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41 Best '90s Costumes That Are Too Rad Not to Recreate
Because no decade brought us more iconic ideas than it did.
The '90s were a simpler time. A time when girl groups and boy bands reigned supreme. You could count on your favorite Nicktoons to make you laugh on a Saturday morning. The internet was still in its infancy, so memes and social media didn’t yet exist. While we can’t exactly transport back to the decade, indulging your nostalgia with a fly 90s costume this Halloween is a close second.
There are so many ways you can channel the '90s, and it particularly lends itself to awesome last-minute costumes because of how many '90s trends we have in our closets again after they made a major comeback. Example? You can lean into the grunge fashion of the era with just an oversized flannel, exaggerated eyeliner and a classic black choker. Of course, the 90s also brought us the most iconic TV and movie characters, so you could pay homage to them as well. And needless to say, the music can't be beat, and that means you can your friends can create the ultimate group costume by dressing as TLC or the Spice Girls.
But when all else fails, just grab a claw clip, some overalls and a pair of platform sneakers, and you'll be set for any 90s-themed party. And if you find yourself still wanting to take a trip down memory lane and recalling yesteryear, check out our other nostalgic ideas, including groovy '70s, gnarly '80s and 2000s costumes.
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 sweat pants 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 lasted 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'
After the release of Jurassic World: Dominion last year, 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?)
'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective'
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 Mens Darth Maul Halloween Costume
Star Wars Mens Darth Maul Halloween Costume
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 dark 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.
Spinelli from 'Recess'
Ashley Spinelli from Recess is an artist, a leader and an all around awesome choice for a Halloween costume. You likely have a lot of what it takes to DIY this look at home.
Jenna Ortega starred in Netflix's new show about an older Wednesday Addams, but our hearts will always belong to Christina Ricci's take on the character from the 1991 film. Plus, everyone looks good in black — head-to-toe black.
RELATED: How to Easily Create the Ultimate Wednesday Addams Halloween Costume
Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace From 'Pulp Fiction'
Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace From 'Pulp Fiction'
It's amazing how a bolo tie can make any suit instantly transform into a Pulp Fiction Halloween costume. (Bonus points if you go for the wig.) Mia Wallace doesn't even need the bolo tie, just an open button-down and bobbed hair. The dance moves are all up to you.
Sure, the royals are cool, but us '90s babies are here for a different kind of British icon: the Spice Girls. Suit up as Ginger Spice and grab four of your friends to round out the girl group.
RELATED: Epic Spice Girls Costumes for a Very '90s Halloween
Storm from 'X-Men'
Okay, Storm has been around since the '70s, but she was a huge part of X-Men: The Animated Series, a cartoon '90s X-Men fans are surely familiar with. Here, model Anok Yai nailed the look with silver hair, ice blue contacts and matching eyeshadow.
Daria and Jane
La la la la la ... dressing up as BFFs Daria Morgendorffer and Jane Lane couldn't be easier, since the most important part is the blank stare of disapproval.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
Lauren Puckett-Pope is a staff culture writer at ELLE, where she primarily covers film, television and books. She was previously an associate editor at ELLE.
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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