By Erin Moonyeen Haley
In the film Mean Girls (2004), protagonist Cady Heron schools the audience on costume etiquette: “In Girl World, Halloween is the one day a year when a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything else about it.”
In the stratosphere of celebrity where budgets have the largess of the MCU franchise and imaginations are equally epic, costumery is less about Scarlet Letter slurs and more about extravagance and unforgettable impressions. The potent alchemy of fame, wealth and access to the virtuosos of wardrobe and makeup makes ‘Celebrity Halloween’ its own supersized subculture, one that offers mere mortals endless inspiration for gawking first and mimicry second.
There are certain costume savants that always stand out. While the Kardashians never forgo on an opportunity to command campy attention, - think Mars Attacks and a vampy take on Cruella de Vil - both Ciara and Cardi B have elevated the act of dressing up to the sophisticated art of total transformation.
(From Kendall to Kim, the Kardashians channel many a pop culture muse every Halloween.)
(Ciara's take on Cardi B. and Selena is authentic beyond belief.)
(Cardi B. amplifies the siren in any look.)
Even Ariana Grande has elevated her Halloween game, turning photo ops into vintage Creature From the Black Lagoon movie posters.
Of course, celebrities who are in couples never miss a chance to coordinate and choreograph their Halloween evening, optimizing attention and envy.
Celebrities also prove that one doesn't have to be a couple to have an ensemble costume. Just look at the cast of Riverdale and their Powederpuff Girls look.
It’s safe to argue that much of the Halloween fever has been fed by none other than supermodel Heidi Klum. Her devotion to the holiday has made her a cross between a mascot and a patron saint, with a self-designed rubric that favors over-the-top effects over sexy, even when playing doppelgänger to the cartoon sexpot Jessica Rabbit.
As for her other costumes, there are far too many to praise in one sitting.
Whether it's channeling one's inner Betty Boop, dressing up as pop princesses such as Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj, summoning the horror titans of yesteryear with Hitchcockian tributes or reminding audiences that Scarface is still a phenomenal source of ingenuity, checking out celebrity costumes can only lead to fresh dressup ideas for 2022 and beyond.
(Chloe Bailey)
(Hailey Bieber)
(Nas X)
(Reese Witherspoon)
(Olivia Rodrigo)
(Chloe Bailey)
(Rhianna and friends)
(Bella Hadid)
(Mr. and Mrs. Jonas as Mr. and Mrs. Addams)
(Megan Thee Stallion)
(Kendall Jenner)
(Bella Hadid)
(Chrissy Teigen)
(Willow)
(Lizzo)
(Nina Dobrev)
(Gigi Hadid)
(Beyonce)
(Halsey)
(Harry Styles)
(Emily Ratajkowski)
(Kerry Washington)
(Heidi Klum again...)
(And again...)
Images courtesy of Vogue and Instagram)