2015 has certainly had no shortage of big pop culture moments. From a certain voluptuous brunette’s attempt to break the Internet to a lovable roster of wacky fictional characters we’ve come to love, there’s inspiration for your Halloween costume waiting around every corner. We’ve curated these 13 costumes for the pop culture obsessed collegiette in us all.
1. Cookie Lyon from Empire
She’s the diva that had tongues wagging this year with her sassy one-liners and on-point style. Yes, we’re talking about Cookie from Empire. All you need for this costume is an elaborate outfit—especially one that includes lots of fur, animal prints and flashy jewelry—and an attitude that won’t quit.
2. Hillary Clinton’s inbox
Dressing up as the Democratic presidential hopeful is too expected. Going as her controversial inbox of deleted emails, though, is a real conversation starter. Try crafting a poster modeled after an email inbox, with hidden messages and obvious clues that point to it being Hillary’s. Strap it around your neck, and you’re ready to debate.
3. Snapchat icon
Remember when everyone in your kindergarten class wore ghost costumes to trick-or-treat in because they were too young to care about putting some effort into their ensemble? The Snapchat icon offers you a chance to dust off a classic costume from your childhood and make it topical again. Design your own Snapchat tank—paired with a yellow tutu, of course—or dress for a new take on an old favorite.
4. Baymax from Big Hero 6
Who wouldn’t want to dress up like a giant balloon for Halloween? Sure, Baymax is really a robot/superhero. But his bubbly bod is what makes him so unforgettably cute. To pull this costume off, wear all white and make a simple mask of his face. Or go full-on inflatable suit and own it.
5. A female’s face on the $10 bill
With this, you could go the traditional way by wearing a dress made of Photoshopped female-fronted money. Or you could create a cutout for your own face and parade around like the feminist you are.
6. Taylor Swift in her “Blank Space” video
There are tons of outfits you could mimic from this T. Swift video. The black gown, the-tasteful-lingerie-and-knife-in-hand look, or even the head-to-toe leopard ensemble. One thing you mustn’t forget: that tear-streaked mascara and red lips are essential to pulling off crazy-eyed Tay.
7. Stella from OITNB
If an Orange is the New Black costume seems so last year, that’s because it kind of is. But not when there’s an entirely intriguing and newly introduced character for us to emulate. Stella’s brown jumpsuit and short cropped hair should be easy to copy. Add as many fake tattoos as you can muster, and show off your sure-to-be impressive Australian accent.
8. Left Shark
Splurge on the actual full-body costume or wear one of the hundreds of t-shirts mocking Katy Perry’s infamous Super Bowl backup dancer. No matter how you choose to evoke Left Shark you’ve got to have those off-beat dance moves and a general confusion about who and/or where you are.
9. Chanel from Scream Queens
We’ve only just met our new favorite mean girl, but we’re already smitten with her killer wardrobe. Think soft pinks, pearls, fur and maybe even that knockoff Chanel bag you totally pretend is real. Finish this look off with sharp remarks and Chanel’s already trademark blatant, unapologetic b*tchiness.
10. Dancing lady emoji
Red dress. Red heels. Salsa swagger for days. How much simpler could this emoji-inspired costume be? Plus, no one will have trouble guessing who you are when you strike that instantly recognizable dancing lady pose.
11. Kim Kardashian breaking the Internet
This costume is for the girl who’s tired of dressing like Marilyn Monroe every year. A fab sequined black dress and a bottle of bubbly should play second fiddle to your oh-so-curvy derriere. And your friends said you’d never use those butt pads from last Halloween’s Nicki Minaj costume again!
12. Deflategate
Throw on your Tom Brady jersey and carry around a suspiciously deflated football all night. People will probably get the reference quickly, but playing paranoid couldn’t hurt your persona either.
13. Joy from Inside Out
Joy is one of the best Pixar characters we’ve seen in years, and she has a fun look to boot. A blue spiky wig and floral green dress shouldn’t be hard to track down. Be extra peppy and upbeat to prove you’re nothing like Sadness.