What to Be This Halloween

Stranger Things' Eleven | Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad | Ariana Grande at the VMAs

How to be the talk of the costume party

Picking a Halloween costume can be a little stressful. I hate purchasing tacky polyester-based costumes from Party City, but making mine from scratch can be a real pain, too. And then there's always the fact that people might not get it and then you have to spend all night explaining who you are because the people surrounding you are uncultured pigs. JK random people, but seriously, it's the worst when people don't understand your costume reference.


But no fear, Lindsey's here to save the day with an assortment of pop culture costumes that will have you winning the costume contest! Plus, I've found places to purchase costume pieces so that deciding a costume is as stress-free as possible.

Eleven (and the rest of the Stranger Things cast)

Eleven from Stranger Things

The Stranger Things gang

Brace yourself for plenty of Elevens this Halloween. The quiet girl with the shaved head and telekinetic powers won over all our hearts on Netflix's breakout series Stranger Things, and her outfit is easy enough to recreate for a costume.

To really go all out, gather up your friends and dress as the entire cast. Wrap a camo bandana around your forehead like Lucas, turn your Walking Dead sheriff costume into a Hopper outfit, or just carry around a bunch of Christmas lights and cry about Will for a perfect Joy Byers look. Bonus points if someone dresses as the Demogorgon.

SoulCycle Instructor Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande during her VMAs Performance

Ariana Grande's gym class performance of "Side to Side" got the whole VMA audience talking, and not just because we were confused about what a wrist icicle was (don't look it up). Grande looked like the most stylish SoulCycle instructor ever, and you can too this Halloween! Find a pair of loose white track pants, add a white bra, clear visor, and a headset, and you'll be ready to lead your own ride. 

Harley Quinn

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn

The movie may have been horrible, but Harley Quinn was one of Suicide Squad's silver linings. Her look is iconic and cute, and she even wears a very on-trend bomber jacket. You can make this look as sexy or not sexy as you want, or even opt for the classic comic book version instead (for the true fans, not the bandwagoners). 

Ginny Baker

My favorite (fictional) Padre, Ginny Baker

Okay, Pitch is my favorite new TV show this season and you all should be watching! It's about the first female pitcher on a major league baseball team (which happens to be the Padres, my home team!) and it's feminist as hell. For the individual who wants to be comfy on Halloween, get decked in Padres gear, write on Baker and her number, and get ready to fight the patriarchy one strike at a time.

Pokémon Go

The original Pokémon master, Ash Ketchum (and Pikachu)

Pokémon Go was the summer phenomenon. Everyone and their mom played it. To go as the game, simply dress as Ash Ketchum (or your favorite Pokémon trainer or character) and spend the entire night on your phone playing the game, trying to catch a Charizard but probably finding nothing but Rattatas.

Chanel #3

Billie Lourd as Chanel No. 3 on Scream Queens

I know Scream Queens came out last year, but Chanel No. 3 remains an iconic fashion icon. Last year I went as the Chanels' fearless leader, Chanel Oberlin, but I'm seriously considering going as No. 3 as an excuse to purchase earmuffs and a furry jacket. 

A Snapchat Filter

Rclbeauty101's take on the Snapchat rainbow filter

If you love fierce makeup looks but don't want to wear some ridiculous costume, go as your favorite Snapchat filter! There are hundreds of YouTube tutorials that will teach you how to do your favorite selfie filter, so pick one and strike a pose!

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What are you going to be for Halloween?