It’s finally getting cooler, and that crisp fall smell is starting to fill the air, overpowering the aroma of fertilizer that reminds you you’re in Lancaster. Right about now, we’re just beginning to think about Halloween costumes, except for the crazies who have had their costumes picked out since June. Actually, I’m guessing that this year, many people started planning their costumes in July, specifically on July 21. Each year, there are always a few costumes that seem to be EVERYWHERE! Looking at everything going on in 2023, I’ve thought of some of the costumes that I think will be most common on the F&M campus and all over the country. If I had to place a bet on the costume I would see the most, it would have to be something from the Barbie movie. Do you agree? Or do you think another one of these costumes will rule Halloween?
#1: Barbie
With box office sales over $1 billion, Barbie was by far the most popular movie of the summer. I saw this movie in theaters three times in the span of a week, so I’m probably responsible for like half of that money. I LOVED this movie, and the costumes were excellent. That’s why I know that come Halloween night, we’ll all feel like we’re living in Barbieland. There are many outfits to choose from, and a lot can be done with this costume choice. Go with Barbie’s cute pink and white dress or hot pink cowgirl outfit. So many couples will be dressing as Barbie and Ken (though hopefully not as Mojo Dojo Casa House Ken). Girls, if your boyfriend wants to go as this version of Ken, you might want to reconsider your relationship. I’m sure this costume will be so popular because it doesn’t have to be limited to individuals and couples; it can also work as a group costume. Groups of friends can dress up as different Barbies and Kens, and maybe even Allan too. At Halloween parties, we’ll all be greeting the Barbies just as they greet each other in Barbieland: “Hi, Barbie! Hi, Barbie! Hi, Barbie!”
I also can’t forget the other variation of a Barbie costume that I expect to see a lot of this year. With Oppenheimer releasing on the same day as Barbie, “Barbenheimer” became the hit trend of the summer. It seems like everyone who saw one of these movies also saw the other on the same day (but if you watched Barbie before Oppenheimer, I don’t know how you made it through the whole thing.) There will be lots of individual Barbenheimers, blending the serious attire of Oppenheimer with the cheery pink tones of Barbie, and Barbenheimer couples, too.
#2: Taylor Swift
It seems like all I ever hear about now is Taylor Swift. “Did you go to the Eras tour? Did you hear about the unreleased 1989 songs? Did you hear she’s dating Travis Kelce?” I think I can say I was an OG Swiftie; I saw her in concert in 2010. (I did fall asleep, but to be fair I was six years old and it was way past my bedtime). But now, Taylor Swift has become some sort of godlike figure, and I know the Swifties will be looking to show themselves on Halloween. At her concerts this summer, Swifties dressed up in outfits inspired by Taylor’s ten unique eras, and these outfits will definitely be making a return this October. This will be a popular group costume, with each friend as a different era. And who knows, maybe we’ll even see a couple’s costume featuring Travis Kelce. At this point I think we will. The Swifties are already starting to learn more about football.
#3: Spiderverse
Into the Spiderverse was an excellent movie, but the sequel, Across the Spiderverse, which came out this summer, might have been even better. It is definitely the favorite movie among my group of friends; we plan on watching it together many times this school year. I expect Miles and Gwen to be popular costumes. The sequel featured these returning favorites, but it also introduced new characters, including Miguel, Jess, Hobie, Pavitr, and the Spot, making Spiderverse characters a great choice for group costumes. The streets will be as filled with spider people as the Spider Society headquarters this spooky season.
#4: Wednesday
It seems like it’s been forever since the first season of Wednesday came out, and it’ll be forever before the next one comes out. But, believe it or not, Season 1 of the hit Netflix series did come out after Halloween last year. So, we haven’t seen too many Wednesdays walking around on Halloween night. You don’t need much more than a black dress and some braids to pull off the Wednesday look. For an added challenge, we might even see some learning the iconic Wednesday dance or trying to go an extended period of time without blinking or smiling.
#5: Mario
Mario is always a pretty popular costume, but with “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” joining the $1 billion club along with Barbie in 2023, I’m sure we’ll see even more plumbers around this Halloween. This costume will be very popular among friend groups, with Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser all being popular options after the success of the movie. I almost did this costume with my friend group in middle school, but then it broke up. Oh well.
Next are some costumes that, while I don’t think will be flooding the streets this Halloween, will still definitely show up somewhere.
#1: Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo is probably the most popular musical artist right now (except for Taylor Swift, of course), especially among teenage girls. Along with all the usual vampires, we’ll definitely see some vampire victims this year. Sorry to all the fans, but I have to say I’m getting kinda sick of that song. I’m just tired of hearing it every day while I’m getting lunch.
#2: Puss In Boots
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish looks like a pretty cool movie. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m hoping to see some cool cats this Halloween. I’m also hoping to see at least one person dressed as Death, who looks like a pretty awesome character. If you need costume ideas, take this one. It’s timely and won’t be all over the place.
#3: Grimace
Grimace has been around for 52 years, but we didn’t think much of him other than “what on Earth is this big purple thing?” 2023 is the first year he’s even celebrated a birthday. We must see someone dressed as this McDonald’s mascot, or maybe as a victim of his birthday shake.
#4: Five Nights at Freddy’s
With the movie coming out just before Halloween, I think we’ll see some of these absolutely terrifying animatronics lurking around for the five nights between October 27th and 31st. It’s a good group costume, especially for friend groups planning on seeing the movie together this Halloweekend. It’s scary, but isn’t that what Halloween is for?
#5: Donald Trump Mugshot:
Whether ironic or not, it’s gonna happen. They’re already selling shirts, and it’s not too hard to get a weird yellow wig and paint your whole face orange. I don’t have anything else to say about this one.
#6: Elon Musk
If you see anyone with this costume, run.
As October begins, it’s time to place your bets on which Halloween costume will overtake the classic witches and superheroes this year. I’ll bet a million dollars Barbie is the winner. Where will you put your money?
Sophomore Carrie Teti is a staff writer. Her email is cteti@fandm.edu.