I dare you to get through this post without humming “that, that me espresso.” The line—and the song—was everywhere this summer, and with the launch of Sabrina Carpenter’s new album and Short n’ Sweet tour, the “Please Please Please” singer is hotter than ever. And her iconically retro-coquette aesthetic makes for a great costume.
Many of her looks are very lingerie-inspired, and if that’s a little too risque for your Halloween party, consider going the “Espresso” single cover route. That black-and-white tube top dress is easy to rewear long after October 31, and all you really need is blown-out hair (or a decent wig) and a red kiss tattoo to round things out.
Plus, with these Amazon finds, it’s a relatively cheap last-minute costume idea, too. To quote Ms. Carpenter herself, Isn’t that sweet? I guess so.
How to Create a Sabrina Carpenter-Inspired Costume
Optional: If it’s chilly where you are, why not throw on a pink fuzzy coat, like the one Carpenter wears in “Please Please Please?” (Like this one from Amazon, $55)
Lead Photo: Sabrina Carpenter/Island Records/YouTube
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A Quick Disclaimer: Life Between Weekends isn’t affiliated with Sabrina Carpenter or Island Records/Hollywood Records. We’re just fans, sharing costume ideas for other fans.
Moo Deng, you sassy internet darling. This pygmy hippo has taken the world by storm, with her adorable looks and feisty attitude (she’s been known to nip at zookeepers from time to time). People are flying around the world just to see her; there’s a livestream to watch her every move. She’s even inspired a makeup trend, given her glossy sheen. So, what better of-the-moment Halloween costume for 2024?
Given the hype—and the fact that prior to this year, hippo costumes weren’t so popular—they’re hard to come by, but not impossible. (Oddly, adult costumes are way easier to come by than baby and toddler ones.) Here are a few options to consider, as well as some easy ways for the rest of your crew to be zookeepers.
Note: I tried to choose costumes and clothing with the quickest turnaround times, but be sure to double-check estimated arrival dates before purchasing.
Spirit Halloween stores may be best known for breathing life into decaying strip malls (at least for two-ish months of the year) and being a go-to for last-minute costumes, but its nimble nature makes it a prime source for All Hallows Eve inspo. The company moves lightning fast on trends (seriously—they have a line of licensed Hawk Tuah costumes, based on the girl who went viral this past June), as they scour what’s zeitgeisty in pop culture year-round.
That naturally makes them a prime spot for Halloween costume trend spotting: What’s the 2024 version of Barbie mania? Are people going all Beetlejuice Beetlejuice? Is it a Skibidi Toilet world and we’re just living in it? (Please, say no.) I attended a press preview earlier this month to get the scoop—and it did not disappoint. Here are some of the standout findings.
Photos: Candace Braun Davison
1. Blinged-Out Costumes Are A Big Deal
Almost every category of costume at Spirit Halloween had a rhinestone-studded or sparkle-coated option, from Minions to Ghost Face to a football purse (which seems ideal for Travis and Taylor looks).
As popular as Deadpool costumes are, a Spirit Halloween rep said Lady Deadpool costumes were flying off the shelves even faster. It makes sense: Not only does it feel timely—Deadpool vs. Wolverine was one of the biggest movies of the year!—but it’s a figure-framing costume that doesn’t feel too revealing (because no one wants to be shivering in a pillowcase-sized dress, honestly). And it represents a character who doesn’t take herself too seriously, so you can have fun with the look.
Ghost Face from the classic Scream series has always been a popular Halloween costume, largely because it’s so easy to throw together—and so immediately recognizable. But the interesting thing is how many variations exist for Ghost Face these days (140, according to Spirit Halloween’s search results). There’s a blinged-out version; versions for babies, kids and pets; bleeding masks, pink masks, devil-meets-Ghost-Face masks, you name it. A Ghost Face for all seasons, if you will.
I’ve been recommending Bluey-inspired costumes for years now—and in fact, when I first suggested the idea, Etsy denied me from their affiliate program for promoting “Blue Heeler” costumes people were selling online. But, back then, there weren’t any officially licensed costumes in the States. Things have changed now, and these days, the whole family can dress up as the Heelers, from full-body costumes to tutu and poncho variations. Your kid can even channel their inner Muffin (though that one is only sold online).
5. Halloween Crossbody Bags Will Replace Your Lululemon Belt Bag
Belt bags and crossbody bags have been a wardrobe staple since 2020, and now, they’ve gone seasonal. Spirit Halloween has all kinds of spooky and playful riffs to complement your costume, though I could see people rocking some of these year-round (or at least from mid-September through October).
