It’s been 400 years since Shakespeare wrote “hell is empty and all the devils are here”, but it’s a quote that feels relevant to 2025, as we slip further towards dystopia. So far, it’s been a great year for on-screen horror (Sinners, Weapons, Together, 28 Years Later), and yet a terrible year for the horrors of our news cycle. 

In recent years, Halloween has become less about inciting fear and more about getting the nod of approval from the chronically online community. It’s knowing that even if the house party doesn’t understand your costume, the internet will (“Gay Halloween” is all the proof you need). Maybe, as the world gets worse, we’re not looking for another scare, but a moment of relief instead – or maybe modern politics just makes zombies and demons look tame. Either way, this year has provided us with plenty of ridiculous pop culture moments primed for reinterpretation. Read on for our favourite picks. 

A MARGIELA GHOST 

There were several spooky moments from this year’s fashion shows that we could’ve picked from. Dilara Fındıkoğlu gave us medieval maidens, McQueen was inspired by The Wicker Man, Rick Owens was as creepy and enchanting as ever, and Yohji Yamamoto resurrected the recent ghost of Giorgio Armani. Margiela’s SS26 ready-to-wear collection came with multiple costume ideas – those eerie mouthpieces? Or how about a musical prodigy in an oversized suit? But it has to be Glenn Martens’ couture debut at the brand that takes the cake for high-fashion Halloween. Any of the looks would have sufficed (the Dexter-esque plastic suits, demon-like masks and endless swathes of fabric), though the most recognisable is Martens’ veiled ghostly figure, as worn by Kim Kardashian during the Venice Film Festival. 

A JET2HOLIDAY 

No one could’ve predicted that the Brat of 2025 would come via a budget airline company. Jess Glynne’s “Hold My Hand” accidentally became the song of the summer this year as millions of people around the world created social media clips sharing their holidays from hell (very Halloween). You couldn’t open Instagram or TikTok without the words “nothing beats a Jet2holiday” booming back at you, making voice actress Zoë Lister the unexpected breakthrough star of the year. For Halloween, why not go as Jet2 cabin crew, an aeroplane, or, to really embrace the holiday from hell, how about an OOO Satan?  

YOUR FAV MUSICIANS FEUDING  

Last year, it was all about Drake vs Kendrick. This year, the list of pop feuds has been endless. With beefs happening across every genre, there’s really been something for everyone – from Lana vs Ethel, to Tyler, the Creator vs Playboi Carti, and most recently, Charli xcx vs Taylor Swift. If you’re team Nicki but your bestie is team Cardi, now you can hash it out for Halloween. If you’re in need of a couple’s costume, look no further. 

KENDRICK LAMAR AT THE SUPER BOWL 

No pair of jeans this year has had more of an impact than Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl bootcuts. Back in February, when the rapper took over Caesars Superdome for his historic half-time performance, he did so wearing a pair of Hedi Slimane’s Celine flares, a Martine Rose jacket, Nike Air DT Max ‘96s and a Rahaminov brooch worth $68,000, styled by Taylor McNeill. “Can’t believe Kendrick did all that in the most Hannah Montana lookin bootcut jeans I’ve seen in years,” wrote @gingahninjaa on X at the time. Find yourself a Serena Williams and you’ll be Crip Walking through Halloween 2025. 

THE LABUBU ON KARL MARX’S GRAVE 

Labubus will undoubtedly be a popular choice this Halloween – they might even be the Moo Deng of 2025, though significantly more sinister. There are multiple ways to do this: there’s the regular Labubu, the 24 karat gold Labubu, or – a real horror story – the fluffy capitalist symbol spotted on Karl Marx’s grave. Alternatively, you could become the ghost of Marx, risen from the dead with Labubu in hand, seeking revenge on those who interrupted his peace at Highgate Cemetery.

A NAKED JEAN PAUL GAULTIER MODEL

No fashion show this year has been quite so divisive as Duran Lantink’s debut at Jean Paul Gaultier. Fashion commentator Mandy Lee described the collection as being “nothing short of disrespect. Disrespect to taste, disrespect to women’s bodies, disrespect to construction and fashion design.” In the comments, the internet compared the two trompe-l’œil naked suits (a reference to Gaultier’s SS96 penis blazer) to Halloween costumes. So, if you’re looking for high fashion at a low cost, either find yourself a morph suit or just go naked and tell everyone it’s Gaultier.

TAPED UP LORDE 

Artists leave breadcrumbs for their fans in all kinds of ways. Beyoncé has been signalling a rock album by wearing Tina Turner’s face on her clothes, Taylor Swift hinted at her showgirl era with an orange door, meanwhile Lorde revealed her fourth album, Virgin, via her sturdy water bottle and duct tape. First, the tape showed up on the back of her phone, then on her left boot, then across her chest as she explored her gender identity. All you need for this costume is a pair of jeans and some silver duct tape, but if you want to read up on a more detailed Lorde starter pack, we’ve got you covered. 

JUSTIN BIEBER STANDING ON BUSINESS 

It’s been a big few months for Justin Bieber. He released not one, but two huge albums with the help of Dijon and Mk.gee, and also became one of the biggest memes of the year. Shrouded in an oversized blue hoodie, Bieber confronted the paparazzi by saying “it’s not clocking to you that I’m standing on business”. After the video blew up online, the singer used the audio on one of his album interludes, “STANDING ON BUSINESS”. If he can make fun of himself, you can too this Halloween. 

BLUE ORIGIN’S ALL-FEMALE SPACE MISSION

Arguably one of the weirdest things to happen so far this year was the all-female space mission that lifted off back in April. Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen and Kerianne Flynn all hopped in Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket for the 11-minute round trip, during which time Perry held a daisy in her hand and serenaded the other passengers with Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”. Truly terrifying.

A PORTLAND FROG 

According to The Washington Post, inflatable frog costumes have become the protest fashion statement of 2025. During anti-ICE demonstrations in Portland, protestors have been dressing up as the cartoon-like creatures to gain attention and, more importantly, to make it obvious when officers are using unnecessary violence. “It just makes the violence really kind of clear, who’s doing it,” protestor Brooks Brown told The Washington Post. “Like, you’re trying to call the Insurrection Act on Barney the Dinosaur and SpongeBob?” If you spot anyone in an inflatable costume this Halloween, perhaps they’re actually taking a stand against fascism. 

CAUGHT ON CAMERA BY COLDPLAY 

If there’s one thing the internet loves, it’s love affairs, billionaires and their demise. So, when Coldplay’s Chris Martin accidentally revealed Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his head of HR Kristin Cabot’s affair earlier this summer, the world locked in. Hilariously, Martin jokingly commented that they must be either “having an affair or they’re just very shy”. This one’s a minimum effort costume – all you need is a black tank top and a silver-haired CEO to wrap his arms around you.

YAS-GPT 

The undeniable breakout star of this year’s Love Island was Yasmin Pettet. She might just be the first goth that the show has ever seen, and her robotic cadence prompted online debates about whether or not she was an AI bot. As a result, she was dubbed YasGPT and praised for her impeccable posture. Since leaving the villa, Yas has been spotted front row at Chopova Lowena, sporting Ludovic de Saint Sernin, Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs. Even if you don’t decide to dress up as a raven-haired goth robot, Yas has the opportunity to do the funniest thing this Halloween.