Shout out to the goths and ghouls because it’s officially spooky season! Except, well, Halloween is less about being spooky these days, and more about dressing up as a fairly niche yet recognisable and ideally timely pop cultural figure or concept (I’m not complaining; I like seeing everyone’s batshit Instagram posts). To that end, the months and weeks leading up to Halloween can often involve a bit of spitballing: should I dress up as Claudia Winkleman’s fringe or is that overdone? Does anyone get that I’m supposed to be from ‘Heated Rivalry’ and not ‘Off Campus’? Etc, etc.
One approach that can make things easier and more fun at Halloween is embracing a couples costume. As in, you and your significant other, best mate or semi-close acquaintance dressing up as a duo – ideally from a film, TV show or the internet. So, before you RSVP to all those house parties, take a scroll through our couples costume ideas for Halloween below.
Shane and Ilya from
If you’re worried that an ice hockey outfit is going to make everyone think you’ve dressed up as Garrett Graham from , then harangue someone else into joining you so that it’s obvious you’re these two. All you’ll need is a couple of ice hockey jerseys off Vinted and a general sense of years-long yearning and irrepressible desire for each another.
Violet and Corky from
For lesbians, this will just involve going outside in our normal clothes.
If you watch , you’ll know that Nico is Orna’s incredibly calm miniature husky (you’ll have to use your imagination for that one). If you don’t, then probably don’t go as these two for Halloween.
Mick and Mallory from
The sexiest fictional serial killers there ever were. A fake (or real! Why not go all out?) scorpion tattoo and bandana for her, and a red string vest and tiny round shades for him. Plus, a sort of maniacally evil personality between you both – for one night only, of course.
The Olsen twins
Look, we may not all have a wardrobe full of The Row, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go as Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen this Halloween. All you’ll need is a couple of long blonde wigs, head-to-toe black outfits, XXL sunglasses and coffee cups. Oh, and make sure to always look like you’re having some sort of mysterious, non-verbal meeting.
Justin and Hailey Bieber
It’s all in the details with this one. She has to be striding ahead looking the most glamorous and put-together anyone has ever looked. He has to be wearing a hoodie and slippers.
Janis and Damian from
If you’re contemplating a costume this Halloween, the obvious choice would be to go as a couple of the plastics at their Halloween party (“I’m a mouse… ”). That said, Janis and Damian – Cady’s acerbic, outsider friends – are a bit more leftfield and unexpected. So long as you can source the perfect purple suit jacket.
Gillian and the black cat from
Yes, it would perhaps make more sense to go as Sally and Gillian – all floral skirts, tiny shades and grungy ’90s cardigans – but why not push the boat out a little and have one of you dress up as the cat? That way, only one has to source an actual outfit, and the other can just throw on some cat ears and draw on some whiskers. Toss a coin!
Yasmin and Harper from
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Specifically: Yasmin and Harper circa season three, when the former spends all her time dodging the paps in giant shades and a Pierpoint & Co. baseball cap while smoking dramatically, and the latter gets even more evil and loaded.
The fact that every other pair of gay men in Dalston will be going as Charli XCX and/or Madonna – who recently joined forces for a “Danceteria” mix – needn’t be of any concern. There are plenty of fishnets, black eyeliner and ciggies to go round for all of us!
Buffy and Angel from
Millennials, rise up! Now is your time to shine as the sexiest TV couple of the ’90s. Think: a strappy tank and cross necklace for her and copious amounts of hair gel for him.
Odysseus and Athena from
You must have a linen table cloth or two lying around? Chop them up, fashion a couple of togas and… , you are these two ancient Greek legends.
Sailor and Lulu from
If you’re a David Lynch fan, there are plenty of costumes to choose from: Dale Cooper from , the Lady in the Radiator from , Laura Dern as Nikki Grace from running through the streets of Hollywood with a screwdriver (that one might be mine though, so maybe don’t steal it)… if you’re looking for an easy and recognisable couples costume, however, then why not opt for Sailor and Lulu (Nicolas Cage and Dern) from ? One snakeskin jacket and a Barbie pink bodycon dress later and you’re film’s favourite couple of freaks.
Cher and Alexander Edwards
People have been dressing up as Cher for Halloween since the beginning of time, but now you can draw a teardrop on your reluctant boyfriend’s face and tell everyone he’s Alexander Edwards, Cher’s 40-years-younger partner.
Shrek and Fiona
I mean, you might not be able to pull this off as spectacularly as the queen of Halloween herself, Heidi Klum, and now-husband Tom Kaulitz did back in 2018, but we can’t all expect to reach such highs. Really, all you’ll need is some green face paint, a green velvet dress (for her), some raggedy, medieval-looking clothes (for him) and, if you’re feeling crafty, a couple of homemade ogre ears (I’m thinking… the ends of green balloons?).
