Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for college students.
It’s a chance to get creative, dress up with friends, and attend some wild parties!
These costume suggestions are trendy, funny, and guaranteed to get you lots of attention at your Halloween bash!
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn is one of the most popular Halloween costume choices in recent years, especially with the release of the Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey movies.
To dress up as Harley, you’ll need a red and blue sequined crop top, high waisted sequined shorts in matching colors, fishnet stockings, and white platform boots or sneakers.
Top it off with Harley’s signature blonde pigtails, thick black rimmed glasses, and a baseball bat as an accessory.
For your makeup, go with extremely pale foundation, dark smokey eyes, thick black eyeliner, and red lipstick.
The crop top, short shorts, and fishnets show some skin and highlight your assets while the baseball bat and pigtails add Harley’s trademark crazy factor.
Go all out with eccentric costume makeup to perfectly emulate Harley Quinn’s unhinged style!
Squid Game Guard
Squid Game took the world by storm in 2021, and it’ll definitely be a popular Halloween costume choice this year!
The hot pink guards made some of the most memorable and recognizable characters from the show.
To transform into a Squid Game guard, wear all pink athleisure wear like bike shorts, a tank top, sweatshirt, and sneakers. Accessorize with pink gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads for protection.
And you can’t forget the iconic square mask – be sure to find one with the shape and lines matching the guards’ masks exactly. Top it off with a belt and nerf gun as your accessory.
This costume is comfortable since it’s just athletic wear while still being instantly recognizable for any Squid Game fans.
It’s simple to throw together by raiding your workout clothes and accessorizing with the specific mask and props.
Comfortable, iconic, and perfect for groups – this Squid Game guard costume is sure to be a hit!
Britney Spears
Relive the most iconic Britney Spears looks from the 90s and 2000s with a nostalgic Halloween costume inspired by the pop princess.
Some good Britney costume options are:
– Baby One More Time school girl: Wear a white button down tied up crop top with a plaid miniskirt, thigh high socks, combat boots, and matching plaid scrunchies in your pigtail braids. Carry around a fluffy pen and school supplies as accessories.
– Oops I Did It Again futuristic space suit:
Wear a bodycon sequined jumpsuit or catsuit, tall shiny boots, and a headset microphone. Glittery eye makeup completes the metallic space look.
– Toxic flight attendant: Wear a blue flight attendant costume with matching hat, heels, and a whistle around your neck. Slick your hair back in a tight bun.
Any of Britney’s iconic looks paired with her signature blonde curly hair, crop tops, low rise pants, glossy lips, and bold eye makeup will have you channeling the pop star sensation.
Play her biggest hits and learn the dance moves to go all out!
Tiger King
Tiger King took over the Internet last year thanks to the crazy antics of Joe Exotic and the bizarre world of big cat conservationists.
Joe Exotic’s mullet, facial hair, flashy country style, and eyebrow piercing are unmistakable.
Channel Joe Exotic this Halloween in a mullet wig or temporary mullet hair extension.
Pair it with a sleeved or sleeveless button down, jeans, cowboy boots and hat, a belt with a large buckle, and blue mirrored aviator sunglasses. Glue on some fake facial hair and an eyebrow ring.
Carry around stuffed tiger cubs as adorable accessories!
For women, you can dress as Joe’s husband Dillon Passage with a blond mullet wig, button down, jeans, eyeliner, and possibly a stuffed tiger.
This costume works great for couples and groups who can each pick their favorite Tiger King personality.
The key accessories like the mullet, sunglasses, facial hair, and stuffed tigers will help you perfectly embody the absurdity of the Tiger King himself, Joe Exotic.
Where’s Waldo?
Dressing up as the iconic children’s book character Waldo is a foolproof Halloween costume idea for guys.
His classic look is recognizable to everyone:
– Red and white horizontal striped shirt
– Blue jeans
– Waldo’s thick retro black glasses
– Red and white striped beanie hat
– Red and white accessories – cane, mittens, etc for props
To make it more modern and trendy, try a striped long or short sleeve t-shirt instead of the old fashioned sweater. Distressed jeans or khakis also look cool and current.
Add the beanie, glasses, and a few key Waldo props and you’ve got an easy, comfortable costume that everyone will recognize.
For an extra fun twist, get a group together and have everyone dress up in Waldo costumes.
See if your friends can locate the “real” Waldo as you all wander around the Halloween party together playing tricks and taking fun photos. Channel your inner Waldo to win Halloween!
Top Gun/Maverick
The long-awaited Top Gun sequel Maverick was released this year, making a pilot costume from the classic 80s movie a stylish throwback idea.
Channel your inner Maverick or Goose this Halloween!
For women, wear a khaki jumpsuit or flight suit, aviator sunglasses, and a cropped motorcycle jacket.
Add tall brown boots. Style your hair in a braid or updo.
Guys can wear a khaki jumpsuit/flight suit, brown bomber jacket, aviator sunglasses, and lace-up brown boots.
Slick your hair back with gel for the Maverick look. Stick on a name badge or patches on your suit for authenticity.
