Still haven’t figured out what to wear this Halloween? Don’t panic just yet. This year has given us enough inspiration to be able to throw together a costume at the last minute. Perhaps all you’ll need is a questionable accessory, a commitment to the bit, and the confidence to explain yourself to everyone at the party. Here are some of our favourite pop culture-inspired Halloween costumes of 2026.
Angine De Poitrine
Few bands arrived this year looking as unforgettable as Angine De Poitrine. The Quebec duo, Klek and Khn de Poitrine, wear papier-mâché masks with giant noses and polka-dot costumes that cover their entire bodies while playing microtonal math rock. To recreate the look, you’ll need a white boiler suit or a pair of pyjamas, a marker, a mask made from papier-mâché (or, if you’re short on time, a Sharpie on a cardboard box), and A LOT of polka dots. Paint your hands and feet too. It works best as a pair, and the band prefers to remain anonymous so your identity stays secret all night. Expect it to be totally baffling or the only thing anyone talks about.
Bad Bunny Superbowl Halftime Show
Bad Bunny’s Superbowl halftime show made him the first Spanish-language Latin solo artist to headline the show. The look is easier to copy that you’d think. Put together a cream shirt and tie (bonus points if it's Zara), mark your own jersey with fabric pen or iron-on letters, and you’re most of the way there. Carry a football for the finishing touch, since he closed the show holding one that read “Together, we are America.” Dressing up with a friend? Lady Gaga appeared and performed a salsa version of “Die With a Smile,” so a blue dress and a blonde wig will do the job.
Everyone remembers the bushes moving around during Bunny's performance. Real people were cast to play hundreds of bushes, and learning that turned the performers into a social media sensation overnight. Making one is simple: put on all-green clothing and cover it with leaves, raffia or grass fringe. Commit to standing completely still at the party.
Adéla
Breakout pop star Adéla has built a pretty distinct look around pink hair, bleached eyebrows and a mix of Y2K clubwear and ballet inspired pieces. The Slovak artist's style is easy to recognize and doesn't take too much to recreate. You'll need a bright pink wig (or temporary pink hair dye), low rise mini shorts, a fitted crop top or bra and chunky platform boots. Go heavy on the eyeliner, keep your hair a little messy and mix feminine pieces with something more punk.
Nikki from 'Obsession'
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are you watched Curry Baker’s Obsession, or at least heard about it. Nikki has become one of the year’s most recognisable screen characters and conveniently, one of the easier Halloween costumes to pull together. The Princess Polly top, or any red-and-black top, black leather shorts, and knee-high black boots is all it takes to scare your partner, and others. Leave your hair loose, add a silver necklace, and finish with a little fake blood across your face if you want to recreate her more unsettling party look. For extra credit, carry around a brick with a handwritten “I love you so so so so so much” message on it. Just remember: don’t cook dead cats and keep your wishes to yourself.
Shane & Ilya from 'Heated Rivalry'
Are you and your partner still not over Heated Rivalry? Why not take a cue from one of the year’s biggest television hits? Their on-ice rivalry gives couples an easy costume starting point: Shane’s No. 24 jersey and Ilya’s No. 81. For fans who want to go beyond the hockey gear, there’s Ilya’s leopard-print shirt or Shane’s reading glasses. Just make sure you have the chemistry to sell it.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland has had quite the year, making him an easy choice for a last minute Halloween costume. The Manchester City and Norway striker is known for his long blonde hair, often tied back in a man bun, which became a fan favourite during Norway's World Cup run. To recreate the look, you'll need a Norway or Manchester City No. 9 jersey, football shorts, long blonde hair, and a pair of cleats. For extra credit, add a Viking helmet and carry a football.
Zara Larsson
Zara Larsson's Midnight Sun era has brought a distinctly Y2K inspired look, with colourful baby tees, tiny skirts, tropical prints and plenty of rhinestones. The Swedish pop star's summer inspired aesthetic is relatively easy to recreate without copying one specific outfit. Start with a colourful fitted top, a low rise mini skirt or micro shorts, and a pair of chunky heels or boots. Add glittery eyeshadow, rhinestones around your eyes and plenty of colourful accessories. Finish with a bronzed glow and glossy lips to get that signature Midnight Sun look.
