Halloween has always been one of my favorite nights of the year. When you pick out a costume, you get to show a glimpse of who you are and the things you enjoy. What better way to show your dedication to your favorite story than by dressing up as one of its characters? In this article, I’ve compiled a list of ten literary Halloween costumes for all the book lovers.
- The Hunger Games
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@issymontenegro2 via TikTok With the new Sunrise on the Reaping movie coming out in November, The Hunger Games is certainly having a resurgence. Fiercely independent and willing to stand her ground, I always viewed Katniss as the type of heroine I wanted to emulate. This costume is easy to recreate, as all you need is tight-fitting black clothing, boots, and the gold mockingjay pin.
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians
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@heartz4olive via TikTok Who doesn’t love the Percy Jackson books? If you’ve got a special someone, Percy and Annabeth are a great couples costume. If you already own an orange shirt, making it into an iconic Camp Half-Blood T-shirt is an easy DIY.
- Bridgerton
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@jasminneafh via TikTok The fashion in Bridgerton is one of the best parts about the Netflix series, in my opinion. Based on several novels, there are so many iconic looks to choose from that have and haven’t yet made it to screen. This elegant costume is sure to stand out.
- Off Campus
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@chaimaacherbal via TikTOk I have a feeling we’ll be seeing lots of Off Campus-inspired looks this Halloween season. Though it’s from the show and not the books, one of my favorite ideas is Allie and Dean’s iconic Halloween costumes. Allie is Jennifer Lopez in the green dress that launched Google Images, while Dean goes as Maverick from Top Gun, making this a fun mismatched couples costume.
- Fancy Nancy
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@notsophiesilva via TikTok Growing up, Fancy Nancy was one of my favorite literary characters. This costume is perfect for those who love being extra. It’s also easy to throw together with things you already have in your closet. The key to this costume is lots and lots of accessories.
- Coraline
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@itadoris_type I dressed up as Coraline last Halloween, and although the costume was thrown together last minute, it was instantly recognizable to everyone. The most crucial elements for recreating Coraline’s look are a yellow rain jacket and a blue wig.
- Once Upon a Broken Heart
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@lil.eden.cos via TikTok When I first read this book series, I fell in love with Evangeline’s pink hair and flowy dresses. This is more of a niche costume, but it is great if you don’t want to go as someone popular that everyone else is already dressing as.
- The Cruel Prince
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@rizu.cosplay via TikTok The world of Elfhame from Holly Black’s novels is so magical. The main character, Jude, has a signature horned hairstyle which, combined with her elegant dresses, could be a really fun look to recreate.
- Alice in Wonderland
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@scarlettspammmmmmm Alice is the perfect storybook character for Halloween. This look could also work great as a group costume with everyone dressed as a different character from Wonderland. Someone could go as Alice, someone else as the White Rabbit, and another as the Cheshire Cat.
- Dune
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@strawhatjulia For any sci-fi fans, Dune is the perfect costume. All you need to recreate this desert-inspired look is tight-fitting clothing, a scarf, and some simple accessories.
There you have it: 10 literary Halloween costumes inspired by book characters. Oftentimes, we overthink our costumes, but if we look back at the stories we’ve loved, we can find inspiration in the way our favorite characters dress. Choosing one of your favorite characters not only makes your costume unique; it also lets you reflect who you are.