Blast to the Past With These '90s Halloween Costumes
Even two-plus decades removed, nothing hits quite like throwbacks from the '90s. Between nostalgic sitcoms, classic hip-hop, our favorite boy bands, and, yes, even mom jeans, the iconic, rhinestone-embellished era is the decade that just keeps on giving, no matter how old we get. But even more so, the '90s gave us some of the hottest looks that also double as the perfect Halloween costumes.
Every year like clockwork, all of us '90s kids are grown adults until spooky season comes around. Then it's time to raid our closets and local thrift stores for fashions to help us dress up like our favorite '90s characters, pop icons, or famous movie stars. If you miss your childhood days, get nostalgic by dressing up in a costume that reminds you of the grunge-infused era. Whether that's the Spice Girls, TLC, Dionne and Cher from "Clueless," Janet Jackson from "Poetic Justice," or Elaine from "Seinfeld," dressing as someone who reminds us of arguably the best decade of all time is always a great idea.
From '90s TV shows to music videos, the possibilities are endless! Give your Halloween costume a blast from the past with some of the fun ideas ahead.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano and Haley Lyndes
Dionne and Cher: The Inspiration
In order to pull off best friends Dionne and Cher from "Clueless," you'll need plaid miniskirts, matching blazers, knee-high socks, and lots of high-end shopping bags. As if!
Dionne and Cher: The Costume
Gerald: The Inspiration
Gerald is the best best friend there is! To copy this "Hey Arnold!" character, you'll just need a red shirt with the number 33 on it. Pair that with blue jeans and red sneakers, and your work here is done.
Gerald: The Costume
"Space Jam"'s Lola Bunny: The Inspiration
To be the sexy basketball-playing bunny Lola from "Space Jam," you'll need bunny ears and a tail, white gloves, a basketball uniform, and a basketball. And be sure to share this reminder with all guys you come across: "Don't ever call me 'doll.'"
"Space Jam"'s Lola Bunny: The Costume
Carmen Sandiego: The Inspiration
If you're going to be the mysterious dame of "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?," then you'll need to hide under a red trench and floppy hat, don all black underneath, and hold a magnifying glass.
Carmen Sandiego: The Costume
Ed and Dexter: The Inspiration
"Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger! Can I take your order?" You can easily re-create Ed and Dexter's "Good Burger" outfits by wearing a blue-and-white striped shirt and a white hat. Carrying around a bag of burgers or a spatula wouldn't hurt, either!
Ed and Dexter: The Costume
Daria and Jane: The Inspiration
To pull off the dry teen besties of the animated series "Daria," you'll first need to perfect your most bored expression and disdain for human beings. For Daria, you'll need a green jacket, a pleated skirt, combat boots, and her signature glasses. For Jane, you'll need a red shirt, shorts, tights, combat boots, and a few clip-on earrings.
Daria and Jane: The Costume
Zenon: The Inspiration
To be "Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century," you need a pink bodysuit and blue vest and miniskirt — topped off with pigtails!
Zenon: The Costume
Kelly Kapowski: The Inspiration
Make everyone swoon by dressing up as Kelly Kapowski from "Saved by the Bell." You just need a white lacy bandeau top, high-waisted jeans, and suspenders. Don't forget the bangin' hairstyle!
Kelly Kapowski: The Costume
Ms. Frizzle: The Inspiration
For the knowledgeable and adventurous teacher from "The Magic School Bus," you need a curly red wig, a blue dress with purple collar (or a collared shirt underneath the dress), and a stuffed iguana to play Liz the iguana. For an extra touch, attach stars and planets to your dress!
Ms. Frizzle: The Costume
Janet Jackson: The Inspiration
Miss her songs much? Copy the iconic Janet Jackson by wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, mom jeans, and black accessories. The hat is a must! Wear a microphone for emphasis.
Janet Jackson: The Costume
Spice Girls: The Inspiration
Dressing as the British pop group Spice Girls is a tried-and-true costume idea for groups of five, and the style of clothing is pretty much spelled out in the nicknames of the members: Scary (animal prints), Sporty (tear-away pants), Baby (pink dress), Ginger (Union Jack dress), and Posh (negligee).
Spice Girls: The Costume
Angelica: The Inspiration
For bossy big sis Angelica Pickles from the Nickelodeon cartoon "Rugrats," you'll need a purple dress, an orange long-sleeved top, blue pants with green polka dots, and your hair in pigtails. And don't forget her doll, Cynthia!
Angelica: The Costume
Romy and Michele: The Inspiration
To dress as our favorite '90s besties from "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion," you need shiny, short dresses; chokers; platform shoes; and sweet dance moves.
