Pop culture costumes

Find an alter ego with one of these six costumes from music and movies

A disgruntled bridesmaid is a simple but hilarious costume choice.
Image by: Corey Lablans
A disgruntled bridesmaid is a simple but hilarious costume choice.

It’s easy enough to throw together a conventional costume for Halloween and spend the night as a devil, zombie or witch. But those costumes lack the wit and that makes Halloween memorable. Here are creative costume suggestions for those of you who find yourselves stumped.

Friday

Though you can’t dress as a day of the week, Friday-inspired costumes are easy this year. To imitate Youtube star Rebecca Black, carry around a notebook with each day of the week written on it. For added detail, list the mundane activities of your week. Black’s long, straight hair can be mimicked with a standard wig.

Katy Perry’s alter ego Kathy Beth Terry is another option. Watch the video for “Last Friday Night” for inspiration. Crimped, 80s-style hair, a jean jumper and outrageous glasses are required. Orthodontic headgear, made of tin foil glued to a coat hanger, will top off your costume.

Black Swan

Captivate your peers as Natalie Portman’s Black Swan character Nina. For the base of this elegant but risqué costume you’ll need a black dance leotard, a black ballet skirt, white footed-tights and black ballet flats. Glue on feathers and a few jewels to the front of the leotard, and adorn your hair with a tiara. For makeup, use a white foundation. To replicate Nina’s haunting eyes, use black eyeliner to create a mask effect around the eyes. Add feather detailing with purple and green shimmer eye shadows.

LMFAO LMFAO was everywhere this year. To achieve their trademark look, wear a black or grey tank top and don a pair of animal print pants. For those too hot for clothes, whip off your snazzy pants to reveal a matching Speedo. If you have enough hair, tease it and style it like DJ Redfoo or invest in a wig. For a group costume, get inspired by the “Party Rock Anthem” video. Wear black Keds, add some bling and have one of the dance crew members wear a cardboard robot head.

The Lonely Island and Nicki Minaj

To complete the Lonely Island’s signature creep look, slick your hair to the side with gel, put on a pair of glasses, wear a grey suit with matching dress pants, a green tie and argyle socks. Then grow or draw John Waters’ pencil-thin moustache. For Nicki Minaj’s outfit, you can pick from a variety of her alter egos. Use a Lady wig, a pair of red glasses, candy-pink lipstick and a pink bow and you’re ready to “Get your knees flexin’ and your arms T-Rexin’ and do the creep.” Harry Potter

This year marked the end of the Harry Potter film franchise. But Potter nostalgia continues and stores are sure to be abundant with Harry Potter costumes. Get a group of friends together to wear the iconic black robes from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Sytherin. With broomsticks, you can create a quidditch team for the night. To channel specific characters, remember that round glasses and a lightning bolt scar is key. Expose your inner nerd by frizzing your hair for Hermione. All it takes to be a Weasley is red hair and a deer-in-the-headlights expression.

Bridesmaids

Become the hilarious Kristen Wigg, Melissa McCarthy and the rest of the cast from Bridesmaids. Wear an over-the-top dress — easily found at a thrift store — for an authentic group costume. Have one friend dress as the bride.

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Halloween

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