Pop Culture-Inspired Halloween Costume Ideas to Pay Tribute With
It's time to retire the cat ears.

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. (opens in new tab) There are two groups of people when it comes to dressing up for Halloween: the kind who plan their costume months in advance, (opens in new tab) 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. (opens in new tab) 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.

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

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 (opens in new tab) 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

Britney's 2001 VMAs Performance
Tip: If you don't feel like buying the full costume, you can totally DIY this look yourself. Pinterest (opens in new tab) has great step by step tutorials for Britney's iconic outfit.
Urban Outfitters Pop Diva Halloween Costume, $60
Amazon plush snake, $12

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

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

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

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

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

Aaliyah for Tommy Hilfiger
Tip: If you want your look to be as authentic as possible, check out sites like depop (opens in new tab) and Ebay (opens in new tab) 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

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

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

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

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

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
Shelby Comroe is the Credits Editor and Fashion Assistant at Marie Claire covering all things fashion and giving credit where credit is due. Check her out @shelbycomroe on Instagram if buying designer handbags is your idea of a retirement plan!
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