Easy costume ideas for a very 2020 Halloween

By Sophie Hutchison, Third Year, History of Art

The Croft Magazine // This October 31st may not quite live up to previous years - with no parties or club nights on the cards, Covid friendly Halloween almost seems like it's not worth dressing up for. But whether you're going to the pub or staying at home, here are some easy and inexpensive outfit ideas to get you in the spirit.

The minimal effort one

Since there'll be no parties this year, it might be sensible to work with what you've got already instead of splashing out on a whole new outfit - animal ears never fail. If you're after an easy costume that's bound to get a few laughs, wear an Adidas hoodie or any brown top, trousers, dad trainers and draw on some stubble. Who are you? The Robert Pattinson meme, obviously.

Grab your own pair of bunny ears from this selection at ASOS.

The movie character

Put down the fake blood and the black bob wig; society has progressed past the need for Mia Wallace Halloween costumes. Some marginally more original costumes that will still let everyone know you're a cultured, film-going gal include Juliet from Baz Luhrmann's 1996 Romeo + Juliet - all you need is a white midi or maxi dress and some white wings to mimic Jules from Euphoria's nod to Clare Danes' costume.

Or take after Zoe Kravitz and slip on a black mini dress, black fur coat and sunglasses for that Maria Singer look (from Fight Club). Don't forget the cigarette!

The sexy one

In the eternal words of Mean Girls' Cady Heron, "Halloween is the one time of year when a girl can dress like a total slut and nobody can say anything about it". Personally, I believe that quote unquote, 'slutty' dressing should be encouraged all year round, but there's no denying everybody loves a sexy Halloween costume. You really can't go wrong with a Playboy bunny outfit - pair some ears with a black corset or any skimpy top, tights or stockings, and of course, a tail.

The couples' costume

Halloween is all about horror, and perhaps the most horrifying thought of all is trying to find a partner at uni. So, if you're coupled up, congrats! Rub it in everyone's faces by going in matching costumes. If you're Wes Anderson fans, go as Agatha and Zero from The Grand Budapest Hotel - one of you will need a purple shirt and a DIY purple 'lobby boy' cap, whilst the other just needs some variation of a peter pan collared top and skirt, plus Agatha's signature birthmark on her cheek. Check out these Bristol student duo costumes for more inspiration:

This The Nightmare Before Christmas inspired duo as Jack Skellington and Sally is a particularly creative example with the addition of the DIY spider choker!

You don't even have to be scary, and you could instead opt for that hint of nostalgia that everyone will love with these Arthur and D.W. costumes.

Or go as Scooby-Doo's Daphne and Velma. You could go for the classic, cartoon style, or favour Velma's sexier orange catsuit as worn by Linda Cardellini in Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.

The 'uh there's a pandemic happening, I'm staying at home' one

If your plans for Halloween consist of staying at home and eating your way through one of those huge tubs Halloween sweets from Clifton Down Sainsbury's, that's still no excuse for not wearing something vaguely festive. A striped pyjama set doubles as a convincing Beetlejuice costume, if anyone asks...

Spooky slays - how to look fierce and fearful with these Halloween makeup looks

What will you be dressing up as?

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