When it comes to TV and movies, the inspiration for Halloween [1] costumes is practically endless. And 2018 has been ripe with dazzling pop culture costume ideas [2] that are sure to make you look like the coolest cat at the party. To get even more fun going, I'm going to zoom in on the men, mostly because the past year has been jam-packed with superheroes, superstars, and yes, supervillians. So whether you're looking to save the world or save some lives a la Grey's Anatomy [3], we've got scores of characters for you to sink into. Prepare your spandex.
Carl Grimes From The Walking Dead
- What to wear: A plaid shirt, jeans, a wide-brimmed brown hat, and an eye patch. Don't forget to dirty clothes up! And you want to finish it off with a long brown wig, we won't stop you.
T'Challa From Black Panther
- What to wear: There are some adult-sized Black Panther costumes [4] floating around, but you can also DIY [5] by wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and black pants and adding the silver designs around the neckline and forearms yourself.
Jughead From Riverdale
- What to wear: A dark t-shirt, an unbuttoned plaid shirt in darker tones, jeans, black boots, and a grey hat (that looks like a crown, preferably). If you're feeling creative, you can also wear a leather jacket with a snake stitched on the back.
Deadpool From Deadpool 2
- What to wear: Guys, just buy the costume [6].
Freddie Mercury From Bohemian Rhapsody
- What to wear: Get Mercury's iconic look by tucking a white tank top into a tight pair of light-wash denim jeans. Accessorise with a chunky black studded belt and armband, and don't forget the iconic mustache!
Doctor Strange From Avengers: Infinity War
- What to wear: The most important piece of the outfit, of course, is the big red cape. Add a long, dark blue coat and close it off with a big brown belt.
Han Solo From Solo: A Star Wars Story
- What to wear: You've got to get that iconic brown leather jacket. Wear with black pants, a black v-neck, and a gun holster on your hip.
Owen From Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
- What to wear: A dark, long-sleeved henley under a cargo vest with jeans, boots, and a whistle around your neck. You're going to need to bring a little raptor buddy along, too.
Dumbledore From Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
- What to wear: Luckily, you don't need to put on a long, white beard or a bunch of wizard robes. Young Dumbledore favours a fedora hat and a nice coat. I'm sure a wand will help people get the picture.
The Fab 5 From Queer Eye
- What to wear for Bobby: Bobby is a fan of short-sleeved button downs that have the sleeves rolled a little bit and are in a fun print. You can wear it with dark skinny jeans, and add in a utility belt to make it clear you're ready to build someone a house from scratch.
- What to wear for Karamo: Karamo pulls off white jeans like no other. Once you've got a great pair on hand, wear a denim shirt underneath a bomber jacket.
- What to wear for Tan: Tan is the fashion guru of the bunch, so you need to be looking on point. Wear a printed button-down shirt french-tucked into a pair of tastefully ripped skinny jeans, and pair with Stan Smith Adidas sneakers or boots.
- What to wear for Antoni: A graphic t-shirt of some kind with dark jeans, joggers, or even a pair of tan shorts. Antoni is also partial to cool sneakers. Maybe rock an apron to give your look an extra oomph.
- What to wear for Jonathan: Pull your long hair into a half-up, half-down style, and then you have a few options; casual Jonathan usually goes for t-shirts and skinny jeans with flip-flops, while his more fashionable looks are definitely daring. Don't be afraid of a plaid kilt paired with a tight black t-shirt, or even a pair of sock booties.
Jackson Avery From Grey's Anatomy
- What to wear: Now's your chance to become one of the sexy doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Get your hands on some scrubs and a white doctor coat. Perhaps a stethoscope, a badge, and some pens would be a nice touch.
Kai From American Horror Story: Cult
- What to wear: A yellow and white printed sweater with jeans and a greasy blue wig. (Orange Cheeto face optional.)
Aquaman From Aquaman
- What to wear: I hope you're comfortable being shirtless [7], because Aquaman is wearing just pants most of the time. It would be cool to add some tattoos to make the look more legit. And, hey, why not get some gold armor from a Halloween [8] store?
Teddy From Westworld
- What to wear: This one shouldn't be too hard! Just go full-tilt cowboy with a hat, a jacket, boots, and a gun.
Pray Tell From Pose
- What to wear: Bask in the glory of the '80s with this iconic Pose character! Frankly, I'd advise going to a thrift store and picking out the wildest things they have to create an iconic, one-of-a-kind look. Big hats, loud jackets, whatever you want.
Poe From Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- What to wear: An orange flight suit under a white puffy vest, paired with short brown curls and a cocky attitude.
Frozone From The Incredibles 2
- What to wear: This is one where it might make more sense to buy the costume [9]. But hey, you might be able to piece it together with leggings and other tight shapewear!
