With all the options out there for Halloween, it’s hard to narrow down the choices. Do you go classy or trashy? Scary or fun? No matter what you choose, there’s bound to be some inspiration you can draw from your favorite television shows. This year of television brought some great female characters to the small screen. Read through our suggestions for some awesome costume ideas, or dress as your own favorite TV character even if they didn’t make our list!
Girls
Are you the classy Marnie, or the zany Jessa? Get a bunch of your friends together and dress like the cast of HBO’s Girls this October. Each of the main characters has a very particular sense of style, so figure out which of the Girls you click with the most. Go pretty and girly if you want to channel Shoshanna. Think light makeup and girly skirts. If you love looking polished and chic, dress as Marnie. Wear a classic updo and a stylish cocktail dress. If you feel more like Hannah, you should wear lots of layers (leggings, cardigans, etc.) with loud prints like oversized flowers and stripes, and accessorize with a chunky scarf. Jessa has more options than any other cast member, as she wears anything, from maxi dresses to high-waisted pants. She wears dark lipstick, funky accessories (think bangle bracelets and fedoras), and her hair is usually long and flowing. To shop for Jessa, go to a thrift store and find the most ridiculous outfit you can find!
And yes, this is a perfect excuse for re-watching the whole season! These costumes will stand out this year, as anyone who has seen the show will immediately recognize some of the more ridiculous outfits worn by the cast. Don’t know what I’m talking about? See Jessa’s feathery party outfit below.
Game of Thrones
These costumes are for someone who absolutely loves dressing up. HBO’s Game of Thrones is full of complicated characters and elaborate wardrobes, but it’s nothing you can’t recreate! Hunt through the racks at thrift shops if you want to dress like one of the show’s royalty, looking for long gowns and fancy costume jewelry. If you want to dress like a princess or queen, don’t forget to do your hair! Most of the women in the show wear their hair down, adorned with clips, flowers, or jewels, but make sure to pin any bangs out of your face. If you’re feeling the urge to show your wild side instead, try dressing as Daenerys Targaryen, pictured below. Because, come on, who doesn’t want to be a totally fierce warrior queen?
Downton Abbey
Are you a fan of period dramas? If you love long gowns and romantic language, consider dressing as one of the characters from Downton Abbey. Lady Mary’s wardrobe is absolutely spectacular, and you can’t go wrong with an elegant gown reminiscent of the 1910’s. Long gloves, classic jewelry (think pearls and understated jewels), and a neat, simple updo will complete the outfit. Or maybe your favorite character is the sweet Anna Bates, head housemaid. Either way, your costume will stand out as classic and refined if you draw your inspiration from Downton Abbey.
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Mad Men
If Downton Abbey is a little too dated for your tastes, try dressing as a character from AMC’s Mad Men. Look for 1960’s-style dresses in classic silhouettes. Look for pleated dresses with flowers to channel the innocent Peggy, or more streamlined styles to get Joan’s look. These outfits are easy to find because the sixties are back in style, or you can go authentic and find really cute structured dresses and slightly dated accessories at a thrift store.
True Blood
Vampire costumes are a true Halloween classic. If you feel like dressing up as something scary, try any of the characters from HBO’s True Blood. The ensemble cast gives you tons of distinctive characters to choose from. Try dressing as one of the young vamps, like Tara or Jessica. Both of them wear a lot of tight, short dresses – think anything you’d wear to go clubbing in. This season also gave us faeries sporting burlesque wear in a variety of pastels if that’s more your style. Or, go classic, with Sookie’s waitress outfit. A white t-shirt, waitress apron and side ponytail is the easiest way to get her look. Don’t forget to add a few dabs of fake blood to your neck for the vampire bites, though!
Parks and Rec
If you’re a comedy girl, then you already know and love Amy Poehler’s wacky character from NBC’s Parks and Recreation. Dress as Leslie Knope this Halloween, and have your friends go as the rest of her campaign team. Wear a blue pantsuit, a quaffed hairstyle, and a big smile! Print out “Vote Knope” election posters to complete the outfit.
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Modern Family
If you’ve got a huge group together, try dressing as the cast of ABC’s Modern Family this Halloween. Although their outfits tend to be normal on a per-episode basis, check out the Halloween episode to see your favorite character’s favorite costume. Try bride of Frankenstein, Spiderman, mad scientist, or even a revealing nun costume if you want to dress like your favorite characters.
Honey Boo Boo
If you haven’t seen the new TLC show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, then you’re missing out. The show stars the self-nicknamed Honey Boo Boo Child (aka Alana Thompson) and her entire family doing all the things a typical American family does, like belly flops into mud baths and child beauty pageants. Only a few episodes have aired, so watch them if you haven’t, and get a group of friends to dress like Honey Boo Boo, Chickadee, Chubbs, Pumpkin, Mama and even Sugar Bear. You can either dress like a typical southern girl, or go full on beauty pageant status!
Smash
If you’re a huge musical theatre fan, then dressing as a character from NBC’s Smash is right up your alley. Here’s an excuse for you and your best friend to both dress as Marilyn Monroe and dance around singing all night. If you’re feeling bold, try choreographing a few numbers from the show together!
What other shows are you into? Share your feedback and your own costume ideas in the comments, and make sure to have a ton of fun dressing up as your favorite TV character this Halloween!
Calling All Collegiettes: Send us your best Halloween costume photos at PR@hercampus.com or tweet them to us at @HerCampus with #HCHalloween to be included in our Halloween slideshow!
Photo Sources:
http://i.lv3.hbo.com/assets/images/series/girls/episodes/1/7/episode-07-…
http://images.wikia.com/gameofthrones/images/e/e3/Daenerys_Targaryen.jpg
http://www.happyasannie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/downton_mirror.co…
http://www.semiurban.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Mad-Men-Women.jpg
http://blog.musicskins.com/wp-content/uploads/sookie-stackhouse.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6rgcib3rz1r4iuzao1_500.jpg
http://media.onsugar.com/files/2010/10/40/0/192/1922283/ba8b99f2d27ef099…
http://cdn04.cdnwp.thefrisky.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/16/june-shan…
http://img2.timeinc.net/instyle/images/2012/WRN/021412-smash-marilyn-383…