Halloween brings a certain buzz in the air, blending creativity with nostalgia. While temperatures might not drop in Tallahassee, people around the world are celebrating the excitement of the season. Weeks of planning and anticipation are finally coming to fruition as people are executing their costumes. Each year, however, there are a few standout ideas that capture the public’s imagination and, therefore, become incredibly popular options.
Halloween costumes evolve, both through the holiday’s history and within our individual lives. As we grow up, we trade the classic Disney Princess costumes for racier versions of characters or more conceptual ideas.
Image Courtesy: Craig Barritt/Getty Images
The holiday’s origins are rooted in both pagan and Christian traditions, centered on fending off evil spirits and coming to terms with the idea of death. Back then, people wore scary costumes to blend in with the spirits they believed existed among them.
Soon after, the idea of dressing up as pop culture figures was introduced, but the custom of dressing up in masks and accurate costumes persisted. Over the years, superstitions faded from the cultural mindset and were replaced by costumes such as Betty Boop and Mickey Mouse, and later, Superman and Cinderella.
Today, Halloween has shifted away from traditional costumes crafted to showcase personal creativity and accuracy. Even semi-realistic Spirit Halloween and Party City costumes are being swapped for simplified, color-blocked recreations as people aim to embody ideas rather than recreate specific characters. Mean Girls captures this shift perfectly in college culture, where the goal is often to look good, not scary. Embracing concepts over recreating characters adds a new layer of creativity—just think of Stephen Amell and Cassandra Jean, who dressed as franks and beans and looked adorable doing it. Now, it’s more common to see couples embracing clever ideas like this rather than going as Romeo and Juliet.
Image Courtesy: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
So, what are we wearing this year? Each Halloween, a few eye-catching costumes emerge as the go-to choices that you are sure to see at every club, party, and festival. Social media makes it possible for anyone to share their costume ideas with the whole world in seconds. TikTok, in particular, has fueled this trend, creating an annual phenomenon where certain costumes become especially popular.
Based on my TikTok feed, animal costumes are making a comeback. Many people are getting crafty with makeup, using everyday products to recreate the hide or fur of various animals. Others are also taking to recreating their favorite celebrities—whether modeling the cover of Chappell Roan’s Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess or remaking one of Charli XCX’s iconic “brat” shirts. This year also sees a return to tradition, as many wear witch hats and fangs to embody the season’s most infamous monsters.
Image Courtesy: Hailey Bieber via Instagram
As Halloween draws closer, these costumes will fill the streets, clubs, and parties, each one paying homage to the season's spirit and celebrating ever-evolving creativity. While trends shift each year, Halloween remains an open invitation to step into the shoes of someone—or something—else, if only for a night. Whether you’re dressed as an iconic character or embodying an abstract concept, Halloween’s magic lies in its power to transform, surprise, and unite people year after year.
Written and Curated by: Raquelle Elson
Blog Published and Directed by: Salette Cambra
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