The best low-effort pop culture Halloween costumes of 2023
Yes, Halloween is already here. Each year it seems to creep up on us, and each year we're left scrambling to find a last-minute costume.
Ideally, one that hits the trifecta of: not too expensive, not a piece of junk, something you actually would like to wear again.
That's where going as one of your favourite TV or movie characters tends to tick every box. It's likely you already have part of the costume already and, most importantly, you'll get loads of cred for your creativity.
We pulled together all the easiest, most low-effort Halloween costumes based on 2023's biggest pop culture phenomena.
If you don't have most of these already, we're almost guaranteed that if you buy them, you'll get use out of them again. (Except Gina's faux possum fur. We're not making any promises on that.)
Carmy, The Bear
To become TV's favourite fictional chef – yes, Chef! – all you need is a white T-shirt (make it tight), a blue apron and temporary tattoos. Smooth some wax through your hair for that signature Jeremy Allen White greased look and say, "Hi Cousin."
You'll be more authentic than one of Marcus's Danish desserts.
Shop the apron here
Shop the shirt here
Shop the temporary tattoos here
Gina, Alone Australia
There's nothing more spooky than being left to starve in the woods. That's why you should go to your Halloween event as Gina – the clever and endearing survival expert who was named winner of Australia's first season of Alone.
To go as our fearless Gina, you have to recreate her famous possum coat. We suggest a fake fur wrap and a brown top, with cargos on the bottom and of course, no shoes. Top it off with a fake fur hat (if you please) and you're ready to survive on nothing but fish and wallaby for 67 days. Good luck.
Shop the faux fur shawl here
Shop the cargo pants here
Shop the jacket here
Kendall Roy, Succession
Go as Kendall Roy with a pink button-up, brown chinos, brown sunglasses – and the ever-important chunky headphones for listening to your emotional support hip-hop. To complete the look, cross your arms and feel the weight of your billion-dollar family empire on your shoulders.
There you are, you poor thing. A perfect sad Kendall.
Shop the pants here
Shop the shirt here
Shop the sunglasses here
Shop the headphones here
Shiv Roy, Succession
Shiv Roy is a neutral power suit and a neutral power suit is Shiv Roy. So much are they one in the same, you could pick to your fancy, pair it with a brown knit singlet – and Bob's your Uncle (and Greg's your cousin).
If you don't have a tailored suit, and you don't have the budget or closet space to acquire one, that's okay. Really, all you need to be Shiv is a withering stare, a hand in your pocket and a mobile phone. That's some scary stuff.
Shop the pants here
Shop the top here
Shop the jacket here
Ken(s), Barbie
We can't complete this list without a nod to the biggest hit of the year – the Barbie movie. Dress like the moody, soul-searching Kens from the big dance off towards the end of the movie. All you need is a black T-shirt tucked into tapered black pants, plus pink socks and a loafer. Then voila, you are Kenough.
Bonus points if you wrangle a few buddies into a matching costume.
Shop the shirt here
Shop the pants here
Shop the shoes here
Shop the socks here
Ellie, The Last of Us
Ellie from The Last of Us has seen so many creepy, spooky things, she's a natural pick for Halloween icon.
Lucky for us, her costume is very easy to pull off. You just need a red zipped hoodie, a khaki jacket and a backpack. To top it all off, slick your hair into a mid-low pony, rough it up and smear some dirt on your face. Maybe roll in a big pile of it while you're at it? That's peak apocalypse for you.
Shop the jacket here
Shop the tee here
Shop the backpack here
Shop the hoodie here
Ronald Gladden, Jury Duty
Ronald didn't have what we would say is an 'iconic' look on the show, but his striped shirt – buttoned all the way to the top – and golden chain are pretty quintessential for our happy-go-lucky foreperson.
Walk around the party with a naive look on your face and start believing the best in people, and everyone will understand immediately – it's Jury Duty guy!
Shop the shirt here
Shop the necklace here
Daisy Jones, Daisy Jones & The Six
A Daisy Jones Halloween costume is pretty interchangeable with 'Girl from the 70s', so people will immediately get your look. But it's nice to be specific and stun them with your knowledge of TV when you reveal you're the embattled Stevie Nicks-inspired fictional rockstar.
She wears a lot of impressive outfits in the show, so anything with a '70s flare or fur collar or big sleeve would work nicely. Here are our picks for achieving the look anyway.
Shop the top here
Shop the flared jeans here
Shop the coat here
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