SPOOKY SEASON:
Inspired by some of the most hard-to-miss moments on your algorithm this year, these are the costumes that will win Halloween.
The days are shorter, the nights are longer, and you suddenly have an unshakeable desire to light candles, dim the lights and spend your evenings rewatching your favourite vintage horror classics. Spooky season is upon us. For Halloween night, this year’s most talked-about pop culture moments have provided us no shortage of costume ideas.
Lily-Rose Depp in Nosferatu and the announcement of a Practical Magic sequel can be used to inspire some classically Halloween-appropriate costume ideas. If you want to go down the costume path less travelled this year, Katy Perry’s inexplicable turn as an astronaut or the internet’s current obsession – the Performative Male – can provide you with looks that will win the night at any Halloween party.
With the help of Off-White, Gucci and more, this is how you’re going to be the talk of Halloween this year.
Cast your mind back to April 2025. The news was dominated by space – namely the Blue Origin mission. The all-female crew, including Gayle King, Lauren Sanchez and Katy Perry, took a trip to the edge of the earth’s atmosphere for a very expensive and environmentally unfriendly photo-op. The motive? Unclear. It did, however, spark debates around the ethics of billionaires, celebrity and what a feminist statement should really be in 2025. It was Ms. Perry, of course, who really stole the show. Her blue bodysuit that gave serious Charlie’s Angels vibes is an instant Halloween hit – and a long black wig and single daisy in one hand are the only accessories it requires. Just make sure your makeup is perfect – as Perry’s was 100km away from earth.
As fashion’s longest-reigning queen, it’s not often that Anna Wintour isn’t making headlines, but in 2025 she was the centre of cultural conversations even more than usual. This is the year that saw Wintour step down as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue after 37 years at the helm, with Chloe Malle taking over as Head of Editorial Content. It was a momentous moment in the fashion world, and it’s more than deserving to be commemorated with an Anna Wintour costume this year. Heels, dark shades and signature long coat will capture the signature Wintour essence – paired with her iconic bob hairstyle, of course.
You already know where we’re going with this, but here’s a recap anyway. At a 2025 Coldplay concert the crowd cameras caught a couple in an embrace, wedding rings on display, but their reaction to being seen made it clear they were not each other’s official partners. Not only did this moment set TikTok ablaze, but it also provided us with a relatively fuss-free couple’s costume idea this year. We’re thinking polo shirt, tank top and plenty of golden jewellery as a subtle wealth indicator.
The jet-black mane, the wan complexion, the convulsions... Nosferatu was Lily-Rose Depp’s moment to cement herself as the new queen of horror. Set in the mid 19th century, the Robert Eggers-directed film saw no shortage of floor-sweeping gowns for Depp to waft around in, however the nightgown in the first scene has our hearts. Replicate the dreamy mood with creamy satin, a raven-coloured wig and pale makeup to look as sickly as possible.
It was a great year for Practical Magic fans. 2025 saw the announcement of a sequel to the 1999 cosy classic, with both Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprising the starring roles as the witchy Owens sisters. Not only is the film’s storyline Halloween-appropriate, but the sisters are also an opportunity to go full-on ‘90s casual perfection as a costume idea for a double act. Think denim and a low-key top for Sally, green velvet for Gillian, and voluminous brunette and auburn wigs respectively.
In 2025, there weren’t many corners of the internet that the concept of the ‘Performative Male’ didn’t reach. In short, it’s the type of guy with a maniacally curated Instagram grid, pseudo-feminist views and aesthetically pleasing, if somewhat generic personal style. You’ll usually find him reading Sally Rooney at a café, mid-sip of matcha, or at the bar telling you unironically that Joan Didion changed his life. Performative Male hallmarks include baggy denim, knitwear, loafers, and the obligatory tote.
No Halloween round-up would be complete without mention of Frankenstein. 2025 sees the release of Guillermo Del Toro’s take on classic gothic tale, but it’s his choice of cast that’s sparked interest long before the film hits screens. Oscar Isaac takes the role of the titular Dr. Frankenstein, with Jacob Elordi taking the role of his monster. It’s a clear departure for Elordi, who’s known better for parts that fall under the categories of: tall, dark, heartthrob. In anticipation of the release Del Toro’s iteration, this Halloween we’re going to take it back a few decades. This year, the monster we’ll be channelling is the version from the 1931 original: gothic yet classic outfit, chunky boots and a fringe solidly stuck to the forehead.
If there was one show that dominated water cooler conversations in offices across the nation this year, it was Traitors. The premise is simple: contestants are secretly assigned as Faithfuls or Traitors, the latter group must continue to conceal thei identity successfully throughout the course of the show until they can eventually win the prize money. In the case of Celebrity Traitors, which has arguably become the more popular option of the franchise, the prize money goes to the winning celebrity’s charity of choice. If there’s one character who embodies the Traitors movement, it would be the show’s presenter Claudia Winkleman. Not only is she a national treasure, she makes for an effortless and instantly recognisable costume. Just focus on the bangs, signature dark makeup and a signature blazer.