Spooky manor guide
October 2025
We don’t know about you, but Halloween really snuck up on us this year. Seriously, how is it already the end of October? That said, spooky season will always have a special place in our hearts, and we live for putting together this guide every year.
If you, like us, haven’t had a chance to plan your costume yet (and are starting to panic a little), don’t worry, we’ve got you. This year’s lineup is all about niche and cult classic Halloween costumes that are actually clever and will impress your friends.
For the group costume people, we’re obsessed with The Total Drama Island characters for a little nostalgia and some chaotic sound bites. For the couple’s costume, you can get your partner behind, try The Princess Bride or The Royal Tenenbaums. And for the solo stars, we’ve got ideas that can easily stand alone while still being the center of attention: The Jennifer’s Body, The Pool Shark, and The Sonny Angel are all easy to pull together and are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
So save yourself the last-minute panic (and avoid defaulting to a witch or cat again). Welcome to The Spooky Manor Guide, your shortcut to looking like you had this all planned out.
The total Drama Island
We’re still not sure how we managed to forget about this show for so many years, but we’re thrilled to be bringing it back now. The potential for this costume is truly endless. While we pulled together a few looks for some of our favorite characters from this ’90s cartoon, the sheer number of contestants means there’s plenty of room for any group size, no one has to be left out. Bonus: the show’s chaotic one-liners make for perfect TikTok sound bites. And if you really want to go the extra mile, bring a bag of marshmallows and start eliminating people throughout the night!
The Jennifer’s Body
Arguably, the best Halloween movie of all time, and no matter how many times this costume is done, it never gets old. Jennifer has plenty of iconic looks throughout the film, but our favorite has to be her prom outfit. Start with a white dress featuring black lace details, then go all in with the fake blood. Add black kitten heels, a black choker, and white gloves to really complete the look. And of course, don’t forget the pink lighter from that scene, the one that makes everyone feel like they have to cool off a little bit. It’s a classic for a reason, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t love it.
The Princess Bride
This costume has always been on our short list, seriously, name a more iconic couple than Buttercup and Westley. It’s the perfect pair look: your boyfriend gets to wear all black and carry a sword all night, and you get to float around in a red dress (bonus points for adding a tiara, if you’re feeling it). We also included the white blindfold Buttercup wears during the iconic poison chalice scene; let’s just say it could double as an accessory for... later festivities. All in all, this costume hits the sweet spot between childhood nostalgia and something a little cooler than your typical prince-and-princess duo.
The Pool Shark
We’re suckers for a good pun costume, and this year’s winner is The Pool Shark. Dressing up as a shark? Cool. A pool player? Also cool. Combining the two? Simply inspired. It’s a low-effort, high-payoff costume that’s guaranteed to get laughs all night. Start with a base of gray sweats, add a shark headpiece, and throw in a few billiards accessories to seal the deal. Bonus points if you actually end up at a pool hall to do some gambling and win a few rounds; commitment to the bit never goes unnoticed.
The Royal Tenenbaums
If you grew up in the Midwest or anywhere October tends to get chilly, you will know the struggle of your parents making you wear a coat over your costume. So if you’re once again bracing for a frosty Halloween night, this couple’s costume is the move. Margot and Richie Tenenbaum are known for their effortlessly iconic style, and honestly, we’ll take any excuse to wear a (faux) fur coat out in public. Stay warm and look impossibly chic this Halloween by channeling this perfectly disheveled duo.
The Sonny Angel
Looking for a costume that’s somehow both cute and sexy, but not basic? We’ve got you. Channel one of the collectible Sonny Angels this Halloween. Start with a nude dress or bodysuit as your base, then add a bunny ear headpiece (or another of the iconic Sonny Angel accessories) and a pair of angel wings. Instantly recognizable, effortlessly niche. And if you happen to own the exact Sonny Angel you’re replicating, make sure to bring it along as your mini-me for the night!
