Halloween is the one night of the year where the supernatural and the peculiar take centre-stage, whether you just want an excuse to wear a sexy outfit or put full thought into a coordinated ensemble. For many, Halloween is a fun night for couples to embrace their creativity, and celebrate their individuality; for queer couples especially, it can be a fun way to express personality and shared love. So here are six recommendations for queer couple costumes, from the most fun, distinct queer relationships currently popular in TV and film.
Ed and Stede – Our Flag Means Death
Our Flag Means Death is one of the most exciting shows to come out of TV in the past couple of years. A ‘found family’ narrative, disguised in the format of a pirate crew at sea, boasts multiple queer relationships, which are explored in nuanced and interesting ways. Stede Bonnet, an aristocratic gentleman, gave up his comfortable life to pursue his authentic identity via pirating, and meets notorious pirate Blackbeard (Ed Teach) along the way. What starts as an unusual friendship, develops into something much deeper, and season 2 has seen the pair navigate their own issues with self-sabotage and general self-development.
Ed, with his classic leather ensemble, and Stede in his more fanciful attire, would make the perfect Halloween costume (also perfect for a gender-bent version too).
Jamie and Dani – The Haunting of Bly Manor
If you’re wanting a spookier couple, look no further than Jamie and Dani from the Haunting of Bly Manor. This miniseries combines numerous horror novels by Henry James into a gothic romance between an American au pair and a British gardener, set in a haunted manor. Navigating their blooming relationship alongside uncovering the history of the manor’s spectre eventually forces them to move away from the manor, culminating in a poignant, but heart-breaking, conclusion. Dressing as Jamie and Dani is one of your easier options – think 80s double denim, curls, and jewellery (so perfect if you’re needing a last-minute option).
Marceline and Bubblegum – Adventure Time
If you and your partner are aesthetic opposites, Marceline and Bubblegum are the perfect couple for you. Adventure Time’s impact on animated TV cannot be understated, especially when considering the representation of queer storylines. Bubblegum and Marceline were beloved from their first appearance together, generating much speculation and fan discussion. When they became canon in the series finale, it cemented the two as one of the most popular queer couples on screen in recent years.
Dressing as Marceline and Bubblegum is so distinctive; all you need is one person dressed in darker toned colours, and the other in the most luminescent shades of pink and orange (pink hair would also top off the look!)
Alec and Magnus – Shadowhunters
Shadowhunters remains one of the most iconic queer shows in recent years, and the fantasy element makes it perfect for Halloween. When Magnus and Alec had their first kiss in 2016, stopping Alec’s wedding in the process, it was a huge result for queer representation, and just an all-around iconic moment in television. The following 2 seasons, exploring the ups and downs of their relationship, their break-ups, and reunions, culminated in the season finale when fans witnessed a full-circle moment in their wedding. Magnus and Alec would be a perfect queer couples costume, similar to Marceline and Bubblegum, in that they are so unique and unlike the other.
To dress up as Magnus, you will need eyeliner, painted nails, and some sort of elaborate costume. But to be Alec, you can tone it down; t-shirt, jeans and maybe some Shadowhunter runes, would do the trick.
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy – Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy’s relationship has evolved through many depictions within the DC Comics universe; whilst they were not initially portrayed as romantic, in more recent comic book iterations and series, they are presented as an unconventional, fun, and complex romantic duo. So, if you are wanting a less serious, mischievous, and dynamic queer couple costume, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy will be perfect for you.
For Harley Quinn, you will want to go for the classic multi-coloured, pigtailed hair look, strong makeup and maybe even wield a bat to finish the look. For Poison Ivy, you’re going to need a full-green outfit, preferably topped off with red hair!
Frog and Toad
From one extreme to the other, Frog and Toad would be the cutest joint costume for a queer couple who are having a more relaxed Halloween. While originating as a duo in children’s books, flying kites, cleaning houses, and living their domestic lives, the daughter of the original author has now suggested Frog and Toad reflected her father’s own gay identity. So, if you’re looking for a wholesome, matching costume, Frog and Toad would be the perfect pick for you. Frog and Toad often wear green and brown, tones with classic trousers, and jackets, sometimes with hats; if you’re feeling like going the extra mile, you could also add in a kite or basket on the side!