The Most Iconic Halloween Costumes Inspired by the 90s (2024)

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In the decade before the millennium, the Soviet Union fell, the Internet was born, and Fun Dip was practically a food group. And now, it’s an era that Gen Z is desperately trying to bring back. So, of course, these ’90s Halloween costume ideas are sure to be a hit.

Whether you were all in on Beanie Babies or preferred spending your time memorizing the latest Britney lyrics, this decade has something for everyone. So put on your jelly sandals and head to the store. We’re about to get all into the Hocus Pocus feels with these ’90s Halloween costumes.
The Most Iconic Halloween Costumes Inspired by the 90s (1)

And if you remember how uncomfortable those jelly sandals actually are, you’re in luck. Because now Amazon exists! Maybe this current decade isn’t so bad afterall.

The 15 Best ’90s Halloween Costume Ideas

1. Dumb And Dumber

Few films are as quotable as the ones from the Dumb and Dumber franchise. A classic buddy or couples costume, these Harry and Lloyd tuxedos are a fun way to re-enact all the scenes and make everyone laugh.

Colorful and unmissable, you two will be the smash of the party – hopefully in a good way?

What to Wear: Harry and Lloyd Tuxedos

The Most Iconic Halloween Costumes Inspired by the 90s (2)

2. Ghostface from Scream

Arguably the most iconic costume of the 1990s is the Ghostface mask and black ghost cloak. As Ghostface terrorized suburban high school students, this mask was everywhere, terrorizing trick or treaters for years to come.

Keep it classy with black pants and shirt, or spice it up with some fishnets. Whatever you choose, it’s a great way to get that last King Size Snickers.

What to Wear: Scream Costume

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3. Cher or Dionne From Clueless

This Halloween, don a look created by legendary ’90s costume designer Mona May. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, she’s the one who gave your favorite Bel Air cool girls, Cher and Dionne from Clueless, their iconic outfits.

If that still doesn’t ring a bell, maybe the Iggy Azalea “Fancy” video will help? No…we don’t feel old at all…

What to Wear: Cher Clueless Costume

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4. Ginger Spice

Here at Darcy, we love all the Spice Girls equally. But as far as the outfits go, none are more true to the Spice Girls brand than Geri Halliwell’s Union Jack dress worn on stage in 1997.

Dig the platforms out of the closet, crank up the Spice World VHS and get to those synchronized dance moves fast. We’re long overdue for a Spice Revolution, and we don’t mean paprika. Although we did just run out, if you’re going to the store?

What to Wear: Ginger Power Costume

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5. Fran Fine From The Nanny

Few TV shows in the ’90s have as many unbelievably iconic looks as The Nanny’. (Better luck next time, Frasier.) From Gucci to Moschino, there are full fashion databases dedicated to Fran Fine’s looks.

So this Halloween, honor the snazziness of the ’90s by embodying her zany personality and go all-out Fran. You do have extra strength hairspray, right?

What to Wear: Fran Fine Custom Style Box

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6. The Mask

There are almost too many unforgettable Jim Carrey costumes from the ’90s to put on this list, but his character from The Mask is one of the most fun. Plus, it gives you an excuse to use the rest of the green body paint from your Hulk costume last year.

Spend your Halloween quoting the movie and conjuring up memories of Blockbuster video to everyone at the party by donning the bright-yellow suit and green face paint for this weird but lovable character. Smokin!

What to Wear: Yellow Long Suit

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7. Teletubbies Friends Costume

If the ’90s were spent in your living room dancing around to Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po, this foursome friend costume is just the right fit for you. Not only is this a totally wholesome costume, it’s also incredibly comfortable. Until you have to use the restroom…best of luck with that.

What to Wear: Teletubbies Costumes

8. Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion

Best friends forever! Romy and Michele inspired an entire generation of girls to become “businesswomen.” Even if you weren’t the inventor of Post-Its, you can still impress your fellow party goers by turning up in these amazing metallic dresses.

Just be sure to get your story straight ahead of time.

What to Wear: Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion Movie Costume

9. Britney Spears’ Red Catsuit

There are plenty of ’90s Britney moments to choose from for a Halloween costume. And even though “Oops!…I Did It Again” didn’t technically come out until the year 2000, the ’90s vibes are still strong.

Plus, this video seemed to be where Britney came out of her shell and shed that “good girl” image. With all that we know today about what Britney endured, the least we can do is honor her decades-old legacy by embodying everything she represents: independence, sex appeal, and incredible costumes.

What to Wear: Red Catsuit

10. Power Rangers Villain

It’s always fun to dress up like the bad guys! But when the villain costume is a colorful and inflatable giant Megazord costume, you know it’s the only choice.

A fun way to do a group costume is by having your friends be the good guys (the Power Rangers), while you dress up as a giant, slightly hilarious-looking robot that is definitely, absolutely, not a Transformer.

What to Wear: Megazord Power Rangers Inflatable Costume

11. Catwoman from Batman Returns

There have been many Catwoman variations over the years, but 1992’s Batman Returns may just have be most memorable. Or at least the most Halloween-appropriate. With the stitched up black leather, there’s certainly something spooky about this look.

Thankfully, you don’t need to stitch a suit together yourself. Order a pre-made one from Amazon, and use your extra time to practice mimicking your cat’s movements. What? We really like to get into character!

What to Wear: Full Body Black Catsuit

12. Shania Twain

The absolutely undeniable queen of all things pop country, Shania Twain was beauty, grace, grit, and musical genius all rolled into one. It also helped that she served some of the most jaw dropping looks we’ve seen in a century.

Take a page from her book with this low-waisted tight-fitting leopard print catsuit complete with straight-across bangs, and hood. This does impress us. Very much.

