop or roll up your hoodie to show off the body suit underneath. Also, you can add the sequin leg warmers to any pair of knee-high heeled boots.

Beyonce Homecoming pullover hoodie, $155

Missguided hot pink bodysuit, $13

Levi's high waisted distressed jean shorts, $70

Calzedonia fishnet tights, $15

Etsy sequin leg warmers, $30

pop culture halloween costumes

Instagram

Aaliyah for Tommy Hilfiger

Tip: If you want your look to be as authentic as possible, check out sites like depop and Ebay to find exact vintage pieces, such as Aaliyah's two-tone Tommy jeans.

Tommy Hilfiger bandeau top, $68

Tommy Hilfiger boxer briefs, $24

Tommy Hilfiger signature stripe belt, $60

ASOS low rise dad jeans, $40.80

Tommy Jeans flag slides, $59.50

pop culture halloween costumes

Tiger King

Carole Baskin From 'Tiger King'

Tip: Bonus points if you add a frizzy blonde wig and carry around a stuffed tiger to really get the point across.

NANETTE Nanette Lepore floral cheetah print shirt, $20

ASOS slouchy mom jeans, $56.50

Claire's flower crown headwrap, $9

pop culture halloween costumes

gfycat by Mario Hart

Normani's Motivation Video

Tip: Use pink and black fabric markers to draw on the 1996.

Zaful white cropped tank top, $9.99

Forever 21 white wrap mini skirt, $14. 99

Sharpie fabric markers (includes hot pink & black), $12.87

Forever 21 large silver hoop earrings, $4

Out From Under white g-string, $8

Nike pink and white Air Force 1 sneakers, $100

pop culture halloween costumes

Ian Watson/CBC/ITV/Kobal/Shutterstock

Moira Rose From 'Schitt's Creek'

Tip: Don't be afraid to go all out. This is Moira Rose; of course she's not afraid of a fashion risk. Also a wig is a given, but any fan of the show knows you have plenty of options to choose from.

Banana Republic gunmetal metallic sweater, $55

A.L.C black lace-up pants, $158

7 For All Mankind patent leather jacket with faux fur trim, $208

Reis Jewelry silver statement necklace, $15

Steve Madden platoform stiletto booties, $173

street style and celebrity sightings during coachella festival

Jeremy MoellerGetty Images

Festival-Goer

Tip: This is a great last-minute costume idea that doesn't require you to purchase anything. Halloween is the perfect opportunity to re-wear one of your favorite funky festival outfits.

Free People black bodysuit, $40

I.AM.GIA Yves lace pants, $75

Buffalo Corin white platform sneakers, $135

Topshop black fanny pack, $24

Livin Cool bucket hat, $70

pop culture costumes

Gify

Cardi B Vibin' Meme

Tip: This can easily be turned into a last minute couples' costume. All your SO has to do is throw on a Knicks jersey (or any B-ball jersey) and, voilà, they'll be the fan bopping along with Cardi at the all-star game.

Boohoo red double breasted blazer, $24

Levi's distressed skinny jeans, $70

Sunglasses.la red cat-eye sunglasses, $12

Sam Edelman white pointed toe pumps, $35.99

Sur la Table retro paper popcorn box, $4.95

editorial use only
mandatory credit photo by snapshutterstock 390883ki
film stills of scarface with 1983, brian depalma, michelle pfeiffer, smokers in 1983
various

Snap/Shutterstock

Elvira Hancock

Tip: Complete your Elvira Hancock look with a gold smokey eye and a red lip.

Nasty Gal slip dress, $28

Amazon blonde bob wig, $17

Etsy sapphire and crystal drop earrings, $45

paris hilton's 21st birthday party

Dave BenettGetty Images

Paris Hilton's 21st Birthday

Tip: Finish off your outfit with a super dark smokey eye for the full effect.

LA Hearts chainmail dress, $48

Windsor rhinestone choker, $17

Claire's tiara, $10.49

Ego Shoes clear and pink heels, $30

editorial use only no book cover usage
mandatory credit photo by moviestoreshutterstock 1554324a
bring it on, gabrielle union
film and television

Moviestore/Shutterstock

Isis From 'Bring it On'

Tip: Get your girls involved! The Clovers' cheer squad is an amazing group costume idea.

Amazon Clovers cheer top and skirt, $44

Reebok white sneakers, $50

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Shelby Comroe Shelby Comroe is a Fashion Assistant at Marie Claire who works on new editorials, trends, looks, shoots, accessories, and everything else in the world of fashion.

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