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With Halloweekend on the horizon, almost every conversation in the dhall will bring up the question “what are you going to be?” Whether you have five costumes or haven’t bothered to come up with anything yet, we here at Flyby have compiled a list of the popular costumes we expect to see the most of — and, more importantly, what our takes on each are. Feel free to use these as inspiration, a warning, or a bingo card in spying the most trendy Halloween costumes prowling Tasty Basty.

Hot: Coldplay Couple

This is a low-effort, high-impact couple’s costume that’ll have you two feeling “Sparks” before the end of the night. If you’re a sophomore recruiting for finance, though, be careful — in 15 short years, you could likewise become a cautionary tale of internet shaming and the slow death of privacy. So, “Viva La Vida” and try to avoid any Megatron appearances.

Not: The Lorax

Wearing a Lorax costume in 2025 is the way to ensure an entire room knows how unfunny you are. We’ve seen it done thousands of times, and you’d think the “joke” would be over by now, but people are full of surprises. For all the self-assuming “funny” people out there reading this who are deciding to wear this as their “funny” Halloween costume, consider this a warning. I will find you, and I will make a Thneed out of you.

Hot: Performative Male

I know that for some of you, it’s not a costume, it’s a lifestyle. But if you’re looking for an easy, effortless outfit you can recreate with items you already have in your closet (right?), a performative male outfit is relevant and casual. If you need inspiration, just read Flyby Tries: Performative Male Contest — though I don’t know if you can do it better than SAB; third place is hard to beat.

Not: G(a)linda & Elphaba

Despite Wicked: For Good premiering in theaters this November, this costume has been drawn out too much. It’s trying to be the grown-up version of your 10-year-old self going as Dorothy, but it’s too “been there, done that.” Still, justice for the friend who got hoodwinked into painting themselves green “for the bit.” I know that it will take you multiple days to wash that paint out of your hairline.

Hot: Sinners

Honestly, if you’re planning on wearing a Sinners costume this Halloween of Remmick, Smoke, Stack, or Mary, it would be best if you stayed indoors. I’m not worried you’ll be too scary — I want to protect you guys… from admirers like me. These may be the hottest costumes of 2025, both in terms of the number of people wearing them and how attracted I will be when I see people in them. On second thought, I found a Halloween function for those scouring Sidechat: Sinners costume contest on Widener Steps — I’ll be the judge. See you guys there!

Not: Boring Bald Cap

A big trend that has been circulating the past year is people slapping on a bald cap and calling it a day. While this is admittedly funny for attending Pitbull concerts or cosplaying as your balding dad, I want to see more of this Halloween. Sure, slap on the bald cap, but make it more interesting. There are plenty more bald celebrities and characters that never get love, and I want to change that this year. If you happen to have a head shaped like a football, replace Pitbull’s suit with some overalls and boom: you’re now Stewie from Family Guy.

At the end of the day, Halloween is the one time a year when people can go out, dress as someone else, and not feel pressured, judged, or just plain weird for it. Everyone should feel comfortable (maybe not physically, for those wearing corsets) in their own costumes, so do whatever makes you happy — whether it’s taking our advice and wearing that hot vampire costume (yes, I’m still thinking about Sinners) or rolling your eyes at this article as you slip into your Lorax onesie.

Just make sure to have fun and, most importantly, be safe this spooky season. Happy Halloween!