23 Halloween Costumes That Will Totally ~Work~ for the Office
Sometimes your job is all work and no play, but Halloween ain't just another day at the office! If you want to dress up and get into the holiday spirit but you also have to work a shift that day, here's an idea: Wear your Halloween costume to the office. Or you might be working from home and there's costume contest via Zoom (you never know!), so you're gonna want some ideas. While it's probs not a good idea to repeat your go-to sexy costume (like the college costume you wore every year) in the workplace, that doesn't mean you have to be boring and skip out on dressing up, either. If you've got a work dress code you might need a costume that could also pass as professional clothing. Have zero idea where to start? Let us help you find one that even your boss will like.
I had this job cut out for me, but I was able to find 10 amazing and work-appropriate Halloween costumes for you (and even some group costumes for your coworker besties!) to wear at the office. Now, let's get down to business. Here are the outfits that will put smiles on everyone's tired faces and win you best costume at the office Halloween party—or at the very least, employee of the month.
1. Meredith Blake from The Parent Trap
Oh, how Parent Trap's iconic ice queen stepmom Meredith Blake has made a comeback, thanks to TikTok. From her outfits, to her take-no-B.S. outlook, and go-getter attitude, there's just so much to revisit. It's likely you already tried to copy one of her many iconic looks, so why not fully commit and dress up head-to-toe as her for Halloween?
2. Patrizia Reggiani from House of Gucci
We were all blessed with Lady Gaga's turn as Patrizia Reggiani from House of Gucci this year. And you can bet that Patrizia's iconic attitude and style will remain memorable AF for years to come.
3. Jess Day from New Girl
Between her quirky-preppy style and adorably awkward personality, Jess captured our hearts when the show first aired in 2011. Channel her look with a modest dress and cutesy cardigan in fun, bright colors. And, of course, some specs. (Bangs optional.)
4. Katherine Johnson from Hidden Figures
Pay tribute to brilliant, boundaries-breaking mathematician and NASA legend Katherine Johnson this Halloween. Slick on some bright red lipstick, add her signature cat eye glasses, a plaid dress or matching skirt and blazer set, and you've got formula figured out.
5. Carrie Bradshaw from Sex And The City
Carrie has no shortage of iconic outfits, so you really can get as creative as you'd like; here's just one of (so many) options. Of course, if you casually happen to have a pair on Manolo Blahniks in your closet, that would be ideal footwear-wise.
6. Anna Delvey from Inventing Anna
The world became totally captivated by the latest high-profile grifter, Anna Delvey. Or is it Anna Sorokin? If you still can't stop thinking about the scandalous scammer, might as well recreate one of her "stylist-selected" outfits for Halloween this year.
7. Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family
Who else is very excited about the new Wednesday Addams TV show coming out soon? The iconic character always makes for a great Halloween personality. Embrace your dark side in her never-fail signature outfit.
8. Satsuki from Totoro
An easy costume you could pull together last minute is this one from Totoro. Go as Satsuki, who's the older sister character in the iconic Studio Ghibli movie, by throwing together her easily recognizable outfit with just a few simple pieces.
9. Mary Poppins
Few characters are as iconic and ageless as Mary Poppins, so you won't have any trouble making people guess your Halloween costume with this one. Also, am I the only one who didn't know there was a new Mary Poppins movie starring Emily Blunt?! Adding to my must-watch list, immediately.
10. Elle Woods from Legally Blonde
Becoming Elle Woods for Halloween...what, like it's hard? Not if you've got the below pieces to wear! There's a number of memorable outfits from this masterpiece film, but I suggest you go with something pink ;)
11. Molly Wright from Men in Black International
As long as you have a form fitting white button-down, a black blazer, and some seriously dark shades, you're good to go as Tessa Thompson's badass character from the action flick.
12. Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's
C'mon, you can never go wrong if you dress up as Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Plus, you can consider it an excuse to dress extra fancy (and wear some serious bling) to the office. It's also an excuse to keep a few pastries by your side at all times ;)
13. Emily Nelson from A Simple Favor
Emily Nelson may have not been successful at scamming her friend and husband, but she was successful in delivering some killer outfits. I mean, she always looked boss. Copy her sleek aesthetic with just a couple key pieces!
14. Veronica Corningstone from Anchorman
Stay classy and give your usual office attire a '70s twist with the exaggerated winged collars and retro prints that Veronica's known for wearing on the job. If these wrap dresses and skirt suits work for Channel 4 News, they'll work for you.
15. The Office Staff Member
The episode where Pam and Phyllis match! Or when Kelly wears the hot pink polka dot dress! Or when Kevin drops the chili! With so many great, work-appropriate costumes and fashion moments in this show, you've got enough ideas for the entire office to dress up as, well, The Office.
16. A Student from Saved by the Bell
Halloween's on a Sunday this year, so if your office has casual Fridays, change out your usual pair of jeans and jackets for some early '90s floral motifs and embellished denim à la Kelly Kapowski, Lisa Turtle, and Jessie Spano. No Saved by the Bell-inspired costume is complete without statement earrings and a scrunchie.
17. Moira from Schitt's Creek
Everything from Moira's accent to her outfits is dramatic and over-the-top—the perfect recipe for a Halloween costume. Grab all your black-and-white clothing, anything with fringe, fur, or feathers, and statement bib necklaces, and you've got yourself a convincing Moira costume.
18. Hilary Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Will's rich cousin might have been slightly snobby and very shallow, but you can't tell me she wasn't stylish!! Hilary's closet makes for the best work-appropriate costume ideas, thanks to all the blazer dresses, colorful vests, and oversized suits.
19. Thelma and Daphne from Scooby-Doo
If you already have a short bob cut or red hair, you won't even need a wig to really sell your Scooby-Doo costume. But honestly, the orange turtleneck or purple dress and green scarf combo are dead giveaways anyway.
20. Cher, Dionne, or Tai from Clueless
So you and your work bestie went as Cher and Dionne in their respective yellow plaid and red, white, and black outfits last year? Iconic! Do it again, but wear one of the other millions of looks this year. The movie is jam-packed with amazing '90s fashion moments that are equally as good, just as recognizable, and less likely to be worn by everyone else.
21. Penny Proud from The Proud Family
If you work an office job, you already wear a blouse, cardigan, skirt, and/or flats most days of the week anyway, so this nostalgic Disney costume should be pretty simple (and sweet!) for you to throw together.
22. Mabel Mora from Only Murders in the Building
Anyone else always plan cute costume only to find out the forecast for Halloween is freezing and you have hide under a coat??? Be prepared this year with a warm costume, like this outfit Selena Gomez wears in the new Hulu TV show that you and your work wife are currently binge watching. With this costume, you can stay in character from your commute all the way to the office.
23. One of the Heathers
If your office has a pretty formal dress code (we're talking pantyhose, blazers, plain button-ups, etc.), this preppy Heathers-themed costume sticks to the dress code and to the Halloween theme.
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