With store shelves stacked with Halloween candy and decorations, you can't help but start to get in the spooky season spirit. The other day I shared some costume ideas for men from films from the past year and today it's time for some women's costume inspiration from the big screen.
Shug Avery costume
from The Color Purple
If you're looking for something empowering and eye-catching this Halloween, maybe take inspiration from 2023's vivid musical reinterpretation of The Color Purple and Taraji P. Henson's 1920s independent jazz singer 'Shug Avery' in her bold and shimmering red dress, gloves and feathered headdress.
Francine Jamison-Tanchuck was Costume Designer on the film and this outfit paid homage to Aggie Guerard Rodgers designs from the original 1985 movie.
Captain Monica Rambeau costume
from The Marvels
If you're feeling more like you want to be a superhero this year, then the black and white super-suit worn by Teyonah Parris as 'Monica Rambeau' in 2023's The Marvels will help you shine brightly.
Lindsay Pugh was Costume Designer on this underrated MCU entry directed by Nia DaCosta and you can check out more heroic costumes from The Marvels.
Dar-Benn costume
from The Marvels
For something more villainous Zawe Ashton's Kree Supremor 'Dar-Benn' from The Marvels may help you show off your evil side this Halloween.
As above Lindsay Pugh designed this sci-fi comic book outfit from the movie that followed the events of the first Captain Marvel film, WandaVision and the Ms. Marvel TV series.
Navarro costume
from Alien: Romulus
For more out-of-this-world futuristic looks, then maybe take some fashion inspiration from Aileen Wu's hauler pilot 'Navarro' in 2024's science fiction horror sequel, Alien: Romulus.
To complete this cool leather trousers and jacket look designed by Carlos Rosario, just add an alien "facehugger" to your face for the ultimate accessory and be sure to take a look at more screen-worn costumes from the latest Alien film on display.
Dr. Volumnia Gaul costume
from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
You could always be inspired by the outlandish fashion of The Capitol of Panem, channeling your inner mad scientist with this costume worn by Viola Davis as the cruel gamesmaker 'Dr. Volumnia Gaul' in 2023's The Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Make sure you check out the other screen-worn costumes from the movie, including those worn by Rachel Zegler and Hunter Schafer, designed by Trish Summerville.
Bella Baxter costume
from Poor Things
Academy Award winner Emma Stone brought another iconic character to the big screen in 2023 with the introduction of 'Bella Baxter' in Poor Things.
Her take on a Victorian woman resurrected with an infantile brain in the tradition of Frankenstein's Monster was made all the more eccentric with the help of Holly Waddington's Oscar-winning costume designs. Massive sleeves should all the rage this Halloween.
Ariel costume
from The Little Mermaid
For a more fairytale princess outfit, look no further than Halle Bailey's 'Ariel' costume from Disney's 2023 reimagining of The Little Mermaid.
Costume design legend Colleen Atwood was responsible for the looks of Rob Marshall's live-action adaptation based on the beloved 1989 musical fantasy animated feature.
Priscilla Presley costume
from Priscilla
If you want to dress like a style icon this Halloween, then maybe you could take inspiration from 'Priscilla Presley'.
Cailee Spaeny played the infamous wife of Elvis in the 2023 biopic and Stacey Battat was Costume Designer on the film, some sure to checkout more costumes from Priscilla on display.
Empress Joséphine costume
from Napoleon
For another icon from history, maybe the regal attire worn by Vanessa Kirby as the 'Empress Josephine Bonaparte' in Ridley Scott's 2023 Napoleon biopic will rule this Halloween.
Janty Yates and David Crossman were the Oscar-nominated Costume Designers on the historical epic.
Barbie cowgirl costume
from Barbie
Not only did Greta Gerwig's big screen summer 2023 Barbie movie deliver $1.4 billion at the global box office, but the film starring Margot Robbie as Mattel's titular doll come to life also delivered many Oscar-nominated looks (designed by Jacqueline Durran) and lots of Halloween costume inspiration.
Which Barbie will you be? Cowgirl Barbie, Rollerblade Barbie, Physicist Barbie, Judge Barbie, Mermaid Barbie, President Barbie or even Weird Barbie, the possibilities are endless.
Don't see anything to inspire you here? Maybe you should check out previous women's Halloween costume ideas from television and cinema from years past.
