The spooky season is here and let’s be honest, Halloween is less about scares and more about fashionably fierce! Gone are the days of lazy cat ears and half-baked vampire makeup; 2025 is all about pop culture power dressing. From Y2K queens to heartbroken heroines, this year’s costume inspo is taken straight from your screen, incorporating glitter, nostalgia and a little bit of chaos. So grab your hairspray, winged liner, and pumpkin-spice confidence. Here are 7 pop culture icons to rock as this Halloween.
1. Barbie (because we’re still living in her world)
Was there ever any doubt? Barbiecore isn’t going away any time soon. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is still pop culture rent-free, and it’s the easiest way to be glam with a side of irony. If you’re cowgirl Barbie, mermaid Barbie, or weird Barbie, the only rule is: think pink, think bold, and think fabulous.
what you’ll need: A pink outfit that exudes confidence, matching accessories, bright lips and your best “I am everything” energy.
Bonus Ideas: Go as a mismatched Barbie pair, every Barbie, every story, every vibe.
2. Wednesday Addams (Forever Scary It-Girl)
Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday remains the queen of the Halloween aesthetic, equal parts terrifying and elegant.
what you’ll need: A black collared dress, pigtail braids, and an expression that could tear milk. Wear with dark lipstick and chunky boots for 2025 energy.
For a tip: Bring a friend dressed as Enid for a pastel-and-pitch-black pairing that’s social-media gold.
3. Taylor Swift (Eraaz Tour Version)
Taylor’s Erasure tour gave us sparkle, nostalgia, and more outfit ideas than we can count. Halloween is your excuse to step into your favorite Taylor era, no Ticketmaster meltdowns required.
what you’ll need: Lots of sequins, knee-high boots, and friendship bracelets. Channel your inner lover, folkie, or 1989 persona.
groupthink: Gather your girls and let’s go like different eras of Taylor, this is the ultimate Swifty Squad moment.
4. Regina George (Mean Girls Royalty)
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by that… fashion sense. Regina George is the early 2000s blueprint for confidence, pink minis, attitude for days, and lip gloss addiction that can get a startup funded.
what you’ll need: A “little bit dramatic” tee, pink skirt, and flawless hair flip. Add a burn book (for accessories only, of course) and your most confident strut.
Why it works: It’s iconic, nostalgic and instantly recognizable. Plus, Mean Girls just got a reboot, so you’re totally on trend.
5. Sabrina Carpenter (Manchild era)
2025 is Sabrina Carpenter’s world, we’re just crying, shining and dancing in it. Her “manchild” look, all shiny co-ords, doll-like curls and feminine sass with a hint of chaos, is pop princess perfection.
what you’ll need: A micro-mini skirt, sparkly top, white shoes, big hair and that flirty pout. Carry a heart-shaped prop or candy phone to lean into her Y2K-meets-Gen-Z vibe.
Why it works: It’s playful, confident, and sexy without trying too hard. Basically: You’re the main pop girl, and you know it.
6. Bridgerton Belle (Regencycore Revival)
Our exodus to Bridgerton pastel-toned drama and romantic decadence continues. It’s beautiful, charming and the perfect excuse to wear pearls and gossip like a queen.
what you’ll need: A pastel empire-waist gown, gloves and a fan (obviously for a dramatic exit). Add soft curls and a little blush for an 1800s glow.
groupthink: Gather your friends as the Bridgerton siblings or the Featheringtons, bonus points for narrating your party in Lady Whistledown’s voice.
7. Bailey Conklin (The Summer I Turned Pretty)
If your fall look is more “coastal romance” than “scary witch,” then Bailey Conklin is your Halloween charm. Think endless summers, golden brown hues, and serene heartbreaks in sundresses.
what you’ll need: A floral mini dress, soft curls, natural makeup, and maybe a prop iced coffee. Add a blue hoodie or seashell necklace for a subtle Conrad or Jeremiah energy.
Why it works: It’s simple, romantic, and totally on-trend for the “sad girl summer” aesthetic that refuses to go away.
So if you’re wearing Barbiecore pink, Regina George sass, or Bridgerton glam, Halloween 2025 is all about energy and, of course, costumes. So forget the cliches, and ask yourself, who do I want to be for a dramatic, glitzy night? Because this Halloween, the only thing scarier than a bad costume is… being basic.
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