Halloween inspiration from pop culture [1] is plentiful, and if you prefer to narrow down your costume choices to inspiration from just TV, we have that. There are lots of costume ideas from this year's small-screen picks, like the always in-vogue Game of Thrones, plus new, hot shows like Empire and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Check out our ideas for Halloween [2] costumes from this year's hottest TV.
Lucious Lyon From Empire
- What to wear: A swanky double-breasted suit with a flashy tie and pocket square.
- How to act: Like you own the place, but you haven't forgotten where you came from.
The Red Devil From Scream Queens
- What to wear: A red pleather shirt with black pants and a giant red cape. Wield a chainsaw.
- How to act: Like a completely terrifying serial killer on the hunt for teenage blood.
Kermit and Miss Piggy
For her: Wear a flashy dress with sequins, a string of pearls, a blond wig, and pig nose and ears.
For him: Wear a green collar with a frog mask or paint your face green.
Jaqen H'ghar From Game of Thrones
- What to wear: A long hooded gray robe with a rope belt. Bring extra face masks so you can change faces periodically.
- How to act: Never use the second person; instead refer to people as "a girl" or "a boy." Ex.: "A girl dresses up for Halloween [3]."
Chanel From Scream Queens
- What to wear: A floaty silk blouse tucked into a tight, high-waisted skirt. Layer up with a faux-fur jacket or boxy quilted blazer.
- How to act: Mean, nasty, conceited, and fabulous.
Boone From Scream Queens
- What to wear: A polka-dot polo shirt tucked into khaki pants. Add a cloth belt and a white golf glove.
- How to act: Like a frat boy with a secret.
Hakeem From Empire
- What to wear: A posh hoodie and a gold chain with leather sweatpants.
- How to act: Sing "Drip Drop," and be a cocky jerk.
Chad Radwell From Scream Queens
- What to wear: Bright-colored pants, a collared shirt, and a preppy sweater. Add a newsboy cap and boat shoes.
- How to act: Cocky, horny, and dumb.
Liv From iZombie
- What to wear: A red hoodie underneath a lab coat, plus some lab goggles. Wear white face makeup and black eyeliner to appear pale and undead.
- How to act: Like you love braaaaains!
Jimmy Darling From American Horror Story: Freak Show
- What to wear: Gray pants, a white button-up with an undershirt, and a newspaper boy cap. The toughest part is going to be finding some lobster-hand prosthetics.
- How to act: Like you've got a chip on your shoulder because your jerk dad is back in town and cramping your style.
Ramsay Bolton From Game of Thrones
- What to wear: A long-sleeved shirt with a brown leather vest over it.
- How to act: Like you are just the worst of the worst.
Cookie Lyon From Empire
- What to wear: Leather, fur, a skintight dress, and sky-high heels. The more outrageously fabulous, the better.
- How to act: Like you run the damn show, because you do.
Jamie From Outlander
- What to wear: A tartan over a white shirt, with a brown vest over it. Rock a red wig.
- How to act: Tough and gallant, and use a thick Scottish brogue.
Ethel Darling From American Horror Story: Freak Show
- What to wear: A very plain dress, short hair, and most importantly, a fake beard.
- How to act: Like you're a lady with a beard and you just don't even care anymore.
Hester From Scream Queens
- What to wear: De-glam with a multicolored windbreaker, a three-wolf moon shirt, and a neck brace.
- How to act: Like you're super stoked to be invited to the party, but a little awkward and sketch.
The Kappa Kappa Tau Pledges From Scream Queens
- What to wear: Your best collegiate casualwear.
- How to act: Excited, optimistic, and full of anxiety — like any college student pledging a sorority.
Twisty the Clown From American Horror Story: Freak Show
- What to wear: Get a white clown costume and dirty it up by rolling on the ground a few times. Maybe even splatter some fake blood on it for effect, and you don't need to mimic the terrifying sight under Twisty's mask [4], but you should see if you can make your own mask.
- How to act: This is one of the scariest costumes [5] you can go with this year, so play it up. Don't speak much, and just creep on people.
Bette and Dot Tattler From American Horror Story: Freak Show
- What to wear: If you can find a second head or make one out of papier-maché à la Michael Scott [6], you've got this one nailed. Go with a simple headband for both of you and a pretty dress.
- How to act: It really depends on whether you want to be Bette or Dot. If you're Bette, you're a little in the clouds, and if you're Dot, you're no-nonsense.
Dark Swan From Once Upon a Time
- What to wear: Don black from your head to your thigh-high stiletto boots. You'll also need some white color hair spray to get that perfectly chilled look. Top it all off with some bright red lipstick, and you're ready to cause some trouble.
- How to act: Like you've been overcome with darkness and you don't know how to control it.
Rogelio From Jane the Virgin
- What to wear: A flattering white shirt and a purple coat. Purple is your color.
- How to act: Melodramatic; use a Spanish accent and make intense eye contact (and also Blue Steel).
Melisandre From Game of Thrones
- What to wear: A long red wig, pulled back into a half-up do. Wear a dark red dramatic gown and a choker.
- How to act: Constantly tell people that the night is dark and full of terrors.
Maggie Esmerelda From American Horror Story: Freak Show
- What to wear: A green hat with a matching sweater belted at the waist, a retro bag, and a modest skirt. Curl your hair and toss on some red lips.
