Oct 24
Our Favorite Pop Culture Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples, Throuples, and Groups
Andrea Marks Joseph READ TIME: 10 MIN.
There's something especially fun about choosing a pop culture costume for Halloween. There's a "now or never" energy to embodying a moment we all lived through together, whether it was in the cinema or scrolling on X (formerly Twitter). We've already created a list of pop culture costumes for you to rock this year (JoJo Siwa's chaotic rebrand, "Mama, kudos for saying that. For spilling," or Tyla's Met Gala hourglass sand dress, anyone?), and now we've got pop culture moments you can channel with your partner, bestie, or group of friends.
All of these costume ideas can be worn by people of any gender, and across the intended thirst spectrum (wear regular jeans, or tiny little short-shorts; keep your shirt loosely buttoned up, or don't wear a shirt at all!). Regardless of how much time you have to prepare, there's a costume here that you can figure out. Enjoy!
The British Olympic diving team's Brat summer in Paris
This costume is the perfect balance of timely (the Olympics still feel like they happened other day), thirst trappy (you will be one of the least-dressed in attendance at any party), and simple to pull off (figuratively, and literally!). Sure, it's an excuse to show up to a party in a Speedo, but with neatly Sharpie-drawn Olympic ring tattoos on your biceps, and a cheeky attempt at the accent for as long as you can keep it going, being British athletes for the night sounds like a great idea! If you've got time to DIY craft an Olympic medal to wear, that would be fantastic, but to be honest, the medal you earned for completing the charity fun run in your freshman year will work just as well. Jazz it up with some gold spray paint if you're into it! Going for gold with this costume would include getting the boys together to recreate the video of the divers doing the "Apple" dance.
Charli xcx and Troye Sivan at the Sweat Tour
You can wear whatever you want (and as little as you'd like!) for this costume, and none of it needs to be coordinated. The Sweat Tour look is all about the casually messy hair (Charli's dark lengths, and Troye's blonded dark roots); the statement rave sunglasses; the edgy, BDSM or bedroom-inspired piece (be it a studded collar or a leather harness); super-low riding pants that reveal a happy trail, a poppers-inspired crop top, a white vest with a Brat lyric or a bedazzled all-caps "SWEAT" and, of course, the partied-hard aesthetic coming together as soon as you step into the party. With the guest stars they're bringing on stage, you've got a world of options if you're a bigger group – you can be Addison Rae in that white upside-down tutu look, Kesha in the bouncy, big fur coat, or Lorde casually twinning with Charli in true "Girl, so confusing" style, long dark hair blowing in the wind (they worked it out on the remix so that you can walk into the party together). Alternatively, this is a great time to rewear your Renaissance tour, Eras tour, or Chappell Roan show fits.
The "Challengers" throuple
We've got three options for you to embody the sexual tension and horny energy of the movie of the summer: First, the outfits in this scene make for an especially good group costume if you're attending a party with two people who you'll naturally be hanging around for most of the night. This concept also comes built-in with that spectacular pose, perfect for posting to Instagram! Secondly, the classic "I TOLD YA" tee is easy to get printed, even last-minute, and it'll be up to you if you each get a copy of the T-shirt, or if you'll replicate the way the "Challengers" throuple rotated and shared the tee throughout the film. Finally, a cheeky, simple, lowkey version of this costume for someone who is reluctant to dress up: Get the unforgettable, instantly iconic tennis racket pose that Patrick uses to confess the truth to Art printed onto a shirt, show up to the party, and call it a day.
The "Taste" music video
Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega's costumes for the "Taste" music video are inspired by cult classic films and playfully recreate some iconic, very stylish murder scenes. You can really go all-out here if you're into it: Craft a few inches of picket fence and attach it to your torso in a way that looks like you've fallen to your death onto it.
Purchase a blow-up toy shaped like a chainsaw to really nail your Instagram poses. You should have no trouble finding or making the "Kill Bill" killer nurse costume Jenna Ortega wears; Find matching black-and-white nightgowns and a picnic-blue gingham two-piece... then drench them in blood. If you'd like to be more understated and recreate the duo's all-black chic funeral moment, make sure your hair is freshly blow-dried to match the "Short n' Sweet" songstress' signature voluminous locks.