What to Wear: Country Star Leopard Print Costume

13. Miss Frizzle from The Magic School Bus

We’re still a little sour that we never got a Miss Frizzle-style field trip in elementary school. But we might just get over it by dressing up as the most beloved teacher on the planet. Or other planets. Or the small intestine. They really did get to go to the coolest places!

What to Wear: Miss Frizzle Costume

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14. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

In West Philadelphia, born and raised…you’re welcome, now you’ll have that stuck in your head all day. And so will all your friends, when you show up to the Halloween party in this outfit.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a fashion lookbook of ’90s style. Hilary Banks served all the posh girl looks, and Will Smith forever changed men’s street fashion with bright colored t-shirts and hats. Rapping skills not included.

What to Wear: Fresh Prince Shirt and Hat

15. Beavis and Butthead

With Mike Judge recreating his hilarious animation for a new audience in the 2020s, Beavis and Butthead is forever in the cultural zeitgeist. You can wear this costume with a buddy, or go at it alone as either Beavis or Butthead. Either way…you’ll definitely want to wash this mask after eating a caramel apple. Or, trying to.

What to Wear: Beavis and Butt-Head Latex Mask

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16. Furby

And finally, for perhaps the most terrifying ’90s Halloween costume of all: the Furby. If you don’t understand why this is so scary, you’ve clearly never been woken up at 3AM by the cackles of a sentient Furby.

If you want to ignite the nightmares of ’90s child, this is the way to do it. With a little DIY, you can be the hit of any Halloween party…just start working on your laugh, now!

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Kate Santos

Kate Santos is a writer and photographer working and living in Los Angeles. She has written for Playboy, Vice, and The Culture Trip. When she's not writing, she's reviewing bad films from the 1990s on her podcast The sh*terion Collection. You can find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.

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The Most Iconic Halloween Costumes Inspired by the 90s (2024)

FAQs

What was the most popular Halloween costume in the 90s? ›

Best Halloween Costumes of the 90's
  • Beetlejuice. ...
  • Frizzle from The Magic School Bus. ...
  • Backstreet Boys, or NSYNC. ...
  • Beanie Babies. ...
  • Hey Arnold. ...
  • Britney Spears. ...
  • Pulp Fiction. ...
  • Powerpuff Girls.

What was the most popular Halloween costumes in 1997? ›

1997: Austin Powers

That made it hard to avoid seeing someone dressed up as Austin Powers—or, of course, his nemesis, Dr. Evil—in the late '90s. Learn some of the things you probably never knew about Halloween.

What was Halloween like in the 90s? ›

It was a lot more colorful, loud, and in your face. Much like, well, the 90s as a whole. And damn it was fun. The costumes became much bolder for us kids, while still suffocating under cheap plastic masks, and more creative than ever before.

What was the most popular Halloween costumes in 1993? ›

According to a story in the 13News Now Vault, popular television and movie characters dominated the season. Disney's Aladdin was released a year earlier, so Aladdin and Princess Jasmine costumes were a popular pair. Many kids dressed as their favorite TV dinosaur, Barney, that year, too.

What are the top 3 most popular Halloween costumes? ›

What Are the Most Popular Halloween Costumes This Year?
Rank (2023)Costume Name
1Barbie
2Princess
3Spider-Man
4Witch
23 more rows
Oct 24, 2023

What was the most popular Halloween candy in 1990? ›

1990: Hershey's Bars

This was the year Hershey's sent 144,000 heat-resistant chocolate bars to the troops serving in the Gulf War (something they also did during World War II).

What is the #1 Halloween costume? ›

But Barbie reigns supreme this Halloween. Given the popularity of the Barbie movie, it's no surprise.

What was the popular Halloween costume in 1999? ›

1999: The campy costumes of "The Wizard of Oz" are another perennial favorite. Even in the movie, they look like they're in Halloween costumes.

What was the most popular Halloween costume in 1995? ›

14 Halloween Costumes You Wore In 1995
  • Carmen Sandiego. Bedecked in a red overcoat and hat, Carmen Sandiego was the most fashionable criminal mastermind ever. ...
  • The Star Trek: The Next Generation crewmember. ...
  • Catwoman. ...
  • Anyone from The Addams Family. ...
  • Little Pete.
Oct 19, 2015

What is 90's fancy dress? ›

90s Fancy Dress

From group costumes like the Spice Girls and the Teletubbies to iconic costumes like Clueless fancy dress and Baywatch, the 90s costume ideas are endless. Whether it's 90s rave costumes or 90s Halloween costumes, you can find them here.

What to dress up for a 90s theme? ›

The 90s era was all about grunge-style outfits. Opt for edgy pieces like leather jackets, chokers, combat boots, and ripped jeans if you want to come across as a grunge goddess at the 90s party. These outfit ideas work great for all body types, too.

What was the top Halloween costume in 1994? ›

Check out the most popular costumes by year from the '90s until now.
  • 1993. Ninja Turtles.
  • 1993. Barney the Dinosaur.
  • 1994. Might Morphin Power Rangers.
  • 1994. Sailor Moon.
  • 1995. Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
  • 1996. Scream.
  • 1998. Cartman and Kenny.
  • 1999. Neo.
Oct 29, 2017

What was the most popular Halloween costume in 1996? ›

10 Popular Halloween Costumes from 1996
  1. Ghost Face from Scream. ...
  2. Esmeralda from Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame. ...
  3. Darth Vader. ...
  4. Bacon and Eggs. ...
  5. 5. Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  6. Tried-and-True Classics. ...
  7. Animals. ...
  8. Superheroes.

What was the most popular Halloween costume in 2009? ›

Batman and the Joker were also top sellers. 2009 saw the rise of "Twilight" characters Edward Cullen and Bella Swan.

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