10 men's Halloween costume ideas from the big screen from recent times...

At the weekend we received our first invite to a Halloween party, so of course I immediately thought "what am I going to wear?!?". As luck would have it I was able to turn to some recent movie exhibits I've encountered to provide some inspiration that could work.

Dojo Mojo Casa House Ken costume

from Barbie

Ryan Gosling wasn't just 'Ken' in 2023's blockbuster Barbie movie, he was more than "Kenough" in the role, even earning himself an Academy Award Supporting Actor nomination.

Jacqueline Duran was the Oscar-nominated Costume Designer on director Greta Gerwig's film, but I'm not sure I have the abs to pull off Ken's "Dojo Mojo Casa House" costume (plus Palm Springs can still be super hot in October so I'm uncertain all that faux fur would work).

Napoleon Bonaparte costume

from Napoleon

After a summer of Paris Olympics, maybe a little something French is in order, like Napoleon Bonaparte.

Joaquin Phoenix wore this Napoleon costume in director Ridley Scott's historical epic and Janty Yates and David Crossman were the Oscar-nominated Costume Designers on the film.

Willy Wonka costume

from Wonka

With something with a bit more whimsy, there's a young 'Willy Wonka' from 2023's Wonka, played by Timothée Chalamet.

Lindy Hemming was the Costume Designer on this musical fantasy comedy, which depicts the early days of Roald Dahl's character as a chocolatier.

Phil Knight costume 

from Air

In 2023's biographical sports drama, Air, which tells the story of the partnership between basketball rookie Michael Jordan and athletic apparel brand Nike, Ben Affleck played the company's co-founder Phil Knight.

This sporty 1980s ensemble would make for a fun Halloween look, and Charlese Antoinette Jones was the Costume Designer responsible for helping the film step back in time fashion wise, so be sur to check out more screen-worn Air costumes on display.

David Von Erich costume

from The Iron Claw

For another sporty look, what about this flamboyant wrestling costume worn by Harris Dickinson in 2023's biopic about the Von Erich brothers, The Iron Claw.

Jennifer Starzyk was Costume Designer on the film, so be sure to enjoy more of her flashy pro-wrestler costumes from the movie on display.

Oliver Quick Midsummer Night's Dream Party costume

from Saltburn

In writer-director Emerald Fennell's 2023 dark psychological comedy, Saltburn, Barry Koeghan plays the cuckoo in the nest character, 'Oliver Twist', who ingratiates his way into an wealthy and eccentric English aristocratic family by deceit and slowly eliminates them one by one to claim their fortune and family estate.

This leafy embroidered white outfit he wears for the Midsummer Night's Dream Party would be a great Halloween costume if you added the deer antlers he sports in the film, designed by Sophie Canale.

Dr. Godwin Baxter costume

from Poor Things

If mad scientist is more your thing, then maybe the Frankenstein-inspired 'Dr. Godwin Baxter' from 2023's Poor Things is for you, especially if you recreated Willem Dafoe's character's scarred face from the movie.

Be sure to check out more of Holly Waddington's Oscar-winning Poor Things costumes on display for more inspiration.

Prince Eric costume

from The Little Mermaid

If you want to be a real charmer this year, then maybe this 'Prince Eric' costume worn by Jonah Hauer-King in Disney's live-action version of The Little Mermaid is for you.

Colleen Atwood was Costume Designer on the reimagined 2023 movie, and for more regal looks be sure to check out these Prince Charming costumes from the big and small screen.

Drax spacesuit

from Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3

For a more out-of-this-world look, then maybe one of the colourful spacesuits worn in 2023's Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, like this red one worn by Dave Bautista's 'Drax', evoking 2001: A Space Odyssey's astronaut 'Dave Bowman'.

Judianna Makovsky was the Costume Designer on this third installment in James Gunn's MCU GOTG trilogy.

Andy costume

from Alien: Romulus

For another futuristic, yet easier to recreate look, maybe it's the Weyland-Yutani Corporation jumpsuit worn by David Jonsson as the android 'Andy' in 2024's Alien: Romulus on display.

Carlos Rosario was the Costume Designer on the movie responsible for evoking the fashion of the original Alien and Aliens franchise movies.

There's some great looks here, I'm still not entirely convinced about a party costume for this year, so I think I'll peruse through my archives of previous men's Halloween costume ideas for more even inspiration. 

10 screen-worn costumes cool for the summer...

With costume exhibits scarce in Los Angeles of late and a house remodel preventing me attending recent conventions, I thought I'd reminisce through my wardrobe department archives and shine a spotlight on some screen-worn looks for the summer (especially as temperature are in excess of 105° here in scorching Palm Springs). Here's a collection of cool of summery costumes from the big and small screen.

Miriam "Midge" Maisel costume worn by Rachel Brosnahan

in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

First up is one of Rachel Brosnahan's 'Midge Maisel' costumes from the second season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel from her time holidaying in the Catskills with her family.

Donna Zakowska was Emmy-nominated for Outstanding Period Costumes for this sophomore season of the Amazon Prime Video series.

Moondog costume worn by Matthew McConaughey

in The Beach Bum

Next up is one of the "cool dude" costumes worn by Matthew McConaughey as 'Moondog' in the stoner comedy, The Beach Bum.  

Heidi Givens was Costume Designer on the movie from 2019 directed by Harmony Korine.

Mary Poppins costume worn by Emily Blunt

in Mary Poppins Returns

In 2018 Emily Blunt brought 'Mary Poppins' back to the big screen and was off to the races in this Royal Doulton Bowl costume.

