Halloween is here, and The Spectrum loves to share their costume ideas with the crowd. Whether you want to take inspiration from us, or hate on how basic it is — a costume is a costume, so beware or be scared.
Jason Voorhees from “Friday the 13th”
Everyone knows the iconic “Friday the 13th” slasher and this year, it’s my rendition of him. My girlfriends and I decided to all be slasher killers — Freddy Krueger from “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” Maxine from “X,” Pennywise from “IT” and Jason — and we’re making the most of it as we go out on the town slashing away our feelings after midterms week.
- Amy Aracena, Managing Editor
Gracie Hart/Gracie Lou Freebush from “Miss Congeniality”
As a lover of rom-coms, I felt it was only right to dress up as an iconic rom-com protagonist. After scrolling on Pinterest for what felt like several hours, I landed on a pin of Sandra Bullock’s iconic and bada** character, Gracie Hart from “Miss Congeniality.” I’ve always loved the movie, and the costume seemed pretty easy to put together — I thrifted a hot pink slip dress and black military boots. Then I turned to Amazon and ordered a “federal agent” sash, leg holster and tiara to really complete the beauty pageant contestant/undercover FBI agent look.
- Kelly McKiernan, Assistant Arts Editor
Victorian Vampire
Since I can never decide on a costume and always end up waiting until the last minute, I’ll be reusing an old one. It’s a Victorian-style corset and matching skirt that I wore as a witch a few years ago. This year, I’ll just add some fangs and fake blood to complete the look.
- Belle Clark, Copy Editor
King Kylie
I believe 2016 was the last time we were all happy in society, and King Kylie led that happiness. Which is why I had to be the iconic King Kylie for Halloween. Also, after watching the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, she will forever be one of the most influential pop culture icons of our generation.
- Alyssa Ramos, Multimedia Senior Editor
Agent 8 from “Splatoon”
I’m a major Nintendo fan, and for the past few years I would always dress as a Nintendo character for Halloween. This year I’m going as Agent 8, an escaped octoling soldier from the “Splatoon” series. I took some creative liberties with the costume, some extra layers in Buffalo are always good this time of year after all. My girlfriend is going as Agent 3, the inkling enemy turned friend of Agent 8. I trust her with the makeup needed for the costume — hopefully it goes well, I’ve never worn any makeup before.
- Aiden Dickerson, Senior News Editor
Frank from “Donnie Darko”
While I’m not dressing up this year, the suburban-emo-kid in me would be “Frank” from Donnie Darko. One of the movies I’m glad I discovered in high school, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming novel. One of the scenes that resonated with high school me was the talk between Donnie and his dad.
- Jacob Wojtowicz, Senior Features Editor
Bibble from “Barbie Fairytopia”
This year, my friends and I decided to participate in Ugly Halloween, rejecting traditional Halloween tropes and the constant need to look picturesque in favor of the avante-garde, unhinged and grotesque — not really. Halloween just snuck up on us and we ran out of time to prep costumes, so we got innovative. We’ll have the purple alien, Oh, from the animated movie “Home,” John Pork, Lala Ri’s gift bag dress from Season 13 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Nosferatu from “Nosferatu,” Dr. Eggman from “Sonic the Hedgehog,” Sméagol from “The Lord of the Rings” and Bibble from “Barbie Fairytopia,” all lovingly low-budget and poorly done for the laughs. I, for one, can’t wait to be covered in splotchy teal-colored face paint.
- Kaden Zhong, Senior Arts Editor
Dante Mask from Alexander Mcqueen
This year, I’ll be making my own Alexander Mcqueen Dante mask, which is a plain black eye mask with a small white Jesus crucifix running down the nose. It’s simple but impossible to ignore. To go with it, I’m recreating the look from Mcqueen’s Men’s Autumn/Winter 2009 show in Milan. It starts with a white button up shirt left open at the neck and a shiny black vest that looks like someone flicked silver-blue paint across it. The pants are glossy and black with the same paint marks, tucked into black boots.
- Alejandro Henry-Jackson, Assistant Arts Editor
Spider-Man from Marvel Comics
Spider-Man is my favorite superhero, and I have never gone as a superhero before. With “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” releasing over the summer, I thought it was a perfect time to put the mask on. After all, Buffalo’s been waiting long enough for a hero to save them…
- Will Meyer, Senior Sports Editor
David Lynch Rabbit
Usually, I am bound by the last minute hustle of Halloween coupled with the fear of an unrecognizable costume. This led me to dress as “generic hot woman” for three years in a row. This Halloween, I am not afraid of the “who are you?” “from what?” nags. My boyfriend and I are going as two of the rabbits from David Lynch’s “Inland Empire.” This is truly the scariest thing I could think of.
- Maira Fayyaz, Assistant Features Editor
Coraline from “Coraline”
I’ve always loved “Coraline”, it was one of the first “scary” movies I watched as a kid, and thought the costumes were cute, but could never commit to buying a blue wig and yellow rain jacket. This year, though, my boyfriend suggested we be Coraline and Wybie and suddenly I was spending hours decorating a welding mask. I got the wig and rain jacket too.
- Agnes Keough, Assistant Features Editor
Bloom from “Winx Club”
Have I ever watched the ‘Winx Club’ animated series or read the books? Nope. Did I have to take a “What Winx Club character are you?” quiz to decide my costume? Yes. But my friends are going as them and honestly, I enjoy the group photos and the memories made with them way more. Also light blue is my color.
- Mylien Lai, Editor-in-Chief
Elaine from “The Love Witch”
I always go as a witch for Halloween due to convenience (and laziness). This year, however, I stumbled upon a unique pendant at a garage sale, and realized after a little research that it was from the movie “The Love Witch.” Now, have I bothered to sit down and watch this movie? No. But regardless, I will be dressing up as a slightly different version of my usual witch this Halloween.
- Emma Anders, Newsletter & Digital Layout Designer
Dipper Pines from “Gravity Falls”
I loved watching Gravity Falls as a kid, and Dipper’s outfit was super easy to put together with clothes I already have. I didn’t get the hat in time so I’ll be painting a white one to recreate his. My roommate’s gonna be Mabel.
- Dorothy Similien, Assistant News Editor
Amy’s Choice:
A NEW addition to the Spectrum Recommends! Managing Editor Amy Aracena will be choosing the best three recommendations congratulating the staff on their creativity, uniqueness and awesome-ness with each “Spec Rec.”
First Place – King Kylie (Alyssa Ramos)
Second Place – Bibble (Kaden Zhong)
Third Place – Coraline (Agnes Keough)
The opinions desk can be reached at opinions@ubspectrum.com.
Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