6. Chipotle’s Booritos Have Taken on a Life of Their Own
Chipotle’s attracted a cult following for its annual Boorito promotion, which lets you snag an entree for $6 if you show up on Halloween in costume. It’s become a tradition for many, and for diehard fans, you can actually dress up as a Chipotle burrito, bag, water cup or fork to really get into the discount-dining-at-the-chain spirit.
It’s getting down to the wire and you haven’t settled on a costume, nor do you have the time or energy to order half a dozen items from half a dozen places and hope they all arrive on time. I’ve been there (oh, I’ve been there). If you’re looking for a one-order-and-go sort of costume, there are plenty on Amazon. And right now, with Amazon Prime Big Deal Days happening through 11:59 p.m. PST on Wednesday, Oct. 9, there’s no better time to take action. (On that note, you have to be a Prime member to score those deals.)
But, given the fact that Amazon sells just about everything you can imagine, sifting through the search results can be a HASSLE. So I’m here to help.
These Amazon Halloween costumes don’t have long lead times and aren’t the looks you’ll be seeing from every fellow procrastinator who ran to their nearest Spirit Halloween store 20 minutes before a party.
As cozy as wearing a hoodie, this zip-up costume is a low-effort way to feel totally festive. And it just so happens to be more than 30 percent off for Prime Deal Days. $40 at Amazon
You could dress up as Taylor Swift this Halloween—or you could be a mega fan. Just pair this tee with a black panama hat, black shorts and red heart glasses, if you really want to go all out. However, you get the point across with the t-shirt alone. (Bonus points for wearing a stack of friendship bracelets and drawing a ’13’ on your hand.) $15 at Amazon
The whimsigoth trend—combining the macabre with a sense of Victorian-style romance—has been huge this year. So if you’re thinking of a classic costume, like a skeleton, why not opt for this affordable lace poncho? $15 at Amazon
Who doesn’t love ranch dressing? Only sociopaths, that’s who! Ok, ok, I may be a bit hyperbolic, but this will be the bizarro hit of the Halloween party. Trust. $20 at Amazon
I’ve shared Matilda-inspired costumes before…and then I stumbled upon this gem of a military dress from Amazon. How Trunchbullian is this?! It’s honestly too good to pass up. $40 at Amazon
Ms. Frizzle, is that you?! All you need is a red curly wig and a passion for science, and this look is ready for you. Plus, how cute is that school bus purse? $42 at Amazon
There’s a whole league of Progressive characters these days, but Flo is still No. 1. You’ll have to provide your own collared shirt and pants, but the apron, wig and badges are really the critical elements of this costume anyway. $40 at Amazon
Okay, here’s where we’ll suggest buying two items from Amazon, since this wig is pretty epic (and key to nailing the look). If you’re short on cash or just don’t know what you’d do with a wig after the 31st (fair), throw your hair in space buns with pigtails and call it a day. Wig, $27, and costume, $46
If this dress doesn’t remind you of Jennifer Garner in the early aughts movie, I don’t know what will. Better start practicing your “Thriller” moves now. $27 at Amazon
When it comes to bangers, “The Floor Is Lava Dance” gets all the attention, but my kids and I are really all about “Brand New Day.” And honestly, “Gorilla Smash” deserves more love for the earworm that it is. If you understood even one of these references, you must be a parent. Or teacher. Or babysitter. So you know that when it comes to kid-friendly Halloween costumes, Danny Go would be pretty zeitgeisty—and get everyone pretty hyped.
Not to mention that it’d be fairly easy to throw together (even if you don’t have a Mindy Mango in your life to custom-dye your aqua shorts suit). Better yet, you can dress up your kids as their brain break icon.
Amazon sells button-down shirt and short combos in just about every color of the rainbow; I tried to vet ones that had solid reviews and were available with a quick turnaround. (Because some of you may be reading this because your kid decided on Oct. 28th that they’re all in on dressing as Danny Go, and not the Catboy costume you picked up weeks ago.)
My one-year-old may or may not be dressing up as DG this Halloween.
Faux cobwebs and jack-o’-lanterns help set the Halloween vibe, but nothing creates an enchanting, multi-sensory experience quite like a mantle full of candles. Classic white pillars can create a moody tone, but it’s worth taking things a step further. How about smoky, sultry scents that fill a room with a sense of mystery? And fun shapes and vessels that capture the spirit of All Hallows Eve?
