Halloween Costume Ideas

Sources of Inspiration

When you’re coming up with Halloween costume ideas, look around you for sources of inspiration. Check out our exclusive interview with Heather Siegel of HalloweenMart.com.

Books, Movies, and Television Shows

Books, movies, and television shows can be great starting points for your Halloween costume ideas. For example:

• Practice your Doe-Ray-Me in a Sound of Music costume.
• Dress as Stephen King’s Carrie by wearing an old bridesmaid’s dress and a tiara. Splash red paint on your face and hands to add to the effect.
• Dress as the Terminator by wearing a black leather biker jacket, faded black jeans, and black combat boots. Accessorize your costume with 80s style black sunglasses and a water pistol.
• Dress as Quasimodo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame by building a "hunchback" out of foam or cardboard. Borrow an old coat that is several sizes bigger and wear a ratty wig. Keep your hand up to your ear and mutter whenever anyone asks you a question.
• Dress as Strawberry Shortcake by wearing a red curly wig, a hat that looks like a strawberry, a red dress with a white apron over the front, white tights, and white gloves. Carry around a basket full of strawberries to add to the effect.
• Dress as an Oompa Loompa from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by wearing white overalls, white gloves, and a brown shirt. Add a green wig and orange face paint to complete the look.

A Play on Words

If you’re clever or simply looking for a more unusual outfit, consider Halloween costume ideas that are a play on words. For example:

• Be "Tickled Pink" by dressing in pink clothes and carrying a feather duster.
• Be a "Quarter Pounder" by carrying a quarter and a hammer. Whenever someone asks about your costume, put the quarter down and pound it with the hammer.
• Be a "Leafblower" by attaching a leaf to the front of a baseball cap. Blow on the leaf whenever someone asks about your costume.
• Be "Dr. Pepper" by pinning chili peppers to your doctor’s scrubs.
• Be a "web surfer" by covering your swimsuit with fake spider webbing.
• Be "white trash" by dressing entirely in white and sticking milk cartons, white paper scraps, and other white items to your outfit.
• Be "God’s Gift to Women" by wrapping yourself up like a present. Attach a tag that says "From: GOD To: WOMEN."

Homemade Versions of Store Bought Costumes

When you’re on a budget, it’s perfectly acceptable to visit costume shops in search of Halloween costume ideas. Look at the expensive costumes for ideas that can be incorporated into your own Halloween attire. Pay attention to colors, shapes, fabrics, and accessories. Then, try to mimic these details with items from thrift stores, garage sales, and your own closet.

Scary, Sexy, or Silly?

When deciding between scary, sexy, or silly Halloween costume ideas, try to consider your overall personality. While it can be fun to break out of your comfort zone, you might not enjoy wearing a French maid’s costume to your party if your normal attire is much less provocative. Choose a costume that will make you feel happy and confident throughout the evening.