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The spookiest holiday of the year is just around the corner, and it’s a great chance to break away from your normal office attire and show off your creative and fun side.
Whether you’re looking for some last-minute costume inspiration for this year’s Halloween office party or just to wear to work (or even over Zoom), we’ve got you covered. We’ve hunted down the best Halloween costume ideas to help you plan your own fun, creative and work-appropriate outfit and celebrate Fright Night in spooky style.
Solo costume ideas
1. Starbucks
Do you love Starbucks so much that you think you’re 80% coffee? If so, opt for this easy outfit. To perfect the look, grab a beige-coloured dress or a white T-shirt and pair of trousers, and wrap a Starbucks decal (paid link) around your waist. To finish the look, make a hat out of a plastic cup and a straw. To resemble an actual Starbucks cup, you can even go the extra mile and add a checklist with coffee shots and milk boxes on your back.
2. Raining men
To nail this creative idea, wear a raincoat and attach your top male celebrity crushes’ faces with a piece of string to a clear bubble umbrella (paid link). The plus side? You can even reuse the umbrella once Halloween is over with!
3. Bags of jellybeans
If you don’t mind looking a little ridiculous, then choose this super easy costume. Get cellophane with the Jelly Beans logo on it and fill it with multicoloured balloons (paid link), et voilà — you’re now a delicious bag of sweets!
4. Rosie the Riveter
If the Rosie the Riveter outfit (paid link) is good enough for Queen B, it’s definitely good enough for you. All you need to crack this number is a red bandana, a chambray shirt and 1940s-inspired makeup. Oh, and a toned bicep when you pose for your Instagram snap!
5. Audrey Hepburn
This iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s costume (paid link) is perfect for the workplace. Simply pair your favourite black shift-dress with black heels, a strand of pearls, a cute tiara, a cigarette holder, and long black gloves.
6. Carrie Bradshaw
Have you always watched Sex and the City and dreamt of being Carrie Bradshaw? I know I have! If you too want to follow in the fashionistas’s footsteps, you can nail this outfit with no qualms. Pair some Converse sneakers with a long tutu (paid link) and a plain tank top, and don’t forget to curl your hair!
7. Wednesday Addams
For the full Addams Family effect, pair a white buttoned-down shirt with a black jumper, a black dress (paid link), black tights and black shoes. Finish off with two simple, braided pigtails.
8. Snapchat filter
This idea is super fun for any work party. Forget turning to Snapchat for the pretty filters, and become a permanent one. You can make a crown of flowers (paid link) as a headband, and contour and highlight your face to give it the ultimate filter effect.
9. Scarecrow
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For ultimate comfort, dress as a scarecrow for the day. Throw on a pair of light-wash jeans or overalls and your favourite checked shirt, and pair with cowboy boots. Invest in some face-paint to draw a few stitches on your face and a wide-brimmed straw hat (paid link).
10. Where’s Waldo?
This classic costume couldn’t be more appropriate for the office. Pair jeans with a white and red striped T-shirt, a red beanie hat, round specs and a pair of binoculars for the ultimate Waldo ensemble (paid link).
11. Sailor
A sailor outfit (paid link) is a fun option; you can use anything that’s in your wardrobe, as long as it’s navy and white. Match it with a sailor hat, and you’ll be ready to set sail.
12. Ghost
For the really lazy bunch, opt for the classic ghost outfit (paid link). Take a white sheet, cut out holes for your eyes, and you’re good to go. It’s probably wise to only put this on for group photos, as it will interrupt your regular working pattern.
13. Animal
An animal is an easy look to pull off, especially if you want to keep your normal attire on. If your office doesn’t allow full-on costumes, an accessory like a headband (paid link) is all you really need to look festive. To really convince your coworkers that you’re a lion, put your makeup skills into practice.
14. Superman/Supergirl
To channel your inner Clark Kent or Kara Danvers (paid links), simply wear a Superman/Supergirl T-shirt underneath a business suit with some glasses.
15. Anna Wintour
To walk in the shoes of the fashion queen, simply invest in a good bob wig (paid link). For the full effect, wear a tweed dress paired with a classic cardigan, some staple black sunglasses, and don’t forget your copy of Vogue magazine. In the footwear department, just opt for what’s comfortable, either a pair of classic pumps or kitten heels.
16. Mary Poppins
This sweet costume is one of the best to choose when attending a Halloween-themed event at work. A truly feminine look, a black midi skirt and collared shirt are the classic backdrop for the iconic statement pieces from the quintessential nanny. Add all the essential Mary Poppins accessories (paid link), including a red bowtie, a black umbrella and a black hat adorned with flowers to finish off this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious outfit.
17. Mime
A simple mime costume (paid link) can be worn with black pants, a striped shirt, red flats, white gloves and a black beret.
