iconic halloween costumes

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The Most Iconic Halloween Costumes
Of All Time!

Many iconic costumes are based on things that have been popular in the past, like TV characters. For example, Spock from Star Trek and The Night King from Game of Thrones are just a few popular options. 

You could also be a Batman villain or go as someone you see every day, like a police officer or a doctor. Whatever you choose, there’s an iconic costume out there for everyone.

Choosing an iconic costume is a great way to be unique at your next Halloween party. If you’re going to dress up as someone from the past, it doesn’t hurt to do some research on that person and figure out if they were good or bad. Or if it would offend anyone.

Every year when October comes around, the world becomes obsessed with dressing up as a character from some TV show or movie or going completely original like a celebrity blunder perhaps. 

Need some more costume ideas? We’ve got you covered with more of these amazing and spooky costume lists to level up your Halloween game this year:

These are usually the best costumes to go as on Halloween because almost everyone will be able to tell who you’re going as. 

But which ones should you choose? Well, that’s where we come in. In this post, we listed down the most iconic Halloween costumes of all time. 

So whether your idea is getting away from it all by going into politics, or being a bad guy like Bane from The Dark Knight Rises, then take a look at these crazy ideas and see which one will get you out of this Covid-19 pandemic funk and back into the Halloween spirit.

Celebrity Icons

Celebrity icons are people who have captivated the attention of the public because of their talent, beauty, or lack thereof. Celebrities are well-known media personalities; they’re often actors and actresses, musicians, models, or athletes—people in the spotlight.

Audrey Hepburn 

halloween costumes
Image by Sara Dujour

Halloween is a time when people dress up in their creepy, scary costumes and go around collecting Halloween treats and chocolates

The most iconic Halloween costume of all time is Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 

This classic film is one that many people can connect with and dress up as. It’s still a classic to this day! 

There are many reasons why dressing up as Audrey Hepburn for Halloween could be a perfect choice, but the main one would be that she’s so recognizable.

Marilyn Monroe

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Image by Fun

Marilyn Monroe is a perfect Halloween costume for many different reasons. Marilyn was one of the most iconic women in the 20th century, and many iconic things about her would be easy to recreate. 

She was known for her blonde hair, so it would be easy to find wigs or makeup to emulate this look. 

A halter dress inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s legendary subway grate scene in The Seven Year Itch makes for an unforgettable Halloween outfit.

Marilyn was always wearing heels, so wearing high heel shoes with this outfit is an important aspect that would make the costume complete.

Taylor Swift

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Image by Fearless Fallon

Even though Taylor Swift hasn’t released a new album in a while, many Swifties are still living in the ethereal fantasy world she created in Folklore and Evermore. Taylor’s latest look includes whimsical dresses, warm knit sweaters, and other thick garments ideal for the chilly Fall weather. 

You’ll need a blonde wig, white dress, plaid overcoat, and, of course, her signature red lipstick to recreate the Folklore album cover.

The Beatles

Before the Beatles, rock n’ roll was just another sub-culture for teenagers to rebel against their parents and boring lives. 

Then John Lennon and the other Beatles members came along, looked like they were from a different planet, changed everything, and made rock n’ roll into an internationally recognized phenomenon. 

The Beatles’ music sold more than 250 million albums simply because they introduced rock’n’ roll to everyone around the world.

Most people dress like the Beatles on Halloween because they are an iconic group that is deeply loved. It’s also a great way to show your love for them and get into the spirit of Halloween. 

You can choose to be John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr (the best-dressed Beatle), or even the late George Harrison. Just make sure you are wearing their legendary style and have a lovely wig.

Lady Gaga

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Image by Karen Kavett

Lady Gaga is known for her iconic style, and she has gone through many phases in her career, from eccentric to downright crazy and everything in between. But the Lady Gaga costume that stands out the most is her meat dress from 2010’s VMAs. 

She wore a black dress with strips of meat hanging from it, and the way it swayed when she danced on stage was mesmerizing. 

Classic Movies

There’s something about a classic Halloween costume that makes it one that you’ll never get sick of. 

