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Get Stoked Over These Nostalgic Halloween Costumes From the 2000s

We've got ideas for women, men, and couples that will have everyone saying "that's hot."

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2000s halloween costumes
carter fish, jenn haskins

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Ever wish you could return to simpler times, when The Cheetah Girls and Lizzie McGuire ruled Disney Channel, all the cool kids were on Myspace, and Britney Spears took up all the storage on your iPod? The 2000s might have been a wacky time, but there were some things that made perfect sense: like Razrs instead of iPhones, AIM instead of Instagram, and Juicy Tubes instead of Kylie Lip Kits. Although we haven't found a way to transport back to those golden days yet, you can dip your toes into the past with some clever 2000s-themed Halloween costumes this fall.

Whether you choose to be a nostalgic TV or movie character, or you decide to dress as your favorite celebrity from the early-aughts, you can't go wrong with these easy ideas you can shop or DIY. You can even pull them together at the last minute before Hallow's Eve! The whole family can get involved: Dress your toddler as a cartoon character, or get a group of your best friends together and transform into the cheerleaders from Bring It On! The opportunities are endless with these costumes, which are worthy of 2000s icon Paris Hilton's immortal words: "That's hot."

1

Britney Spears Costume

britney spears costume
Annaliese L-K

Britney Spears was one of the biggest musical artists of the 2000s, and she had no shortage of headline-making outfits you can pull from for inspiration. Blogger Annaliese L-K put together this look based on Spears's outfit for her first album ...Baby One More Time.

Get the tutorial at Southern Belle In Training »

2

Penny Proud Costume From The Proud Family

proud family costume
Daisi Arichabala

Disney animated cartoons were one of the best parts of the 2000s. They were all so good! But definitely one of our favorites was The Proud Family, and you can mimic Penny Proud's classic skirt-and-cardigan combo with this easy DIY.

Get the tutorial at Daisi Ari »

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3

Jenna Rink's Dance Costume From 13 Going On 30

jenna rink costume
Kyle Moore

If you've ever dreamed of taking over the dance floor with Mark Ruffalo by your side, you've probably, like me, seen 13 Going On 30 one too many times. But it's one of the best romcoms from the 2000s, so who can blame you? Copy Jenna's famous dress from that iconic scene with this DIY.

Get the tutorial at Mimosas and Manhattan »

4

Jenna Rink's Work Costume From 13 Going On 30

jenna rink costume
Kyle Moore

If you prefer Jenna's outfits from her time as an editor at fashion magazine Poise, we've got you covered: You can pull off this leather jacket look for a 2000s outfit that's still appropriate for work.

Get the tutorial at Mimosas and Manhattan »

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5

Damien Leigh and Janice Ian Costumes From Mean Girls

mean girls costume
Mimosas and Manhattan

Sure, everybody who loves Mean Girls wants to dress up as Regina George and Cady Heron, but it's the side characters who make for the real fun. All you need is a sweatshirt and sunglasses to become Damien Leigh, and with some denim and boots, you can convince the world you're Janice Ian.

Get the tutorial at Mimosas and Manhattan »

6

Coskidz Isis Costume From Bring It On

Isis Costume From <i>Bring It On</i>
Credit: Coskidz

Gabrielle Union gave us an unforgettable show as Isis in 2000's cheerleading comedy Bring It On, and you can bring it back when you don this inexpensive Clovers uniform. 

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7

Dwight Schrute Costume From The Office

dwight schrute costume
Renee Bergeron

It's hard to believe The Office debuted in 2005, but it's true: Dwight Schrute first graced our televisions in the glorious early aughts. As one of comedy's most recognizable figures, he's got an easily imitable outfit to boot: yellow button-up shirt, oversized glasses, middle-parted hair, and matching tie.

Get the tutorial at Little Earthling »

RELATD: 'The Office' Cast Costume Ideas That Let You Channel Your Favorite Dunder Mifflin Employee

8

Helga Pataki

2000s halloween costumes
Cookie Corp

When Hey Arnold! ended in 2004, fans everywhere were devastated. But you can pay tribute to one of the most iconic characters this Halloween.

Get the tutorial at Get the tutorial at Cookie Corp »

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9

*NSYNC No Strings Attached Costume

nsync makeup
Sadie Banks

What would the 2000s have been without boy bands? *NSYNC came out with No Strings Attached in 2000, and the world has never been the same. Recreate the album cover with this super-simple DIY that only requires a little makeup and some string.

Get the tutorial at Girl Loves Glam »

10

Team Rocket Costume From Pokémon

team rocket costumes
Tucker Bohman

"I choose you, Pikachu!" Thanks to the classic Pokémon cartoons from the 2000s, we all know what that catchphrase sounds like—and how to use it to ward off the nefarious Team Rocket goons, whose uniforms are practically effortless to recreate.

Get the tutorial at To Eternity and Beyond »

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11

Mia Thermopolis Costume from The Princess Diaries

mia thermopolis costume school uniform from the princess diaries
Carter Fish

Don't we all wish we were Mia, Anne Hathaway's perfectly awkward teenager who turns out to be a princess? She's arguably at her cutest during the first half of the film, when she rocks this outfit to school every day.

Get the tutorial at Carly The Prepster »

12

Princess Mia Costume From The Princess Diaries

mia thermopolis princess gown costume from the princess diaries
Carter Fish

Or, to be more precise: Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo. Recreate her gorgeous coronation gown for a truly royal evening.

Get the tutorial at Carly The Prepster »

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13

Willy Wonka Costume From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

willy wonka costume
Jenn Haskins

The book and original film might have come out decades earlier, but Charlie's adventure to the chocolate factory was immortalized in film form yet again by Tim Burton in 2005. Candyman Willy Wonka knew how to dress. Steal his purple coat and top hat for this easy-peasy Halloween look.

Get the tutorial at Hello Rigby »

14

RoleplayCouture Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake Costumes

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake Costumes
Credit: RoleplayCouture

The time was 2001. The occasion was the American Music Awards. Then-flames Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears wore all-denim outfits, and the world will never let them forget it. Follow their lead with this custom-made costume. 

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15

Juno Paulie Bleeker Costume From Juno

Paulie Bleeker Costume From <i>Juno</i>
Credit: Juno

We all fell in love a little bit with Michael Cera's adorable Paulie Bleeker, who became an unexpected father in the 2000s classic Juno

Headshot of Lauren Puckett-Pope
Lauren Puckett-Pope
Culture Writer
Lauren Puckett-Pope is a Culture Writer at ELLE.com, where she primarily covers film, television, and books. She was previously an Associate Editor at ELLE.com.
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