Different people have different ways of measuring when fall is about to hit. For some, it's when the leaves start to change. For others, it's when Zara moves its sweaters to the front of the store. For others, it's the first day that pumpkin spice comes back into the rotation. But for a very special breed of human, it's when you see your very first Halloween costume idea roundup of the year. And for you, it's that ti- iiime.
While you could go the easy route and buy a costume, we're partial to homemade ones. And not to toot our own horn, but we're pretty good at piecing together weird costumes here at Refinery29. Our staffers start planning early (like, now- early), help each other out with the hard DIY parts, and offer guidance on whether a costume is going to get you more awkwardly silent reactions than laughs. We collected some of the most impressive costumes from the Refinery29 family to get you thinking about how you can really knock it out of the park this October. Feel free to steal these ideas directly, or just let these inspire your own eureka moment.
Left: Hands All Over Me
Our executive creative director Piera Gelardi bought silk gloves on eBay, stuffed them, and pinned them to a jumpsuit for a conceptual costume.
Right: The Son of Man
Our founder Philippe von Borries is a fan of both René Magritte and fresh produce.
Photo: Courtesy of Piera Gelardi.
Fruit Punch
We know a knockout when we see one.
Photo: Courtesy of Zooey Purdy.
Twitter Beef
When ISN'T there a social media feud afoot? This costume will always be topical.
Photo: Courtesy of Elyssa Starkman.
Beavis
With a little face paint and some spray-on hair color, Laurel Pantin transformed herself into our favorite '90s TV hero.
Photo: Courtesy of Laurel Pantin.
Leslie Knope, Pawnee Goddess
Parks & Recreation may be over, but the Pawnee Goddesses live on.
Photo: Courtesy of Marin Moore.
Bill Cunningham
Says photographer Angela Pham about her costume, "I thought I was above the whole hackneyed 'sexy' take on Halloween, so I chose to dress as my professional idol, Bill Cunningham. The extreme discomfort of donning a bald cap and lugging a camera prop all evening made me wish I opted for 'sexy kitty' instead."
Photo: Courtesy of Angela Pham.
Ice Bucket Challenge
A still life version of the 2014 challenge that went viral.
Photo: Courtesy of Elyssa Starkman
Carmen Miranda
Bonus: You've got a snack handy at the end of the night!
Photo: Courtesy of Aurea Sanabria
Lead singer of Marie & The Guillotines
Our executive creative director Piera Gelardi tailored her costume around the party theme "Purple Reign: Prince & The Revolution meets Marie Antoinette."
Photo: Courtesy of Piera Gelardi.
Fashion Bat
Well, what else were you going to do with that sheer maxi dress you only wore once?
Photo: Jacque Meehoff / BFAnyc.com.
Rose from Golden Girls
This is an excuse for digging through the $5 rack at your favorite thrift store.
Photo: Courtesy of Sophie Auster.
Black (and White) Swans
On pointe.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashley Trenkle.
Salt-N-Pepa
And Spinderella! And, a werewolf...
Photo: Billy Farrell/BFAnyc.com.
Marilyn Manson
When Natasha Poly commits, she commits.
Photo: Matteo Prandoni/BFAnyc.com.
Britney Spears Through The Ages
Grab a bestie, and practice those syncopated arm dance moves.
Photo: Courtesy of Elana Fishman.
Bon Bon Candy
Our fashion features director made her costume out of pillows, a tube top, and gold foil.
Photo: Courtesy of Connie Wang.
Mike Tyson & His Pet Tiger
Please do not attempt to replicate with a real animal.
Photo: Courtesy of Whitney Husnik.
Bloody Tampons
For some light (or heavy) fun.
Photo: Courtesy of Alida Brandenburg
Bambi
A solid option for those who've mastered contouring.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebekkah Easley
Garden Gnomes
This is much creepier than we expected.
Photo: Courtesy of Parker Chambers.
Wet Hot American Summer
Two of our favorite characters: Gene and Can of Vegetables.
Photo: Courtesy of Jennifer Whitney.
Corpse Bride
Tim Burton characters are always encouraged during Halloween.
Photo: Courtesy of Claudia Sosa.
Bugs Bunny & Marvin The Martian
Yep, that plume on top of that helmet is made with a dish scrubber.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashley Buxton.
Scream Queens
Silky robes, resting bitch faces, and a secret agenda.
Photo: Courtesy of Meredith Vass.
Sharknado
To quote the movie poster, "Enough said!"
Photo: Courtesy of Elyssa Starkman
Whip & Neigh, Neigh
Good luck if you get separated from your pals, but this is a group costume that comes with its own dance move.
Photo: Courtesy of Emily Curl.
Grady Twins
This is a great way for you and a fellow bridesmaid to get an extra wear out of a dress.
Photo: Courtesy of Sara Coughlin.
Poison Ivy
With a hot-glue gun and a yard of store-bought plastic ivy, you, too, can create a custom poison vest.
Photo: Courtesy of Sam Nodelman
Boo & Sully
A cute couple's costume, if you don't mind the fur.
Photo: Courtesy of Marin Moore.
Slash & Axl
Grab a bottle of Jack Daniels to complete this look, team.
Photo: Courtesy of Meredith Vass.
Ursula
Instead of a Disney princess this year, be a Disney witch.
Photo: Courtesy of Aurea Sanabria.
Ziggy Stardust
A great option for those who already have an enviable vintage collection.
Photo: Courtesy of Piera Gelardi.
Miss Argentina & Beetlejuice
That's a deep cut right there.
Photo: Courtesy of Claudia Sosa.
Rainbow
Prepare to debate the merits of indigo all evening.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashley Buxton.
Weed
Illegal in 46 states.
Photo: Courtesy of Serena Kerrigan.
Effie Trinket & Seneca Crane
May the odds be ever in your favor.
Photo: Courtesy of Meredith Vass.
Selena
A true goddess.
Photo: Courtesy of Aurea Sanabria.
Miley Cyrus
Sure, this might not be #relevant this year, but we can think of a few looks from 2016 Miley that'd warrant a similarly over-the-top take.
Photo: Courtesy of Jeremy Jankowski.
Ron Burgundy, Bad Luck, Bull Fighter Gwyneth Paltrow
Yes, that is a little ladder on top of her head, and a $2 bill and broken mirror hanging around her neck.
Photo: Courtesy of Aaron Halevy
A Lichtenstein
You're a piece of work, you know that?
Photo: Courtesy of Aaron Halevy.
Sonic The Hedgehog & Tails
The white gloves really make this costume.
Photo: Courtesy of Marin Moore.
Skankis Khan, Baberaham Lincoln, Edgar Allan Hoe
Because puns.
Photo: Courtesy of Connie Wang.
Of course, the platform looks a little different these days, but with a cut-out sandwich board and the expectation of lots of photobombing, you'll be all set.
Photo: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFAnyc.com.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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