Did someone say, spooky season?
That’s right, Halloween is just around the corner which means one thing and one thing only - costumes. The spooky holiday offers the perfect excuse to dress to the nines in ghoulish get-up, and this year we’re pulling out all the stops.
Halloween trends tend to mirror the zeitgeist and this changes on an annual basis. With this in mind, you can be sure to expect the continuation of Barbiemania, Wednesday-inspired frocks and Eras Tour-themed ensembles for Halloween 2023.
Building on the Mean Girls theory that Halloween is the only day of the year when sartorial promiscuity is wholly embraced, the eerie event is also the ideal time to unleash one’s creativity.
Celebrities often lead the way when it comes to crafty Halloween dressing. Take Cindy Crawford dressing up as Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash for example, or Kendall Jenner transforming into Toy Story’s Jessie. Not to mention, Heidi Klum’s memorable snail costume debuted at one of her many star-studded Halloween parties.
This autumn, we encourage shoppers to follow suit and think outside the box. Flirty costumes command attention, but comical costumes warrant icon status. After all, who remembers what Jas, Ellen and Rosie wore when Georgia rocked up in that olive costume in Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging?
It’s near-impossible to discuss Halloween dressing in today’s day and age without touching on sustainability. When it comes to disposable fashion, Halloween is a serious offender. The single night prompts buyers to indulge in new outfits to be worn once and demoted to the back of the wardrobe.
The key to sourcing a fabulously freaky ‘fit is to upcycle. Either buy a normal item of clothing that doubles up as a costume (e.g. a red hoodie for E.T. or a Nineties checkered skirt for Clueless) or put the money aside to buy a costume that isn’t restricted to sole use at Halloween. Fancy dress parties that occur throughout the year also require a great outfit.
If you’re in need of some original Halloween inspo, look no further. Shop the best Halloween outfits for women below.
Shop now.
Celebrity-inspired Halloween costumes
Taylor Swift T-shirt
You belong with this Taylor Swift T-shirt. Not only can the handmade top be worn for pottering around at home and living it up at fancy dress parties, but it also helps shoppers support emerging businesses. One for the Swifties.
Buy now £24.85, Etsy
365 Party Girl Baby Tee
Charli XCX-themed costumes are sure to reign supreme this Halloween. This low-maintenance, stylish Party Girl baby tee serves as a brilliant costume base. Pair with a mini skirt, knee-high boots, and perhaps some fake blood in homage to the Crash era - to make it slightly more Halloweeny.
Buy now £19.88, Etsy
Kylie Minogue White Costume
We can’t get this Kylie outfit out of our heads. Recreate the Australian singer’s iconic white jumpsuit look from her 2001 music video which will leave you spinning around on the dance floor all night.
Buy now £41.25, Amazon
Prince Purple Rain Costume
Assert yourself as style royalty with this Prince-inspired costume. The sequined piece featuring a dramatic ruffled high neck doubles up as a dance and dress-up number, meaning there’s no excuse not to hit the dance floor.
Buy now £70.95, Move Dancewear
David Bowie Wig
There’s a starman waiting for a buy! Emulate the distinctive style of David Bowie with a Ziggy Stardust-esque mullet in a fiery shade of red.
Buy now £15.99, Amazon
Elton John Deluxe Sequin Ladies Baseball Costume
Not only is this Elton John costume a little bit funny, but it’s also a glitterbomb choice that takes inspiration from the singer’s IRL stage costume. Harry Styles recreated the famous LA Dodgers outfit for Halloween in 2018, so it comes 1D-approved.
Buy now £58.99, Smiffys
Movie-inspired Halloween costumes
Rubie's Official Miss Beetlejuice Secret Wishes Adult Costume
Embrace the mischievous, demonic spirit of Beetlejuice following the anticipated re-release of the iconic film.
Buy now £52.13, Amazon
Smiffys Barbie Costume Workout
Channel some serious Kenergy with this fabulous limited-edition Barbie ensemble, inspired by the doll’s debut outfit back in the 80s. Be warned: you might not be the only Barbie at the party, so this is one way to ensure your rendition is the best. High heels required.
Buy now £34.99, Amazon
Hocus Pocus Winifred Sanderson Cosplay Costume
For full nostalgic appeal, you can’t beat a Hocus Pocus costume. And with the sequel released this year, there’s never been a better time to channel your favourite childhood Halloween movie. Pair with a wig and find two friends to be the other sisters to fully commit to the look.
Buy now £58.99, Amazon
Corpse Bride ‘Emily’ Costume
Animate the room with a nostalgic childhood costume. Recreate the chaos of Emily’s character in The Corpse Bride and step out in the spookiest wedding dress that’s sure to send the boys running.
Buy now £52.99, Amazon
Disney Little Mermaid Ursula Costume
Oh the poor, unfortunate souls who didn’t shotgun the Ursula costume first. The most extravagant reimagination of the sea witch, this XL costume is sure to turn heads. Fishing for compliments has never been easier.
Buy now £119.99, Amazon
Mean Girls Gretchen Weiners Costume
Three words - that’s so fetch. Mirror the style and sass of Gretchen Weiners with a deliciously Y2K outfit plucked from the set of Mean Girls. Cady Heron and Regina George outfits are also available for catty cliques.
Buy now £39.86, Amazon
Funny Halloween Costumes
Deluxe Peacock Costume
Peacocking takes on a whole new meaning with this cluckin’ hilarious costume. A blue metallic ensemble with a long neck and hood, the all-in-one is a seriously fly Halloween look.
Buy now £59.10, Amazon
Dinosaur Costume
Can’t be bothered to apply a full face of makeup? Feeling bloated? Don’t want to be social? We have the answer in this giant inflatable dinosaur costume. This blow-up T-rex costume will baffle friends and family in the best way possible. With no dolling-up required, you can simply run and roar without the stress of socialising.
Buy now £26.69, Amazon
Octopus Fancy Dress Costume
A more wholesome take on the Ursula option, this adorable octopus tunic is a lighthearted choice. Not only is it suitable for all genders, but it’s bound to establish your spooky sartorial prowess among friends. We’re total suckers for it.
Buy now £31.04, Amazon
Inflatable Axolotl Halloween Costume
Think pink with an adorable axolotl outfit that is the ultimate conversation starter. Featuring pink tentacles and a candyfloss hue, you’re bound to stand out when trick or treating.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Scary Halloween Costumes
Pretty Killer Clown Costume
Amp up the horror with a murderously good costume. Freak out friends and channel your inner Pennywise with this outfit’s jarring stripes, creepy cut and ominous blood stains.
Buy now £39.95, Horror Shop
Dias De Muertos Lady Costume
Sexy meets scary in this Bond-esque Dias De Muertos costume. Inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead’ the lavish ensemble showcases ruffles galore, a kaleidoscopic colour scheme and tattoo-like florals.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Persian Cat Mask
Jared Leto has nothing on this kitty cosplay piece. Creep out everyone with a feline mask that can be adopted for The Cheshire Cat, Puss in Boots or Karl Lagerfeld’s prized pussy Choupette.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
Deadly Widow Costume
Scare the living daylights out of fellow trick-or-treaters as a deadly widow. Featuring a maxi dress complete with a dark veil, this gothic get-up is set to send chills up everybody’s spine.
Buy now £44.99, Horror Shop
