29 Iconically Fashionable Female Characters For Your Halloween Costume

The air is crisp and cool, the scent of pumpkin spice lattes is filling the air, and the leaves are starting to change color. It all adds up to one thing: Halloween is almost upon us! Spooky season is nearly here, and with it comes the mad dash for costume inspiration. And while elaborate costumes are almost always a hit, it can be just as satisfying to embody a character with a little bit of help from your closet and a do-it-yourself attitude. 

This year, consider channeling an iconically fashionable female character for Halloween. Not only will choosing a famous character be instantly recognizable — it will also save you some valuable time and money. After all, when it comes to iconic fashionistas, it takes one to know one, so it shouldn't be difficult to dig into your own wardrobe for key pieces to put your costume together. 

Spinelli, from the animated cartoon "Recess," is another potentially easy Halloween costume to pull off using pieces from your own closet. Spinelli's look — complete with a red dress, orange hat, and leather jacket and boots — consists of some key fall pieces you probably already own. The key to channeling Spinelli, beyond her signature ensemble, is to make sure that you have got the right spunky attitude to go along with the outfit.

Nancy Downs may have been a villain in the movie "The Craft," but her style remains iconic. Channeling the 90's grunge aesthetic, revived in 2023, this Halloween costume should be fairly easy to put together based on what has been trending in women's fashion lately. However, even if you aren't able to recreate Nancy's signature outfit exactly (with a leather jacket, white button-down, and plaid skirt), remember that the essence of her character really lies in the attitude and slightly scary vibe she brought to the movie. Just go heavy on the dark eyeliner and dig up your old choker. 

She may be a real-life personality, but Jenna Lyons' appearance in "The Real Housewives of New York City" has made her a newly minted pop culture character in her own right. Lyons has quite a history in the fashion world — most notably as the president of clothing brand J. Crew. Though she has so many iconic looks to choose from, jeans may be the most appropriate for this year's Halloween festivities, as she recently made headlines for a controversial denim look. Complete the transformation with a slicked-back bun and thick-framed glasses. 

Another iconic Anne Hathaway character, Mia Thermopolis, had many notable fashion moments in "The Princess Diaries." While the makeover scene would be fun to recreate as a Halloween costume, we think that Mia Thermopolis as the Princess of Genovia might be even better, and a great excuse to wear a fancy dress as a Halloween costume. You'll need a faux tiara, white elbow-length gloves, and poofy strapless dress (think prom). Complete the look with a pair of casual sneakers, perfect for the down-to-earth princess. 

While "The Matrix" can make great inspiration for a couple's Halloween costume (with one person as Trinity and their partner as Neo), Trinity's look is so iconic that it can also stand alone. You'll need a lot of black — ideally latex — and a pair of sporty sunglasses. Then all you need to do is slick your hair back and embrace Trinity's BAMF attitude. 

Using the style and aesthetic from "Emily in Paris" may make for an easily recognizable Halloween costume, as the character Emily Cooper's wardrobe has become famous over time. If you are looking to stir up some discussion amongst fashion-forward friends, this is a good costume, as the character's wardrobe has been a hot topic since the show began. Search your closet for short a-line skirts and tweed blazers in bold colors. Mixed patterns are also your friend. 

What you'll need: a pink power suit, a blonde wig, and a diploma from Harvard. 

The character Elle Woods from the movie "Legally Blonde" is a fashion icon in her own right, namely because of the way she was unapologetic about being feminine in an industry that trivialized her interests and the way that she presented herself to the world. We love the idea of Elle Woods as a Halloween costume, because not only will you look great in a pink power suit, but you'll get to use legal jargon at the party you're attending to "object" to a bad song playing on the aux, or declare "hearsay" when someone claims to know how many Halloween treats you've had.

A trendsetter who basically invented wearing pink on Wednesdays, the character Regina George can be considered a fashion icon for the looks she wore in the teen film "Mean Girls." Though the look featured above is a great reference to her character post-bus crash, the DIY element of the neck brace may not be quite your speed. If this is the case, you may want to opt for a second option that's certainly easier to DIY: the cutout tank top and black skirt from this notable scene in the movie.

Mia Wallace from the movie "Pulp Fiction" is one of those characters so embedded in pop culture that she is recognizable even to people who have not seen the movie. Her two most notable looks are from the movie poster for the film (featured above), and the dance scene with John Travolta's character, Vincent Vega. You'll need a short black, bob wig for both, along with red lipstick and a fake cigarette, which Mia is almost never seen without. 

What you'll need: a black turtle neck, a mini skirt, and a leopard print vest. Bonus points for a bouncy blowout and coffee pot.

Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston, is an iconic character from the television show "Friends." She's known for her on-again, off-again romance with Ross, but also her many notable fashion moments. Rachel's character loves fashion, so it's no wonder her outfits were always on point for the era. But even if you don't quite have the perfect outfit picked out for this Halloween costume, you'll surely be recognized if you can achieve the "Rachel" haircut.

Fran Fine, the boisterous and lovable character from the television show "The Nanny," is a fun Halloween costume option as her style was as loud, if not louder than the character itself. If you want to have fun with patterns like leopard print, polka dots, and much more, this might be the costume for you. Search your closet for a patterned mini skirt and long-sleeved turtle neck. Add a bold lipstick and bouffant and you're well on your way to Nanny-dom. If you're looking for a couple's costume idea, this one is fairly easy to create, as Fran's love interest, Maxwell Sheffield, is often featured on the show wearing a suit. 

Edna Mode from the animated movie "The Incredibles" is an iconic fashion designer and fashionista, responsible for creating the suits superheroes wear. A pioneer of fashion with function, Edna Mode is another Halloween costume that is fairly simple to recreate. Grab some round glasses, and a dress, and recreate her signature blunt bob with bangs. If you want to really make an impact, you may have to practice her signature accent and attitude.

Penny Lane, the character played by Kate Hudson in the movie "Almost Famous," embodies the rock and roll era of the 1970s. Her look is laid-back and glamorous all at the same time, with bell-bottom jeans, a white tank top, and a fur-trimmed coat. Round sunglasses complete the overall vibe of a rock muse or groupie which, depending on who you ask, is undeniably cool. 

What you'll need: fake flowers, a hot glue gun, and a lot of patience. 

Though Dani's character in the 2019 horror movie "Midsommar" isn't necessarily a fashion icon, this pivotal moment in the movie where she is almost encased in a floral arrangement gives off an avant-garde fashion vibe. Recreating this look for a Halloween costume may be a bit laborious, but the result is instantly recognizable and also really striking.