Though I make most of my own Halloween candles, there are a few designs I love from other makers (and big brands) that I had to share. Just don’t let a virgin light them.
OK, it’s technically part of their holiday collection, but you should start burning Apotheke’s Firewood candle as soon as the first bursts of crisp fall air hit. It has such strong smoky, campfire notes that it feels like you should be telling spooky stories around a fire pit. Or, at the very least, making s’mores.
I’m a sucker for Siblings’s sustainable, microwave-and-pour candle kits—and their range of Forever vessels, which you can reuse again and again. One of my favorite scents as the weather turns cool is No. 13, a mix of palo santo, marshmallow cream and burnt sugar. It’s a nice candle to channel the trick-or-treating feels of Halloween, without being cloyingly sweet. (You can thank notes of cedarwood and palo santo for keeping things balanced.) Plus, it makes for a fun, five-minute craft that leaves you feeling oddly accomplished when it’s finally time to burn.
Sculpted candles double as art, but I never want to burn them because of the potential mess they make (and, admittedly, it’s a bummer to lose that design). But this find is nicely contained within its apothecary jar, and it’s only going to look more macabre as it melts. It’s unscented, and LED lights in the base of the jar give it an extra haunting effect, as they flicker between a red and yellow glow when the wick is lit.
When it comes to unexpected fall scents, Found Notes wins. Anthro’s take on fig is more earthy than fruity, and when paired with coriander, it creates a warming, slightly spicy take. It’s kind of what you’d expect the Witches’ Road to smell like in Agatha All Along. Or Taylor Swift’s Folklore album, honestly.
I’m not big on pumpkin-y scents, but Snif made me a convert. Rather than smelling like straight pie—or cinnamon, as many pumpkin candles do—this tempers the expected fall scents and elevates them with notes of maple, chocolate and whiskey. It makes for a more complex, beguiling scent that quickly fills the room. (Seriously, the hot throw on this candle is impeccable.)
If you’re into candle making, you should check out Winding Wick Candle Co creator Tiana Coats’s YouTube channel. It’s a fascinating peek at what it takes to launch and grow a creative candle company. Coats specializes in dessert candles, and this butterscotch-scented one is nothing short of magical. As it burns, it changes color, revealing the wizarding house you’re meant to be in.
What better time for a tarot card reading than All Hallows Eve? Each jet black candle has a tarot card charm hidden inside, which is gradually revealed after about 2-4 hours of burning. I tried the whole trio—past, present and future—and let’s just say my reading left me floored. (You’d think a brand would stack the decks in the love-and-happiness favor, but nah—my past, present and future turned out to be death, the devil and the fool, respectively.) Thankfully, the cards don’t mean what you’d immediately think, per the booklet that came with the trio. All in all, it makes for a fun Halloween candle to burn that you shouldn’t take too seriously.
(It comes with tiny tongs to remove the charm.) Photo: Candace Braun Davison
Bonus: Right now, the trio is 41 percent off ($85, down from $145). But if you just want one, you can order it individually via Amazon.
Editor’s Note: Due to the popularity of Carmy-inspired costumes, I had to update an old favorite, just to ensure everything was still in stock and available.
The Bear, FX’s show about a fine dining chef who heads home to Chicago to run his family’s sandwich shop, has been one of the buzziest shows since its debut in 2022—not just for its plot, but for its fashion as well. (Seriously, the costume designer has said she received 10 DMs a day from people wanting the exact white shirt its star, Carmy, wears.)
“It was never the intention to be ‘stylish’ per se—a white tee, black Dickies and Birks is a common look amongst chefs,” Cristina Spiridakis, the costume designer for The Bear‘s pilot, told GQ. “Carmy is a person that appreciates quality and classics, items that last, that aren’t fussy or trendy—things created with a respect for the item itself.”
The look itself is easy to replicate, making for a quick, practical, last-minute Halloween costume.
Watching The Devil Wears Prada causes me to involuntarily spiral into maniacal laughter. Sometimes, it’s genuine snickering at the quips and actors’ comedic timing; other times, it’s an “all you can do is laugh” moment meets recognition of, to quote Taylor Swift, the asylum where they raised me.
Certain moments are such a spot-on representation of working in magazines pre-2014. The recession and digital revolution changed so much (from the changes in ad revenue to innovations that made scheduling—and rescheduling—cars, meals and travel so much easier). It flattened a lot of the hierarchies and demands placed on assistants. But, all that to say, more than a decade and a half later, the movie endures. It’s such a time capsule of that era, especially the Cerulean Sweater Monologue (yes, it deserves capitals).
