This story was originally published on October 8, 2015.
You can expect to see a certain set of characters at every Halloween party. Cher Horowitz is in the corner, chatting up a Pink Lady, and there goes Marilyn Monroe, shimmying her way onto the dance floor. And of course, at least two Audrey Hepburns in LBDs and pearls, bumping into things because they've refused to take off their sunglasses.
There's a reason these costumes keep coming up year after year: They're always recognizable — a nod to the classics and an appropriate level of throwback — and are incredibly easy to put together. However, there's always a chance you'll run into, well, yourself at whatever fete you end up at. This can all be easily prevented, though: We took eight of our go-to Halloween get-ups, and found similar — but off-beat — alternatives that are just as easy to DIY. See our picks, ahead.
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If you wanted to be Morticia Addams from The Addams Family , try... Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice.
You live and breathe the all-black aesthetic, and Halloween is your Big Day. However, just because you live a monochromatic life doesn't mean you want to blend in with the rest of the extended Addams family at the party. So embrace your inner goth girl with Lydia Deetz of Bettlejuice fame: You still get to wear a black maxi dress, but with a witchier feel.
Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Lydia Deetz: The Witchy Floppy Hat
ASOS Oversized Straw Hat With Crochet Insert, $17.50, available at ASOS.
Lydia Deetz: The Flowy, Oversized Maxi Dress
H&M Long Lace Dress, $99, available at H&M.
Lydia Deetz: The Grungy Combat Shoes
Topshop Jojo Multi Buckle Shoe, $85, available at Topshop.
If you wanted to be Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch , try... Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
You already have a blonde bob wig from last year's Monroe-in-a-white-dress costume. Recycle the accessory, but not the get-up, by incarnating one of Marilyn's other iconic roles — that of Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Pile on the diamonds rhinestones, dig out a hot-pink gown from your school-dance days, and sashay away. It's as recognizable and glamorous as the infamous frock from The Seven Year Itch, but not as obvious of a choice for Halloween.
Lorelei Lee: The Pink Gown
Halston Heritage Strapless Popover Gown, $196, available at Bloomingdales.
Lorelei Lee: The Long Gloves
Forum, $11.92, available at Amazon
Lorelei Lee: The Sparkly Choker
Bauble Bar Vortex Crystal Choker, $68, available at Bauble Bar.
If you wanted to be a camper from Moonrise Kingdom , try... a camper from Wet Hot American Summer.
Camp Firewood or bust! Wes Anderson's take on sleep-away camp, the aesthetically-pleasing Camp Ivanhoe (and its kitschy occupants), makes for a good photo op — and an easy group costume. However, go for an authentic throwback by repping the misfits and underdogs of Wet Hot American Summer. Each camper may have their own distinct look, but all you need to do is channel "Adults in 2001 Looking Back To Teens In 1981," and you've nailed it.
Photo: Courtesy of USA Films.
Camp Firewood Camper: The Uniform T-Shirt
Camp Collection, $48.00, available at Camp Collection
Camp Firewood Camper: The 80's Formfitting Shorts
J.Crew Factory, $29.50, available at J.Crew Factory
Camp Firewood Camper: The High Socks
Topman White Tube Socks, $6, available at Topman.
If you wanted to be Daria Morgendorffer from Daria , try... Judy Funnie from Doug.
When it comes to angsty, alternative cartoon teenagers, Daria is the ringleader. However, there have been many off-beat high schoolers that paved the way for our favorite misanthrope — namely, Doug Funnie's beatnik older sister, Judy. Channel your inner art kid with sleek sunglasses (which you wear indoors, because you're cool like that and don't care what others think), beret, and turtleneck, with hints of purple, Judy's signature color.
Courtesy of Disney.
Judy Funnie: The Alternative Aviators
Le Specs Pharaoh, $119, available at Le Specs.
Judy Funnie: The Purple Blazer
T opshop Soft Tailored Blazer, $100, available at Topshop.
Judy Funnie: The Turtleneck Tee
J.Crew, $34.50, available at J.Crew
Judy Funnie: The Purple Beret
Dorfman Pacific, $13.15, available at Amazon
If you wanted to be the Pink Ladies from Grease , try The Lizzies from The Warriors.
Before squads, there were girl gangs. And traditionally, one would rally the troops in pink embroidered bomber jackets and high ponytails. But this year, give a nod to one of the original, literal girl gangs: the Lizzies, of The Warriors fame — a (fictional group) of badass ladies who banded together in late-'70s New York and called Union Square their home turf. This being the era that it was, your wardrobe includes tie-die and high-waisted, loose-fitting denim — so, basically, you already have the costume in your closet.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
The Lizzies: The Tie-Dye T-Shirt
Baja East Minions Tie Dye Tee, $245, available at Baja East.
The Lizzies: The High-Waisted Retro Denim
& Other Stories Cropped Boyfriend Jeans, $75, available at & Other Stories.
The Lizzies: The Black Hoodie
Joe Fresh Fleece Active Hoodie,$29, available at Joe Fresh.
If you wanted to be Cher Horowitz from Clueless , try Romy White from Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.
You, like, totally invented Post-Its. And you've graduated from the checked skirt suit onto flashier metallics — it's the '90s after dark, after all, so you have to dress the part. Take a page out of Romy's playbook and go for a bright blue minidress paired with silvery platform sandals. A sleek choker — metallic, not plastic — rounds out the party-ready sleekness of the look.
Photo: Everette Collection.
Romy White: The Metallic Minidress
Motel Rocks, $68.00, available at Motel Rocks
Romy White: The Platform Sandals
ASOS Hi There Mega Platforms, $77.39, available at ASOS.
Romy White: The Choker Necklace
Rue Gembon Minka Silver Choker, $48, available at Rue Gembon
If you wanted to be Nina Sayers from Black Swan , try... Vicky Page from The Red Shoes.
Black Swan isn't the only ballet movie with a distinct uniform. For the highbrow Halloweener (or serious film buff eager to show off their IMDb knowledge), copy Vicky Page's look from the 1948 movie The Red Shoes. The title is also the main item of your costume: a pair of red ballet flats to stand out against an all-white ensemble.
Photo: Photofest.
Vicky Page: The White Leotard
Boohoo Laura Seam Detail Panel Body, $16, available at Boohoo.
Vicky Page: The Dancing Midi-Skirt
Yoins Pleated Midi Skirt With Asymmetrical Hem, $21.95, available at Yoins.
Vicky Page: The Red Flats
American Eagle Outfitters Lace-Up Ballet Flats, $29.95, available at American Eagle Outfitters.
If you wanted to be Wilma Flinstone from The Flinstones , try... Judy Jetson from The Jetsons.
You can't go wrong with either The Flinstones or The Jetsons. However, we're putting down our one-shouldered white dress this year in favor of Judy Jetson pink. The teen was always ahead of her time, so we'll wear our leggings under our mini skirts — and color our hair white for the night — in her honor.
Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bro. Television.
Judy Jetson: The Collared Shirt
Romeo Gigli Vintage Sleeveless Crop Top, $118.03, available at Farfetch.
Judy Jetson: The Miniskirt
Opening Ceremony Lotus Drop Ruffled Neoprene Mini Skirt, $123.75, available at The Outnet.
Judy Jetson: The Leggings
Adidas By Stella McCartney Running Adizero Leggings, $83, available at Stylebop.
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