Halloween is approaching. Like every year, during this time, the topic of appropriation and racism arises when people don depictions of Native Americans, Blackface, and the like. To prevent people from getting dragged by conscious communities, we are merging the ‘camp’ art of exaggerated and artificial with cosplay to bring you some awesome non-appropriating Halloween costume ideas for the ever-evolving fashionista. Let’s jump right in!
1. Butterfly
(SZA inspired butterfly look. Image by @latifah.osazee via Instagram )
You can never go wrong with a butterfly costume. Whether you purchase or custom-make oversized wings, create a bomb makeup look, or recreate SZA’s ‘Love Galore’ look, a butterfly Halloween costume can be a great way to showcase your individuality and symbolize growth, transcendence, rebirth, and beauty.
2. Squid Game
(Squid Game series recreation. Image by @blameitonkway via Instagram )
You may have heard of the Netflix-streamed Korean series Squid Game, or seen the ‘If Squid Game was in *insert African country*’ TikTok videos. Wearing a Squid Game costume may be inexpensive, unproblematic, and a great conversation starter.
3. The Proud Family
Let’s be real. The Proud Family was the epitome of the Black family in the cartoon world in the early 2000s.
(Penny Proud costume. Image by @heytheremisster via Instagram )
To recreate the classic Penny Proud look, head to your local thrift store, find a white or cream-colored tee, and pair it with a burgundy-colored skirt, a magenta cardigan, white socks, and black chucks. Add some pigtails and you are ready to go!
(Gross sister costume. Image by @bby.eryn via Instagram)
If you are feeling more of a rough and tough look, you can opt to dress as a Gross Sister. For this costume, you can paint yourself greyish blue, and sport a white shirt and blue or jean overalls.
4. The Clovers from ‘Bring it On’
(Clovers cheerleader costume. Image by @imjesscosplayin via Instagram )
When you hear that “Brr, it’s cold in here, there must be some Clovers in the atmosphere” you know what time it is. The iconic Black cheerleaders from Compton, known as the Clovers, were a microcosm of Black culture and the way it is extrapolated and profited off of by mainstream White masses. The Clovers were not having it! Celebrate the cultural impact of the Clovers by sporting the cheer outfit this Halloween.
5. ASAP Rocky at the 2021 MET Gala
(ASAP Rocky and Rihanna at the 2021 MET Gala. Image by Instagram )
This costume is awesome because all you need is a patchwork blanket, the ASAP braids, a black blazer, a white button-down, and black pants. The quilt ASAP wore to the gala was in homage to his great grandmother, so if you have a quilt from your great grandmother or grandmother, that will also do!
6. Rihanna at the 2021 MET Gala
(Rihanna at the 2021 MET Gala. Image by @metgala2021 via Instagram )
If you are a Rihanna stan, you can recreate this look with an oversized black coat, a black cap, a silver jewel-studded mesh cap, and thick silver jewelry. To enhance this look, add some ruffles.
7. Abstract Makeup Slays
(Artist dons abstract makeup. Image via @k_ess_arn via Instagram )
If you are a makeup artist or are interested in experimenting with new makeup looks, the Halloween season is a great time not only to explore your interests but to also gain exposure on social media channels using Halloween-themed hashtags.
8. The Black Panther
(Image by Greyloch via Flickr)
The Black Panther will empower Black youth for generations because #RepresentationMatters. Wear a Black Panther or Black Panther character costume this Halloween.
What Halloween costume ideas do you have? Comment below.
Works Cited
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190503-what-does-it-mean-to-be-camp
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/sep/27/asap-rocky-met-gala-quilt
https://www.vogue.com/article/met-gala-2021-rihanna-red-carpet
Nana Ama Addo is a writer, multimedia strategist, film director, and storytelling artist. She graduated with a BA in Africana Studies from the College of Wooster, and has studied at the University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Nana Ama tells stories of entrepreneurship and Ghana repatriation at her brand, Asiedua’s Imprint ( www.asieduasimprint.com )