Rosalía as Magick in 'Euphoria'
Looking for a costume with a little more edge? Rosalía made her Euphoria debut as Magick, a dancer at a nightclub who quickly became one of the season’s most memorable new faces. Recreate her look by leaning into the show’s bold, after-dark styling with dramatic makeup and statement accessories. It’s a fairly simple costume to pull together, but the bejeweled neck brace is what will really show your commitment.
Dune 
With Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three set to hit theatres on December 18, the sci-fi franchise is about to be back in the spotlight. Whether you want to dress as Paul Atreides, Chani or Princess Irulan, the look is all about flowing desert-inspired layers, earthy tones and a little futuristic flair. Black cloaks, blue contact lenses, and head wraps work for both Paul and Chani. Princess Irulan offers a more regal take with structured gowns and elaborate headpieces. You could even go as a sandworm if you're feeling particularly ambitious.
Olivia Rodrigo & Chappell Roan from "Expectations"
Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan give plenty of Halloween inspiration in their “expectations” music video, which is packed with colourful, over the top outfits and multiple costume changes. For Olivia's pink and blue look, you'll need a pink tee, a turquoise mini skirt, a wide red belt with a heart shaped buckle, sheer black polka dot tights and a pink beret. Finish it off with round glasses and white heels. Chappell has her own standout looks, including a leopard print outfit that's just as fun to recreate. The video also features plenty of other '80s inspired looks, so there's lots to choose from. It's a great one to do as a pair, with one person taking Olivia and the other Chappell.
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson from The Drama
The final scene of The Drama makes for a pretty memorable couples costume, especially if you're willing to get a little messy. To recreate the look, one person will need a white wedding dress and an oversized orange puffer jacket, while the other needs a black tuxedo. Add some dirt and wrinkles to the dress, then use fake blood and bruise makeup to recreate Charlie's post wedding appearance. Finish with a pair of wedding rings, and you're ready to recreate the film's very unconventional newlywed look.
Kylie Jenner from Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 
If there was one runway moment that had everyone talking this year, it was Kylie Jenner making her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut in the brand’s iconic Fantasy Bra. The reality star stepped out in a $50-million diamond-encrusted bra, paired with a sheer white miniskirt, clear heels and oversized white feather wings. Recreating the look might be a little less extravagant on the wallet, but a sparkly silver bra, white mini skirt, clear heels and a pair of angel wings will get you most of the way there. You can leave the 4,410 diamonds at home.
Harry Style’s "Dance No More" Music Video Outfit
If you've been keeping up with Harry Styles’ latest era, you’ll know there’s no shortage of looks to take inspiration from. Our pick is his outfit from the “Dance No More” music video. Styles turns a school gym into a full-blown disco, leading a crowd through a choreographed dance routine before the whole thing descends into a party. To recreate his look, you'll need a cropped blue hoodie layered over a white button-down, a yellow striped tie, bright red running shorts and white sneakers. Bonus points if you learn a few of the dance moves.
Michael Jackson
With the Michael biopic bringing the King of Pop back to the big screen, there's no better time to take inspiration from one of his iconic looks. You could dress up as Michael Jackson himself, but his red leather jacket with black V-shaped stripes from the 1983 “Thriller” music video is a standout choice. Pair it with red pants, black shoes and white socks, or take things a step further with zombie makeup to recreate the video's famous undead dance sequence. Just make sure you brush up on the choreography before heading out.
Ken Casey stuck around after the show in San Diego, California, talking to members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.John Francis Peters for Rolling Stone
Some of the challenge-coin haul.
