Entertainment

16 Halloween Costumes That'll Prove Your Pop Culture Knowledge Is On Point

EntertainmentPublished Sep 23, 2016
By Jacqueline Burt Cote
carol walking deadGene Page/AMC

If you're a pop culture junkie, get ready to shine this All Hallow's Eve: According to a recent survey, pop culture trends are the hottest picks in Halloween costumes so far this year, with the most in-demand disguises reflecting what's hot in movies, TV, music, celeb news, and more. No boring old sexy nurse for you -- the only question is, which topical, trendy ensemble will you be showing off on the 31st?

Whether you're a big fan of Game of Thrones or Orange Is the New Black, you listen to David Bowie (forever!), or you remember every viral social media video of the year, your DVR, playlists, and social feeds are ripe for the picking when it comes to coming up with creative Halloween costume ideas. Whatever is the latest or greatest in popular culture can turn into your identity for the night. 

Think about it. The possibilities are endless. 

More from CafeMom: 12 Couples Halloween Costumes Your Neighbors Aren’t Already Doing  

We know, we know -- so many options to choose from. But our list of fun pop culture picks should help you narrow it down, so you can have to hippest costume at the Halloween party. 

More from CafeMom: 12 Tasteless Halloween Costumes No One Should Try -- But You Know Someone Will

1/16
Barb from 'Stranger Things'-placeholder
Barb from 'Stranger Things'
Netflix

Barb from 'Stranger Things'

Justice for Barb! Sadly, the character of Barb from Stranger Things came to a grisly end (sorry for the spoiler), but her spirit can live on this Halloween in your costume: ruffled-collar plaid shirt, glasses, and a facial expression that says, "I know where this situation is headed, but I'm a good friend so I guess I'm going along for the ride (even if it spells my certain doom)."

2/16
Anybody from "Orange Is the New Black"-placeholder
Anybody from "Orange Is the New Black"
Netflix

Anybody from "Orange Is the New Black"

Pick the Litchfield inmate with the hair color/body type closest to yours and all you need is an orange- or beige-colored jumpsuit to complete your look! And, hey, a wig can work, too. (You might also need some fake tattoos or exceedingly on-point eyeliner, depending on which character you choose.)

3/16
Sia-placeholder
Sia
Paul A. Hebert/Press Line/Splash

Sia

And the award for most instantly recognizable Halloween costume goes to: Sia! Because while the big bow is a fun added touch, all you really need for people to know who you are is that two-toned wig.

More from CafeMom: 10 of the Worst Homemade Halloween Costumes You've Ever Seen (PHOTOS)

4/16
The US Women's Olympic Gymnast Team-placeholder
The US Women's Olympic Gymnast Team
Paul Kitagaki Jr. / ZUMA Press / Splash News

The US Women's Olympic Gymnast Team

Get thee to a sparkly leotard store and you, too, can be an Olympic medalist! (Just to be clear, though, you won't really be one. Don't go trying any fancy tricks. You'll get hurt.)

5/16
Mother of Dragons (Daenerys from 'Game of Thrones')-placeholder
Mother of Dragons (Daenerys from 'Game of Thrones')
HBO

Mother of Dragons (Daenerys from 'Game of Thrones')

There are two ways to approach your Daenerys Targaryen costume: Either go way fancy with a platinum wig and regal/warrior chic ensemble, or just carry around a toy dragon in a baby carrier and see if people figure it out (we like the latter option!).

6/16
'Lemon'-Ade-placeholder
'Lemon'-Ade
Amazon

'Lemon'-Ade

So you wanna pay tribute to Beyonce's groundbreaking musical triumph but don't feel like tracking down a reasonable facsimile of that ruffled yellow dress (or carrying a baseball bat around all night)? Just go with a straight-up lemon costume and everybody will instantly think of the lemon emoji that took over social media when all anybody could talk about was the identity of Becky with the Good Hair. (You can find this one on Amazon for $49.99.)

More from CafeMom: The 20 Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes of All Time

7/16
Carol from 'The Walking Dead'-placeholder
Carol from 'The Walking Dead'
Gene Page/AMC

Carol from 'The Walking Dead'

Dressing up like resident TWD badass Carol is easy: All you need is a sweater set, a tray of cookies, and an attitude that screams "Don't be fooled by my string of pearls, I'll rip out your zombie guts and bake them in a pie."

8/16
Hillary Clinton-placeholder
Hillary Clinton
Ron Sachs / ZUMA Press / Splash News

Hillary Clinton

One word: Pantsuit. (That is one word, right?) We're big fans of the mint-green number pictured here, but any pantsuit will do -- especially if you carry a card marked "woman" or pretend to obsessively check your email all night.

9/16

Teyana Taylor in Kanye West's 'Fade'

Okay, so this one requires a LOT of confidence (yet very little by way of material) to pull off. And you'll definitely be the talk of the party! Of course, isn't anything having to do with Kanye the talk of the moment?

More from CafeMom: 25 Best Pregnancy Halloween Costumes

10/16

Harley Quinn

Stand out from all the other Harley Quinns (you know, the supervillain played by Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad) this Halloween by paying attention to the small details, like the gash on her forehead and the popping wad of bubble gum.

11/16
Pokémon Go Character-placeholder
Pokémon Go Character
Kepy / ZUMA Press / Splash News

Pokémon Go Character

If you dress up like a Pokémon Go character (we're sure there's no shortage of DIY ideas to choose from out there), will people be trying to catch you all night? There's only one way to find out!

12/16
Chewbacca Mom-placeholder
Chewbacca Mom
Amazon

Chewbacca Mom

Once upon a time, if you wore a Chewbacca mask on Halloween it was because you were dressing up like Chewbacca. This year, it most likely means you're dressing up like Chewbacca mom. Snag a mask before they inevitabally sell out ($29.98, amazon.com).

More from CafeMom: 14 Fun Family Halloween Costume Ideas (PHOTOS)

13/16

Damn, Daniel

Go viral for a day as teen YouTube sensation Daniel -- but whatever you do, don't forget the white Vans!

14/16
Hiddleswift-placeholder
Hiddleswift
Splash News

Hiddleswift

Too soon? You don't have to look like either Tom Hiddleston or Taylor Swift to dress up like this now-defunct powercouple; the only requirements are a blond wig and the ability to convey your underlying discomfort to the press through your telltale body language.

15/16
Leonardo DiCaprio with an Oscar-placeholder
Leonardo DiCaprio with an Oscar
PG / Splash News

Leonardo DiCaprio with an Oscar

Get yourself a plastic Academy Award from the party store, slap on a bow tie, and draw on some stubble: Voilà! You're finally bringing home a damn Oscar, FINALLY. (Don't forget to vape!)

More from CafeMom: 10 Totally Inappropriate Halloween Costumes for Moms (PHOTOS)

16/16

David Bowie

There are, of course, many looks to choose from if you're looking to memorialize David Bowie this Halloween, but his look from Labyrinth has the added bonus of being sorta spooky. Can't find a puffy shirt? A spiky wig and equally spiky eyebrows will get the point across.

celebritiesorange is the new blackhalloweenpokemon go
Cafemom Logo
This is motherhood #nofilter

AboutTermsContactPrivacyPRIVACY SETTINGSSUBMIT A STORY
© 2024 WILD SKY MEDIA.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA
| FAMILY & PARENTING
CAFEMOMMAMÁSLATINAS
LITTLETHINGSMOM.COM
This site is owned and operated by Bright Mountain Media, Inc., a publicly owned company trading with the symbol: BMTM.