10 Halloween Costumes Inspired By Your Favorite 2023 Pop Culture Moments
Halloween is one of the most beloved holidays, but that doesn't mean it's stress-free. Even the most diligent outfit planners can find themselves in a pickle when assembling their Halloween costumes each year. Ill-fitting garments, out-of-stock accessories, and shipping delays can give someone the fright of their life, especially when a costume party looms right around the corner. If you've somehow managed to end up in a costume-related crisis of your own, never fear. Fortunately, 2023 has blessed us with countless moments to help guide you to your perfect pop culture Halloween costume no matter how pressed for time you may be.
Whether you're looking for a quick and easy homemade fit or want to spend a little more time crafting your All Hallow's Eve attire, you're in for a treat this spooky season. We've compiled some of the best Halloween costume ideas of 2023, from stunning Met Gala looks to tributes to fast food icons. Ready to raise everyone's spirits at this year's Halloween party?
Barbenheimer Couple's Costume
Can't seem to see eye to eye on a couple's costume this year? Look no further than this Barbenheimer mashup, which takes inspiration from the unofficial double feature film event — "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," which both released on July 21 — of 2023. This cinematic ensemble is easy to pull off with minimal prep thanks to its everyday components — simply head to the local thrift store to secure some menswear and bright pink garb.
Ariel from The Little Mermaid
Fans of Disney's "The Little Mermaid" won't want to miss out on dressing up as Ariel this Halloween. The redheaded princess wears a bold, bright lip and a purple bandeau top, which you can easily embellish with DIY scales if you wish. If you're going out with a group this year, have your friends dress as one of your mermaid sisters, such as princesses Tamika or Karina.
Wednesday Addams
One costume sure to be on everyone's radar for Halloween 2023 is Wednesday Addams, arguably everyone's favorite "Addams Family" member as of late. The leading lady of Netflix's "Wednesday" famously favors all-black attire, making her character a perfect last-minute costume idea. Simply braid your hair into pigtails for the classic Wednesday look or arrange it in an effortlessly tousled updo.
Blue Ivy's Renaissance Tour look
Beyoncé may have headlined The Renaissance World Tour, but Blue Ivy stole the show in the eyes of many fans. To mimic Blue Ivy's stage outfit, grab a pair of silver flares with a matching long-sleeved top — and don't forget to sport her signature sunglasses. Moreover, you can upgrade the costume to a mother-daughter duo in a snap by having a pal dress like Beyoncé.
Jared Leto as Choupette
Of all the Met Gala 2023 looks worn this year, Jared Leto's was among the most breathtaking. Dressed as the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld's pet cat, Choupette, Leto effortlessly upstaged the competition — including the now-legendary Met Gala cockroach — in a full-body fur suit. While you might not have time to copy his Choupette costume to a T this Halloween, you can achieve a similar effect by wearing a sculpted cat mask and fuzzy white sweats.
Doja Cat at Paris Fashion Week
Though Doja Cat also rocked a striking feline 'fit at the 2023 Met Gala, we think her Paris Fashion Week ensemble would make a particularly fitting Halloween costume. However, the singer's makeup isn't for the faint of heart — you'll have to apply a sea of red jewels to emulate Pat McGrath's Swarovski crystal-studded design for Doja. Still, if you think you're up to the task, we're confident you can walk away with first place at your Halloween costume contest.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
We're willing to bet several Taylor Swift costumes will be inspired by The Eras Tour this Halloween. Yet, none will be as timely as this couple's costume featuring her rumored beau, Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce (via CNN). Perhaps the most crucial piece of the costume is Kelce's football jersey, but you can create one on the fly with a red T-shirt and some masking tape.
Grimace's Birthday
McDonald's character Grimace had one of his best years ever in 2023. Though Grimace came to life in 1972, it wasn't until this past summer that he shared his first-ever Grimace Shake with fans to celebrate his 51st birthday. Capture the spirited energy of everyone's favorite purple pal by paying homage to him for Halloween with a bit of purple face paint and violet accessories. Grimace's shake may be gone, but you can create a copycat version with some crushed blueberries swirled into a vanilla-based drink instead.
Princess Peach from Super Mario Bros.
Whether you grew up gaming with her or just recently became acquainted through her in this year's hit film "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," it's hard not to love Princess Peach. The Nintendo star is best known for her pink dress, and you only need a few key pieces to bring her look to life for Halloween. You can purchase ready-made Peach accessories like her crown, earrings, and pendant or make them at home with some papier-mâché and craft paint.
Lana Del Rey at Waffle House
We couldn't forget one of our favorite pop culture moments of 2023: Lana Del Rey serving up breakfast at an Alabama Waffle House. It may be one of the more obscure references on our roundup, but its uniqueness makes this Halloween costume idea even sweeter. For Lana's makeup, use subtle contouring along the cheeks and nose, followed by a slightly smudged cat-eye and some falsies. A blue shirt can serve as the base of the Waffle House uniform, and her iconic employee nametag is easy to create with cardstock and markers.