18. Ginger Bread Man
If you have red hair, this outfit could be very funny. If you’re on the witty side, hang loaves or rolls of bread off you with a sign saying ‘Ginger Bread Man’. Your humour might even win the costume competition.
19. Bumblebee
This cute bumblebee costume (paid link) is easy to put together. Simply wear a black and white striped A-line skirt and heels with a yellow blouse, round specs and a bee headband.
20. Facebook
If you’re someone that really can’t be bothered with Halloween but is forced to wear some kind of outfit, opt for this smart ‘costume’. All you need to do is write the word ‘book’ on your face with black eyeliner (paid link).
21. Karen
While you may not be the regular Karen (paid link) in the office, why not have a bit of fun and dress up as one for the day? To make sure people know you actually are, wear a sign saying Karen, and to really get into character, why not snitch on your coworkers for the day?
22. Skeleton
Want an easy yet effective costume? Purchase a simple skeleton outfit (paid link), and you’re good to go! To make this outfit extra effective, go into work sleep-deprived so you have the natural panda-eye effect!
23. Vampire
Pointy teeth, a bit of fake blood running down your mouth, and a cape (paid link) will make you a strong contender in this year’s Halloween costume competition. With a few simple props, you can scare your colleagues for the entire day!
24. Cruella de Vil
Step into Emma Stone’s shoes and dress up as the frightening Cruella de Vil. With a two-toned wig (paid link) and plenty of makeup, you can inspire your inner diva and really get into character.
25. Witch
You can never go wrong with a classic witch costume for Halloween. All you need are some black clothes, a witch’s hat (paid link) and a wooden broomstick — and a wicked laugh to go with it!
Group costume ideas
26. Fruit salad
Pick your fruit and get your DIY on with this easy and customisable group costume. You can opt to be a strawberry, pineapple or watermelon (paid links). The list is endless – just choose what you like best.
27. Minions
The base of this costume is really simple — jean shorteralls, a long-sleeved yellow shirt, tall yellow socks, a yellow beanie, black gloves and black shoes. You just need to make some DIY eye goggles to finish off the look.
28. Emojis
For a super simple group outfit, you can all wear black and make cut-out emojis that cover your entire face, or opt for a ready-made costume (paid link).
29. Gossip Girl
Pinterest
If you’re a major fan of the hit series Gossip Girl, channel your inner Blaire (paid link) and pair up with the rest of the gang to impression the popular clique.
30. Game of Thrones
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Watch your head if you and your colleagues decide to dress up as this crazy cast of characters. You’re going to need a sword and a lot of faux fur (paid link) to pull these looks off, but it will look phenomenal once you do.
31. Social networks
Is your company big on social media? If so, think outside the box by dressing up as social media apps (paid link). Think: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Youtube, Vimeo and Snapchat.
32. Dominoes
If you’re on a budget, this is a great group idea. Wear all black and use white tape to draw circles on the dominoes (paid link). If you’re taking a snap, why not all lay on the floor for a cool effect?
33. Men in Black
Grab a black suit, a white shirt, a black tie, a MIB ID tag (paid link) and some shades plus a trusty pug to pull off this costume.
34. Three blind mice
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If you and your work besties are up for a laugh, why not dress up as the three blind mice (paid link)? To nail this look, wear a simple tutu and black strappy top, and complete the look with a cane, shades and mouse ears.
35. Rice Krispies
Cereal box characters often get overlooked, but you can recreate everyone’s favourite Snap, Crackle and Pop (paid links) and wow your coworkers with your creativity.
36. Hocus Pocus
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You can have a lot of fun dressing up as the mad witches (paid link) from Hocus Pocus. Just complete the look with a sweeping broom (or Dyson), and off you go!
37. Harry Potter
Don’t let your gender stop you from dressing up as the ever-popular wizards. If you want to be Harry (paid link), simply buy a wig and draw a lightning-shaped scar on your forehead.
38. Grease
If you loved a bit of Rydell High (paid link), make your costume old-school by copying the characters from the popular movie.
39. Mad Men
Break out your grandma’s vintage furs, some fake cigarettes and a highball glass. For the men out there, find an old suit with a classic trilby, and you’ll have the full cast of Mad Men in one office.
40. Disney Princess
There’s only one time a year where it’s acceptable to dress as a Disney Princess (paid link), unless you work for Disney, of course! So, choose your favourite character and enjoy being her for the day.
Final thoughts
While these ideas are fun for your office fancy dress party, make sure you aren’t offending anyone in the process. Before you throw your outfit on, have a think about the cultures and religions shared in your workplace to ensure no offence is caused. And most importantly, don’t forget to embody your character and have a good day!
Further reading
Join the conversation! Which of these costumes will you be taking inspiration from this year? Let us know in the comments section below!
This article is an update of an earlier version published on 11 October 2019.