The Best Standout and Funny Halloween Costumes This Year

What you are going to be for Halloween this year? No idea? Us, too. So, we went in search of the best ideas for standout, chic, witty (or at least funny) Halloween costumes for this ghoulish year 2020. Our correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has curated a list of some of the best topical ripped-from-the-headlines Halloween costumes – plus some timeless classics. Happy Haunting!

The best Halloween costume ideas for 2020

In a recent piece in the New York Times addressing the question on every kid’s minds, “Can Halloween be Saved? Yes, Experts Say. Here’s How,” Dr. Tista Ghosh, an epidemiologist, emphasized that “completely taking away Halloween could be detrimental to some of the mental health issues that kids are facing right now.”

And we’re not embarrassed to say, it could affect us grown-ups. too! 

While adults may be too old for the time-honored tradition of approaching strangers to ask them for Peanut M&Ms, the season just doesn’t seem complete without the fall trifecta of pumpkin everything, spooky stories and costumes.

It’s the most socially acceptable time of year to embrace your true self, indulge in a fantasy and not take yourself too seriously. So we say, embrace the holiday with all its macabre madness. It won’t be any different than any other day this year, right?

If you’re in on this with us, then we must find an answer to this pressing question: what to wear for Halloween 2020?

Mask guidelines this year need not get in the way of your costume. In fact, some Halloween masks are statement pieces in their own right and we’ve put together some luxurious DIY costumes inspired by masks alone.

Whether you’re celebrating by giving out treats or attending a small Halloween gathering, you’ll be sure to win brownie points for style and for being responsible. Because it’s scary enough out there this year!

For the most up-to-date guidelines for celebrating the season, be sure to check out halloween2020.org‘s suggestions based on Harvard Global Health Institute’s COVID-19 risk levels map. 

The best standout and funny ideas for Halloween costumes this year

1. Home on the Prairie

It doesn’t get more 2020 than dressing up as a bread-baking, cottagecore-loving prairie girl. This escapist ensemble captures the nostalgia and wholesome pastoral aesthetic many are daydreaming of while zooming and doom-scrolling. Make this a group costume by dressing the kids up as cute woodland creatures, garden gnomes or mushrooms. 

Start with a long, flowing floral dress like this one from sustainable fashion label, Christy Dawn ($248). Keep the chill away with Saint Laurent’s rugged knit wool poncho ($3,290) and Isabel Marant’s perfectly faded suede boots ($825) with subtle Western detailing. 

To accessorize, this plaid face mask ($15) seems custom made for this costume with an attached headband that can be tied into a twee bow. Fill a woven picnic basket ($9.97) with flowers and candy, of course. But for some tongue-in-cheek humor, we love this adorable (sourdough?) bread loaf stuffy ($49). 

2. The Artiste

Maybe you’ve taken on painting as a hobby during lockdown. And don’t we all have a beret or pair of overalls somewhere that hasn’t been worn in years? Here’s your chance to put them to use, and channel the creative energy of your favorite artist. 

If you don’t have a pair of overalls, you can’t beat Levi’s ($128) for the real deal. The fun part is splattering some paint on the front like in the photo shown below. You’ll need a flouncy white blouse to go underneath. This one from Old Navy ($25) does job. We’ve been eyeing this Collina Strada statement face mask ($100) for ages and its vibrant colors and hand drawn illustrations are perfect for an artist costume. Top it off with a black wool beret ($319), of course. 

Accessorizing is a cinch with this genuine wooden painting palette ($6.96). Society 6’s screen printed totes ($19.99) stores your treats and doubles as your finished masterpiece. 

3. Rainbows and Unicorns

We know, we know. Life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns- especially in 2020. But just for one day, we’re dreaming of pastel glitter, rainbow gems and all things soft and fuzzy. 

If you’re sticking close to home, you could don your favorite cozy white sweatshirt and sweatpants as the base layer. But if you’re going out, consider this opulent Christopher Kane cashmere sweater ($995) with pear and round-cut crystals. Pair with Sies Marjan’s icy mint ruched skirt ($417) and gallop around in the coziest shearling slippers ($89.95) from Patricia Green.  

Crown yourself with this unicorn flower headband ($12.99). And while you’re never fully dressed without a smile, this rainbow sequin mask ($8.50) is a lovely replacement. Just for good luck, it wouldn’t hurt to adorn a finger with this Chloe & Madison rainbow eternity band ring ($50). 

4. Season of the Witch

Conjure the moody spirit of the season with our go-to costume: the witch. Everyone has their favorite reiteration. Classic with a pointed hat and cape. Or sexy with a bustier and fishnets, perhaps. This year, we’re feeling Victorian goth punk.

This Isabel Marant broderie anglaise dress ($1,560) is all about the drama. Pair with Stuart Weitzman’s luxe combat boots ($675) for a satisfying stomp. Wolford’s black lace face mask ($43) lends an air of mystery and “magical” protection. 

To complete the costume, consider this ethereal bat and roses headband ($12.88). Give your nails a coat of dark, holographic shimmer ($9) and fly into the night on this rustic broom ($9.99).

5. The Detective 

Another option for what to wear for Halloween 2020 is something that nods to all the mayhem and mystery we’ve been living with this year. And in times of extremis, as we all know, Sherlock Holmes has nothing on female intuition. If you’re a woman of mystery, this costume is for you. 

Start with Gabriela Hearst’s beautifully constructed trench coat ($3,150) which has a tailored and fluid shape for a flawless look. Layer on this detective costume set ($14.99) which comes complete with a houndstooth hat, pipe and magnifying glass. 

Double down on the British inspiration with Burberry’s check and leather gloves ($460) and Victoria Beckham’s tortoise shell shades ($265). A bold red lip ($38) under this houndstooth face mask (£50) and you’re ready to crack the case. 

6. Princess Ballerina

For those who desperately miss getting dressed up- like, really dressed up, Halloween is the day for you to satisfy those urges for tulle, satin, crystals, and glitter. Fairy tales can come true. 

This lush and pink Lirika Matoshi dress ($520) is the stuff dreams are made of and Tia Adeola’s ruffle face mask ($45) looks like it was made to match this pandemic princess look. Opera length gloves are the IT accessory this season so Manohki’s pink pair ($347) is a great investment. Let Loeffler Randall’s graceful white flats ($250) ensure that you’ll be able to dance all night. 

No dress-up fantasy is complete without some bling. Check out Lulu Frost’s star necklace ($295) and a classic silvery wand ($9.99). For a lit from within glow, RMS Beauty’s golden highlighter ($38) is pure magic. 

7. I am a Voter 

Halloween is just days away from Election Day. Honestly, we don’t know which holiday is scarier this year! Remind all your neighbors to vote with this not-so-subtle costume. 

If you’re the crafty type, recycle all those Amazon orders and construct a ballot box like the one shown. No time to craft because you’re too busy writing postcards to get out the vote? You’ll be forgiven for wearing this sweatshirt ($32.37) instead. Top off with a flashy Uncle Sam top hat ($9.75) so you’ll be noticed for miles. 

Some of our favorite ‘Vote’ accessories- cozy retro socks from Uncommon Goods ($13), canvas printed tote from Seltzer Goods ($24.95) and Resistance by Design’s navy face mask ($20.20) complete your I am a Voter costume. 

The best Halloween costume ideas this year

Those are our thoughts on what to wear for Halloween 2020. What’s your pick this year? No matter who you decide to be, we hope you have a happy and safe Halloween, dear reader! May be it be filled with more treats than tricks. 

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, and fitness. Julie lives in New York where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing. And spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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