Some Hollywood classics are worth revisiting time and time again, with some of the most famous being: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, and The Shawshank Redemption.

Marty Mcfly from Back To The Future

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Image by Smiffys

Back To The Future’s time-traveling protagonist, played by Mr. Robert J Fox, has an instantly recognizable appearance. 

Marty McFly wears a bright orange/red gilet layered over a denim jacket and Levi’s button-up shirt in present-day 1985, which feels like a foreshadowing of some of the outdoor-minded workwear that’s been trendy in 2018. 

Best of all, it’s simple to make without being unduly theatrical, and it’ll look just as well at a weekend pub as it will at a sci-fi-themed Halloween party.

Agent Smith from The Matrix

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Image by Greylock

The cyberpunk image from 1999’s The Matrix has returned in recent years, from tiny sunglasses to long black goth coats. Designers like Alexander Wang and Balenciaga have carried hacker-style fashion into the future. 

This is likely because social media has completely taken over our lives, and we all feel as if we’re living in virtual reality. 

This one has several Halloween-appropriate references, but we’re going with the less-obvious choice: Agent Smith. 

He’s a fleshed-out AI software, dressed professionally in a work suit and characteristic sunglasses. To finish the appearance, add a tie pin, an earpiece, and nihilistic scorn for humanity.

Paddington Bear

If horror or science fiction isn’t your thing, consider Paddington Bear, a slightly lighter option. 

The marmalade-loving creature from the depths of Peru is on the sweeter end of the Halloween costume spectrum, and his distinctive ensemble of red hat, duffle coat, Wellington boots, and the bag is simple enough to replicate. 

Of course, the clothing we’ve chosen here makes Paddington look like he’s starting a job as an art director in Dalston. Pull a marmalade sandwich from under your cap if anyone challenges you.

Jack Torrance from The Shining

Jack may be a dull youngster if he spends all of his time working, but the Torrances’ psychotic father is a fan of workwear. 

Mr. Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Mr. Stephen King’s The Shining is a terrifying, nerve-wracking classic, and Jack Torrance’s ensemble is simple but effective. 

All you need is a burgundy corduroy jacket, a plaid shirt, and selvage denim jeans, plus an ax and a rictus smile if you want to stand out.

Thelma and Louise 

Do you know why dressing as Louise and Thelma is an iconic costume on Halloween? It’s a bit of a mystery, but one that I think is worth knowing!

Thelma and Louise are some of those movies that people either love or hate. However, the costumes that our two protagonists dressed in are something that many people are familiar with – maybe even you?

Vintage jeans, a t-shirt, and cowboy boots are not only a perfect Thelma and Louise outfit but also a classic fashionable look.

Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde were a notorious outlaw duo from the early 20th century. They famously robbed banks and killed cops to support themselves. 

Today, they are seen as folk heroes who dared to do what others only talked about. This is why dressing as Bonnie and Clyde is an iconic Halloween costume.

Put on a beret and a toy gun to channel America’s most stylish outlaw.

Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction

Mia Wallace is a costume that we think is the perfect Halloween costume for everybody. It is because it is easy to do and people will love it. 

We recommend this costume because Mia Wallace has been linked with crime and violence, which are two things that everyone loves on Halloween.

The style of Mia Wallace is ideal for a last-minute Halloween costume. It doesn’t get any more straightforward than a white button-down and black slacks.

Kill Bill

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Image by Hello Magazine

To celebrate, remember, or just for that satisfying sense of closure, millions of people across the United States dress up in costumes and revisit scenes from favorite movies. 

The Kill Bill costume is a popular Halloween costume because it’s easy, fun, and too iconic to resist.

Halloween is an excellent opportunity to unleash your inner badass. Put on a yellow jumpsuit and dress up as Uma Thurman’s Quentin Tarantino assassin character.

Super Heroes

Since the public’s interest in comic books has increased dramatically over the last decade, superheroes have become more mainstream than ever. 

