20 Halloween costume ideas we fully expect to see this year
From Jay-Z letting his hair down to Black Threads to Jordyn Woods’ lucky bag, we round up 20 Black pop
From Jay-Z letting his hair down to Black Threads to Jordyn Woods’ lucky bag, we round up 20 Black pop culture ideas for Halloween costumes.
The group chats are firing up. The invitations are popping up. The costume brainstorming has officially begun.
Halloween is just two weeks away. And while we know some folks among us have had their costume ideas locked since November 1 of last year, we also know there are plenty of us (ahem) who are just now getting around to making plans, let alone figuring out what they’re going to go as this year.
With Black horror continuing to grow, there is an increasing number of spooky characters to draw from, including from “Sinners,” the family from “The Curse of Bridge Hallow,” or even “The Blackening.” But some of the best Halloween costumes year after year are the ones that are so spot-on with their cultural references, it’s scary. The moments we can’t stop talking about and the people at their center, and this year has had plenty of them so far. Several, from Jay-Z letting his hair down to the latest breakout cast of “Love Island USA,” or even when Raven-Symoné said the Baxters could have been green, we fully predict we’re going to see this year.
So whether you’re looking for some inspiration yourself, or you’re on the fence about an idea you’re mulling over, from Beyoncé’s Met Gala look to Jordyn Woods’ lucky bag, the New York Knicks, Druski, and beyond, we’re rounding up 20 Black pop culture-inspired Halloween costumes we fully expect to see this year.
1. Jay-Z at the Roots Picnic
The moment Jay-Z walked out onstage at this summer’s Roots Picnic with his locs freshly brushed out, his Halloween fate was sealed. Hov, in his many forms, has always made a great costume for the rap aficionados among us, but this year, we fully expect to see a few Jays rocking a glorious braid-out. Just grab some shades, a black T-shirt, and let your hair down. Literally.
2. Druski as literally any of his characters
If not the man himself, Druski has given us a whole roster of characters to step into. From his increasingly elaborate disguises to his outrageous wigs, accents, and personalities, the comedian has practically become a one-man costume shop. Anyone looking to pull a reverse “Tropic Thunder” has certainly been given plenty of material to work with.
3. Janine and Gregory from “Abbott Elementary”
We’ve been shipping these two since episode one, and as their relationship remains rock-steady, Janine and Gregory continue to be an adorable couple’s costume. Grab some teacher-approved business casual, a lanyard or two, and prepare to be awkwardly in love all night. Extra points if you recreate one of their own incredibly clever Halloween couples costumes from the show.
4. “Love Island” contestants and producers
“Love Island USA” was so huge this summer that watching it practically became a participatory sport, with fans reacting to and reenacting their favorite moments in real time. Whether you’re channeling the Core Four, recreating Titi and KC’s return to the villa, or dressing as one of the producers accused of stirring up all that mess, there’s plenty to work with. Just grab your tiniest swimwear, a water bottle, and a microphone and yell out “I’ve got a text!” all night and you’re set.
5. Beyoncé at the Met Gala
After ten years, Beyoncé returned to the Met Gala’s infamous red carpet looking otherworldly in a sparkling, skeleton-inspired gown by Olivier Rousteing, complete with a crown and dramatic feathered train. The look is practically begging for a Halloween recreation. All you need is a bedazzled skeleton situation, a crown, and enough confidence to make everybody clear the stairs when you arrive.
6. Raven Baxter, but she’s green
The internet still hasn’t recovered from Raven-Symoné suggesting that the Baxters, the beloved family from her hit Disney show “That’s So Raven,” could have been green. Naturally, the jokes have taken on a life of their own, and we fully expect to see a few green Ravens or even entire green families this Halloween. Just add green face paint and give your best signature psychic stare.
7. “A Different World”
With the return of “A Different World,” which revisits life at the fictional HBCU Hillman through the eyes of Deborah, Whitley and Dwayne’s daughter, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a few Hillmanites out this Halloween. The new generation offers plenty of inspiration, but we’re especially hoping for some throwbacks to the OGs. Find yourself a pair of Dwayne’s flip-up glasses, or take inspiration from Whitley’s fabulous ‘90s fashions, and give your best collegiate whimsy.
8. Jordyn Woods’ lucky bag
When the Knicks went on their big playoff run, they had plenty of sports juju on their side, from sage and prayers from nuns to Jordyn Woods’ now-infamous lucky orange handbag. The bag became something of a good-luck charm as the team kept winning, and after an assist like that, we fully expect a few creative fashionistas and sports fans alike to give it the Halloween treatment. Wear all orange, take all of the credit, and announce yourself on sale soon.
