The TikTokification of Halloween Is A Good Thing, Actually

Friends dressed as ghosts 

Halloween has become a huge event among young adults, with 69% of Americans celebrating and the highest participation rate in the 18-34 age group. For many of us, Halloween provides the perfect excuse to dress up in the most outrageous, silly, or even scandalous costumes and have a night of drinks and fun.

@hollymaylandd tag your bestie for halloween💋 @Beth McCreadie @Sabrina Carpenter #tastemusic #taste #sabrinacarpenter #sabrinaandjenna #sabrinacostume #sabrinacarpentertour #halloweenoutfit #halloweenoutfitideas #duohalloweencostumes #bestiehalloweencostumes ♬ original sound - _annabeyer

Social media, especially TikTok, has revolutionized Halloween costumes, Several people are opting out of buying Halloween costumes in stores and instead creating their own. Countless users post DIY costumes, ranging from elaborate creations to quick, last-minute ideas designed to be funny and rack up likes. Group costumes, my personal favorite, are especially popular; they’re a fun but challenging project that brings friends together for the planning and creative process.

There’s definitely some pressure to come up with unique costumes that are still recognizable on social media. In a way, your costume can reflect your personality and interests. One thing I love about Halloween is how it challenges gender stereotypes. TikTok really makes it a time of year where anyone can dress however they want. You’ll see guys wearing dresses going as the Powerpuff Girls, while girls can choose to wear whatever they feel best in, even the tiniest outfits. Since many costumes are homemade, people aren’t just copying each other’s ideas but continuously inspiring new ones.

This year, my friend and I are going as famous horror characters: Ghost Face, Pennywise, Billy Saw, and Tiffany Valentine. We’ve been swapping TikTok videos for inspiration, reminding each other to order costume pieces on time, and even practicing our makeup looks. When the Halloweekend finally arrives, we’ll get ready together, pregame, take tons of photos, and film our TikToks (yes, we already have our TikTok ideas mapped out!) And, honestly, if our final looks turn out a little “ugly,” it’s all part of the Halloween vibe.

Beyond our costumes, seeing everyone else’s creations on social media adds to the excitement. Watching people bring their costumes to life continues to fuel Halloween’s popularity, inspiring even more people to join in on the fun. So this year, why not jump in, get creative, and bring your own costume idea to life?