It’s iconic, so if you’re looking for an equally amazing—yet understated and totally wearable the rest of the year—Halloween costume, choose this Devil Wears Prada-inspired look.
The Andy Sachs, Devil Wears Prada-Inspired Costume
Photos: 20th Century Studios/YouTube, JC Penney, Amazon, Redbubble
The Cerulean Cable-Knit Sweater: St. John’s Bay Pullover ($18, JC Penney) or Classic Cable-Knit Sweater (Gap, $55)
The Button-Down Shirt: Women’s Oxford Shirt ($26, Amazon)
One of the most fun Easter eggs of Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Guts’ tour has been seeing what will be emblazoned on her tank top during her encore set at each city. In Minnesota, she rocked “You betcha,” in New York, she was “Carrie Bradshaw AF,” and declared (sartorially, at least) that “It’s Always Sour in Philadelphia” when in the City of Brotherly Love. “Just a Girl” was a major favorite among redditors, but those are only a few examples.
Given the hype surrounding the look, and that the rest of the outfit remained the same throughout her tour, giving her that easily recognizable “Cartoon Character Outfit“—aka easily recognizable, iconic look—revered on TikTok these days, it makes for a great Olivia Rodrigo costume (you know, if you aren’t going with her Sour album cover look).
If you have a Cricut, you could easily cut red heat-transfer vinyl or use Infusible Ink to create your own custom tank, using any one of her previous tour phrases, or creating your own (bonus points if it’s Halloween-themed). For those who don’t, Rodrigo sells a similar-looking tank on her official website, and I’ve hunted down a few more options below.
If you have access to an iron, you can grab individual iron-on letters and go to town yourself. Just note that if you stay true to Rodrigo’s style and choose a ribbed tank, the letters may curl up as the shirt stretches…but you really only need this look for one night, right?
The Tank: Olivia Rodrigo’s Official “Bad Idea” Tank ($35, OliviaRodrigo.com), or “I Heart Gossip” Tank ($9, Forever21) or “Hot Person” Tank ($13, Cider), or go for a cropped baby tee: Perfect All-American B*tch Tee ($35, OliviaRodrigo.com)
10 Encore-Style Tank Top Phrases to Try This Halloween
Bloodsucker
Vampire
I Know My Place, And This Is It
Eternal Optimist
Bad, Bad News
All-American Boo
Maybe I Can Fix Him
Ballad of a Homeschooled Ghoul
We Both Drew Blood
Teenage Dream
Add a red lip and a strong cat eye, and you’re good to go. Good 4 U, friend, for pulling this off ahead of Halloween, OR’s next tour date or…wherever you’re headed, really.
Disclaimer: Life Between Weekends isn’t affiliated with Olivia Rodrigo or Geffen Records. We’re just fans, creating costume ideas for other fans.
As far as Walt Disney World rides go, the Haunted Mansion is right up there with Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain. But despite how Halloween appropriate it is, it doesn’t get nearly the love that Captain Jack Sparrow does every October 31st. It’s about time we changed that—especially when there are such great Haunted Mansion costumes out there.
If you’re planning on paying homage to the ride’s characters at a Disney theme park, it’s best to double-check that your costume doesn’t infringe on its guidelines (no capes below the waist, no masks, and so on—find the rules for Walt Disney World and Disneyland here). All of these options are pretty safe bets, provided you don’t pose for pictures with other guests, sign autographs or act as if you work for the park (all no-no’s, per Disney’s rules).
The Best Haunted Mansion-Inspired Costumes to Try
Photos: Disney Store/Amazon/AliExpress
1. Madame Leota
She’s arguably the star of the show! All you need is a brocade caplet to serve as the “tablecloth” and the iconic blue wig, but if you really want to take things to the next level, you could wear a “crystal ball” helmet with some fairy lights strewn around it.
Chappell Roan has taken over the airwaves this year with her blend of synth-pop hits, so it’s only fitting that you pay homage to one of her already unforgettable looks. Every outfit is thoughtfully considered, often with a statement behind it. There’s the Governors Ball Statue of Liberty ensemble, her Joan of Arc-esque VMAs performance, her Midwestern Princess album cover…but a personal favorite of mine is one of her “HOT TO GO!” music video outfits. It’s like a glam band leader/majorette, and it’d be a fun one to pull off this Halloween. Here’s what you’ll need.
