British Pop Culture Halloween Costumes From The Traitors to Boris Johnson

News doesn't get more British than this. The Willy Wonka Experience in Glasgow is one of the biggest viral stories from this year and would make an amazing British Halloween costume. We're bagsying the sad Oompa Loompa. Thanks to Cazaar, you can be The Unknown (£11).

Political costumes are always fun... or at the very least conversation starters. You could opt for this Boris Johnson Face Mask (£2) and a charity shop suit (crinkled, untucked shirt and half done tie a must), or maybe you'd prefer a Rishi Sunak (the leader who murdered the Conservative party majority) or Liz Truss (ditto, or just for being terrifying in her current stance as the US political talking head no-one asked for or wanted).

Looking stressed out? Feeling burnt out? Have days-old bags under your eyes? Perfect! Keep your office gear on or order New Look's Mink Unlined Tailored Coat (£40) and become one of the stressed-out overworked bankers from HBO's hit show Industry.

Nothing horror-ble about this legend, but no doubt a great dress-up outfit if the brief is less "scary" more "iconic British". And we just kind of want to try this wig on tbh.

To create your own Charity Shop Sue look, get the perfect red lip with the iconic MAC Macximal Silky Matte Mini Lipstick in Ruby Woo (£13, originally £16).

The biggest story of the year? The man who allegedly, might have, no-one's really sure broke our Queen Molly-Mae Hague's heart? Don't worry, we won't judge you if you spray on the abs.

RIP The Pret Subscription, we had a lot of good times and you really left us too soon (and with an expensive caffeine habit). Tbh you could do this one for free if you snaffled enough paper bags... just saying.

Yes, a quintessentially British thing, Bright Red Postbox (£65). Or, is it, for a Halloween costume with a newsy edge is it a symbol of the rotten Horizon scandal? You decide.

What better way to commemorate this past Brat Summer than becoming the head Brat herself, Charli XCX. Take inspiration from her countless stage outfits or from the bright lime green album cover to keep things simple.

Go for Charli's personal style with this ASOS DESIGN MA1 Bomber Jacket in Black (£56) and a pair of Black Curved Frame Sunglasses (£8, originally £10), or go full Brat with this Brat Merch T-Shirt from Amazon.

Yes, some of us are still feeling sore about it, ok? If you didn't get Oasis tickets or any of the other tickets you've wanted to get recently, you might be finding these guys haunting your nightmares ... and we mean Ticketmaster, Liam and Noel (trio costume, anyone?).
Make a Ticketmaster logo sign, or dress up as a Gallagher brother (maybe with some pickets stuffed full of cash?) and you're set!

The woman who murdered all of our social lives when the second series of The Traitors hit our screens in January this year. Winkleman's outfits became a daily news story in themselves they were so characterful — and the spookiness is ready served. Dig out your fake tan, kohl eyeliner, some tweed and some huge jumpers and you're done.

And if you're looking for a group outfit, you can always have the rest of your mates don some capes as traitors. In fact, you can buy a Traitors Halloween Cloak (£25) — these ones are scarily good. You. Are. Welcome.

Is there a more British exchange to ever have happened on daytime TV than this explosion on Come Dine With Me? We love this because all you need is a blue striped shirt.

Also - sorry, best couples outfit ever? "What a sad little life, Jane" man AND Jane? Run, don't walk to your local charity shop or order this Zara Striped Poplin Shirt (£23), which is just like Peter Marsh's.

"Well it was one of yas!" you can run around screaming if you have a pair of glasses and a white vest top. Or be our Cher Lloyd by Cher Lloyd singer with this Topshop Ciao Graphic T-Shirt (£22) You could, of course, by either of the sister. Or, this could be an absolutely amazing trio costume too — expect drinks to be bought for you all night.

No matter which side of the House of Dragon beef you're on transform into a Targaryen this Halloween. Dragon not included. If you're dedicated to the cause and want to emulate Aemmond's glossy blonde locks, try this Unice 613 Blonde Straight Lace Frontal Wig (£129) for ultimate quality and for everyday use after Halloween (this wig can be dyed if going blonde long term isn't your thing), or for something quick, cheap and easy, purchase this Amazon Platinum Blonde Wig (£18).

There's a lot of iconic costumes in this reel, but we really honed in on Eastenders' Phil Mitchell — a true British villain for Halloween. And one that can be done with just a cheap Bald Cap (£2), some jeans, and some searing rage.

Gladiator Paul Mescal is okay, but prove your pop culture knowledge is on point by dressing as Paul Mescal running... as the rumour went that he did from one of his one night stands. He later said this was "categorically untrue" but if you're up for a laugh, I'm sure your friends would love this one.

Yes it's eight years on, yes you can still do it this Halloween. If one of you dresses up as Angie Bowie, you've even got a couples costume too.

Earlier this year, Saltburn sent the world into a frenzy, with soundtracks, TikTok edits and Lush bath bombs being unleashed in its wake. Keep the momentum going this Halloween by dressing as one of the characters from the movie. Take your pick from Felix, Micheal, Venetia, Farleigh, Elspeth or Oliver Quick himself (just promise you won't get freaky in a bathtub).

We've done the research and found the same bath robe you'll see Oliver in, as pictured above. It's the Men's Brushed Cotton Dressing Gown in Cahors Herringbone (£125).

Yes, I'm including one of my own costumes, because I'm allowed. This Dead Sheeran costume involved a last minute panic in the local pound shop, which had some Ed Sheeran posters in stock (sorry, it's true). Bit of red paint, cut a hole in the face, DONE!

Rhiannon Evans is the interim content director at PS UK. Rhiannon has been a journalist for 17 years, starting at local newspapers before moving to work for Heat magazine and Grazia. As a senior editor at Grazia, she helped launch parenting brand The Juggle, worked across brand partnerships, and launched the "Grazia Life Advice" podcast. An NCE-qualified journalist (yes, with a 120-words-per-minute shorthand), she has written for The Guardian, Vice and Refinery29.

Lauren Gordon is the editorial coordinator at PS UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specialises in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.