The countdown to the year’s biggest dress-up night has begun.
But slack on planning and you can count on feeling more stressed than spooky or sexy (Halloween’s great dilemma) this year.
Thankfully plenty before us have nailed their fright night look, providing ample inspiration. Not least the celebrities, many of whom have gone to great lengths to master the art of impersonation... and their looks aren’t all entirely impossible to recreate.
Look to the wardrobe before kitting yourself with a entire costume online, and check out these looks that only need a few pieces to perfect – most of which you’ll be able to re-wear come Christmas party season.
So if you are planning on skipping an LBD and a pair of cat ears, or a smudge of blood red lipstick around the mouth (though these are undeniable classics, and always trusty fall backs), find your muse in the A-List set below:
Busy Phillips as Regina George’s Mum
It wouldn’t be a Halloween without a dash of Mean Girls. Busy went all out “cool mom” back in 2019 which is a breeze to copy – head straight to Juicy Couture. Thanks to the ever growing Y2K resurgence, your velour zip up hoodie is guaranteed to give you plenty of post-party wears.
Juicy Couture, Orchid pink classic velour Robertson hoodie, £85, juicycouture.com
Zara, Heeled slingback metallic shoes, £49.99, zara.com
Juicy Couture, Orchid pink classic velour del ray pocketed bottoms, £75, juicycouture.com
Missoma, Camail 18ct gold-plated snake chain necklace, £185, selfridges.com
Harry Styles as Elton John
Styles’ sparkling jumpsuit and whopping pink GG shades pay homage to Elton John’s iconic baseball suit worn to perform at Dodger Stadium in 1975. If you can’t find a fully encrusted jumpsuit, mix and match with Dodgers merch, and a little glitter.
Ralph Lauren, Dodgers jacket, £185, ralphlauren.com
Adidas, Stan Smith shoes, £75, adidas.co.uk
Zara, Sequinned dress with knot, £29.99, zara.com
Amazon Fashion, Oversized square frame bling sunglasses, £7.99, amazon.co.uk
Kylie Jenner as Freddy Krueger
Trust Kylie to take a serial killer and make them sexy. In the promo shots for her most recent Halloween makeup special she nods to Freddy Krueger, the slashing villain of Nightmare On Elm Street, the classic 1984 horror. Thanks to a similar bodysuit from les girls les boys, this is a one stop hit.
Christian Louboutin, Hot chick 100, £545, flannels.com
Les girls les boys, Mesh red catsuit, £75, thread.com
Zara, Fabric high heel ankle boots with stretch, £55.99, zara.com
Winnie Harlow as RuPaul
Start your engines – this is one for the more rebellious. Really you can opt for red latex or Lycra anything to give it a go. If wearing nothing but a bodysuit has sent shivers down your spine though, a PVC skirt or leather trousers are a nice fix. And if you have any corsets lying around, it’s time to lace up. Don’t forget a full length black fur to sashay away.
Dolls Kill, Vinyl boots, £58, dollskill.com
Mango, Wide leg faux leather trousers, £49.99, mango.com
ASOS, Ann Summers vinyl eyelete detail bodysuit, £35, asos.com
Next, Longline faux fur coat, £65, next.co.uk
Hayley Bieber as Ratched’s nurse Mildred
Ryan Murphy’s Netflix asylum thriller series is a good place to start for something twisted. Sarah Paulson’s portrayal of Mildred is not only disturbing, but a versatile choice; go full scrubs for more demented doctor, or follow Hayley’s lead and lean on the racy side.
Steve Madden, Mana bone leather, £175, stevemadden.co.uk
Amazon Fashion, Nurse hat, £5.19, amazon.co.uk
Reformation, Michaela gathered organic cotton-blend poplin mini dress, £220, net-a-porter.com
Nasty Gal, Linen look puff sleeve smock mini dress, £12, nastygal.com