Romy and Michele: The Costume
Misty From Pokémon: The Inspiration
"Gotta catch them all!" To take on Misty from the Japanese video-game-turned-franchise Pokémon, throw on some tennis shoes, cuffed shorts, a yellow tank, and red suspenders.
Misty From Pokémon: The Costume
Elaine: The Inspiration
For "Seinfeld"'s Elaine Benes, you need a beige blazer, a long floral dress or skirt, and dark curly hair styled half-up, half-down. As an added bonus, you should perfect her dance moves.
Elaine: The Costume
"Hocus Pocus": The Inspiration
For the Sanderson Sisters of "Hocus Pocus," you'll need big hair, capes, vintage dresses, some brooms (or a vacuum), and a book of spells.
"Hocus Pocus": The Costume
TLC: The Inspiration
To pull off Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas of the R&B group TLC, you'll need bright, baggy clothes; caps turned backward; suspenders; and either a patch or a black mark under the eye of whoever's Left Eye. Going around singing "Waterfalls" is optional but advised.
TLC: The Costume
"The Powerpuff Girls": The Inspiration
For Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup of "The Powerpuff Girls," you'll need dresses in blue, pink, and green; white knee-high socks; black shoes; a pink bow for Blossom; and cartoon bug eyes.
"The Powerpuff Girls": The Costume
Blink-182 Nurse: The Inspiration
Take your sexy nurse costume to the next level with this '90s reference! To dress as the nurse on Blink-182's "Enema of the State" ($18) album cover (porn star Janine Lindemulder), you're going to need fake butterfly tattoos, a nurse outfit, a red bra, and a rubber glove.
Blink-182 Nurse: The Costume
Angela Chase: The Inspiration
If you're going to be angsty teen Angela Chase from "My So-Called Life," then you'll need lots of layers in pastels, florals, plaid, and crochet plus oversize striped sweaters. Bonus points if you memorize some of her best quotes.
Angela Chase: The Costume
"Legends of the Hidden Temple": The Inspiration
To be a contestant on Nickelodeon's game show "Legends of the Hidden Temple," you're going to need a helmet; knee pads and elbow pads; khaki shorts; and either a red, green, purple, orange, gray, or blue shirt with the coordinating stenciled animal symbols on them. This would also make a great group costume!
"Legends of the Hidden Temple": The Costume
Spinelli From "Recess": The Inspiration
If you're going to be "the fighter" Ashley Spinelli from the TV show "Recess," then you'll need some tomboy attire and a fierce attitude. The outfit includes an orange beanie, pigtails, a red dress, a dark jacket, and red-and-orange striped tights or leggings.
Spinelli From "Recess": The Costume
Britney Spears: The Inspiration
Channel Britney Spears in her 1998 music video for " . . . Baby One More Time" with a white button-down shirt tied at the waist, a gray sweater, and two braids with pink pom poms.
Britney Spears: The Costume
"Sailor Moon": The Inspiration
Have some fun playing the magical girls of the Japanese anime "Sailor Moon" by wearing schoolgirl dresses, white gloves, and ridiculously long wigs.
"Sailor Moon": The Costume
"Cool Runnings": The Inspiration
If you love this 1993 comedy, you and your friends just have to dress up as the characters from "Cool Runnings." Find a black spandex jumpsuit, and paint on the team's well-known colors. You could also opt for an Adidas jacket and leggings, too.
"Cool Runnings": The Costume
Gadget: The Inspiration
To pull off the girl chipmunk, Gadget, from "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers," you'll need a light-purple top and bottoms, goggles, a blond wig, and some face paint.
Gadget: The Costume
Blossom: The Inspiration
For spunky Blossom, you've gotta pick up a floppy fabric hat, a fake flower to attach to it, some knee-length khaki shorts, and a chunky sweater.
Blossom: The Costume
Wednesday Addams: The Inspiration
If you'd like to put your angry resting face to good use, then go as Christina Ricci's Wednesday Addams from the 1991 film "The Addams Family." You'll need two long black braids, a dark dress with a white collar, and a general disdain for fun.
Wednesday Addams: The Costume
Pink Power Ranger: The Inspiration
Go, go Power Rangers! The pink Power Ranger was always the best, so if you're dressing as Amy Jo Johnson's crime-fighting hero, then you'll need pink spandex with the white diamond patterns, white gloves, a helmet (or ski goggles), a belt, and some powerful poses.
Pink Power Ranger: The Costume
Hilary Banks: The Inspiration
If you want to be as spoiled and fashionable as Hilary Banks from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," you'll need to hone in on your best '90s outfits. Copy Hilary's killer style by wearing a red blazer, a black turtleneck, a checkered miniskirt, and plenty of flashy jewelry.