As Halloween 2026 approaches, fashion trends for costumes are shifting away from traditional frights toward the extraordinary. Professional costume designer Tamar Zaig, who operates a London-based fancy dress hire shop, reports a significant demand for escapism, glamour, and subtle dark humor rather than conventional scary attire. Then you might want to look to gargoyles, Freaky Nikki and Dolly Parton for inspiration – they are all predicted to be popular outfit choices for 2026, if you’re still on the hunt for the perfect Halloween costume. Look to ancient Greek epic The Odyssey for costume opportunities. According to rai from Fancy Dress Town also, Blonde wigs, cowboy-style waistcoats and microphones are in high demand, following the death of Parton aged 80 in August. It’s “a strong option” that “requires very little arts and crafts ability” â “a blonde wig and an A3 piece of card with The Last Supper printed on it and you’re pretty much there”. Low effort, high impact, and the sort of costume that makes absolutely no sense to anyone who hasn’t been keeping up with online pop culture. Which has dominated social media feeds in 2026, is also predicted to be a big influence this Halloween for women, the whimsical fashion trend. Moths, mushrooms, woodland fairies and 17th Century Pierrot clowns, think gargoyles. In keeping with the theme, Lauren Sidebottom, a TikTok beauty and fashion creator from Leeds, is planning on dressing up as a weeping angel.
Television remains a primary driver for inspiration this season. The hit series The Traitors continues to influence party style, with host Claudia Winkleman’s signature aesthetic—defined by tartan, fringe, chunky knitwear, and heavy eyeliner—remaining a perennial favorite. The creator behind the popular Instagram account Love of Huns notes that while Winkleman is a classic choice, her enduring appeal is reinforced by the show’s ongoing success. So, here are some spooky ideas to try. Channel your inner Claudia, by order of the Traitors. Or another option that could make people smile is the ready-to-drink cocktail brand Buzzballz, Love of Huns suggests. “We know it’s been done before, but dressing up as your favourite flavour is a fab opportunity to show.
Meta-inspired costumes are also gaining traction, particularly those derived from the ice hockey romance drama Off Campus. The series depicts characters Dean and Allie attending a Halloween party as Maverick from Top Gun and Jennifer Lopez, offering a recognizable pairing for couples. Another significant influence is the Emmy-winning series Widow’s Bay. Horror enthusiast Maria Nichol is among those crafting detailed replicas of the character Patricia, attempting to recreate the iconic gothic headdress using foam clay, foil, and fur. Maria Nichol, 35, a horror aficionado from Ely in Cambridgeshire, plans to dress as Kate O’Flynn’s character Patricia – and is trying to replicate her gothic headdress, which includes antlers and a taxidermy fox, by crafting her own from foam clay, foil and fur.
One of the most anticipated costume trends involves Nikki from the indie horror film Obsession. The character’s distinctive red and black zebra-print top previously went viral, leading to a massive 27,000-person online waitlist earlier this year. London retailer Muhammad Rai reports steady customer requests for the look, typically requiring a red corset and wig, while professional prosthetic designer Meg from Liverpool notes an increase in requests for the specialized makeup associated with the character. I’ve had a few people ask me to do that make-up for them,” adds special effects make-up artist and prosthetics designer Meg, from Liverpool. According to the 23-year-old, who studied theatrical makeup at college,, She’ll be creating the look using body paint, grey tights, a cracking makeup effect on her skin, drawn-on tears, and a grey wig.
Nostalgia from the 1990s and 2000s is expected to surge, with fans gravitating toward Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hilary Duff, and characters from the Practical Magic franchise, bolstered by the recent release of its sequel. Younger participants are embracing DIY approaches to these themes; 21-year-old Tiggy Bellinger and 25-year-old Sophia emphasize that creating costumes from existing wardrobes—such as dressing as Hannah Montana for her anniversary—allows for greater creativity and helps avoid generic store-bought ensembles. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman cast a spell in Practical Magic 2. Tiggy Bellinger, 21, from West Sussex, agrees DIY costumes can help avoid people wearing “the exact same thing”.
The current cinematic landscape is also shaping the season’s aesthetics, with high-grossing films like the Michael Jackson biopic, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and The Odyssey driving interest in historical and gothic romance styles. These theatrical influences are appearing in both mainstream fashion and party attire, with various shops noting a return to dramatic, period-inspired looks. Wuthering Heights, The Bride! and The Odyssey. Along with Peaky Blinders, I think these kind of productions have brought some great theatrical costume styles back into the spotlight, from elaborate period gowns and Greek mythology to 1930s glamour. So there’s plenty to work with, both have had enough iconic looks between them.
Traditional horror franchises remain a staple, with the release of Scream 7 and Scary Movie 6 providing fresh momentum. Ben Cook, manager of Hollywood Fancy Dress in Bournemouth, reports that Ghostface masks account for approximately 20% of his current sales. Meanwhile, recurring interest in series like Wednesday and Bridgerton persists, alongside newer favorites like the KPop-themed Demon Hunters. According to Cook, and outfits from KPop Demon Hunters â which won best animated film at this year’s Oscars – are the current biggest seller for children.
Beyond fictional characters, several real-world personalities are influencing party choices.
Tributes to the late music legend Dolly Parton, involving extravagant wigs and rhinestones, are highly sought after.
Similarly, pop stars like Charli XCX and Madonna are being eyed for collaborative duo costumes.
In the realm of politics and global figures, costumes depicting Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are also anticipated to appear.
Other potential trends include references to Mariah Carey or artistic motifs like The Last Supper, as enthusiasts continue to look for ways to balance creativity with current cultural milestones. After the star became a meme for sharing a selfie with the Leonardo da Vinci painting in Milan,, external they add, other fresh pop culture references could include Mariah Carey and The Last Supper.
