If you don’t have your Halloween costumes figured out yet, don’t settle for being the classic cat or vampire. Instead, take inspiration from this perfectly curated list of music inspired Halloween costumes that I’ve assembled, as someone who takes both Halloween costumes and music references very seriously.
Solo Costumes
1. Lady Gaga at the 2010 MTV VMA’s (aka the meat dress) – While there are so many amazing Lady Gaga looks you could recreate for Halloween, the meat dress is easily the most recognizable one. I recommend achieving the look of meat by painting on red fabric, then draping that fabric in layers over a mini dress and a pair of boots. Add some white string around the boots, a blingy choker, and a piece of the meat-fabric as a headpiece and you’ll look like you’re about to win the Video of the Year trophy.
2. The Dare – This is the perfect costume for any Hillterns/ Kogod majors out there who have an extra suit hanging up in their closet. Pair the suit with some dark sunglasses and a cigarette and start making LCD Soundsystem fans mad.
3. Ziggy Stardust – The great thing about this costume is that as long as you have the makeup and hair down, you can pretty much wear any glittery, colorful, 70’s style clothes you may have. Slick your hair straight back with no part and paint a lightning bolt across your eye. For the outfit, pair bell bottoms with the tallest platform boots you have, and really any colorful or sparkly top.
Duo/Group Costumes
1. Kurt and Court at the ‘93 MTV VMA’s- If you’re like me and are addicted to thrifting vintage slip dresses, or can find the clout goggles you bought because of a meme in 2018, this is the perfect Halloween costume. My best friend and I did this last year, and not only did it take us less than five minutes to assemble, we also didn’t need to buy anything to pull this costume off. For Courtney Love, pair a white dress with a red lip and messy hair. For Kurt Cobain, grab a striped long sleeve, ripped jeans, and red sunglasses. To take it to the next level, find a baby doll to be Frances Bean.
2. Chappell Roan and the Mermaid in the “Casual” Music Video- If you’re able to convince your situationship that it’s super casual to do a couples halloween costume, why not make it clear to everyone else that you’re in a casual-committed-long term-situationship? For the mermaid, add some scales using eyeshadow and wear a blue prom dress. For Chappell, pull your hair into an updo, and wear a shorter blue dress with a blue robe. For both costumes, add some seashell accessories.
3. The Charli XCX “360” Music Video It-Girls- If you have a big friend group that could be described as “being really hot, in like a scary way”, take inspiration from Charli XCX’s friend group, and dress the part as a few (or all) of the It- Girls in the music video. The ones I especially recommend modeling your look after are Julia Fox, Gabriette, Quen Blackwell, and Chloë Sevigny.
I hope you all have a happy Halloween and have the most niche and creative costume at all of your Halloween functions this year!