Sandy Powell was Oscar-nominated for her costume designs on this family-friendly musical movie sequel. 

Screen-worn La La Land movie costumes 

These summer party dresses were worn by Emma Stone, Callie Hernandez and Sonoya Mizuno in director Damian Chazelle's 2016 romantic musical, La La Land.

Mary Zophres was the Oscar-nominated Costume Designer on the modern day musical.

Shelley costume worn by Gemma Chan

in Don't Worry Darling

Gemma Chan wore this resort wear dress as 'Shelley' in the 2022 psychological thriller, Don't Worry Darling.

In the film directed by Olivia Wilde, she plays the housewife of the enigmatic leader of a 1950s fictional desert town named Victory (filmed around the corner from me here in Palm Springs).

Arianne Phillips was the Costume Designer on this retro-styled movie with a twist.

Celia Foote costume worn by Jessica Chastain

in The Help

Jessica Chastain was keeping cool in the summer heat down in Jackson, Mississippi as ostracized housewife 'Celia Rae Foote' in 2011's The Help movie adaptation.

Sharen Davis was Costume Designer on this film set in America's Deep South in the 1960s.

Billie Jean King costume worn by Emma Stone

in Battle of the Sexes

Summer is a time for playing tennis (or is everyone switching to pickleball these days?), so here's the sporty look Emma Stone wore as tennis legend Billie Jean King in the 2017 biopic, Battle of the Sexes.

Mary Zophres was Costume Designer on the film set in the 1970s which recounts the true story of the televised tennis match between world number one Billie Jean King and ex-champ and misogynistic self promoter, Bobby Riggs.

Venetia Catton costume worn by Alison Oliver

in Saltburn

In director Emerald Fennell's dark comedy thriller, Saltburn, Alison Oliver wore this sexy summer dress as the aristocratic party girl 'Venetia Catton' for a Midsummer Night's Dream Party.

Sophie Canale was Costume Designer on the 2023 movie primarily set at wealthy and eccentric English family's country house called Saltburn.

Emily Cooper costume worn by Lily Collins

in Emily in Paris

In the sophomore season of Netflix's romantic comedy series, Emily in Paris, Lily Collins was looking chic for the summer in this red heart adorned outfit.

Marilyn Fitoussi was Costume Designer on the show set in one of the world's fashion capitals, Paris, France.

Ken costume worn by Ryan Gosling

in Barbie

In director Greta Gerwig's box office smash of summer 2023, Barbie, Ryan Gosling plays the titular iconic doll's wannabe boyfriend 'Ken' and his job is "beach".

Costume Designer Jacqueline Durran was nominated for an Academy Award for her designs on the movie.

I hope you've enjoyed this little trip down memory lane and let's hope that more new costume exhibits are on the horizon.

Screen-worn Air movie costumes on display...

The 2023 biographical sports drama, Air, is based on the true events about the origin of the Air Jordan basketball shoeline which sees a Nike employee trying to strike a business deal with rookie player and rising star, Michael Jordan. Set in 1984, Nike, Inc.'s Marketing VP Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) and CEO and co-founder Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) task their basketball talent scout, Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), with finding a new spokesperson for Nike's basketball shoes when the division is on the verge of shutting down due to low sales. In the film Viola Davis plays Deloris Jordan who along with her husband, James, represent their son in the sponsorship negotiations with the sports apparel brand and she is responsible for securing an additional royalty percentage deal for every Air Jordan sold.

Phil Knight costume worn by Ben Affleck,

Rob Strasser costume worn by Jason Bateman,

Sonny Vaccaro costume worn by Matt Damon and

Deloris Jordan costume worn by Viola Davis

in Air

These movie costumes were photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s ASU FIDM Museum on March 5, 2024.

Charlese Antoinette Jones is Costume Designer on the 1980s sports biopic directed by Ben Affleck, along with Assistant Costume Designer Imani Akbar and Sara Fox Costume Designer.

Fans of Ben Affleck can also check out his Batsuits from Batman v Superman and his Live by Night movie costumes, Matt Damon admirers can enjoy a look at his spacesuit from The Martian and his costumes from The Bourne Identity, whilst Viola Davis fans can enjoy a closer look at her costume from The Woman King and her film costume from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes on display. 

Air movie billboard

The Iron Claw movie costumes on display...

Director Sean Durkin's 2023 biographical sports drama, The Iron Claw, is based on a true story about the Von Erich, a family of professional wrestlers who are seemingly cursed by constant tragedy - deaths, accidents and suicide. The biopic follows the sons of wrestling company owner, Fritz Von Erich, as they struggle to achieve the success they were groomed for from 1979 to the early 1990s. Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons star as the brothers Kevin, Kerry, David and Mike Von Erich. In the film Aaron Dean Eisenberg plays 'Ric Flair' the pro-wrestler also known as 'Nature Boy', regarded as one of the best of all-time and known for his flamboyant personality and extravagant robes.

Kerry Von Erich costume worn by Jeremy Allen White,

Ric Flair costume worn by Aaron Dean Eisenberg and

David Von Erich costume worn by Harris Dickinson

in The Iron Claw

This trio of flashy professional wrestling costumes were photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s ASU FIDM Museum on March 5, 2024.

Jennifer Starzyk is Costume Designer on the sports biopic alongside Assistant Costume Designer Aileen Abercrombie and Costume Supervisor Michael Russell.

For even more flamboyant wrestling costumes, make sure you check out these women's wrestling costumes from GLOW and Mickey Rourke's costume from The Wrestler on display.

The Iron Claw movie poster