It’s October, which means it’s time to start thinking up a killer Halloween costume for 2025. Once reserved for our Northern Hemisphere counterparts, as with much of American culture, the holiday has increasingly made its way to our shores.
While classic picks like a witch, a vampire, or a black cat are always a safe bet, pop culture costumes from the year that’s past are the far cooler choice. Forget what Mean Girls’ Cady Heron said about donning some animal ears and lingerie, because funny, on the nose and nice references will always win you brownie points on October 31.
Pop Culture Halloween Costume Ideas For 2025
To help you nail this year’s Halloween costume, here are some of the best ideas based on the biggest moments of 2025.
Katy Perry’s Space Flight
The brief: Perry’s real-life space journey made headlines as she became one of the first pop stars to orbit Earth, blending celebrity and science.
What to wear: Channel her interstellar style with a metallic blue jumpsuit, NASA patch, and a daisy.
Victoria Beckham Documentary
The brief: David had his time, 2025 was Victoria’s time to shine with her documentary that shone a light on her candid humor and “cheese sandwich” confession.
What to wear: Dress in a chic all-black look, oversized sunnies, and carry a cheese sandwich prop for giggles.
Fourth Wing
The brief: The romantasy phenomenon was everywhere in 2025, thanks to the release of the third book in the Empyrean series: Onyx Storm.
What to wear: Dress in battle-worn leathers, a dragon emblem, and a book prop for instant dragon rider chic.
Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl
The brief: Swift’s record-breaking era fused Vegas glamour with emotional storytelling, defining pop culture in 2025.
What to wear: Think sequinned bodysuit, feathered headpiece, and a “TS” mic for ultimate showgirl sparkle.
The Astronomer CEO Cheating Scandal On The Coldplay KissCam
The brief: This viral scandal — caught live at a stadium — dominated gossip columns and memes alike.
What to wear: Recreate the chaos with a telescope prop, VIP lanyard, and a Coldplay band tee.
A Labubu
The brief: The collectible toy craze of 2025 made Labubu the year’s cutest (and slightly creepy) cult icon.
What to wear: Dress in pastel monster ears, furry textures, and oversized cartoonish eyes for that mischievous plush-core energy.
Wednesday Addams
The brief: The brooding Netflix icon continues to reign supreme as the go-to gothic costume for every Halloween feed.
What to wear: Slip into a black collared dress, braided pigtails, and deadpan attitude to embody the viral teen goth.
Lily-Rose Depp in Nosferatu
The brief: Depp’s haunting portrayal of Ellen in the gothic remake redefined horror couture for 2025.
What to wear: Embrace pale vintage lace, dark eyeshadow, and a blood-red lip for eerie elegance.
The Peach Scene from The Summer I Turned Pretty
The brief: It was the show that had everyone talking in 2025, but the scene we couldn’t get over? The peaches.
What to wear: Recreate the iconic moment with denim shorts, a boho top and a super juicy peach.
Kylie Jenner & Timothée Chalamet At The Knicks Game
The brief: Their courtside debut cemented the couple’s cultural moment — part fashion, part fandom frenzy.
What to wear: Go duo-style with Kylie’s basic white tank top and jeans and Timothée’s neon Knicks merch.
K-Pop Demon Hunters
The brief: The animated blockbuster merged high-octane action with K-pop glamour, instantly becoming a cosplay favorite.
What to wear: Opt for a neon-trimmed streetwear look, sleek makeup, and anime-inspired accessories for the full idol-slayer aesthetic.
Raye – Where Is My Husband?
The brief: RAYE’s had an astronomical rise in the past year and her most recent track, Where Is My Husband is not only an infectious earworm of a tune but an easy Halloween costume option, particularly for the single girls.
What to wear: A sequin red dress, vintage curls and a sign that says ‘Looking for my husband’ will do the trick.
Kendrick Lamar At The Super Bowl
The brief: Kendrick’s halftime show became an instant cultural moment in 2025, blending jaw-dropping visuals with socially conscious performance that dominated social feeds worldwide.
What to wear: Recreate the look with a leather moto jacket, flare jeans, and sneakers, and don’t forget a microphone prop for the full halftime energy.
Sinners
The brief: The indie film Sinners captured 2025 audiences with its provocative storyline and stylishly dark cinematography, becoming a must-watch talking point.
What to wear: A sleek slip dress, vintage curls, and lots of fake blood.
White Lotus Season 3
The brief: The third season of White Lotus had fans buzzing over its sharp satire, luxury drama, and unforgettable character wardrobes.
What to wear: Opt for resort-chic ensembles, oversized sunglasses, and a mock cocktail glass
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
The brief: The Netflix docuseries turned these iconic performers into global stars, celebrating precision, pressure, and glitter.
What to wear: Wear a blue-and-white cropped uniform, cowboy boots, and big curls with a megawatt smile.
Glinda or Elphaba from Wicked
The brief: With the Wicked movie finally out, the good vs. wicked witch rivalry dominated screens and style alike.
What to wear: Go Glinda in sparkling pink tulle and a wand, or Elphaba with emerald skin, a black hat, and a broom.
Emily in Paris
The brief: Season after season, Emily kept redefining “too much is never enough” in fashion and chaos alike.
What to wear: Pile on bright clashing prints, a beret, oversized phone prop, and of course, a baguette for comedic French flair.
