Let’s face it, I’m nowhere near being five years old (physically, at least), but dressing up for Halloween is still one of my favorite parts of fall. It’s the one night of the year when those “wtf” side glances are actually not warranted. This Halloweekend, dress up with your squad in one of these group costumes that are guaranteed to get you 500 likes on Instagram.
1. Badass Ninjas
So when are ninjas not awesome? Maybe they weren’t awesome that time you tried to chop a board in half, broke your finger and cried in front of your first grade karate class. But other than that, never. “You can practice your karate together, sneak around the party and look totally badass in pictures,” said Victoria Champion, owner of Champion Party Supply in Seattle, WA. Start working on your karate skills ASAP and get ready to kick some serious butt all night long. Maybe you won’t actually get into any epic fights against bad guys, but defending your friends on your walk home is basically the same thing, right?
2. Taylor Swift’s Squad
Unless you’ve been living under a rock that doesn’t even have Wi-Fi, you know about the greatness that is “Bad Blood” by T-Swizzle. Take a cue from her VMA award-winning video and have your girls embody its Mad Max vibes. Go for all black errythang with cut-out tops, leather shorts, black boots and (definitely fake) guns. Bonus points for blasting “Bad Blood” wherever you go. Swift would 100% approve.
3. Snapchat Filters
Snapchat has changed our lives for the better with their insanely fun interactive filters. Really, who hasn’t sent an embarrassing number of rainbow-puking selfies to their dads? Exactly. Grab some costume makeup and channel your inner Picasso as you recreate your favorite filters. Whether you’re vomiting ROYGBIV, crying huge tears or scaring everyone with your zombie face, these costumes will simultaneously impress and horrify.
4. The Rocky Horror Picture Show Crew
This 1975 cult classic film has permanently earned a spot in our hearts for their crazy outfits and songs that we secretly listen to all year long. Whether you go as Dr. Frank-N-Furter with a leather jacket and fishnet stockings or as Rocky in leopard print underwear (seriously), this look is best done in a group. Otherwise you’ll just look like a guy in drag or a lady of the night. Time to pull out all the stops with over-the-top makeup and time warp the night away. Bonus points for actually learning and performing the dance at every party you attend.
5. Mario Kart 64
There’s nothing like the good ‘ole days when playing Nintendo was the only constant in our lives. This year, take your friends on a blast from the past by dressing up as your favorite Mario characters. “Get some Mario costumes and balloons and you’re in the group battle mode of Mario Kart 64,” Champion said. All you need are balloons and monochromatic suspenders. It’s a super easy way to get the gang together while making everyone around you insanely jealous for not having thought of it first. Even if you do see a copy-cat group, that just means you get to actually race them. You’re welcome.
6. Magic Mike Performers
This is for all you guys out there who are confident (or foolish) enough to think you can pull off Channing Tatum’s abs. Break out the bow ties from your junior high dance days and rock some black tanks and jeans. Come prepared with a dance routine and you’ll have people fangirling all night long.
7. The Great Gatsby
English majors list dressing up as the characters from The Great Gatsby in the top five on their bucket lists. Cross it off this October with a trip back to the glamorous days of 1920’s prohibition. Christopher Kabacinski, an English major at Boston College, said, “I would want to be Tom and Jordan’s daughter who gets left behind all the time: Pammy, an innocent victim of the jazz age.” Classy black suits, flashy flapper dresses and champagne flutes make it the perfect last-minute idea. (For added fun and historical accuracy, dress up as a cop and arrest people for drinking unless they pay you off.) But hey, a little party never hurt nobody.
8. Zoo Pals
Walk into any Halloween store and you’ll be bombarded with loads of animal costumes. For this group costume, have everyone dress up as his/her favorite animal and at least one dress up as the zoo keeper – don’t forget the pair of keys. Mobs will form just to take selfies with you, because who doesn’t love animals? No one.
9. The Hey Arnold! Gang
Pay homage to one of the best cartoons from our childhood. “Dressing up as something nostalgic is really fun,” said Champion, who recommended characters from this Nickelodeon classic. Scour your nearest thrift store for the perfect 90’s outfits and prepare yourself for strangers to yell, “Move it, football head.”
10. Troll Dolls
If you’re looking for a quick and easy group costume that’s still insanely cute then look no further than trolls. Dress up in skin-colored tights and don crazy colored wigs or follow this simple tutorial to troll-ify your hair. Minimum effort is required and you’ll still get smothered in compliments. Done and done.