First, glean a little inspo directly from the music video:
(And make sure you memorize those dance moves ahead of the 31st.)
Second, Assemble Your Chappell Roan-Inspired Costume:
The Blue Eye Shadow: 9-Color Blue Eyeshadow Palette ($7, Amazon)
The Red Lipstick: Maybelline Stay Vinyl Lipstick in 25 Red-Hot ($10, Target)
Also, a quick disclaimer: Life Between Weekends is not affiliated with Chappell Roan or Island Records/Atlantic Records. We’re just fans, creating costume ideas for other fans.
Kate Hudson’s Happy x Nature clothing line popped up in early 2019 with a ton of fanfare. (Finally, a way to score the actress’s laid-back, boho look!) The designs felt like Reformation and Free People, only at a fraction of the price. What a score! But, just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished. By summer 2021, Happy x Nature was all but scrubbed from the internet. Its once-official website was redirected to NY&Company’s Brands We Love page, and now, it seems the domain has lapsed, leading nowhere. There’s virtually no mention of it across Hudson’s social accounts, aside from the initial launch hype.
Sadly, it seems she’s dropped the line to focus on other pursuits, like Fabletics, King St. Vodka and Inbloom supplements. You can still find tons of the clothes secondhand on Poshmark and ThredUp, however, so if you love the looks, there’s still hope!
And if you’re curious, here’s how the dresses fit and hold up, before you buy one secondhand.
Happy x Nature’s Iconic Midi Dress, Reviewed
Original Review: Posted Spring 2019
I had to know. Had to. This wasn’t just for me; this was for the greater good. I needed to buy a dress from Kate Hudson’s Happy Nature clothing line, so I could tell everyone I know what it’s like (because you’re dying to know some random person on the internet’s opinion, right?!). It’d also help me determine whether the Almost Famous star’s line would basically become my boho-driven capsule collection wardrobe for the foreseeable future. So, with that in mind, I shelled out $83 for the Serene dress, a midi length, linen number that seemed flowy in all the right ways. Except on my body, it isn’t. Let me explain.
The Fit:
Expectation:
Photo: Happy x Nature
Reality:
Photo: Nathan Davison
The top half of the dress is supposed to be loose, but on me, it felt so baggy that every time I look in the mirror, I can’t help but think of that scene in The Proposal, when Sandra Bullock’s character tries on her grandmother-in-law’s wedding dress, and the GIL (played by Betty White, no less) compares her chest under all that fabric to going “on an Easter egg hunt!” Still, I loved that it cinched at the waist, hit just below the knee—even on a taller figure, like mine—and that the linen had some heft to it. It didn’t feel like a flimsy or shoddily made outfit.
Even with those pros, I still couldn’t shake how frumpy Skywalker-ish I felt in it. And every time I caught my gaze in mirror, I was struck by how much stockier my body looked. All things that don’t exactly help you project your most confident self.
The Feel:
It’s incredibly soft, like slipping on a pair of well-worn pajamas. It’s the type of outfit I’d want to wear every day…if only it fit a bit better from the waist up. (The shoulder seams, sleeve length, everything else was great, so maybe I just need to come to terms with the fact that this dress was made for a different body type. Or is supposed to look like this, since the model’s top is pretty loose too.)
The Shipping Experience:
Shipping itself was pretty prompt, and Happy Nature wasted no time getting my order out the door. However, it was a little off-putting to see a $7 charge to use their enclosed shipping label for any returns—despite the banner at the top of the site stating there are free returns (which prompted me to buy in the first place!). It makes sense—they’re otherwise eating the cost of shipping it back and forth—but I’ve gotten so used to other brands doing so that when I saw “free returns” and then saw the charge, it felt like a bait-and-switch.
That silly, $7 charge was just high enough to convince me the dress is “all right,” but the truth of the matter is, I wait until I’ve nearly run out of laundry before wearing it. I don’t love it; now, I’m just looking for ways to style it to help me appreciate it more.
The Bottom Line:
Would I still buy clothes from Happy Nature? Yes. In fact, I’ve been eyeing a few tops from the brand. If I’m on the fence about a look, I’m more likely to wait to check out eBay or Poshmark for the styles—that same Serene dress is now being sold on both sites for anywhere from $15-$45. And, if I try a dress and I truly don’t love it, I’ll suck it up and pay to ship it back, rather than take up room in my closet.
