Costume Craze: What’s Trending This Halloween?

By Mary Rivera-Scheeringa, Producer of Podcasts

The leaves are changing colors, the air is crisp and Halloween is right around the corner. For many, October 31 isn’t just about candy and haunted houses — it’s about finding the perfect costume. Let’s be honest, choosing the right costume can make or break the holiday. 

One thing is certain: gone are the days when you picked just one costume. Now, its normal to have two, three, or even more, depending on how many spooky gatherings you plan to attend. Over the years, Halloween has become a marathon, and the costumes have to keep up. Of course, the classics never fade. Expect to see plenty of witches, vampires, superheroes, and TV show characters roaming the streets on trick-or-treat night. These timeless picks are reliable, but the real fun is in watching how others pull ideas from what has been trending each year. 

This year, Wicked is bound to dominate. After the movie’s massive success, the upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good and all the viral buzz around the series, don’t be surprised if you run into many Elphabas and Glindas. Sequins, pink glitter, elaborate dresses, and green face paint are practically guaranteed to make an appearance. And speaking of pop culture, the power couple of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce is set to inspire an entire wave of costumes. With their engagement making headlines in August 2025 and Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl, which dropped in early October, expect plenty of eye-catching bodysuits paired with Kansas City Chiefs football jerseys. 

At the end of the day, Halloween is all about creativity, fun and friendly competition to see who can pull off the best costume. Whether you’re going for a timeless classic, a viral trend, or a niche reference, confidence is key. Get ready to bring your best costume to campus this spooky season!