Costumes on Campus: 2023 Edition

Graphic by Alea Wilkins

This year, Halloween falls on a Tuesday. For Northwestern, that means annual Halloweekend celebrations are extended. And for fashion-forward ‘Cats, that means more days to dress up and show off their most creative costumes. Topping the charts for predicted costumes this year are Barbie and Ken, Wednesday Addams and Spider-Man. Also sure to make an appearance is the inevitable slew of costumes inspired by the many iterations of Taylor Swift -- be it friend groups dressing as her iconic eras or couples channeling her and her new beau, Travis Kelce.

On campus, we can expect to see Halloween classics too. Vampires, mummies and witches reemerge each year in different iterations, many of which are inspired by pop culture. What makes these iconic costumes so fun is the flexibility they offer. Just as Dracula is mysterious and Gothic, Buffy the Vampire is flirty and Y2K.

The intensity of your Halloween look is entirely up to you. For students not looking to break the bank on a one-night costume, there are plenty of spooky options easy enough to replicate with drugstore makeup, fake blood and gauze. Plus, Amazon and other online retailers make it easier than ever to buy new costumes cheaply and with quick shipping.

That said, for frugal and eco-conscious shoppers, Halloween is also a great time to thrift. Evanston’s thrift stores are not only close by, but they are stocked with one-of-a-kind pieces that you can wear long after October 31. There’s no excuse -- even for procrastinators -- to check them out!

Still, Evanston’s Halloween fun isn’t restricted to college students. Its universal appeal is part of what makes it such a special holiday. Walking down Sheridan over the next few days, you’ll likely see vastly different iterations of Harry Potter by both babies and grown men. You’ll probably see superheroes dressed in flowing capes but also in sleek spandex. You’ll come across people dressed as animals and animals dressed as people.

Whether you find yourself inspired by Halloween classics or the latest in pop culture, there are countless trends to use as a launchpad for your costume this year. As with all things fashion, the fun lies in personalizing your look. There are no limits -- and with the whole weekend as an invitation to dress up, there are countless opportunities to become whoever and whatever you want.