5 TV & Cinema Inspired Costumes for this Halloween

1. The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid is one of 2023's top ten films worldwide to date, earning $570 million

at the global box office. The film was praised with a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Halle Bailey caressed known fans like myself with her voice, and sang her way into new hearts as well. I didn't see the movie in theaters, but imagining young black girls seeing themselves on screen being mesmerized by beauty, wit and courage, warms my heart to the absolute core. I know a lot of us are budgeting this year, so all of these costumes are budget friendly and some will be multifunctional as an additional piece in your everyday wardrobe.

For the shell bra, don't worry, I'm not going to do anyone wrong with some tacky top, BUT we do deserve a shell moment. My favorite pick is this top that doubles as an actual bikini. It's 100% polyester, and operates as a pushup, hiking the girls up nice and pretty, and comes in quite a few colors, in case you felt like being your own mermaid instead. To add a layer, whether for modesty or warmth, a black or white long sleeve crop top could never hurt. For the tail/ bottoms, I found a sequined maxi skirt. It's made with a comfy 92% Polyester, 8% Spandex blend, designed with an elastic waist, 4 layers of "tail" with a double meshed layer in between each, and 1 lining with netting, all contributing to maximum fullness.

Ariel doesn't need shoes in the ocean, and doesn't care for them on land, so I'll leave that option up to the dressers choice, but I'll link these pearl stiletto heels with a rhinestone bow, these on-the-go flats, and even these white converse, that obviously humanize the costume, but call it Ariel-streetwear-chic, if you will.

2. We Do Revenge's Drea and Eleanor

Photo: Netflix

Choosing my favorite looks to use as costumes was way too hard, if that's any testament to how iconic the style was in this instant cool-girl classic (move over Clueless and Mean Girls!) I was into pastels before the film, but this movie was swimming in it, giving me more to love, my favorite pastel showcases being of course the uniforms, and all of these are worn by Drea but, her multi-color cover up set (pictured above), her pastel blue pantsuit set with a sheer coverup

Photo: The Tab

the lavender pastel tulle top

Photo: The Tab

and though not pastel, her hot pink barbie core fit.

Photo: Femestella

It was definitely a plus seeing we had the same sunnies!! Helped elevate the vision;)

All of these (and so much more) were impeccably done.

Photo: Popsugar

The montage scene in case you too wanted to reminisce.

Photo: The Tab

The uniform is a classic and the event where the girlies shroom out the school to get revenge on Eleanor's "foe" earned a literal jaw drop and audible cheer from me, so those fits are what I shall convert into costumes. The uniforms can be curated on this site for a more accurate color palette match, though depending when you order, it may take more time to ship. These links will take you the skirt, white collared shirt, tie, beret, and pastel green and purple capes. Accessorize to your own pleasure based off what Drea or Eleanor might add! For Drea, I might suggest statement pieces like the sunglasses, hair clips, and a cute tumbler for a serene hot girl halloween walk, perfect for sipping whatever drink of choice while the inevitable tea is spilled. For Eleanor, I see more of a silver minimalistic/ quirky unique colorful add-on's like a quirky ring pop for a ring, or colored dice earrings. Drea's pantsuit is here if you want to invest and wear over and over, and here if it's just a one and done deal. I'll add a cover up, though it's a variation rather than a spitting image of what was worn in the movie. It's just as cute though, a soft baby blue satin kimono with feathered cuffs in case some opt for that, though there's no doubt she might rock a blazer at another event, oh wait..

Photo: The Tab

Accessories wise, here's some heart shaped earrings, and a look- alike choker to add to the aesthetic. For Eleanor, I went for this simple but not too simple satin silver dress with a little rippled plunge in the neck area and a tasteful leg slit. She didn't go heavy on the jewelry but she did with the eye makeup, so mimic that if you'd like, or add your own purse and jewelry if you wish.

3. Wednesday Addams

Netflix

Ms. Jenna Ortega did NOT come to play with us as Wednesday. The style was goth. Not goth-chic, not goth-baddie, goth. Even her goth-glam dress couldn't be too glamorous (though I bet the price tag said otherwise). So, it stays, black, maxi, and flashily mysterious, a dress disastrously made (a compliment that would be, coming from Wednesday's grim mouth) for Wednesday to slay. This dress being the outfit I remember most, is the selected costume of choice for her character, though surely there are a few others you can likely makeshift from you or a friends collective closets, or a quick stop at H&M, Zara, etc. The dress I found admittedly is the priciest garment I have on here, but my argument is that the quality for this price is better than what you'll get paying less, however I'll link a more affordable dress as well for those who might not makeshift it into a zesty conversation starter going out look afterwards, but instead do a one and done with it. I'll also link the OG Wednesday's costume with the white A-line neck for the classic fans out there.