- How to act: She's a (fake) fortune teller, so see if you can find a cheap crystal ball and some partygoers to dupe.
Annalise Keating From How to Get Away With Murder
- What to wear: A skintight red leather jacket and black slacks.
- How to act: Assertive and brilliant. Bark orders for your drink or what the DJ should be playing.
Kimmy From Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
- What to wear: A yellow cardigan over a floral top and bright pink jeans. Rock a backpack and a smile.
- How to act: Like you just got out of a bunker — I mean, like you just moved to New York City, that's all.
Edward Mordrake From American Horror Story: Freak Show
- What to wear: A top hat with an old-timey black suit and tie. What you really need to convince people of who you are is a second face on the back of your head, just like the real Edward Mordrake [7].
- How to act: Mysterious and secretive. Reveal your evil second face only to those whom you trust.
Claire From Outlander
- What to wear: A big tartan skirt with a blouse over it and a gigantic woolly scarf.
- How to act: Use an English accent and be a little cagey about your identity.
Dandy Mott From American Horror Story: Freak Show
- What to wear: Go full-on prepster with white ironed slacks, a sweater over a collared shirt, a brown belt, and slick hair parted in the middle.
- How to act: Like a spoiled, slightly crazy mama's boy.
Supergirl From Supergirl
- What to wear: You know this outfit! Wear a blue long-sleeve leotard with a red miniskirt and red cape.
- How to act: Virtuous and like you might leap out of the building at any minute.
Missandei and Greyworm From Game of Thrones
For her: Wear a dark blue gown and a thin headband with your hair curly.
For him: Wear silver armor (or be injured Greyworm with the bandage).
Desiree Dupree From American Horror Story: Freak Show
- What to wear: It is possible to make your own three-breasted costume [8], and once you have the most important part taken care of, you just need a sophisticated dress and a stole to hide your assets when you want.
- How to act: You're one of the biggest stars of the freak show, so make sure everyone knows how lucky they are to be in your presence.
Kaitlyn and Shawn From The Bachelorette
For her: Wear a long, sequined dress and a brown wig. Carry a red rose and wear a huge engagement ring.
For him: Wear a nice suit, and make sure you get the Shawn B. hair just right with lots of product.
Ray Velcoro From True Detective
- What to wear: A brown shirt and jacket with a bolo tie. Wear a big belt buckle on your jeans and a slightly long wig.
- How to act: Stoic, but prone to bursts of violence. Use short sentences that don't make much sense.
The Night's King From Game of Thrones
- What to wear: Dark blue face makeup with horns on your head and dark, plain-looking armor.
- How to act: Never speak, but do look very menacing. Raise your hands like you're raising an undead army.
Elsa Mars From American Horror Story: Freak Show
- What to wear: A 1940s-feeling green dress with a big boa and long gloves. Go with over-the-top blue eye shadow and red lipstick, plus curly hair.
- How to act: You'd better start practicing your German accent now if you want this to be believable. Don't forget: you run the show.
Dell Toledo From American Horror Story: Freak Show
- What to wear: Whether you're going for casual Dell or Strongman Dell, suspenders are the key. If you're going with his performance look, you'll need blue slacks, a red shirt, a silly tie, and a ridiculous fake mustache.
- How to act: You're supposed to be superstrong, so start picking up heavy things — like couches that people are sitting on.
Titus From Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
- What to wear: A red satin robe and pajama pants.
- How to act: Drink Pinot Noir while singing "Peeno Noir." [9]
Ani From True Detective Season 2
- What to wear: A cool army green or black leather jacket, jeans, a t-shirt, and a sheriff's badge. Muss your hair so it looks like you barely did anything to it, but it's still effortlessly adorable.
- How to act: Like a badass who takes no sh*t. Occasionally engage in dialogue that no one can understand.
The Dickie Dollars Scholars From Scream Queens
- What to wear: Plaid pants and a sweater vest over a polo shirt. Add a golf cap, gloves, and loafers.
- How to act: Arrogant, narcissistic, and not very bright.
Jacqueline Voorhees From Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
- What to wear: A posh Manhattanite's wardrobe of a silk blouse and trim slacks or skirt. Louboutins, of course.
- How to act: Pretty oblivious and in your own little world where everyone is a billionaire.
Stella From Orange Is the New Black
- What to wear: A brown prison jumpsuit and a short black 'do. Go crazy with the fake tattoos.
- How to act: Like the swaggiest inmate on the block. Speak with an Australian accent and wink a lot.
Hook From Once Upon a Time
- What to wear: Leather everything: boots, pants, and trench coat. Wear a red vest and ring for a few pops of color. Don't forget your handy hook and guyliner.
- How to act: Devilishly handsome, but still capable of being the good guy.
Ellaria Sand From Game of Thrones
- What to wear: A fierce black cape with shoulder pads over a black slip dress, with a brown belt crisscrossed over it. Lots of black smoky eyeliner.
- How to act: Like you better not be crossed.
Porsha From Empire
- What to wear: Think luxe streetwear, like a sweatshirt with a fur shrug, plus nice jeans and heels. Style your hair into an architectural mohawk.
- How to act: Never put your phone down, except to periodically comment on how real things are getting in here.