Grab a friend and go as Maverick and Goose together in matching pilot outfits. Achieve that 80’s Top Gun magic this Halloween!
Hippie
Channel your inner flower child with a 70’s hippie costume this Halloween! To create this groovy look:
– For women, wear bell bottom jeans, a crop top or peasant blouse, floral headband or head scarf, and layers of beaded necklaces and bracelets. Add retro circular sunglasses.
– For men, pair bell bottoms with a tie dye t-shirt, floral button down left open, beaded necklaces, and a headband around long shaggy hair.
Accessories like a fringed purse, peace sign props, etc. can really give you that authentic boho hippie vibe. Both men and women can go barefoot or wear brown sandals.
Flashback to the age of peace, love, and rock n’ roll with the perfect hippie costume!
Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians
Cruella de Vil is the perfect villain to dress as with her iconic half black, half white hair and high fashion style.
Here are some tips to copy her memorable look:
– For your hair, use temporary hair dye spray or chalk to color half your hair black and half your hair white, separated straight down the middle. Or opt for a Cruella de Vil wig instead!
– Wear a form fitting black and white dress either sleeveless, strapless, or halter. For a coat, go with faux fur, black on one side and white on the other
– Dark smokey eye makeup and bright red lips complete her signature evil look
– For accessories, carry a toy stuffed puppy tucked under your arm and/or a fancy cigarette holder
– Finish with black and white heels and long black gloves
Cruella is all about the contrast – her two-toned hair, her black and white dress, makeup and gloves, and good vs evil personality. Have fun being bad and channeling this sinister style icon this Halloween!
Minions
The adorable little yellow sidekicks to supervillains have become one of the most popular Halloween costumes in recent years.
People just can’t get enough of those cute overalls, funky goggles, and silly nonsense language.
To dress as a minion:
– Wear blue overalls and a yellow t-shirt underneath
– Style your hair in a middle part, gelled flat on your head
– Add some black face/body paint around your eyes if desired
– Wear yellow dish washing gloves
– Accessorize with funky black goggles
To make it unique, customize your minion tee with iron-on letters or patches to give yourself a minion name. Carry around a plush of your favorite villain – they aim to please!
Going as a minion is fun and recognizable for Halloween parties and events.
Forrest Gump
“Life is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you’re gonna get!”
Channel Tom Hank’s Oscar winning role of Forrest Gump with this fun throwback costume idea.
Wear a plaid button down shirt with a white tank underneath, jeans, and white sneakers. Buzz cut your hair short or wear a short brown wig. Carry around a box of various chocolates.
Add other Forrest Gump accessories like a suitcase to represent his cross country run, a Bubba Gump Shrimp hat, or medals from his Vietnam service.
Talk in a slow Southern drawl and refer to people as “Jenny” or “Lieutenant Dan” for extra authenticity!
The childlike innocence and humor of Forrest Gump makes for a perfect Halloween costume choice.
Flapper Girl
Flapper costumes are a chic throwback option for Halloween! Flappers ruled the roaring 20’s with their bold style and fun-loving attitude.
To embody a flapper:
– Wear a fringed dress or skirt and crop top in neutral colors like black, gold, nude or blush pink
– Accessorize with long beaded necklaces, feather hair accessories, fishnet tights, and knee high boots
– Bob your hair or style it in finger waves
– Do a dramatic cat eye with black liner and lips in a deep red shade
Flapper style is all about releasing your inner party girl!
Dance the Charleston, drink giggle water cocktails, and let loose as a glamorous flapper this Halloween!
Face Mask
Given the last few years, dressing up as a face mask could be a fun and creative Halloween costume! This idea works for both guys and girls.
- Wear all black clothing – black pants, long sleeve shirt, gloves, etc.
- Cut out holes for your eyes
- Make a large rectangular mask that covers your entire face using cardboard, felt, or thick paper
- Decorate it to look like a surgical mask with pleats, ear loops, etc.
- Customize it with rhinestones, sequins, ribbons, etc to make it fancy or creepy!
- Carry around mini bottles of hand sanitizer as an accessory
This DIY face mask costume is topical, comfortable, and easy to make. You can get creative decorating the mask however you want – go glamorous, scary, or medical.
It’s a clever play on masks becoming part of our daily attire. No one else will think of this COVID-inspired costume idea!
Influencers/YouTubers
Pick your favorite influencer or YouTuber and dress up as them this Halloween!
Wear their signature look – clothes, accessories, makeup style, and props or merchandise from their channel.
Some examples are:
– Beauty influencer like Jeffree Star or James Charles – dramatic makeup, designer fashion
– Gaming streamer like Pokimane – gaming headset, controller, their merch
– Vlogger like Emma Chamberlain – oversized sweatshirt, Vans, Hydroflask
Pretend to film a video or stream as you stay in character impressing fans. Take this beyond just a costume by acting as them all night!
Have an epic Halloween by transforming into one of these trendy character costumes.
Add your own personal flair, makeup, and accessories to make it unique.
Attend the Halloween parties and events dressed to impress in these creative looks!
Make it a Halloween people will remember by becoming the best dressed with these college-approved costume ideas.
