Bring Back the Basics: Overcomplicated Halloween Costumes Are Ruining the Fun
A call to return to simpler Halloween costumes as the pressure to create obscure, clever outfits takes the fun out of the holiday.
POLICY WIRE — London, UK — A growing trend toward highly specific and clever Halloween costumes has many yearning for the days when a simple witch’s hat or vampire fangs sufficed. The pressure to outdo others with obscure pop culture references is sapping the joy from the holiday, says writer Helen Coffey.
At a recent Halloween party, Coffey found herself stumped by a guest dressed as Darla Sherman, the dentist’s niece from ‘Finding Nemo.’ ‘When did Halloween costumes get so exhaustingly, unbearably smug and clever?’ she wondered, after her initial polite nod and impressed noises.
In the past, iconic spooky characters like witches, mummies, vampires, and horror movie killers were the norm. These costumes required minimal thought and effort, often consisting of a single prop and clothes already in one’s closet. Even the ‘sexy’ Halloween phase of the 2000s, while criticized for its lack of feminism, was at least as low-maintenance as traditional Halloween attire.
Now, the holiday has transformed into a competition to craft the most elaborate, hyper-specific costume. Examples from recent years include a thief from the Louvre jewellery heist, a character named ‘the guy who brings a guitar to a party when nobody asked him to,’ and even Prince Andrew with a Pizza Express menu and deodorant. The stakes are high, and the fear of being deemed ‘basic’ adds to the stress.
The trend toward niche costumes may have roots in LGBTQ+ circles, where creativity and wit are highly prized. A viral meme in 2023 captured the frustration: ‘I hate gay Halloween, what do you mean you’re [insert incredibly obscure reference here]?’
However, there are signs of a backlash. Coffey’s colleague’s son is choosing a straightforward pirate costume, and his friends are opting for similarly simple outfits. ‘Bring back basic witch Halloween, I say. And let’s make spooky season fun again,’ Coffey concludes, advocating for a return to simpler, more enjoyable Halloween traditions.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
