From Justin Bieber and Bad Bunny to vintage circus aesthetics, runway references and creative second-hand styling.
Halloween 2026 is heating up and not just because of Europe’s heatwaves. Between protests, political conspiracies and an increasingly tense cultural atmosphere, the world already feels like it’s preparing for its own spooky season.
And, as always, fashion reflects the times we live in.
This article is a continuation of my special newsletter edition, Halloween Trends 2026: Costume Ideas, Fashion Inspiration & SecondHand Styling, where I explore how fashion, popular culture and creative styling can inspire a Halloween wardrobe beyond traditional costumes.
This time, I’m focusing on ideas that connect with menswear, masculine style references and iconic male characters.
But before we begin, a little reminder: clothes and costumes have no gender.
Fashion is a playground for creativity, and Halloween is perhaps the perfect opportunity to experiment without limits. Take these references, reinterpret them and add your own personal and slightly terrifying touch.
Pop Culture & Style Icons: When Fashion Becomes a Costume
Pop culture and celebrity fashion remain rich sources of inspiration for Halloween, especially when you’re looking for something recognisable, creative and relatively easy to put together.
And sometimes, the simplest ideas are the funniest.
Justin Bieber: The Ultimate Low-Effort Halloween Costume?
Some people want an elaborate costume. Others simply want to be comfortable.
For the second group, I present Justin Bieber.
Inspired by one of his memorable casual appearances, all you need is a pair of white boxer shorts and a self-balancing scooter.
Honestly, I’m not sure how much more practical a Halloween costume could get.
Just roll into the party and prepare to make everyone laugh especially your Hailey Bieber!
You could even turn it into a couples’ costume: your partner wears a glamorous little red dress while you embrace the ultimate minimalist approach to dressing up.
A small but important note: this is definitely an idea for a party with close friends. Please don’t turn up at your company’s Halloween event dressed like this. Hahaha!
Bad Bunny: A Modern Fashion Icon
Bad Bunny has become one of the most interesting contemporary references for anyone who enjoys experimenting with fashion.
His personal style moves effortlessly between streetwear, tailoring, unexpected accessories and bold silhouettes.
And this brings me to one of my favourite principles when it comes to Halloween costumes:
You shouldn’t have to buy an entire outfit that you’ll never wear again.
Instead, start by exploring your own wardrobe.
If you need to buy something, look for pieces that reflect your personal style and can be worn again, reworked or even incorporated into future Halloween costumes.
A Bad Bunny-inspired look offers plenty of possibilities: oversized tailoring, statement sunglasses, interesting textures, jewellery and unexpected combinations.
The goal isn’t necessarily to reproduce an outfit perfectly, but to understand the visual codes that make it recognisable.
Kendrick Lamar: A Recognisable Look with Everyday Pieces
For another relatively easy costume idea, look to Kendrick Lamar.
Start with a distinctive pair of jeans and build the outfit around one of his memorable fashion moments.
Pay attention to proportions, footwear and accessories.
And, of course, you could always practise a few dance moves before the party.
Sometimes, a strong cultural reference is all you need.
Harry Styles: A Little Glamour Never Hurt Anyone
If there’s one celebrity who understands the relationship between fashion and performance, it’s Harry Styles.
From colourful tailoring and dramatic silhouettes to sequins, vintage-inspired pieces and theatrical accessories, his wardrobe offers countless possibilities for Halloween.
Go glamorous, romantic, playful or completely maximalist.
Johnny Depp: Bohemian Style & Iconic Characters
Johnny Depp is a true showman, both through his personal style and his film characters.
For a more fashion-led costume, explore his signature bohemian aesthetic: layered clothing, scarves, rings, necklaces, waistcoats, worn-in boots and plenty of character.
Alternatively, reinterpret one of his famous screen roles.
Captain Jack Sparrow offers endless opportunities to experiment with accessories, distressed fabrics and layering.
Willy Wonka opens the door to eccentric tailoring, unusual colours and theatrical details.
The real challenge with these looks is in the finishing touches.
Makeup, accessories and attention to detail can transform an ordinary second-hand outfit into something extraordinary.
The Return of the Classics: Vintage Fashion, Theatricality, and Circular Style
For those who prefer historical references, a timeless aesthetic, or a more sustainable approach to Halloween, second-hand fashion offers an exciting starting point.
Thrift stores, charity shops, and resale platforms (check out my shop on Vinted: Trendledsecondhand) are packed with pieces that can be reimagined as costumes.
Instead of buying a ready-made costume, you can gather visual elements to build a character of your own.
Vintage Circus: Harlequin, Pierrot, and the Dark Ringmaster
The vintage circus aesthetic offers a fascinating blend of theatrical fashion, nostalgia, exaggerated silhouettes, and slightly unsettling characters.
Consider the Harlequin, with its signature diamond patterns, playful contrasts, and historical ties to the Italian Commedia dell’Arte.
Or the Pierrot, whose melancholic appearance, pale makeup, and romantic costume details create an entirely different atmosphere.
For a more dramatic take, explore the figure of the Dark Ringmaster featuring sharp-cut jackets, waistcoats, decorative buttons, top hats, and mysterious accessories.
Another option is the fortune teller, drawing inspiration from fictional characters and theatrical depictions of mysticism. Vintage waistcoats, layered vintage jewelry, unique fabrics, and dramatic accessories.
These aesthetics are especially interesting for second-hand shopping.
