Sometimes the best Halloween costumes require minimal effort, as long as they’re relevant enough. By October, we’ve lived through most of the year’s biggest people and music, TV or film moments, which makes picking who or what to dress up as far easier. If you're like us, you couldn't stop watching Love Story with Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly, who sparked a whole love affair with Calvin Klein and '90s fashion all over again. The Owen sisters also brought back some nostalgic charm, returning to our lives in Practical Magic 2.
The best part about dressing like some of 2026’s best cultural moments is that they’re perfect if you're short on time. These costumes are simple to recreate, yet each has made a name for itself. From a Super Bowl halftime show with Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga to a prom scene gone wrong in Prime Video’s Carrie, here are some of the pop culture looks that defined the year, and the easiest ways to pull them off.
Love Story’s Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr.
If you're short on time, channeling Carolyn Bessette for a night might be the perfect solution. Whether you already own a simple black dress or need to buy one, it’s an easy purchase to justify. The same goes for a cream cashmere scarf.
1998 Practical Magic Owen sisters
