Best Halloween costumes for 2020 if you’re on a budget

With 2020 being spooky enough due to the pandemic, it can seem hard to find a lighthearted transition into Halloween festivities. As peculiar as this year has been, there are several monumental pop culture moments from 2020 which would make for killer Halloween costumes – whether you’re joining a Zoom costume contest or just eating candy on the couch. We encourage you to celebrate this year’s spooky season – safely, of course – with these 2020 trend-inspired costumes which can be replicated with items you may already own.

Y2K

The Y2K aesthetic is making a blast from the past. The sudden resurgence of early 2000s trends has seemingly arisen from a universal nostalgia for “simpler times." Perhaps we see the era of chick-flicks, butterfly hair clips, Bratz Dolls and Lisa Frank – a world of Y2K – as a means to escape the predominant struggles of 2020. Either way, why not manifest these “simpler times” by recreating your early 2000s look. Statement tops, mini denim skirts, shiny pants or chunky shoes are all relevant symbols for the Y2K aesthetic.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion in “WAP"

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s collaboration for “WAP" emerged as a cultural phenomenon and anthem for female empowerment this year. The music video features several iconic looks, perhaps the most notable being the leopard and white tiger print jumpsuits worn by the duo. Recreate this look by wearing your favorite animal prints and accessorizing with gloves, boots, bling and confidence.

“Keeping up with the Kardashians”

After 14 years with the Kardashians, we’ve become partial to enough drama, fights, breakups and makeups to make us feel a part of this family. Nonetheless, the end of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” marks the end of an era. Fans of the reality show seem as upset as Kim when she lost her diamond earrings. However, we encourage you to recreate your most memorable moments from the show this Halloween. For Kim’s iconic scene; simply wear a black dress, wet your hair and clutch your ears. Tip – imitating Kim’s “ugly cry” is essential for this costume.

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish is known for using masks to make a fashion statement, having worn the accessory at her performance at the Glastonbury Festival, the 2020 Grammys in January and even launching her own “green slime mask" design. Her look is the perfect costume to recreate this Halloween. An oversized graphic T-shirt, silver jewelry, statement sunglasses and a mask are all essential to the artist’s signature, baggy hip-hop inspired style.

Tik Tok ghost photo shoot

TikTok boasts a surge of creative trends celebrating the spooky season during the pandemic. The latest is the ghost photo shoot. The trend sees people dressing in white sheets to appear like ghosts while taking aesthetic, vintage-styled photos. Some costumes add eye holes and accessorize with sunglasses, fishnets, or other miscellaneous clothing items. With Halloween at home (most likely) this year, the ghost photo shoot trend encourages people to use items that they would likely have in their homes to create a unique ghost costume.

“Euphoria”

HBO’s “Euphoria” premiered last year and fans anticipate the release of a follow-up season. It’s needless to say that the show has made a significant impact on pop culture. Unconventional and abstract styling is considered normal in the show’s gritty portrayal of Gen Z teens in 2020. Fans were particularly in awe of each character’s distinct look transcended mere aesthetics and helped the viewer understand aspects of their background, personality, emotions and inner-turmoil. The makeup, which won head makeup artist Doniella Davy and her team an Emmy Award, has prompted trends of graphic eyeliner and watercolor eye shadow looks often featuring face decals, sequin designs and the “Euphoria” honed “glitter tears."

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