Look for:
- Vintage waistcoats and tailored jackets
- Romantic shirts with ruffles or dramatic collars
- Diamond patterns and contrasting fabrics
- Velvet, brocade and lace
- Decorative buttons, gloves and statement hats
- Unusual boots and theatrical accessories
And don’t forget the makeup.
The difference between an interesting outfit and a memorable Halloween character is simply the way you style the final details.
Polka dots: a pattern with potential for Halloween
Polka-dot prints offer endless possibilities for creating Halloween looks.
Look for pieces featuring small, medium, or even very large dots, and experiment with different scales, color combinations, and unexpected layering.
A polka-dot shirt, for instance, can serve as the starting point for a playful outfit think of a clown-inspired look, a theatrical character, or a modern take on a vintage costume.
A pattern doesn’t have to be exclusive to a specific costume to be part of one.
Sailorcore: What happened to this sailor?
Nautical-inspired fashion is traditionally based on a recognizable palette of navy blue, white, and maritime details.
But for Halloween, why not give this familiar aesthetic a darker backstory?
Imagine a sailor who has returned from a mysterious voyage.
What happened at sea?
Why are his clothes stained, damaged, or worn out?
What secrets does he carry?
Use styling, makeup, and carefully distressed details to build a character.
This is one of my favorite ways to approach costume creation: starting with an aesthetic and then constructing a narrative around it.
From the Runway to Halloween: Fashion Collections as Costume Inspiration
Fashion runways are another wonderful source of references, especially for those who want to move beyond traditional Halloween characters.
Sometimes, a collection offers an entire visual universe that can be translated into costume design.
KidSuper 2025: The Little Prince
KidSuper’s 2025 runway references to The Little Prince offer a poetic direction for Halloween styling.
Think imaginative silhouettes, expressive colour combinations and dreamlike details inspired by the story’s visual world.
Rather than recreating a costume literally, explore how colour, proportions and accessories can communicate the character’s innocence, curiosity and sense of adventure.
This is an especially interesting direction for anyone who prefers an artistic, whimsical costume rather than a frightening one.
Moschino Spring/Summer 2019: Fashion, Humour & Maximalism
Moschino has long understood the power of humour, exaggeration and theatricality in fashion.
Its Spring/Summer 2019 collection is a wonderful reference for anyone interested in creating a Halloween look inspired by fashion illustration, playful visual effects and exaggerated styling.
Think bold contrasts, unexpected proportions and outfits that look as though they’ve stepped straight out of a designer’s sketchbook.
Generation Alpha is already shaping trends!
And here are a couple of fun Halloween costume ideas inspired by the viral Italian Brainrot universe: Cappuccino Assassino and Ballerina Cappuccina!
They also make a brilliant couples’ Halloween costume. I absolutely love this duo! Hahaha!
Why Second-Hand Fashion Makes Halloween More Interesting?
One of the reasons I love exploring Halloween through second-hand pieces is the creative freedom they offer.
Starting with a vintage jacket, an unusual blouse, a striking pair of shoes, or an unexpected accessory encourages you to think in a different way.
You become the stylist, the costume designer, and the storyteller.
And the possibilities extend far beyond a single night.
A velvet blazer can become a key piece in your everyday wardrobe. A romantic blouse can be paired with jeans. A bold accessory might reappear next Halloween as part of an entirely different character.
Through my “Trend-Led Secondhand Curation” methodology, secondhand items are brought back into the spotlight.
Because creativity doesn’t always require buying more, it’s simply about looking at what already exists with fresh eyes.
Looking for More Halloween 2026 Inspiration?
This article is just one part of my Halloween 2026 research and inspiration series.
If you’re still searching for your perfect costume, explore my other guides covering:
- Couples’ Halloween costume ideas
- Pregnancy-friendly Halloween inspiration
- Disney-inspired costumes
- Creative secondhand Halloween styling
You can also explore my special newsletter edition, Halloween Trends 2026: Costume Ideas, Fashion Inspiration & SecondHand Styling, where I share more visual references, creative directions and fashion research.
And if you enjoy understanding the relationship between fashion, consumer behaviour, cultural movements and emerging aesthetics, consider subscribing to my Substack:
Fashion & Consumer Trends from Copenhagen.
For those who want to put these ideas into practice, you can also explore my curated secondhand fashion finds on Vinted:
Trendledsecondhand
[Shop my Vinted collection ]
Make Halloween Your Own
The most memorable Halloween costumes aren’t necessarily the most expensive or elaborate, they’re the ones that reveal the most imagination.
Whether you choose a pop culture reference, a historical character, a runway-inspired look or something entirely unexpected, remember that personal style should never disappear behind a costume.
Experiment. Mix references. Explore second-hand shops. Pay attention to details.
And above all, have fun creating something that feels like you even if, for one night, you decide to become someone completely different.
Happy Halloween 2026!
About the Author
Andréia Oliveira is a Copenhagen-based Trend Forecaster and Costume Designer.
Through field research and cultural observation, she translates emerging signals into insights for brands and creative projects, while applying research on clothing, identity and behaviour to character development and costume design.
Trend Analysis · Consumer Behaviour · Costume Design · Copenhagen
Continue exploring:
- Consumer Behaviour →I develop educational content that makes circular fashion more accessible to both everyday consumers and industry professionals.
- Circular Fashion Education → Extending the life of garments through research and curation.
- Trend-Led Secondhand Curation →I developed my methodology to apply trend forecasting and consumer behaviour research to the secondhand market.
- Field Notes→ Exploring fashion, consumer behaviour, circularity and cultural change through field research and market observation.
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