Batman, Superman, and Spiderman are probably three of the most iconic superheroes in comics (and in movies too, for that matter), and multiple actors have portrayed these three characters over time.

Captain America 

Adults can dress up as their favorite superheroes on Halloween night to show off and have a fun time. One of the most popular costumes is Captain America. 

This costume is both well-fitting and straightforward for kids because it has a red and blue color scheme that will make any child feel like they are on top of the world. 

Add on a mask, boot covers, gloves, shield, whip, and two belts or suspenders with buckles attached to create an entire costume package that will turn your little one into the hero they always dreamed of being.

With the release of Falcon and the Winter Soldier, WandaVision, and Black Widow this year, it’s Avengers mania all over again. 

Your little heroes could dress up as Captain America or Falcon, depending on their preferences. 

They can then join forces with Black Widow, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Scarlet Witch, The Vision, or any other member of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. (And there are a lot of them at this point!)

Loki 

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Image by Jonathan Belle

A Loki costume from Avengers is a cool Halloween costume because it is a fun outfit for anyone to wear and act out. 

You can even add other accessories such as horns, gloves, and boots to complete the supervillain costume. It would also be great if kids could dress up as one of the other Avengers characters to make for an epic superhero team.

Of course, there is no requirement that they choose a hero. As the Trickster God can attest, sometimes the villains are more entertaining. 

This Halloween, Loki and the members of Loki’s Time Variance Authority are sure to make an appearance. Just make sure you don’t mess up the sacred timeline.

Wonder Woman

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Image by Rebels Market

Dressing up as Wonder Woman from Wonder Woman 1984 is another classic Halloween costume.

The outfit is especially timely with the release of Wonder Woman 1984 in December. Not to mention that everyone’s vacation could use a little more badassery (and Gal Gadot brings that in bulk).

Diana’s wardrobe received a new golden suit in the film, but the classic Wonder Woman outfit and accessories never go out of style.

Cobra Kai

If the Cobra Kai motto (“Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy!”) can’t get out of your head, this is the costume for you. 

The dojo made famous by the Karate Kid films has recently resurfaced as the subject of the Netflix series Cobra Kai. 

You have the option of dressing up as a specific dojo character or as a generic Cobra Kai student in uniform. If you want to go for the Johnny Lawrence look, you’ll need a black gi, belt, headband, and red leather jacket.

Superman 

halloween costumes
Image by Jonathan Belle

Superman is a well-known superhero who has been the main focus of many comic books, TV shows, and movies.

A Superman costume is great because it’ll be faster than a speeding bullet. This is a classic and iconic Halloween costume year after year, so it’s great if you’re thinking of hand-me-downs. 

If you want the rest of the Justice League to join him, gather Wonder Woman, Batman (or Batgirl), The Flash, Cyborg, Supergirl, and Aquaman (or even DC villains like The Joker and Harley Quinn).

The costume comes with a cape that is gray-blue with yellow and red highlights. It also has a belt with an attached pouch and a headpiece that resembles the face of Superman as he appears in all media.

Final Thoughts

Choosing an awesome Halloween costume is not as difficult as it seems. You need to look around, survey your options and make a decision about your outfit. 

You can go through our other Halloween costume articles and get a lot of information about what you’re looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an iconic Halloween costume?

A famous and well-recognized person or character is considered an iconic Halloween costume. One example of an iconic Halloween costume is the Superman costume because of its popularity in pop culture. 

Many movie blockbusters have used this as one of their costumes for the film.

2. How do I choose which iconic Halloween costume is right for me?

You can choose an iconic Halloween costume if you know what you would like to be. A popular and well-known costume for men is the Batman costume because of its popularity in pop culture. 

3. How do I make an iconic Halloween costume more interesting?

To make an iconic Halloween costume more attractive, look up what you can do to enhance the character of the costume, like turning a television character into a person so that people can recognize you for who you are dressed as.

4. Why do people wear iconic Halloween costumes?

People wear these costumes to celebrate and remember old traditions or movies and tv shows from their past and have fun with friends and family. Or it could be because they like this character or person.

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