Labubu, Pope Leo, and More Last-Minute Halloween-Costume Ideas
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Some of us have been pondering what to be for Halloween — or whatour kids might want to be for Halloween— for weeks on end. (One Strategist parent is figuring out the makings of a Pixar lamp costume for her son, while another’s daughter wants to DIY a piece of sushi.) It’s all in the spirit of our annual commitment to bringing you the most timelyHalloween-costumeideas we can think of, like2022’s spotted lanternfly,2023’s Gwyneth Paltrow at her ski-collision trial, and2024’s Cole Escola as Mary Todd Lincoln inOh, Mary!Below, we’ve gathered most of the products you’ll need to create the best pop-culture Halloween costumes of 2025, whether you want to be aLabubuor Pope Leo XIV. As we head into the final weekend before Halloween, the most popular costumes will likely start to sell out. We’ve updated this post with a few new costume ideas and checked stock on everything here as well. (But you should still get going if you want things to ship in time.)
Labubu (or a Lafufu)
Whether we like it or not, 2025 will be remembered as the year ofLabubu. The cuddly, grinning monster went viral on a new level, inspiring billions of dollars in spending on Labubu plush bag charms, stickers, and an astonishing assortment of miniature clothing, accessories, and wigs for Labubu dolls to wear. To dress as the ugly-cute creature (or its counterfeit counterpart,Lafufu), you’ll need a pair of ears, face paint, and a fuzzy jumpsuit. There are lots of Labubumakeup tutorials on TikTok and Instagram to help you get the smile and the twinkle in the eyes just right. If you’re going as a Lafufu, the easiest way to make the distinction is paint the face on off-kilter or upside down.
Divorced Nicole Kidman
When news broke of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s separation and apparent divorce proceedings, we were sad, obviously, and then we couldn’t help thinking back tothis iconic moment from 2001. The photo of Kidman leaving her lawyer’s office after finalizing her divorce from Tom Cruise has become a kind of meme-ified shorthand for glorious existential relief. To stage your own glorious relief — even if for just one night — all you need is a green organza skirt, a floral-patterned top, some lip and cheek stain for a nice rosy flush, and a mouth-open-arms-akimbo pose.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement photoshoot
Well,Swifties: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially engaged, and the photoshoot for the engagement was about as romantic as aFolklorelyric. (Though the rose garden sure seems quaint now that we’ve heardThe Life of a Showgirl’s “Wood.”) A couple who’s enfianced (or about to be) could re-create the magic with a similar cable-knit sweater polo and striped smocked dress (Swift and Kelce were wearing Polo Ralph Lauren, as reported by our sister siteThe Cut,) and as many fresh roses as your budget allows. And while Swift’sengagement ringreportedly starts at around $250,000, there are “replicas” for a lot less zerosavailable all over Etsy.
Zohran Mamdani supporter
Zohran Mamdani made history this year in many ways, including how he chose to deal with campaign merch. Instead of selling it to raise money on his website like any other political candidate does, he reserved hisofficial swag(T-shirts, buttons, etc.) for volunteers who canvassed for him. Despite this, there’s lots of boot-leg Zohran merch for sale online (some of which is sold by people donating the proceeds to the campaign and other good causes). Unfortunately, theorange Zabar’s-inspired Zohran sweatshirtmade by local designer Benjamin Shaykin is sold out. But, the below tote bag, T-shirt, and bumper sticker are being sold by a grassroots fundraiser organization calledNew Yorkers for Lower Costs, and the proceeds go toward getting out the vote for Mamdani.
The West Village Girl
You know theWest Village Girl. The West Village Girl (unironically) quotesSex and the City. The West Village Girl drinks iced matcha lattes. The West Village Girl does Pilates. And the West Village Girl wears what all West Village Girls wear: a littlewhite T-shirt, baggy dad jeans, and Sambas.
