25 Stylish And Work-Appropriate Halloween Costumes
So your office is celebrating Halloween and you have no idea what to dress up as? Halloween costumes at the office can be tricky — you never know if your coworkers are going to flake or go all out, and you have to be careful with what's appropriate.
There are tons of options both online and in stores, and if those don't do it for you, you can find a whole bunch of DIY tutorials online, as well. To get you started and your creative juices flowing, here are some ideas of Halloween costumes you can wear to work that range from no money at all to no more than about $50 if you do it yourself!
Classics
1. Witch
A witch is a classic Halloween costume — and an easy one for the office. Of course, you can go all out with black spider stocking, a black dress, spider and bat jewelry and a hat. Or you can just wear all black to the office, throw on a witch hat and call it a day.
2. Skeleton
A skeleton is a classic costume but you can get creative with it and make it unique. There are tons of skeleton one-pieces out there, as well as skeleton two-pieces and even knee-high skeleton socks and tights. But the real creativity comes with the face paint. There are tons of DIY skeleton face paint YouTube videos out there, like this one; there are also facial adhesives and temporary tattoos you can buy from just about any Halloween store.
3. Vampire
A vampire is arguably one of the easiest Halloween costumes because you can dress in plain clothes (or go all out — it's up to you!). All you really need to make a vampire costume complete are some fangs and some fake blood dribbled from the corners of your mouth. You can buy fangs that melt and mold to your teeth like mouth guards, which make them easier to speak and eat with, or you can buy a mouth insert, which you can easily take out. And you can add blood with red face paint or by popping a fake blood capsule in your mouth.
4. Scarecrow
Sure, a scarecrow might not be the most comfortable costume to wear in the office all day, but it's a classic costume. You can buy a scarecrow costume online or in stores, or you can make one yourself by simply throwing on some patched up clothes (or just some worn denim overalls with a flannel), getting yourself a straw hat and stuffing some straw into your sleeves and pants. You'll also want to paint your face; you can find a tutorial online, like this one.
5. Zombie
A zombie will most likely wear plain clothes because, well, zombies were once human. Whatever you decide to wear, make sure you splatter yourself in a lot of fake blood. The most important part of a zombie costume is the face makeup, as well — you'll want a white, ghostly face with black circles around your eyes and a lot of fake blood around your mouth. You might even want to go out and get some zombie contacts. Here's a makeup tutorial.
Superheroes
6. Superwoman
There are tons of superhero costumes out there, but none more famous than superwoman. You'll be sure to find a number of superwoman costumes appropriate for the office. You can also rock a superwoman T-shirt.
7. Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman costumes were all the rage last year since the film came out, and this year they're sure to be a hit again. You'll be sure to find a ton of Wonder Woman costumes hanging on the racks of every Halloween costume store around, but you might be hard-pressed to find one that's office appropriate — you may have to make some tweaks for a pant-version of this one.
8. Batwoman
Again, Batwoman costumes are everywhere. Even if your office doesn't go all out on Halloween, you can dress in all black and just wear the Batwoman mask. This way it's an easy costume you can take off if you're uncomfortable.
9. Poison Ivy
There's a whole array of Ivy costumes in stores and online, but you'll need to find one you can wear to the office. You can easily color your hair red with temporary dye or don a wig, and wear your favorite office-appropriate green dress paired with green stockings. You may also want to get yourself a green leaf boa of sorts.
10. Spiderwoman
Spiderwoman costumes are a thing, and you can easily find them in stores and online. You can make your own Spiderwoman costume by donning red and blue, wearing the eye mask and getting yourself a Spidey-style web shooter to wear around your wrist. Sure, you really shouldn't go around squirting spiderwebs at your coworkers, but that depends on the office you're in.
Medieval
11. Renaissance Woman
There's a wealth of renaissance costumes in stores and online. If you have an office that tends to go all out, this is a great choice because the dresses are elaborate. You just may be uncomfortable in a corset all day.
12. Knight
So you want to be a knight? Get yourself a silver costume with a fake sword and shield. You'll have tons of options online and in stores.
13. Warrior
Like a knight, a warrior costume can easily be found online and in stores, and you'll need a fake sword and shield. You might also want a cape. Mostly so you can hide from your work all day.
14. Empress
An empress is a woman who is a sovereign ruler of great power and rank — especially one ruling an empire. So if you want to rule your office on Halloween, this may be the costume for you. You'll wear a medieval dress and an empress headband.
15. Queen
Like an empress, a queen costume will rule all. You'll want to wear an elaborate dress and crown. Or just the crown if you're looking for something quick and easy.
Decades
16. '20s
Image via Party City
Dive back into the 1920s and be a flapper, a young woman with bobbed hair and a lot of sequins, tassels and pearls. While you can certainly find flapper costumes readily available, they're pretty easy to come up with yourself. Just get a dress, a wig and a fake cigar and you're golden.
17. '50s
The 1950s were a time of pin-up and poodle girls rocking dirndl dresses, bouffant hairstyles and bobby socks with saddle shoes. There are tons of '50s costumes you can buy. But you can probably find most of what you need in your own closet (barring the saddle shoes, we imagine).
18. '70s
Photo via Party City
The '70s were a hippie era. You can easily find colorful round glasses and a flower-power dress or bell bottoms in stores. Make sure to throw your coworkers a peace sign when you walk into work.
19. '80s
Photo via Party City
Think: Bright colors, leg warmers, fingerless gloves, stretch stirrup pants and oversized tops. You can probably find everything you need for your '80s costume in any regular shopping store, but you can also buy one in costume stores. Make sure to tease your hair no matter what you wear.
20. '90s
Photo via Party City
The '90s were a time of flared denim jeans, plaid school-girl skirts, crop tops, choker necklaces, hoop earrings, scrunchies, slide sandals and high-top sneakers. The good news is that most of this has made a comeback in recent years — which means a lot of '90s-style clothes and accessories are available in everyday stores. Just make sure to wear your hair in a side ponytail to make it a little more obvious that you're in costume.
Animals
21. Cat
22. Dog
Get yourself some ears. Get yourself a tail. Wear all black (or all white or brown). And paint your face with some puppy dog eyes. Done.
23. Referee
There are tons of referee costumes online and in stores, and they're super easy for the office. All you have to do is wear a referee T-shirt and some black pants. Throw a whistle around your neck, and you'll be calling all the shots.
24. Boxer
Wear some workout clothes and wear a silk robe over them. Then throw on a sweatband and bring your boxing gloves. Sure, you won't be able to type — or do much of anything — with the gloves on, but you'll look the part, and you can always take them off.
25. Racecar Driver
--
AnnaMarie Houlis is a feminist, a freelance journalist and an adventure aficionado with an affinity for impulsive solo travel. She spends her days writing about women’s empowerment from around the world. You can follow her work on her blog, HerReport.org, and follow her journeys on Instagram @her_report, Twitter @ herreport and Facebook .
Why women love us:
- Daily articles on career topics
- Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
- Advice and support from an authentic community
- Events that help you level up in your career
- Free membership, always