Stylish Halloween Costume Inspo

Halloween is my favorite holiday. In my opinion it is the campiest holiday, and as a fashion lover, I naturally love the costume brainstorming process. In fact, I would say that the dichotomy between “outfit” and “costume” is more fluid than it is fixed; aren’t both just…..clothes? To me, a costume is a highly intentional outfit, in which the wearer chooses to style themselves in a way that is culturally distinct or recognizable.

Because I love clothes, I want a Halloween costume that still feels connected to my personal style and makes sense with the rest of my wardrobe. I already draw inspiration from storybook characters and films for my daily outfits, so I’d want my costume to feel like a natural extension of that. And I think lots of people who care about personal style want that too. If this resonates, I’m betting you are the kind of person who isn’t satisfied with a costume off the rack from a Halloween store, the kind of nylon onesie that hangs the back of your closet or goes to the donation bin after one wear.

Here are my ideas for stylish Halloween costumes that are conducive to repurposing items from your closet, and how I’d put them together if I had unlimited money!!

Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas

For the punks with soft hearts. With her patchwork mixed-material asymmetric dress, Sally is a total Chopova Lowena girl. You could nail this costume with any mix of patterns and DIY sewing. I would definitely get some blue tights and arm warmers if possible to mimic her blue skin, and big false eyelashes.

Collage Outfit Details: Top is Dion Lee, Skirt is Chopova Lowena, Boots are Jil Sander

Camilla Bean from Bad Case of the Stripes

I loved this book so much as a kid. If you own a lot of stripes, this is the costume for you. Do head to toe stripes and accessorize with a hair bow and thermometer.

Collage Outfit Details: Sweater is Molly Goddard, Pants are Marni, Bows are Sandy Liang

Strawberry Shortcake

She’s comfy and cute, and you probably have a striped sweater and jeans. Make sure to tie a sweater around your waist. For the more costume-y elements, a giant hat, strawberry motifs, and cream colored clogs.

Collage Outfit Details: Hat is Henri Vibskov, Sweater and Earrings are JW Anderson, Clogs are Birkenstock Bostons

Mr. Tumnus

Hear me out - the Tabi girls need something too, you know? If you have Tabi shoes, style the costume around them. Wear something with fur/feather trim, could be a skirt, dress, or pants. Top it off with a red scarf and parasol. Shirt optional.

Collage Outfit Details: Skirt is Rokh, Margiela Tabis, Red Scarf found on TheRealReal typing in “red scarf”

Betty Boop

Betty Boop is fun if you have a pixie cut or short dark hair. Her outfit is simple so it’s highly adaptable to your style sensibilities, as long as you have the hair curls and a red dress.

Collage Outfit Details: Dress is Kika Vargas, Shoes are Simone Rocha, Hoops are Sophie Buhai

Penny Proud or Junie B. Jones

These two have similar outfits - lots of pink/magenta/purple tones, ideal for someone who has a subversive schoolgirl aesthetic. The new Sandy Liang collection totally encapsulates this vibe. Corduroy would a nice texture to incorporate, and I’m in love with the satin ballet flats (the construction is more captivating than the Miu Miu ones in my opinion).

Collage Outfit Details: Sandy Liang

The Care & Keeping of YOU

Is this book considered niche? I’m not sure, but if you know you know and I would be tickled pink if I saw a group costume based on it. Perfect for a trio friend group. Wear terry cloth clothing in different colors, could be a bathrobe or sporty tennis dress.

Collage Outfit Details: Robe is OAS, Romper is Kule, Tennis Dress is Gil Rodriguez