KPop Demon Hunters
KPop Demon Hunterscostumes will be everywhere, and while there are many ways to channel Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, the easiest, most comfortable option is to dress up in bathrobes and hair towels from the post–HUNTRIX world tour couch scene. You’ll need a bathrobe, a hair towel or hand towel, and a wooden tray full of fake snacks like sushi, a banana split, and the band’s favorite: cup ramen. Netflix happens to be sellingdrinking glasses printed with ramen labels from the movieif you want to go all out.
LazyWicked
Thanks toWicked, and theWickedpress tour, we won’t ever see the colors pink and green without thinking of Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba again. And just in time forWicked: For Good(the sequel to the musical comes out November 21), a set of green and pink sweatsuits will get the point across without the need for face paint, a witch’s hat, or a star wand.
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Jack Black and Jason Momoa inA Minecraft Movie
TheMinecraftmovie was a huge hit, with delightfully silly performances from Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Danielle Brooks. The movie’s most popular kid costume will be the chicken jockey. But if you’re a parent out trick or treating with your miniMinecraftfans, going as either Steve (Jack Black’s character) or Garrett Garrison (Jason Momoa’s character) is a low lift that delivers a big impact. For Momoa, you’ll need a pink fringe jacket and a long wavy wig. For Black, you’ll need a blue short-sleeve turtleneck and a big beard, real or fake.
Katy Perry in Space
This spring sawKaty Perry, who is not an astronaut, travel to outer space aboard Jeff Bezos’sBlue Originrocket. The all-female suborbital mission earned her the distinction of first pop star in space. Before sheplanted a kiss on terra firmaupon her return, Perry held up a single daisy from Earth during a broadcast of the mission. To re-create this historic moment, you’ll need a blue jumpsuit, a single daisy, a silver manicure, and a blissed-out expression.
The Pitt’s residents
The Pitt, and its resuscitation of Noah Wyle as a more grizzled but just as sexy leading man, would make for a fantastic and easy group costume. Stock up on stethoscopes and navy blue scrubs, and then get a pair of dark olive cargo pants and a zip hoodie for whoever’s going as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch.
Carrie Bradshaw and Shoe onAnd Just Like That …
It’s no spoiler that Carrie Bradshaw ends the final season ofAnd Just Like That …single. Fans of the show may have had mixed feelings about her breakup with Aidan, but we can all rest easy as she still has her New York family: Miranda, Charlotte, Seema, Lisa Todd Wexley, Anthony, and her cat named Shoe. There are so many outfits to choose from, but we particularly like the simplicity of this peach-colored sequin jacket and pleated cream skirt, especially when paired with a realistic kitten doll as a Shoe stand-in.
Businessman John “Jack” Trotter fromThe Gilded Age
Everything happened in the third season ofThe Gilded Age:Aunt Ada’s Temperance crusade, Peggy’s engagement, a marriage of convenience for Gladys, thefall of Ward McAllister,John Adams’s death, and the separation between Bertha and George Russell (affectionately, “Railroad Daddy”).Arguably, Jack (affectionately, “Clock Twink”) had the best season. The footman of the van Rhijn–Brook household sold his patent for an alarm clock with the help of Russell scion Larry to the tune of $600,000. (As Jack would get half, he’d beworth about $9.5 million in 2025 dollars, according to Vulture’s calculations.) He’s a businessman now! And to be businessman John “Jack” Trotter, you’ll need at least a top hat, suit vest, overcoat, padfolio, and a pocket watch, of course.
The White Lotus’sFull Moon Party Chelsea
Season three ofTheWhite Lotusgave us all sorts of memorable moments, but we’re partial to the scene in episode five, “Full Moon Party,” whenAimee Lou Wood’s Chelseaspent a night away from her much older boyfriend Rick (Walton Goggins) to cut loose with fellow hotel guests Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and brothers Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola). Maybe more eye-opening than the night’s kissing game — let’s pretend we didn’t ever learn what happened afterward — was Chelsea’s eyeshadow. Some self-adhering glitter balm should do the same trick. You can make your own version of the character’s commemorative alien-head tee (designed by artistScooter LaForge) with a blank oversize shirt and fabric paint. But of course adupeis out there, too.
