15 Trending Halloween Costume Ideas for 2020

Halloween is a short few weeks away, and with it comes delicious candy, fun decorations, and of course cool costumes

Photo: Unsplash

Photo: Unsplash

Halloween is a short few weeks away, and with it comes delicious candy, fun decorations, and of course cool costumes. Due to coronavirus, many, if not all of us are still deciding on whether or not we want to dress up. You may decide to have a small get together with just the family, or may be doing something virtual with a larger friends and fam group. Either way, it’s always fun to get in on the Halloween spirit, even if it’s only for the kids’ sake.

Each year, there are certain costumes that reign supreme. Interpretations of the year’s biggest movies; pop culture moments; and the people who we admire, laugh with, and even cringe at. 2020, although a disaster, was no different. Costumes are still being made, Halloween-themed stores are popping up, and the year gave us plenty of trending ideas to work for on our own homemade outfits. So, of course we want to know what these trends are; here are 15 Halloween costumes you’ll see everywhere.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an eternal symbol of feminism, badassery, and the essence of si se puede. It’s no surprise then, that she is serving as an inspiration when it comes to 2020 Halloween costume ideas. All you need is a black robe, a lacy/ornate jabot or neck collar, glasses, statement earrings, and a crown while you’re at it.

Dr. Fauci

Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, physician, and immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci is another hero who shined bright this year. He is at the forefront of keeping it real and keeping us protected from COVID. Don some scrubs, or nab a doctor’s costume at the Halloween store (or online), write “Dr. Fauci” on your costume (Etsy even has a fake Dr. Fauci medical badge, name tag, and face mask with his likeness), wear a face mask, and warn others about their risks!

Beetlejuice

We’ve been seeing Beetlejuice costumes since the movie came out back in 1988, but thanks to the film being brought to Broadway, and younger generations discovering the spooky gem, Beetlejuice get-ups are now on trend. So, pull out your black and white vertical stripes, your goth outfits (if you’re dressing up as Lydia Deetz), and dabble in some Halloween-style makeup.

The Masked Singer

The reality television competition The Masked Singer, where celebs sing while the world tries to figure out their hidden identity, is a hit with viewers. It also is a trending Halloween costume this year. The costumes center around the various character masks (a lot of them animals), which you should be able to find at costume shops/online. A good placement of fun boas, some color-matched clothing, and a lot of imagination should help to round out these intricate costumes.

Marvel’s Black Widow

It drops in theaters on November 6, but Marvel’s Black Widow is one of the top options for Halloween costumes this October. The look is all about a sleek black catsuit, tall boots, fingerless gloves, a belt and holster, and fiery red hair. And of course, a superhero attitude.

Zoom Fail

You know people are going to come up with hilarious coronavirus-themed costumes. And one that is already making the rounds for Halloween ideas is the Zoom outfit. This could mean a fancy top and/or suit blazer with sweatpants, or you can take it a step forward with a Zoom fail uniform of an office-worthy top worn with boxer shorts or PJ pants. Don’t forget the fake laptop!

Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton is now available to watch on Disney+, and the excitement has inspired many to get historical with their Halloween costumes. The most popular option, of course, is Alexander Hamilton, but there are plenty of other characters from the musical that you can dress up as, for example one of the Schulyer sisters, George Washington, or Eliza Hamilton.

Cheer Cheerleader

Netflix is a fixture in American pop culture, and the shows it features, like Stranger Things, and Orange is the New Black, have made for super popular Halloween costumes. This year, a Netflix show that has spawned trending Halloween outfits is Cheer, which follows the Navarro college cheer team. Their colors are red and black; clothing in these colors are easy to get a hold of over at party/Halloween stores, or your local thrift shop. Finish with felt/iron-on letters, and you’re set (the team also sells Navarro-emblazoned merchandise for a more authentic look)!

Beyonce in Black is King

There are people who love to dress up as Beyonce, in her many different and iconic looks. The latest Bey outfits that are going to be remade into Halloween costumes are those from Black is King. We’re talking bedazzled sunglasses, super long hair, a leopard-print jumpsuit, statement accessories, and more.

Nurse Ratched

Remember the evil nurse from One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest? Well, there’s an entire series on what made her so bad, called Ratched, on Netflix. Set in the 1940s (which means fabulous vintage-inspired outfits), it is the back story of Nurse Ratched that was never previously shared before. To get her sinister yet stylish look, you can wear richly hued 1940s suits with matching hats, a 1940s red lip, and of course you can opt for the teal nurse’s uniform.

Harley Quinn in Birds of Prey

DC Comics villain Harley Quinn blew up on the big screen, and inspired many a Halloween costume. She was back at the movie theaters this year in Birds of Prey, which means that those who dressed up as her can now revisit the costume with some modern upgrades.

Baby Yoda

Adorable Baby Yoda, officially named The Child, melted hearts everywhere when he appeared on the Star Wars show The Mandalorian. And that cuteness has made its way into this year’s trending Halloween costumes. While there are costumes available at places like Kohl’s, the look is easy to recreate on your own: green face paint, pointy ears, a khaki-colored robe with a shearling collar, and a brown mug for your soup (you can even go the extra step and get some black sclera contact lenses).

Wonder Woman 1984

Wonder Woman is a classic Halloween costume choice. After all, who doesn’t want to be fearless, feminist, and a superhero?! Just like Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman will be back in theaters in Wonder Woman 1984. This will no doubt inspire many to dress up as the alter ego of Diana Prince, especially since there’s a new all-gold, winged jumpsuit in the film that already been made into costumes.

Characters from Schitt’s Creek

Schitt’s Creek is the hilariously zany sitcom that follows the Rose family as they lose everything and are forced to relocate to Schitt’s Creek, a town they bought as a joke. At the 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards, the show made history as “the first comedy or drama series” swept all main acting categories in one year. It was also the year of Schitt’s Creek finale, making it an obvious choice for Halloween costume homages. As with any fabulous television show, each character shines on their own, and would make for good Halloween costumes. But it looks like crazy matriarch Moira Rose is the most popular choice.

Scooby Doo

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Another classic Halloween costume that has seen a revival is that of the Scooby Doo characters. It’s thanks to the 2020 animated film Scoob! that many opted to watch in the comfort of their own homes (thanks to coronavirus). It’s a costume you can purchase online, but one that is also fun to put together on your own with thrifted vintage finds.

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