As Halloween draws near, a wave of beloved and nostalgic childhood characters resurface as popular costume choices. From timeless storybooks to iconic toys, high school students embrace the opportunity to bring their favorite characters back to life.
Released in 2006, the PBS Kids T.V. show Curious George is among the most loved by teens from their early years. The curious monkey and the man in the yellow hat are circulating the internet as a simple yet creative costume duo. Students can easily recreate George by dressing in all brown with a monkey ear headband. Along with wearing yellow, a tie and hat would make the man in the yellow hat easily recognizable alongside his favorite companion.
Monster High Dolls, introduced in 2010 by Mattel, are a modern reimagining of the classic monster archetypes. These stylish horror dolls allow students to experiment with unique outfits, makeup, and hairstyles to embody each character fully. The variety of doll options offers the perfect opportunity to do a group costume. With black and white hair, Frankie Stein wears a plaid dress with different textures for belt and tie accessories. The look can be completed using makeup to mirror her green-tinted skin, neck bolts, and stitching. Another popular character from the collection is Draculaura. The pink and black color palette mirrors a girly twist on the classic vampire costume with a white mini skirt, tights, pigtails, and fangs. Other popular characters centered as inspiration include Clawdeen Wolf, Cleo DeNile, and Lagoona Blue.
Since its publication as one of the most widely read and well-known childhood stories, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has sold over fifty million copies. After winning the American Institute of Graphic Arts in 1970, author and illustrator Eric Carle inspired the vibrant and colorful costume through his beloved hungry caterpillar character. To bring the pages to life, students are wearing a mix of different shades of green along with a red hat. This can also be transformed into a group costume, as each person can dress up as a snack that the caterpillar has previously munched on.
While revisiting the most favorite childhood tales, Pinkalicious has returned as a nostalgic character for many. Similar to Disney princess costumes, students will need a signature pink dress, fairy wings, a sparkly crown, and a wand. Victoria Kahn’s whimsical illustration can be completed with glittery makeup and a cupcake prop. Purplicious can also be reimagined for the perfect duo costume.
Whether a solo outfit or a coordinated group theme, these sentimental characters allow students to be unique, express their creativity, and pay tribute to the entertainment that defined our childhood.
