Not sure what to wear for Halloween? These outfits are set to be the most popular this year
Halloween costume trends for 2026 are shifting toward glamour and dark humor, with popular inspirations including TV shows like 'The Traitors' and 'Widow's Bay.' Costume experts note a desire for extraordinary looks over traditional fright-based outfits.
Why it matters
Pop culture trends significantly influence consumer behavior and retail patterns during the Halloween season.
Image source, Alamy/Universal By Alys Davies , Amy Walker and Grace Dean Published 2 hours ago If you're still on the hunt for the perfect Halloween costume, then you might want to look to gargoyles, Freaky Nikki and Dolly Parton for inspiration - they are all predicted to be popular outfit choices for 2026.
"People don't necessarily want to look frightening - they want to look extraordinary," says costume designer Tamar Zaig, who runs a fancy dress hire shop in London and says she's seeing a "real appetite for escapism, glamour and a bit of dark humour" right now.
And as usual, the year's major film and TV releases, as well as news and pop culture trends, are also driving outfit choices.
Image source, BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry/PA Wire Image caption, By order of the Traitors, channel your inner Claudia
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