45 Nostalgic '90s Halloween Costumes That'll Transport Any Adult Back to a Kid
Remember the good old days of cosmic brownies, Power Rangers and the Spice Girls?
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A decade filled with effortlessly cool style, some of the most iconic hip-hop and pop groups of all time and toy and game crazes that captured everyone from teens to adults, the 1990s had it all. The best way to reminisce on a time when Tamagotchi toys could be found everywhere and Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time” was blasting on most boomboxes is to let our easy '90s Halloween costumes inspire you for your best look this October.
To make this list, we pulled costume inspiration — for groups and couples, too — from the best boy bands, feel-good movies and television shows, and pop culture moments of the decade. You’ll be glad to know that the laid-back fashion of the '90s lent itself to baggy jeans, platforms and claw clips, all of which have made their way back into style, which means you can easily DIY with items pulled from your existing wardrobe.
Want more nostalgic costume ideas? Get ideas from the groovy '70s, gnarly '80s and the early 2000s.
Rugrats
Tommy, Chucky, Dil and Angelica captured the hearts of '90s babies. You can now dress your own kids as the rambunctious rugrats.
Forrest Gump
It's debatably one of the most iconic films from the '90s. And you can probably recreate Tom Hanks' Forrest Gump attire with things already in your closet.
Who can forget the 1996 Tickle Me Elmo craze? Dress up in this cozy suit to bring back all of the memories.
Wicked
Though the play didn't hit Broadway until the early 2000s, the book it was adapted from was published in 1995. So, while you're defying gravity on Halloween night, remind everyone how many great things we got from the '90s.
Ash Ketchum from Pokémon
Ash's look is way simpler to recreate than it is to catch pokémon. All you need is a white tee, vest, hat and jeans. Don't forget to catch 'em all!
Cosmic Brownie
An iconic Little Debbie snack was born in the '90s, the cosmic brownie. Dress up as your childhood go-to dessert with the help of a brown dress and model clay. Pick up a box of the brownies to really drive the look home.
TLC
When it comes to girl groups, it doesn't get much better than TLC. As if their music wasn't enough, they set the tone for cool '90s fashion as you can see here. Grab a cropped tee and baggy sweatpants for this effortless look.
Her 1998 hit song had everyone recreating this iconic school girl outfit. There will be no mistaking who you're channeling this year.
Frosted Animal Cracker
Frosted animal crackers were definitely the cutest of all the 1990s snacks. Just add pom poms for the sprinkles!
Aaliyah
She was the certified It girl of the '90s. Dress up as One in a Million era Aaliyah in her iconic all-white outfit. On the plus side, velour sweats and tinted sunnies are making their way back into the fashion cycle so you can definitely wear this outfit again.
Janet Jackson
Okay, technically "Rhythm Nation" was released in October of 1989, but you know that Janet's Rhythm Nation 1814 album was beloved throughout the early '90s. Snag the iconic hat on Amazon, and dress in all-black to recreate the look.
Looking for a cozy costume come Halloween night? This teletubbie suit will do the trick! Just grab Dipsy, Lala and Poe for the ultimate best friends costume.
Garth and Wayne from Wayne's World
Party time, excellent! The perfect idea for a BFF or couples costume, Garth and Wayne are the best, and you just need some basic jeans and t-shirts to complete the look.
RELATED: Fun Halloween Couples Costumes
Though there is now a remake, starring LeBron James, the original Space Jam will always have a place in our hearts. Gather your Tune Squad and get ready to take on the Monstars with these basketball getups.
Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler from 'Jurassic Park'
It's dino-mania all over again. You might have all the clothes you need for this costume lying around your closet, or you can hunt them down at a thrift shop. (You can also buy the costumes online, but where's the fun in that?)
It's true that all you really need to be Ace Ventura is an open Hawaiian shirt — most of the costume is in the hair and the attitude. A homemade business card wouldn't hurt, either.
You'll never let go ... of the romantic feelings Titanic gave you in 1997. You can buy a very similar version of Rose's dress on Amazon, just don't forget The Heart of the Ocean!
Star Wars fans know that Darth Maul has been on a wild ride since his introduction in The Phantom Menace in 1999. This costume comes with a mask, so you don't have to try to apply his signature stripes or horns by yourself with makeup.
RELATED: The Best Star Wars Family Costumes
Grab (or buy) a black suit and a pair of shades and get ready to save the world! Just try not to sing, "Here come the Men in Black, galaxy defenders," every time you walk into a room.
A League of Their Own
It's '90s, but still relevant thanks to the new TV series. Root for the home team by getting your girls together and dressing up as Dottie and the other Rockford Peaches! Just cross your fingers that none of you get traded to the Racine Belles.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
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