Music Lover’s Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

By Kayla Harper

Halloween is less than 48-hours around the corner, you’ve got a costume party coming up; or some sort of spooky outing; or kids coming to your door, but what in the world could you possibly dress-up as?! Don’t worry Off The Record has got you covered, if you love music, you’ll love these costume ideas –some are easy and inexpensive to throw together last minute with things you probably already own, others are a little more complex, but still virtually inexpensive and easy to do even if you can’t sew and aren’t typically crafty!

1. Dress Up As Your Favourite Artist

What’s great about dressing up as an artist is the complexity of the costume can vary depending on who it is and what look of theirs you’re going for.  Of course you want to choose one that is recognizable enough, but also one that you feel comfortable in and can accomplish in the time frame you have.  Below are some examples I’ve done over the years:

 

A) Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter is one of the biggest pop stars in the world right now!  If you’re short and have long blond locks, you were basically genetically built for this look -if not, it’s still an easy look to pull off with minimal effort and everyone will know who you are! This look took about about 1/2 a day to make and then the rhinestones needed overnight to dry.

You’ll need: 

• Any pastel-coloured body suit (a tank top will work too) (any colour, but the most recognizable ones are pink, blue and yellow). *
• Rhinestones (some silver and some to match the colour of the body suit) *
• Glue (any gemstone craft glue should work, but we recommend this E6000 brand) *
• Skirt that matches the colour of the bodysuit
• Shiny tights (not required, but recommended – these capezio tights are the same brand Sabrina and Taylor Swift wear on tour)
• White thigh-high go-go boots (or any thigh-highs will do)

***to void this step, save time and money, you can also buy this heart corset top in which most of the work is already done.  I personally have a lot of fun making my own!

Instructions: 

• Measure and cut a heart out of the top centre of the bodysuit/shirt to mimic this look:

• Line the heart with silver rhinestones using the E6000 glue. Add about three more layers around the heart before gradually expanding the rhinestones outwards and start adding in some colours.   Try to use the picture as a guide, but have fun with it and make it your own!
• You can add rhinestones and rhinestone clusters randomly around the top to add more sparkle!
• Once the glue has dried (usually takes overnight) put on the outfit!
• For your hair a loose curl and curtain bangs will really mimic Sabrina’s Short n’ Sweet hair look.
• To mimic Carpenter’s makeup, aim for lots of blush and lots of highlighter!
• 

Now you’re all glammed up and ready to go!

For a simpler Sabrina look, you can also just pair a pink dress with gogo boots and her signature hair and makeup to acheive something similar to this iconic emails i can’t send tour fit:

B) Taylor Swift 

We’ve created many iconic Taylor Swift looks over the years. From Eras tour replicas to iconic music video outfits.  Some were more complicated than others, but I achieved it as someone who can’t sew. These two Era’s tour outfits took a lot longer to complete.  About a week at least of gluing and rhinestoning.  The Midnights look required minimal sewing for the fringe so this might be better for the more ambitions crafters out there. However, you could also achieve a similar look with a blue fringe skirt.

You’ll need: 

• A body suit as a base in the colour of the outfit you’re recreating. (ex. for Lover you need blush pink)
• Rhinestones in the colours of the outfit you’re recreating (ex. for Lover you’ll need silver, pink and teal) – if you’re doing Midnights you’ll also need blue fringe or a blue fringe skirt.
• Glue (any gemstone craft glue should work, but we recommend this E6000 brand) *
• Adhesive glitter spray
• Shiny tights (not required, but recommended – these capezio tights are the same brand Sabrina and Taylor Swift wear on tour)
• Thigh-high sparkly boots (silver for Lover or navy blue for Midnights)
• Glitter in the colours of the outfit (just match to the rhinestone colours you bought).

These looks can be more confusing to recreate, so I recommend studying pictures of Taylor wearing the outfit you want to make and using that as a diagram to follow when rhinestoning and determining what colours you’ll need.

Instructions: 

• Begin by tracing out a rough diagram of how the rhinestones are going to be placed (just draw lines, individual stones is not necessary)
• Start with a glitter base (this will make the outfit even more sparkly and enhance the rhinestones). To do this, (make sure you’re outside) spray the desired area with the adhesive spray and then sprinkle the appropriate glitter colour over it.
• Once this is done for the entire outfit let it dry.
• Once dry, begin rhinestoning!  Carefully following alone with pictures of Taylor’s outfit.
• For your hair, straight, wavy or curly with bangs will really mimic any Taylor hair look.
• To mimic her makeup, aim for a bold red lip, cat-eye and glittery shadow!

Now you’re ready to go!

For a simpler Taylor look, you can also dress as one of her album eras (more on this in the next session) or recreate one of her iconic street looks using clothes you probably already have in your closet!

Or recreate the 22 music video look:

You’ll need: 

• Not A Lot Going On At The Moment T-shirt 
• Fedora
• Red seart-shaped sunglasses
• High-waisted black shorts

C) Gracie Abrams 

If you’ve got short or long dark hair, you’re missing such an easy and simple opportunity by not going as Gracie Abrams! She’s quickly risen to superstardom, but hasn’t lost her authenticity in the process.  Her looks are simple, but she still has signature accessories that make them recognizable. 

To go as short hair Gracie, throw on a long dress or skirt, a bandana in your hair, minimal makeup and you’re good!  For a bonus you can even bring a guitar! 

For long hair, wear fitted jeans or dress pants, a bralette, dress shirt unbuttoned or blazer and a bow in your hair and you’re done! 

2. Personify An Album

Dress as a character inspired by an album -some albums have pre-existing characters developed by the artist such as twenty one pilots and Melanie Martinez.  For others, it can be really fun to play around with the themes, aesthetic and colours of the album and build a character around it. 

A) twenty øne piløts – Clancy, Torchbearer, Nico

These looks are simple and can built primarily out of regular clothes you probably have in your closet!

If you’ve got black pants and a jacket add some red tape, black paint to your hands and neck and you’re good to go.  The Clancy hat and stole are not necessary, but do complete the fit.  I made my stole with black fabric and white fabric paint.  No sewing, just scissors and a couple of hours locked in on stencilling out the letters.  As for the hat, I can’t crochet, but a friend made it for me.  There’s many talented artists selling them on etsy!  It doesn’t need to be exactly like Tyler’s Clancy look either, you can play with it a little bit like I did below: 

Torchbearer is a little easier. Green pants, green jacket, yellow tape and a makeshift torch! 

For Nico some facepaint and a red cloak is all you need.

B) Melanie Martinez – Crybaby

Melanie Martinez’s Crybaby character goes through so many different looks.  Some are more complicated than others. 

My cousin and I recreated some of Martinez’s Portals and K12 looks:

However, if you’ve got anything pastel and girly, wear your hair in pigtails you’re good to go.  Buying an inexpensive pacifier might also make the look! 

C) Personifying an Album

You can do this easily with things you already have in your closet. Imagine the album’s content, sound and themes and imagine how they would look/act/dress and embody that character! 

For example, if personifying Taylor Swift eras/albums

• Lover is flower crowns, pastel dresses, you can even add a heart around your eye like taylor does. 
• Folklore and evermore are not as flashy, more subtle tones.  Space buns or braids and a cardigan would work well for this look. 
• reputation is edgy and all black and white.  Fishnet tights, leather, black
• Midnights sparkly and dark light a starry night sky! 

I used specific examples of things I have at home for this article, but you can apply these strategies and ideas to any musical genres or artists you listen to! I hope this helps you feel confident and well-dressed this Halloween.