1. Genderbended Freddie Mercury from the “I Want to Break Free” music video

An excellent costume for the dudes, the ladies, and everyone in between. It’s mainstream but different — you aren’t just any old Freddie Mercury, you’re curvy Freddie Mercury with hot pink lipstick. Make sure to bring along your vacuum cleaner to any function you attend.

2. A flock of geese

I have heard the word “Geese” more times in the past month than I have in my entire life, mainly from the mouths of men with overgrown haircuts and wiry little mustaches. So, why not lean into it this Halloween by dressing up with your friends as geese? Think feather boas and orange tights, and maybe don’t wash your hair for a few days to make it extra obvious. 

3. This specific photo of Fiona Apple and Bob Dylan from the 1997 Grammy’s

Hello couples costume! I’ve been sitting on this one for a while, mainly because of how insane Bobby looks. I’m not sure if he was trying to look like a member of the Voltori, but the combination of the pale face makeup, guyliner, tophat, and clothing really sells the vision. Then there’s Fiona, looking very cute and ‘90s, out of place standing next to Count Dylan. It’s like they don’t exist in the same time period. Bonus points if you lean extra hard into the Bob Dylan vampire thing and sport some fangs and blood. 

4. Sony Walkman Monkey

A marketing genius graced us with the Sony Monkey sometime in the early ‘80s, resulting in perhaps one of the greatest images to exist in the entire world. It also happens to be easy to replicate this Halloween. Literally all you need is a monkey costume of any degree and a vintage-looking music device. Honestly, I know some of you reading this have that exact model of Walkman sitting on your desk right now…

5. Your favorite album cover

Think you’re the only person you know that listens to “real” music? Want to spread the good word of music that truly speaks to your soul? Find a way to emulate your favorite album’s cover — it’s a truly personal costume. It also gives you a pass to be extra annoying: when someone inevitably comes up to you asking what the hell you’re dressed as, just pop an earbud into their ear and enlighten them.