Belly’s bachelorette-party bikini fromThe Summer I Turned Pretty
If you spent the summer engrossed in thepsychosexual teen dramaofThe Summer I Turned Pretty, take some Halloween inspiration from the bachelor-bachelorette party hosted by Belly and Jeremiah (who may be be the human embodiment of Britney Spears’s “Dump Him” T-shirt). The event went less than swimmingly, mainly because of theWhile You Were Sleepingplotline of the groom’s brother, Conrad, being in love with the bride. To be Belly, you can wear Solid & Striped’s bowed Iris bikini top and bottoms — a collaboration with the show — for “something blue.” Just top it with a veil and you’re set. Optional: TheCatbird Diamond Fizz engagement ringthat Jeremiah presented when he proposed.
A veryWednesdayLady Gaga
Wednesday’s second season was packed with plot twists and new characters, including a short stint from Lady Gaga as Rosaline Rotwood, a deceased teacher awakened from the dead to be Wednesday’s new spirit guide. Gaga’s character is a relatively easy costume to pull off and a good one for accompanying a kid dressed as Wednesday: You just need a long white wig, a shiny satin blouse, and trusty sidekick Thing.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Jeans
Though hisA-minor linewas certainly attention grabbing, halftime-show headliner Kendrick Lamar’s bootcuts may have been more so. (“Kendrick Lamar’s Bootcut Jeans Stole the Show,” declared oneNew Yorkheadline.) By Celine, they’re $1,200. But Levi’s 527 Slim Bootcuts are available for a lot less. If you’d like to channel the rest of Lamar’s Super Bowl look, accessorize with a bomber jacket (his was a custom Martine Rose), a T-shirt, and abaseball cap. You might get somegloveswhile you’re at it — this Halloween night might be chillier than the SoFi Stadium in February.
Katseye’s Gap commercial
On the heels of theSydney Sweeney–American Eagle jeans ad controversycame Gap’s “Better in Denim” campaign with girl group Katseye. Set to the tune of Kelis’s seminal “Milkshake,” it reminded us of those great early-aughts Gap ads withSarah Jessica Parker(who danced to “Lady” by Lenny Kravitz) andJuliette Lewis(who danced to “Digital Love” by Daft Punk). Helpfully, there’s aguideon the Gap site to nearly every Gap-branded item that Yoonchae, Daniela, Manon, Megan, Sophia, and Lara are wearing in the commercial.
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Another Marie Antoinette
As ubiquitous as “sexy Marie Antoinette” is, there’s still more attention on the Queen of France this year — and it’s not only for the 232rd anniversary of her execution. A new Victoria and Albert Museum exhibit titled “Marie Antoinette’s Style” — sponsored byManolo Blahnik, who’s behind the shoes in Sofia Coppola’sMarie Antoinetteand a line of his ownAntoinette-inspired shoes— the exhibition shows her influence on fashion for centuries. Being the misunderstood cultural icon should befacile:You’ll need a big wig (this one isn’t unlike Kirsten Dunst’s Marie AntoinetteVoguecover), a gown of some sorts, and a slice of fake cake. You could quote those famous last words, “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” (which Marie Antoinette didn’t say; Jean-Jacques Rousseau did).
The new Pope, Leo XIV
The new pope, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, is a Chicagoan! Maybe hesaved big money at Menards(or at least sent in for a rebate). Maybe he watched Villanova Wildcat games. We certainly can’t remember another Bishop of Rome who’s known by “Bob” to friends or “Rob” to family. Canonize this historic moment by dressing up as the first American pope with a Villanova hat, a Menards shopping bag, and the vestments of the Catholic Church. And if you want your Pope Leo XIV to follow his predecessor Pope Francis, be sure to donwhite socksfromGammarelli, which has been in the ecclesiastical-garment business since 1798.
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