If there’s one night when clothes get to tell stories, it’s Halloween. The best halloween outfits aren’t just costumes; they’re quick-change biographies of an era, a soundtrack, a mood. Fashion historians point out that Halloween mirrors the zeitgeist each year, which is why certain references suddenly feel unavoidable. Men and women’s fashion icons keep coming back each spooky season, reminding us of why they have become staples in the first place.
Why the ’70s remains the goldmine
Few decades photograph as well, or feel as party-ready, as the 1970s. Between disco shimmer, arena-rock bravado and TV heroines with feathered hair, the era is a ready-made mood board for halloween fashion. Think ABBA-grade sequins and flares, KISS metallics, Charlie’s Angels tailoring, or a group spin on Star Wars. Editors still round up dozens of ’70s ideas because they’re both recognizable and easy to assemble from real clothes and second-hand fashion, not just pre-made costumes.
Build it from vintage so it looks and feels authentic
The trick is to start with actual vintage fashion pieces. A few anchor items instantly read ’70s:
- Sequined or lurex jumpsuit + platform boots → “Eurovision disco” without saying a word.
- Bell-bottom denim + cotton shirt with pointy collar → David Bowie’s unmistakable energy.
- Metallic catsuit + starburst makeup → arena rock, KISS-coded glam.
- White leisure suit + black shirt → Saturday Night Fever, no further description needed.
These are clothes you can rewear after October 31, precisely why many stylists point to celebrity costumes that are basically great outfits with a wink, like Kendall Jenner’s Fembot, Lupita Nyong’o’s Clueless Dionne, and Bella Hadid’s Beetlejuice moment. They all worked because the components were chic.
Beyond the ’70s: picks that always land
If disco isn’t your beat, Halloween has reliable archetypes that track with culture:
- Iconic film leads (from The Godfather to Rocky, Star Wars) recur whenever anniversaries or reboots roll around. Expect them decade after decade.
- Horror staples (Michael Myers, etc.) surge with every sequel cycle: minimal effort, maximum recognition.
- Celebrity-inspired looks keep trending because they’re wardrobe-based: slip dress + red lip, tailored tux + sunglasses, plaid mini + knee socks.
Make it fashion, not “costume”
- Start with quality vintage (wool suiting, real silk, sturdy platforms).
- Style first, props second—a tambourine or toy mic is the period comma, not the sentence.
- Hair & makeup carry the reference (Farrah waves, Ziggy lightning, disco gloss)—celebrity beauty roundups are gold here.
- Think sustainability: buying or renting vintage vintage outfit pieces keeps Halloween out of the landfill and gives you something to wear again—because the best vintage outfit is one you’ll repeat.
If you want your costume to feel like real clothes with history, build it from authentic vintage knit, silk, sequins, and tailoring. For the best vintage clothing shopping, explore Cavalli e Nastri’s racks in Milan to assemble halloween outfits that double as keep-forever vintage fashion.
