From Labubu dolls to Sabrina Carpenter: This Halloween's must-have costumes, according to stylists and fashion designers

Pop culture phenomena

It's easy to find costume inspiration in popular culture—just look around at movies, TV shows, music, or internet trends.

For celebrity fashion stylist and creative director Eldzs Mejia, Halloween costumes in recent years shifted from the typical ghosts, witches, monsters, and the like to pop culture references—whether a cartoon or movie character, an actual celebrity or personality, or even taking cues from the internet.

"I think more than just coming up with a costume that’s typically associated with the Halloween season, now it’s more about how witty you can be," Mejia—who styles Andrea Brillantes, G22, and Sofia Pablo—told L!fe.

This also rings true for fashion stylist and entrepreneur Gee Jocson who noticed that people try to dress up as people who inspire them.

"We used to celebrate Halloween with candies. Now we celebrate Halloween maybe [as] a form to express our feelings, creativity, and maybe the people that we peg in life," Jocson said.

To illustrate, Jocson said you could channel American singer and actress Sabrina Carpenter and her sexy feminine ensembles, Princess Diana and her revenge dress, Marina Summers and her outfit during her AmaFilipina performance, or Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in the movie Joker.

Beetlejuice is one of the most iconic and beloved characters of all time. As the sequel to the 1988 film is now in theaters, wearing this costume is a timely and fun way to celebrate the franchise. His wild hair, outrageous attire, and irreverent humor perfectly capture the spirit of Halloween, resonating with audiences of all ages.

To cop this look, stylist Pat Pleno of Studio 24c said, "You just have to make sure about the small details in costumes you want to wear like the color of the suit of Beetlejuice [as well as] the details of the hair and makeup."

"If on a budget, you can just check your own clothes, and the important thing here is the hair and makeup to be identical," he added.

Jocson added: "These looks are iconic and easy to replicate because their iconic looks are something that you can find in your closet and easy to do yourself! Looks that won't break your bank."

Viral characters

Viral characters are popular right now, and they're also a great way to get creative with your Halloween costume!

For example, the characters from Pixar's Inside Out are perfect for a fun and colorful look. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust, Ennui, Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui—you can dress up as any of them and be instantly recognizable!

Another could be hopping on the Labubu trend. Mejia suggested dressing as a Labubu character and finding a partner who can dress as a bag for some extra points. 

"At the end of the day, it’s about making sure you have the most important aspects of that character incorporated in your costume, whether it’s the color, silhouette, or a detail like an accessory," Mejia underscored.

Drag queens

Dressing up as a drag queen for Halloween is also a fabulous way to celebrate creativity, glamour, and self-expression.

"It's the perfect time to go drag and be out!" Paranaque-based fashion designer Mikee Andrei exclaimed.

She added, "With the impact of drag shows and their success stories, we will be seeing a variety of wigs and flamboyant hairstyles. The play with makeup in most of the Halloween look ideas is essential. Every year, it goes better and wilder!"

You can rock a drag queen look featuring glamorous gowns, big wigs, and bold makeup. For accessories, you can wear high heels and statement jewelry while carrying a sassy fan or a microphone for added flair.

Athletes

Dare to be an Olympic gold medalist for one day?

According to Mejia, if you want to sport a Halloween costume ala Carlos Yulo, an obvious start would be to dress in a tank top and shorts or a tracksuit with details of the Philippine flag. To take it further, you can wear two gold medals. To add some flair, come with a partner who can dress up as Yulo’s girlfriend, Chloe San Jose, complete with blonde hair. 

Pop stars

In recent years, pop stars have emerged as top choices for Halloween costumes, reflecting their influence in the music industry and popular culture.

Artists like Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, and Harry Styles have distinctive styles that lend themselves well to costume creation. Eilish’s signature oversized clothing and bright green hair, Doja Cat’s bold looks and innovative fashion, and Styles’ blend of classic rock and modern flamboyance provide ample inspiration for fans.

Moreover, the resurgence of nostalgia has brought classic icons back into the spotlight. Costumes inspired by Madonna and Michael Jackson allow fans to celebrate the legacies of these artists while bringing their unique styles to your Halloween celebrations.

Dressing as a pop star also opens the door to a myriad of creative possibilities. The process often involves not just replicating an outfit but also embracing the entire persona, as fans can experiment with makeup, hair, and accessories to capture the essence of their chosen artist.

For instance, an Ariana Grande-inspired costume could feature her iconic high ponytail, winged eyeliner, and a cute, youthful outfit. Meanwhile, a Taylor Swift-inspired look could be anything from her Eras—girly and playful for Fearless, edgy and bold for Red, dark and rebellious for Reputation, cozy for Folklore, and more.

To pull these off, Myrrh Lao To, creative consultant and stylist to Julia Montes, Barbie Forteza, and KZ Tandingan, told L!fe, "The best way is to get a costume designer (lots of them are also content creators from TikTok and IG), or you can DIY by watching and taking note of a lot of different social media contents out there."

"Every detail counts! So make sure you’re using the right materials to mimic the details—every accessory down to the last chain matters," he added.

Other tips on pulling off trendy Halloween costumes

Ultimately, a costume is an exciting way to celebrate the holiday while showcasing your creativity and style. The best tip would be to let your imagination run wild and enjoy the experience of transforming into a character.

Jocson said there are three important things to keep in mind in achieving an iconic Halloween look: experiment with hair or wigs, explore different types of silhouettes, and most importantly, have fun.

"Halloween is for everyone! Don't be afraid to explore looks that aren't really you and take some photos! You're only young once," she said.

Meanwhile, Mejia emphasized that although you are trying to achieve a trendy look, you don’t need to spend a lot on something that you’ll only wear once.

"Do-it-yourself is still key! If you have the resources to go all-out with your costume, why not? But there’s a certain joy and satisfaction in knowing you came up with a concept and you executed it yourself," he noted. 

Andrei also agreed and emphasized the importance of logistics and convenience in achieving a certain look.

"Choose the right makeup. Make sure you can keep the look until the party ends. You don't want to arrive as a Grecian goddess of beauty and come home as a drunk, heartbroken villain."

Lao To, on the other hand, reiterated, "Your costume should really evoke your personality, so it’s a 100% commitment on the look."