Luke From Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- What to wear: A white turtleneck and tan coloured pants under a tan robe, belted with a dark brown leather belt. Wear another, darker brown jacket over top of that, a metallic glove on one hand, and a messy brown wig to complete the look.
Steve Harrington From Stranger Things
- What to wear: Rock some light, '80s-inspired jeans with a grey windbreaker and yellow gloves. Make sure you swoosh your hair up with plenty of hairspray the way Steve likes it, and throw a baseball bat (nails or no nails) in your backpack.
Archie From Riverdale
- What to wear: A t-shirt, jeans, Converse, and a red wig. Don't forget your letterman jacket or cardigan and a guitar.
Cable From Deadpool 2
- What to wear: You can spray-paint your hair silver and slick it back, and then work some magic with makeup to give your eye a fake scar. Once that's done, wear a maroon t-shirt under a dark green cloak, dark blue cargo pants, big black boots, and a metallic sleeve to give the impression that you have a bionic arm.
Thanos From Avengers: Infinity War
- What to wear: You kind of have to paint yourself purple for this one, right? And wear a bald cap? Once that's done, wear a blue and gold vest with brown pants, a big gold belt, and the Infinity Gauntlet [10].
Titus Andromedon From Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
- What to wear: Titus loves to wear comfortable robes and, well, other articles of clothing that look more or less like a muumuu (no shade). The flowier and silkier, the better. Maybe you could carry around a bottle of Pinot Noir as well to really bring it home?
The Man in Black From Westworld
- What to wear: Like his name suggests, all black attire for this one — black cowboy hat, coat, pants, boots, and leather gloves. You can wear a dark grey vest and neck scarf to mix things up a little.
Dustin From Stranger Things
- What to wear: Dustin's red, white, and blue baseball hat shouldn't be hard to mimic if you buy a plain white hat and some red and blue paint. Once that's done, pick up a curly brown wig, an old-school graphic t-shirt, some brown corduroys, a zip-up sweatshirt, and a backpack. Also consider getting something to make it look like you're missing your front teeth.
Kylo Ren From Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- What to wear: A high-necked black jacket with a wide, black leather belt is a must for Kylo. You're also going to need some tight (high-waisted) black pants and high black boots, as well as his signature red lightsaber and greasy black hair (sorry, Kylo).
Fred Rogers From Won't You Be My Neighbour?
- What to wear: Aw, Mr. Rogers. Wear a light button-down shirt and a colourful cardigan, dark pants, and sneakers, and have a sock puppet on one of your hands.
Negan From The Walking Dead
- What to wear: That black leather jacket is a must, and the barbed-wire-wrapped bat is a pretty important piece too. Add some blood if you want to replicate the moment Rick slashes his throat!
Christian From Fifty Shades Freed
- What to wear: Welp, this one is fairly easy. All you need are baggy ripped jeans and a red blindfold!
Barry From Barry
- What to wear: A grey t-shirt under a darker grey henley with navy blue cargo pants and black leather gloves. We don't suggest bringing Barry's preferred weapon to any Halloween [11] parties, though.
General Hux From Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- What to wear: All black — pants, vest, boots, floor-length coat. And then slick your red hair back from your face.
Rick Grimes From The Walking Dead
- What to wear: Rick looooves that denim shirt, paired with a dark pair of pants. Sling a bag over your shoulder, slap on a utility belt, and you should be good to go. Make sure you get your clothes nice and dirty.
Finn From Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- What to wear: Dark pants with a loose-fitting tan shirt under a brown leather jacket that has the red stripe detail that Finn's does. Add a blaster holster on your waist, and you'll be golden.
Newt Scamander From Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
- What to wear: Good ol' Newt! Get your hands on a beautiful blue coat and a mustard-coloured vest. Add in some nice trousers, a briefcase (with optional beasts therein), and a wand.
Spider-Man From Avengers: Infinity War
- What to wear: Well . . . you might want to buy a Spider-Man costume [12], unless you want to DIY [13] it with some blue leggings and so forth. Maybe a morph suit?
Captain America From Avengers: Infinity War
- What to wear: If you don't want to shell out for Captain America's actual costume [14], rock a navy blue sweatshirt with a star on the front, outfitted with shoulder straps. Pair with navy blue pants, dark boots, and a wildly attractive beard.
Andrew Cunanan From The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
- What to wear: Go full gay '90s with the bright patterns and cut-off shorts. The wire-rim glasses would be a nice touch too!
Gabriel From The Walking Dead
- What to wear: Slap on a priest outfit and put a jacket over it. You might want to muddy it up to get that authentic zombie apocalypse vibe.