Between political turmoil, rolling eclipses and numerous celebrity break-ups, it's been a year to say the least, and honestly? We deserve a night of dressing up, and unabridged fun. Yes, October is fast-approaching and this time—seriously, THIS TIME—you're going to be prepared. 

Stop right there. I can already hear you try to surrender—so devoid of inspiration you're adding to cart a ready-made look on Amazon or Spirit Halloween. "Ugh, I'll just be Barbie or Britney or Kill Bill," you say with a sigh, "Again." But I know, secretly, you want more for yourself. You want to push yourself to do better, go further, really think outside the box.

Be the girl in the room whose costume that is both incredibly niche and recognizable (even if it does require a partner or prop). The girl whose makes everyone stop and say, "Wait—genius." The girl that does both way too much and just enough.

It's a tough line to toe, but I'm here to help you do it. Compiling references from current pop culture, naughty nostalgia, and classic characters that never go out of style, we will have you Halloween-ready come hell (pun intended) or high water—without spending a fortune on Doll's Kill.

Alice Cullen (Overcompensating Edition)

Look, Twilight is always in season (especially because AMC is doing a re-release this fall), but it's especially funny if you add a reference on top of a reference. Go the Mary-Beth Barone route and throw a waistcoat over this GAP blouse, before completing the look with a choker of your choice.  

Kendrick Lamar At the Super Bowl

Everyone remembers where they were when they saw those Celine 'Marco' bootcut jeans. This has to be one of the easiest costumes in the book—all you need is a bomber jacket, backwards hat and some vintage women's Abercrombie flares to sell the look. Then rally the crowd at your party into an "A Minorrr" with a cheeky grin. 

Helly R. In Severance

On top of her audition tape going viral, Britt Lower is now an Emmy winner—cementing her role as Helly R in Severance as one of the most iconic characters on television today. She also gets to wear chic blue wool turtleneck and tight little skirt, which is always a plus. Just add keycard.

Belly's Tiny Engagement Ring

It was the ring barely seen around the world because it was so, well, tiny. Seriously, Jeremiah's sparkly offering to seal the deal with Belly practically broke the Internet, so throw on an LBD and a teensy diamond and wait for the belly laughs. 

God's Country

One of the best memes to come out of 2025, this is the perfect way to say "I'm chronically online, how about you laugh, huh?" this Halloween. All you need is a pair of angel wings, blue jeans and a sharpie to spell out those two, fateful words across the behind. Or you could wear pretty much any restaurant's uniform (The Cheesecake Factory! Olive Garden!) and call it a day/a double-entendre. 

The Spoilt Girl (AKA Piper) From The White Lotus

Do you have a Doên dress you've been dying to break out after Labor Day? Well, you're in luck. Shimmy into that muumuu, pull your middle-parted hair into a half-pony and you've got 'PIPER, NO!' This will work with just about any cotton maxi, so don't discriminate. 

The Hot Sugar Baby (AKA Chloe) From The White Lotus

Ever since Paige Desorbo recreated the viral Jacquemus look worn by French actress Charlotte LeBon, we knew the character of Chloe would live on long after White Lotus ended. She is carefree, effortlessly chic and everything all of us want to emulate. Luckily for you, her pink swimsuit-sarong-oversized hat look is also instantly identifiable. 

Cardi B In Court

Remember how Cardi B caught a case for practically no reason, then had to explain to opposing counsel why her hair changed color and length from the day before? Well, it's time to pay homage to the moment. You're going to need a Marilyn-style blonde wig, pencil skirt and blouse to pull off this look—but the people are going to love it and lose it.  

Lisa Rinna, Everywhere

Very few women manage to stay perpetually relevant quite like Lisa Rinna. She was immortalized in M&M form with a nomination for the “Coolest Girl” Award at the Las Culturistas Awards—only to outdo herself by taking on the role of the infamous mother who cyber-bullied her own daughter in the Lifetime adaptation, Mother Meanest. Get a flicky, caramel-hued wig, a turtleneck and lip liner, and you've got yourself a costume.