4. Blackish and Grownish's Zoey Johnson

I've rooted for Yara Shahidi since seeing her in Imagine That with Eddie Murphy as a kid. I will always remember it because it was my first time seeing a black girl on a movie theater screen. Sure I'd seen Life Size with full grown model Tyra Banks and baby Lindsay Lohan, but that was different. Looking like Tyra felt far away and out of reach. I'm that psycho that feels like, in a way, Yara and I grew up together, or more accurately, I grew up watching and admiring her endlessly. She's been "where I was" as a kid (Imagine That), as a teen, Zoey, in a hilarious chaotic family such as my own (Blackish) and now as a college student in the Blackish spinoff (Grownish).

She's a style icon in Blackish and Grownish to say the least. She tends to lean into streetwear (a favorite of mine as well) with the regular switch up and addition of elegance and formality. Scrolling through my favorite Zoey looks and trying to find affordable pieces was tricky, but I found two "costumes" I was happy with, that highlight Zoey's abstract personality, but leaves room for the dress-ee to add their own influence in the form of shoes, hair and jewelry. That's part of the fun in being a woman let alone one of color after all. In the end. if it makes a statement or shows some form of black love (via stylist, designer or garment artistry), thought and/ or creativity, Zoey would rock it, for sure.

Newsweek

I found a close and affordable match to the above plaid pantsuit on ASOS, the difference being that the suit is more red and white versus red and black, and the blazer is long sleeved. The pants are slightly wider legged, but the look altogether remains very bold and powerful. Accessories wise I might add some gold earrings, a thick gold charm bracelet for a bit of play within this girl-boss look. For added boldness some Dr Martens or combat ass-kicking boots would do the trick, but you can never go wrong with a dope sneaker like a red or white Nike or Air Jordan, or even a timeless pair of black and white Adidas.

Femestella

Here's my polka dot one shoulder dress find. Arguably, my pick is a little bit sexier at least to me, which is fine, because being sexy isn't Zoey's priority, being sensational, fashionable and her age (the age where fashion, friends, school and love matter more now than ever) are though. But, come onnn, what college baddie doesn't want to show a little leg every now and then? My find is a bit shorter, and would pair exquisitely with some black thigh high boots and a pop of color, like a hot pink clutch perhaps, a pastel blazer, or something kooky like a clock purse.

5. Tinker Bell

For my fellow Disney Plus-ians, I'm sure you've heard of if not seen the 2023 remake of Peter Pan. This movie's Tinkerbell is not only a POC but played beautifully by the one and only Yara Shahidi (are you starting to see sis' versatility and skill yet?).

CNN

I was Tinkerbell for Halloween when I was 9. My dad bought the costume straight out of Spirit and honestly, I was pretty happy with it. Perfect length (short enough where leggings were needed but not so short that anything was out while I was crouching looking around for extra candy the other kiddies might have dropped. Spoiler alert: lotta wrappers, very little candy). If there's worry around tackiness of the costume (some costumes try to do something with some faux weird feeling velvet on the outside that early 20's today me would not wear or approve of), I might suggest ordering a plain or glittery green mini dress and with fabric scissors, cutting slits in the dress if there are none, or if keeping it simple is the goal, focusing on the accessories like the wings and hair. Easy enough, a cute bun will do, option to curl two front strands out to do it up a bit. Jewelry wise, I'd say Tink's a pearly girl, as you can tell by her flats. Thus, a cute pearl necklace and pearled bangle bracelet would work so seamlessly with the costume. For shoes I'd wear flats, since fairies would poke holes through leaves with heels, and would probably think sneakers ugly and useless since they are walking forests and wonderlands, not cities.

Dare I say, I've grown bored of the cats, mice, nurses, a** out for no reason costumes (looking at you Buzz Lightyear and Lola Bunny from Fashion Nova from last year... Buzz never had his booty out to infinity and beyond, and Lola definitely isn't making shots with her cake eating those shorts alive). The Little Mermaid, Wednesday and Tinkerbell are classics and therefore might be considered basic (totally up to personal interpretation), but I've never seen a Zoey and We Do Revenge came out last year, so Drea and Zoey are perfectly fresh ideas with the capacity to turn heads at this years Halloween party or bar crawl. Whatever the chosen costume, I challenge you to get into your character. You didn't dress up to remain yourself did you?! Find a line (i.e everyone know's who says "ugh, as if!", it's Cher, from Clueless!), a mannerism (i.e Cher's hair flip, Shrek carrying an onion to portray the layers line or a stuffed donkey, etc) and get some entertainment out of it. You never know who you'll inspire to do the same!