Halloween is often called “queer Christmas,” and for good reason. The annual celebration of witches, ghouls, glitter and costumes fits right into so many aspects of LGBTQ2S+ culture.
For many folks, it’s the first time they try drag, experiment with gender presentation or get to tell everyone about that super obscure queer character they love. For one night you get to be Guy Fieri or Lady Gaga or whoever else you want to be—or, for some people, it’s simply a chance to look super hot, which we do love to see.
But you’re probably tired of the same “slutty cat” or “slutty Ketchup bottle” or “slutty tax return” costumes. Maybe you want to stand out, start a conversation or just laugh about something hilarious in queer culture at this year’s graveyard smash.
With that in mind, here are some last-minute queer costumes inspired by 2021 LGBTQ2S+ pop culture to get all of your friends talking.
Elvira and her butch personal trainer girlfriend
The day that actress Cassandra Peterson, more commonly known as Elvira, came out as queer and revealed her 19-year relationship with another woman was a blessed day in queer culture. And as new photos of the couple emerge, we continue to get further proof that they are butch/femme couple goals. Make this an easy couples’ costume by having one partner wear the black dress/makeup of Elvira, while the other sports gym clothes with a protein shake in hand.
JoJo Siwa
Rainbows, glitter, legwarmers and the highest of high ponytails is all you need to emulate the 18-year-old TikToker-turned-queer icon. Don’t forget the signature bow!
Bowen Yang as the pop star iceberg that sank the Titanic
We here at Xtra have spoken at length about the gift and treasure that is Bowen Yang’s presence on Saturday Night Live. His most memorable appearance so far was as the iceberg that sank the Titanic who really just wants to promote his new album. A hunk of styrofoam on your head, a white suit and some face makeup is all you need.
LaLa Ri’s paper bag outfit from the Bag Ball challenge
Bless LaLa Ri, who will forever live on in our memories for her iconic Bag Ball look on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13. And you don’t even need a workroom to recreate it at home—just find a bodysuit and tape on some purple and pink paper bags. That’s literally the amount of effort she put into it.
The alien that abducted Demi Lovato
Alien is really up to interpretation, depending on whether you’re more of an E.T. type or are into the little green guys. Regardless of your preference, be sure to carry around several Lovato CDs and promote their new podcast.
The writing on The L Word: Generation Q, Season 2
Trash. Just dress up as trash. Gay, delightful, chaotic trash, but trash nonetheless.
Lil Nas X’s stripper pole to hell
Wrap your body in foil, put a little devil’s throne on one of your shoes and attach a doll that looks like Lil Nas X himself spinning round you on his way to make sweet love to Satan.
Armond from The White Lotus
Mustache + aloha shirt + cocaine = everyone’s favourite gay resort manager/murder victim.
A Canadian federal Conservative
Canada’s Conservative party decided to make legalizing poppers an election issue in 2021, so why can’t the gays make a Tory a Halloween costume in 2021? Ready yourself with the blandest blue business suit you can find, but fill every pocket with poppers galore.
Phoebe Bridgers
If you’re sad or queer or some combination of both, you’re likely familiar with the musical styling of Phoebe Bridgers. You’re also likely familiar with her signature look: a skeleton onesie. That’s easy to recreate yourself, using all black clothing with some paper bones taped on them. Grab a guitar, bleach your hair and get ready to make all of your friends cry.
Gays Over COVID
While Halloween is worth getting excited about, it’s also important to remember that we’re still in the midst of a global pandemic. If you feel like reminding everyone of that and embodying your true role as the judgy friend, why not dress up as the infamous Gays Over COVID Instagram account, which called out queer parties that were not following COVID-19 lockdown rules. A shirt with “#GaysOverCOVID” printed on it, hand sanitizer, a rainbow mask and a judgy glare complete this look.
Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana
Get a white dress, the right sort of wig and run around your local Halloween party looking kind of frazzled.
Dan Levy at the Met Gala
Obviously you can’t exactly recreate the Schitt’s Creek creators’ vomitous fantasia in robin’s egg blue, but you can try. Rustle up some giant ruffle sleeves/shoulders over an art T-shirt in pale green and blue pastels, and get ready to stomp the runway at your local Halloween shindig in big black boots—and don’t forget the white purse. The signature Levy eyebrows are also a must!
Carl Nassib
The NFL’s first openly gay active player is a great excuse for muscle gays and more to don some football gear, a black #94 jersey and little else. If you want to get political, add a “See ya later, coach” button in reference to Nassib’s own coach, Jon Gruden, who resigned after his homophobic and racist emails leaked.
Alanna Smith at the Olympics
The non-binary skateboarder from the U.S. captured queer Twitter’s heart when they made their debut in Tokyo. With an easy-going smile and a good attitude (getting right back up after they fell), they make for a surefire and easy-to-execute look. Find some white shorts, a polo shirt and a baseball cap, grab a skateboard and write they/them on it in chalk, slap on some dark nail polish and top it all off with a blonde frizzy wig. Radical!
Vax Zevria!
And finally, for all the drag queens out there, Halloween is the perfect time to debut your new drag persona based off of those truly wild new vaccine names no one uses. Medical masks, rubber gloves, a syringe or two—there’s fashion perfection waiting in there somewhere.
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