9. The New York Knicks
While we’re on the subject, we also wouldn’t be surprised to see a few Knicks players making appearances at Halloween parties this year. Whether you’re channeling Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, or the team’s most enthusiastic courtside fans, all you really need is some orange and blue, or a jersey, and heaps of New York pride.
10. The 49ers scammer
After Daejon Love made headlines for allegedly conning women out of money by posing as a former 49ers player and wealthy investor, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a few Halloween interpretations of the bizarre saga. Truly, all you need is a vaguely expensive-looking outfit, a 49ers jersey, and a key ring loaded with fobs to cars you absolutely do not own. Just please remember to keep any depictions of actual people respectful and leave the actual victims out of the joke.
11. “The Real Housewives”
The Real Housewives have seized the culture, and 20 years into the franchise, they show no signs of letting up. From NeNe Leakes and Porsha Williams to Karen Huger and Gizelle Bryant, there’s plenty of of iconic women to emulate. Don your best reunion-ready gown, grab a champagne flute, and don’t forget to bring an attitude. You also don’t have to limit yourself to one of the ladies holding peaches, apples, or whatever else Bravo has them clutching. We’re still not past the year someone went for Halloween as a “Haitian mortician” after the term entered the zeitgeist thanks to “The Real Housewives of Miami.” Watch out for any schemes Todd may have set up!
12. Bad lettuce
After a year of food safety scares and recalls, particularly where lettuce and produce was concerned, there may be nothing scarier than some bad lettuce. Find yourself a leafy green costume, add a few suspicious brown spots, and slap a giant “RECALLED” label across your chest. Truly terrifying.
13. Law Roach
Image architect, stylist, and fashion extraordinaire Law Roach has become as much of a cultural phenomenon as the starlets lucky enough to be dressed by him. Between his deliciously cutthroat run on “Project Runway,” his interview with Ziwe, and many viral moments on red carpets and at events, there’s so much to work with. Put on your absolute best, add a few inches to your hair if you need to, and spend the night being dead honest about fashion. Just bear in mind that should Law see your take, he may definitely give his opinion!
14. Cam Newton
Is it even Halloween without a sighting of the Mad Hatter? Cam Newton’s personal style is so wonderfully idiosyncratic that he’s practically a walking costume. Find the strangest hat you can, preferably with a few charms dangling from it, throw together a vaguely urban steampunk ensemble, and spend the night asking strangers deeply personal questions and you’ll be a dead ringer.
15. “I Love Boosters”
Cat burglars and bank robbers have been Halloween staples for generations, so why not take things up a notch and go as the girl gang from “I Love Boosters”? The wildly imaginative world Boots Riley created is ripe with costume potential, from coordinated group looks to solo monochromatic slays. Just don’t forget the anti-capitalist energy, a little shoplifting-inspired flair, and a healthy suspicion of handsome demons.
16. Jennifer Hudson’s Spirit Tunnel
Group costumes can be so much fun, and one we wouldn’t be surprised to see this year is a recreation of Jennifer Hudson’s now-famous Spirit Tunnel. Gather your most enthusiastic friends, throw on some matching shirts, and spend the evening singing increasingly ridiculous renditions of popular songs as people enter the party. While being on key is entirely optional, being fully committed is not.
17. Rihanna’s next album
Now we realize some folks are staunchly against “concept costumes,” but there are some who are truly clever enough to pull them off. And one we wouldn’t be shocked at all to see, after years of waiting, wondering, and begging for new music, somebody going out as Rihanna’s elusive next album. Now, if you’re really funny, this could also be a hilarious way of saying you’re not going to the function!
18. Beyoncé’s “Act III”
Another concept we’re hoping to see this year, in literally any form, is Beyoncé’s long-awaited and highly anticipated “Act III.” With fans still speculating about whether the final installment of her trilogy will venture into rock, we can already see folks in their best ‘80s rock glam, complete with leather, and teased hair. Bonus points if you can keep everybody guessing about when you’re actually going to arrive.
19. Black Threads
After Black Threads emerged as its own little corner of the internet this year, with memes, jokes, debates, and even some lore, we fully expect some of the most online among us to bring the subculture IRL. You can honestly dress completely normal while you spend the night establishing ground rules, starting unnecessary debates, think-piecing every conversation, reigniting diaspora wars, and reminding people that certain behavior belong back over on Twitter.
20. The Velaryons from “House of the Dragon”
It still feels like we haven’t made nearly enough noise about the fact that the “Game of Thrones” universe finally gave us Black people riding dragons, with silver locs no less. With “House of the Dragon” continuing to give us plenty of royal drama, we fully expect a few members of House Velaryon to make an appearance this Halloween. Go all out with elaborate medieval cosplay or keep it simple with a silver loc wig, a regal outfit, and don’t forget to bring your own dragon.
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