13 of My Very Best Halloween Costumes: Food Edition
From hot to unhinged
It’s true—my best ideas are born within the context of food, so it’s no surprise that my Halloween costumes are all somehow tied to this world. Plus, a food-inspired costume gives you the perfect excuse to bring a matching snack to the function (hello, #1 party guest!). Here are thirteen costumes you can make from scratch (or with minimal shopping).
Disclosure: I cannot guarantee these niche looks/references will resonate with the general public, but def a 10/10 for the girls that get it.
1. Hot Girl (who eats tinned fish)
Inspired by everyone’s favorite tinned fish brand, Fishwife, and their Shark Tank appearance. Simply be your hot self and carry a tinned fish element, like a can of sardines or a DIY cardboard rendition. Bonus points if you have the limited-edition hot girls eat tinned fish merch. I’m also into making this a couple’s costume (too scandalous?)—one person as the hot girl, the other as an actual tin of fish.
2. Wine-drenched Charli xcx — 360 music video
Speaking of hot girls… I have a feeling we’ll see a lot of Charlis this Halloween, but maybe not as many in this specific look. It’s super easy: a white tank top, black underwear (or shorts!), sheer tights, and a bottle of wine. Def pre-stain the shirt unless you’re one to give a performance. And in the spirit of 360, you can rally your friends (aka it girls) to join along.
3. Renne Rap Sweetgreen campaign
This one will take some DIYing but seems relatively cheap + easy to execute. I won’t judge you if you forgo the celeb element and just show up as a SG receipt.
4. Nara Smith
The icon, folks hate to love and love to hate—personally, I unabashedly love her. For this costume: something outrageously fabulous, statement gold earrings, a mixing bowl and whisk. Finish it off with the iconic Nara Smith hair curl and makeup routine. This would also be a chic couple’s costume—just add a toothpick, tank top, and dreamboat.
This might be my top pick this year since my friends dubbed me the Nara Smith of Bushwick—instead of cooking for my family, it’s for my pals. Now to find my own Lucky Blue Smith...
5. Pastel de nata crazed Bella Baxter — Poor Things
What are 20-something year olds if not Bella Baxter indulging, traveling, and fornicating their way to self-actualization? I was so struck by the film that I thrifted Bella Baxter-inspired pieces and went to Portugal to eat pastel de nata. Instead of replicating the exact look, I would take inspiration from her wardrobe (puffy sleeves, ruffles, bare legs, pastels) to create this costume. Oh, and a 40” wig.
6. Aesthetic produce
Put together a monochrome outfit the color of the fruit/veg and add DIY accents, accessories, or a headpiece (hat, beanie, headband, etc). I would carry around a mesh market bag with the actual fruit/veg (I don’t care if it’s impractical!). My top picks: orange, tomato, carrot, banana.
7. Forgotten produce
Cause we’re all haunted by something rotting in the back of our fridge. This is basically a zombie version of the previous costume. To achieve this look, lean into make-up fx and add some decaying touches (i.e. cotton ball “mold”) in addition to the above. My top picks: lemon, spinach, strawberry.
Now you and your bestie can be a farmers market haul or fresh/rotten twins!!!
8. Sonny Angel fruit & vegetable series
Okay, another riff on the previous produce costume! Instead of monochrome, opt for a nude fit and add some wings—I fashioned a pair out of an old plastic tablecloth and pipe cleaners and topped it off with a DIY orange headpiece.
9. Bug SZA — Hot Ones
Never have I related to a celebrity more than SZA appearing on Hot Ones as a bug—for no other reason than “tired of not being a bug.” You can get away with oversized sunnies for bug eyes, then add antennas, a white tee, an assortment of hot sauces, and a bucket of wings. Nothing would make me happier than someone showing up to a party with a bucket of wings…
10. Adam Sandler walking around NYC eating a jar of pickles
Perfect for someone reluctantly attending Halloweekend festivities: wool jacket, red scarf, gym bag, and your favorite jar of pickles.
11. Miss Trunchbull & her chocolate cake — Matilda
Another comfy costume for those who don’t really want to dress up: grey sweatshirt, wide belt, slick bun, and you guessed it—a big ol’ chocolate cake. Here’s the recipe, so now you have to make it!
12. Frank Reynolds & his rum ham — It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
As a Jersey girl, I’ve always been particularly fond of the episode when the gang goes to the shore. All you need is a polo shirt, board shorts, crocs, glasses, and a ham. You could DIY a prop ham unless you fancy feeding some drunk witches and vampires (big vibe). Of course, if you really want to commit go for the balding wig.
13. Cheese — Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends
This is my most cursed idea and hardest to execute, but I’m so obsessed with it. You’ll need an all-yellow getup—whether that’s a onesie or a monochrome moment is up to you. Add a bald cap or slicked-back hair with a few spiky strands. Use makeup or face paint to create oversized eyes with red pupils on your eyelids (unless you’ve got contacts—scary!). A chocolate milk carton is non-negotiable. Making it a couples costume would be truly iconic—who wouldn’t love a duo showing up as Bloo Cheese or Mac & Cheese?
And to wrap it up, an honorary mention for my best last-minute costume (if you can believe it!): Camilla from A Bad Case of Stripes. I know, childhood memory unlocked.
