We're officially into late summer, which means that lots of retailers and Halloween enthusiasts are breaking out their jack-o'-lanterns and lawn skeletons, ready for their favorite and spooky time of year. Some people just love coming up with costume ideas early as they prepare to celebrate the holiday. (We may already even be thinking of costumes for our pets). No matter the reason, we support it.
We rounded up a few costume ideas that we think will be popular among moms this year, so consider it inspo as well. How did we come up with these? We got lots of clues from popular TV shows and movies that have come out the last 12 months, as well as taking hints from celebrities and cultural moments of 2021. Take note, spookies, and get dressed up no matter how it's celebrated this year.
A Character from 'Bridgerton'
The series Bridgerton, based on the books by Julia Quinn and starting with The Duke and I, came out on Netflix Christmas Day 2020, but it made waves well into this year. It's the story of a well-to-do woman who needs to find a husband. In the process, she meets the duke. It's a friends-to-lovers kind of story, and we can totally see lots of people dressing up as those characters this Halloween.
Harley Quinn from 'The Suicide Squad'
The Suicide Squad movie that came out this summer, directed by James Gunn, has lots of people falling in love with charming Batman villain Harley Quinn (played by Margot Robbie) all over again. (Another Suicide Squad movie came out years ago, as well as Birds of Prey.) Harley's ensemble is honestly rocking in the latest movie.
A Flapper
$25
from
Party City
Dressing as a flapper is a fun and easy Halloween costume to throw on. But we think it'll be particularly in style to dress up as one this year because we're in the '20s, again. Hopefully, we can party in roaring style once we're safely on the other side of this pandemic. Another reason for everyone to get vaccinated!
Black Widow
$50
from
Party City
A lot of great superhero movies came out this year, including Black Widow (which stars Scarlett Johansson). A badass woman? Sign us up. Her character's costume is available in adult sizes at Party City. It's an all-black suit with yellow wrist cuffs. The rest of the family can dress up as the other Avengers.
A 'Space Jam' Player
Pop culture was so "popping" this year that we even got a second Space Jam movie. But instead of the team being led by MJ, aka Michael Jordan, it was led by actor and basketball star LeBron James. The Tune Squad uniforms even get an upgrade and are sold in real life for parents to live out their '90s kid dreams.
Captain Marvel
$40
from
Party City
Captain Marvel is a character people can look up to. If the family is coordinating a group Halloween costume, then being Marvel superheros is a choice we support. A replica of her costume is available at Party City and looks like the actual thing from head to toe. It's on brand for moms, who are superheroes in their own right.
Anything Related to #FREEBRITNEY
The #FREEBritney movement took the country by storm when a documentary and subsequent news reports came up revealing the truth about Britney Spears' conservatorship under her father. Fans have flocked to her support with the hashtag, and we foresee lots of costumes from Britney's music video and real-life past come to life this year.
Cruella de Vil
$90
from
Party City
Cruela de Vil has been a villain in the Disney cannon for decades, but the movie starring Emma Stone brought her side of the story to life in 2021. Her black-and-white spotted head-to-toe costume is available at Party City and will pair well with kiddos who dress up as the puppies who escape her evil clutches.
Harry Potter Character
This may be our millennial bias, but Harry Potter will never go out of style, at least not any time soon. Since the Disney and Universal theme parks have slowly been getting more guests, lots of families will get to experience Harry Potter's world and may be inspired to dress up as one of the series' characters this Halloween. The hat worn by Fleur Delacour really makes this costume.
'Below Deck' Stu or Deckhand
Pop culture inspo for costumes don't just come from scripted TV shows and movies. They can come from reality TV too, and one of the shows that has skyrocketed to popularity this year has been those in the* Below Deck* franchise, which follows yacht staff on their charter boats. Dressing up as one of them is easy, and people will know exactly who you are.
A Cast Member from 'Love Is Blind'
Another reality TV show that has come back into the spotlight is Love is Blind. The Netflix show captivated us during 2020 and reemerged for more drama this year with the reunion special that aired this summer. We can totally see couples dressing up as the beloved couple from the show: Lauren and Cameron Hamilton.
WandaVision Wanda
Superhero movies aren't the only source of inspo for these extraordinary characters. Thanks to Disney, we get more hero series as well, such as with the release of WandaVision, which follows the character Wanda — who is also in the Avenger movies. Her outfit is pretty distinct, and luckily for fans, her cape is available on Hot Topic's website.
One of the 'Friends'
The show 'Friends' made a comeback in 2021, which either made people fall in love again or discover the show for the first time. Either way, they're in the pop culture cannon and lead to wonderful group costume ideas. We particularly enjoy this option from the scene where Monica, Rachel and Phoebe all wore wedding dresses.
Character from 'In the Heights'
After a very long delay due to COVID-19, Lin Manuel Miranda's play-to-movie adaptation of In the Heights came out earlier this summer. It had dancing, singing, a good tear-jerking storyline, and stunning urban-inspired costumes. Wearing one this Halloween is an homage to the movie. (But please, no brownface.)
A Schuyler Sister (from 'Hamilton')
From
$35
to $40
from
Halloween Costumes
Speaking of Lin-Manuel Miranda, adults and kids alike are still obsessed with the musical Hamilton, which came out on Disney+ last year and now without any fees. It definitely will serve as inspiration for lots of Halloween costumes this year — whether as one of the Schuyler sisters, Hamilton himself, or a founding father.
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