IYKYK: A Halloween Costume Edit

By: Maria Diaz Guasp

I’m wearing my best crewnecks to bed, have now switched to tea, and am back to doing waterline eyeliner for my everyday look. Translation: I’m ready for Halloween. Finally, the one night where being over the top is the baseline for all. We get to play dress-up and no one bats an eye. Surprise to none, Halloween costumes are a very serious matter for us girls. To be honest, come August, that costume Pinterest board is officially open for business. Believe it or not, dressing up as Jennifer Check does wonders for my inner child. There’s something so special about dressing up as a fave for a night, a reference I don’t mind gabbing about come the inevitable “wait, what are you supposed to be?”.

Here are some “if you know, you know” Halloween costumes that are sure to start a conversation. These have been fermenting in my personal Pinterest board. They’re fashion-girl friendly and guaranteed to get people talking. At least one of these is bound to end up as someone’s favorite look of the night. Expect one too many film references and a few irreverent, slightly out-of-left-field pop culture moments. You’ve been warned.

The Bene Gesserit, Dune

Ah, sisterhood! The Bene Gesserit are very important to me. Whether book-accurate, Lynchian, or Villeneuve’s newest, any interpretation is sure to kill. This is a fun one for any fashion lover, or Brenda Hashtag follower at least. Think sleek yet airy draped fabrics, a structured veil, maybe a face chain, and, you guessed it, an all-black fit. Fantastic. The Bene Gesserit swag is sure to spark a conversation with either the most annoying person at the party or the coolest, no in between. Take it or leave it.

Green Fairy, Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Moulin Rouge! has no shortage of spectacle, but the absinthe scene is one of my favorites. The ever-campy Baz Luhrmann cast thee Kylie Minogue as the elusive Green Fairy, embodying the intoxicating and fever-dreamish effects of the drink. For a less than a minute scene, mind you. What other glamorous character from this movie would I want to be?

 Holly and Paul, Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) - Cat/Dog Mask Scene

For the chic, cuffed girl, have you ever tried… petty theft? This scene from Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a personal favorite from this fashion girl classic. The effortlessly stylish lead, Holly Golightly, and her suitor Paul venture into a five-and-dime store. There, they don comical cat and dog plastic masks as disguises and dash out of the store. It’s poetic, really. Besides, I’ve seen the iconic pearls and sleep mask looks done countless times, but never this one.

 Meg Stalter, Las Culturistas Culture Awards 2025

It’s ironic, it’s camp, it’s DIY-able: it’s my favorite Meg Stalter look. A Diet Coke corset that looks like it could have been pieced together in a summer camp craft circle - to me, couture. The pinstripe mini skirt and white platforms ground the humor perfectly, while the black bag says, yes, I actually do have places to be. And of course, the can of Diet Coke in hand, the pièce de résistance.

Seniors, Dazed & Confused (1993)

Get your girls ready, we're hazing tonight! This one is pretty straightforward, yet such a classic. Not only do I love anything 80s-90s Parker Posey, but I also happen to love an effortless costume. You really just need your “Seniors” tee, some plastic ketchup bottles, whistles, and a nasty attitude (easy). Add a few 70s-like accessories, and you’ve got the perfect third party of the week, "I'm too tired to think, what if we do a group costume?" look. Some perfectly broken-in denim shorts, a classic brown leather belt, and well-loved Frye boots should do the trick. But if you’re trying to go full Posey, try striped shorts and red mod-like earrings. Though any variation gets the point across. 

Sally Bowles, Cabaret (1972)

For the past month, I’ve been in full Cabaret psychosis. I was lucky enough to catch the Broadway revival at the August Wilson Theatre, where the iconic Marty/Marciax3 embodied the eerily good-humored Emcee and Marisha Wallace delivered a dazzling turn as Sally Bowles. Naturally, I got home and immediately put on the Fosse movie. I’ve always been endeared by Liza’s Sally. Truly, what’s not to love? Everything she wears in that film is fabulous. Hard to choose, but the classic poster moment wins: all black, blue eyeshadow, bowler hat, stockings, green nails. I’m also partial to the “Money Money” ensemble. Bonus points if you bring along your scary friend as the Emcee to haunt you all night.

Addison Rae, Aquamarine Paparazzi

Hear me out. I know she’s a newborn in pop years, so the reference feels premature. Yet, her paparazzi looks have already infiltrated my boards. This one sits at the top. A Halloween costume designed to confuse at least ten people: seashell top, aquamarine fishnet tights, oversized white Y2K sunglasses, chunky pearls, and a gaudy faux fur stole. Perfect for the lover of little to no pants. Also, perfect for the lover of a sidewalk cig.

Other ideas still linger: Sugar and Spice from Batman Forever for a duo, or maybe a Sonny and Cher moment for couples. I’ve always wanted to see someone pull off the Antler Queen from Yellowjackets, probably with Lana Del Rey’s Alexander McQueen look from the 2024 Met Gala in mind. For the eternal bookworm, The Girl with the Green Ribbon has been on my list forever, and a Lady Macbeth look could be a great classic. Some extras for the Letterboxd-obsessed: the Mad Max wives with a group of friends could be really fun. And the list could go on and on…