The band started as a bet. “My band has a show in three weeks,” Casey’s coworker told him in 1996. “I dare you to open for us.”John Francis Peters for Rolling Stone
Dropkick Murphys (from left): Casey, DaRosa, Webster, Kelly, Rheault, Brennan, and Lynch John Francis Peters for Rolling Stone
Casey is largely the voice of the band, but the other members back him up. “We’re so lucky he’s the mouthpiece,” says Brennan, left. John Francis Peters for Rolling Stone
“Only the Irish can take a song about death and destruction, famine, alcoholism, and raise a glass like it’s an anthem,” says Casey. John Francis Peters for Rolling Stone
“Anytime it feels like things are about to plateau for us, something gives us a little bump,” says guitarist Lynch. “It feels exciting. It feels dangerous. It feels like doing something.” John Francis Peters for Rolling Stone
Jay-Z performing at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis in Paris.
Jay-Z Deserves the Super Bowl Halftime Gig
Where’s the love? Jay-Z asked that question 25 years ago, in the chorus of one of many songs in his catalog that still move audiences today. If he performs “Heart of the City” as part of his Super Bowl halftime show next February, those indignant bars are sure to be a highlight: “First the Fat Boys break up, now every day I wake up, somebody got a problem with Hov…” It would be an appropriate choice, too — because then as now, any time Jay-Z notches a new achievement, people find a way to complain.
The jokes and nonsense started almost as soon as the first rumors trickled out that Jay, whose company Roc Nation has executive-produced the Super Bowl halftime show since 2019, might be choosing himself to headline next year’s show. “Jay-Z just Dick Cheney’d himself for the Super Bowl,” Puck‘s Matthew Belloni quipped on X last week, alluding to the time that the late prince of darkness, who’d been asked to run the vice-presidential search committee for George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign, put himself on the ticket. (Super hip and current reference, and not at all apples-and-oranges.) Others pointed to TMZ reports that pop stars like Harry Styles and Justin Bieber had been asked first. “How are they the frontrunners, and he end up in the front?” Cam’Ron, who’s delighted in trolling Jay for many years, wondered aloud on his podcast. “Out of all the people on the roster, they couldn’t pick nobody else?” asked Cam’Ron‘s co-host, Ma$e.
These critiques miss the point, which is that Jay-Z is one of the best choices for a high-profile gig like this. He’s a superstar with a comparable level of name recognition to any other A-lister in music. He has a deep stack of classic songs going back decades. And he’s a highly skillful live performer who knows his way around a stadium stage, as he’s spent this year reminding people on his Jay-Z 30 tour. He tore down Yankee Stadium three nights in a row this summer; just last week, he rocked SoFi Stadium, which happens to be the same place where the 2027 Super Bowl is being held. He held the crowd’s attention with ease at all of those shows, and though there were plenty of glittery guests — that’s a given at a Jay show, and it will surely be true at the Super Bowl, too — he did it mostly through the force of his own magnetic energy. Let’s state the obvious here: Jay-Z is really, really good at rapping. We’re talking about one of the slickest, sharpest talkers in the history of words, someone who made it to the top through a sustained act of myth-making, then kept going. Are we seriously asking whether he can handle a 15-minute televised performance?
And yeah, there’s a touch of self-congratulation in the way he appointed himself. So what? Praising his own gifts is arguably Jay-Z’s greatest talent of all. He made a fine art out of self-applause. He told his story again and again, retracing the steps from Marcy Projects to the corner suite, and he made us believe. It would almost be insulting to the audience if he didn’t give himself the gig at some point.
Pop culture observers in recent years surely remember the backlash to Super Bowl headliners like Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny — all of it at least culturally conservative, and much of it frankly just racist. The blowback to Jay’s announcement is mostly coming from other quarters, at least for now (let’s just wait to see what the right-wing swamps make of this one). But it’s disappointing in a different way. Jay-Z has spent his career expounding hip-hop as a mainstream commercial force. He’s not a businessman, he’s a business, man. But he’s also an artist. He’s made huge amounts of money, and gotten himself into the rarefied rooms where he even has the ability to give himself a gig like this, by spinning his experiences into compelling narrative art, one verse at a time. Let’s not lose sight of how impressive his life’s work really is. Jay-Z is not some random C-suite bro, and he’s definitely not Dick Cheney. He’s one of the greatest rappers of all time, by any measure. He’s earned that Super Bowl spot.