Halloween Costume Ideas: How to Dress as Your Favorite TV Character
If you're scrambling to figure out your costume for Halloween this year, why not take inspiration from your favorite characters on television? We've put together a list of some of the best costumes based on TV characters and where to buy everything you'll need to look like Stefon from 'SNL' or, dare we suggest, obnoxious child pageant queen Honey Boo Boo.
Stefon from 'SNL'
We scoured the internet high and low for the exact Ed Hardy shirt Stefon wears on 'Saturday Night Live,' and if you're willing to fork over a little extra cash, it can totally be yours. You'll also need some temporary blonde spray-in color to get those shiny highlights. Part your hair to the side and slather on some hair gel to keep it in place, wear some tacky rings, add a few wristbands to prove you've been to New York's hottest clubs, and you're set!
Dooneese from The Lawrence Welk Show on 'SNL'
Lady 'SNL' fans can dress up as Kristen Wiig's Dooneese character from The Lawrence Welk Show sketches. Picking out a vintage-style dress with long sheer sleeves is the easy part. Next you'll need a bald cap and a blonde flip-out wig-- adjust the wig further back on your head than normal to give yourself Dooneese's big forehead. And now the morbid part -- you'll need to buy a baby doll and remove its arms (or scour your local craft stores for doll parts) to fashion on to the end of your dress sleeves in place of your own hands. It wouldn't be Dooneese without tiny baby hands!
Jesse Pinkman from 'Breaking Bad'
Yo, we know who you should totally be for Halloween. Jesse Pinkman from 'Breaking Bad'! Find your inner ghetto white boy with a tacky hoodie, an equally tacky graffiti-style t-shirt, and Jesse's favorite red and black beanie. But don't forget the most important element to any 'Breaking Bad'-themed costume: the meth! We don't suggest buying real meth (jail sucks, yo), so try some blue rock candy instead. The upside: it's delicious. The downside: rock candy, like meth, will rot your teeth, so be careful with that stuff.
Honey Boo Boo from 'Toddlers & Tiaras' and 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo'
Celebrate America's obsession with tacky trashy things by dressing as the symbolic child of the 21st century: Honey Boo Boo. Grab a pink party dress, and if you're feeling feisty, bedazzle the hell out of it. A blonde curly wig with a bow and a tiara will top things off, but wait! You'll need your "go go juice!" Grab a bottle of Mountain Dew and spike that sugar water with Pixy Stix. Or, you know, just spike it like a real grown-up and add some vodka. Your choice! To add an extra layer of bonkers, don't forget to run around grabbing your belly fat all night while giving everyone you know a cutesy nickname.
Abed as Inspector Spacetime from 'Community'
Sure, you could try and dress like the real Inspector Spacetime, but why not just get a 'Doctor Who' costume? Lame! Take your fandom to the next level by dressing as Abed as Inspector Spacetime. First you'll need a big white robe (the fluffier, the better -- for your comfort) and a white dress shirt. Use a ladies pink floral scarf as an ascot and grab a cheapy bowler hat (Halloween stores have plenty). Finally, don't forget your gun! As with Jesse Pinkman's meth, we recommend a fake gun for all your Halloween costuming needs.
Daenerys Targaryen from 'Game of Thrones'
Khaleesi. Mother of Dragons. Daenerys Targaryen is one bad-ass lady of fantasy. You could grab some burlap and make your own Khaleesi-themed outfit, or you could go a little more feminine with a Grecian-style dress. Add a couple of cheap fake gold arm bangles and braids to your hair, and... so far you look like you're going to a frat party. But wait, there's more! Grab a fake heart, and if you're feeling daring, a big healthy serving of fake blood -- just like that time Daenerys ate the horse heart for Khal Drogo. Finally, get some fake dragons (plastic would look cooler than plush, FYI). Perch one on your shoulder by attaching it to the strap of your dress, and hide another one somewhere at your Halloween party. Spend the evening walking around asking everyone where your dragons are.
Jean Ralphio from 'Parks and Recreation'
You might need a lot of hair for this one, guys. But if you've got the hair, grab some serious hair spray and fluff it out like you stuck a fork in an electrical outlet. The cool part about being Jean Ralphio (besides, well, everything) is the clothes. A plaid blazer, scarf, and sweet kicks will round out this costume quite nicely, but it's really about the accessories. Grab a stack of fake money because you are fluuuuush with caaaaash, and don't forget your Lil' Sebastian plush. RIP, little dude.
Ron Swanson from 'Parks and Recreation'
Everyone wants to be Ron Swanson, but only a select few have the guts to really make it happen. Follow the Pyramid of Greatness and man up this Halloween by becoming the greatest man of all. First you'll need a Polo-style shirt, in either hunter green or burgundy. These are really easy to find at any local thrift store. The most important piece of the costume is your mustache, so make sure you find the right one. We really like the one pictured below, which most costume stores should carry. It's made from REAL human hair, and we think Ron Swanson would like that. And finally, you'll need a hunting rifle (fake!) and a big pile of bacon.
Liz Lemon from '30 Rock'
What's up, nerds? Who has two thumbs, speaks limited French, and hasn't cried once today? It's you! Liz Lemon doesn't have to be a really basic costume just because her style is. Start off with a blazer and a casual plaid shirt underneath. Add some messy waves to your hair or just put it up -- Liz wouldn't really care, right? Pick up some faux glasses if you don't already have a prescription and grab a pair of Converse sneakers. But to really make this costume work, you'll need to put some food stains on your clothes, carry around a bottle of wine, and make sure you're always eating something. Don't forget Liz's signature catchphrases like, "nerds!" and "whuck?!" and "blerg!"
Wilfred from 'Wilfred'
This one might be a little bit of a cheat, since FX has an officially licensed Wilfred costume, and the cost is a little steep -- but hey, you have to spend money to look awesome on Halloween. Use some black face paint for your nose and grab Wilfred's favorite toy -- tennis balls! We also recommend buying a fake joint to "smoke" since Wilfred loves his marijuana. But the real winning piece of this costume is Bear, the love of Wilfred's life. Buy a giant teddy bear and -- this is a little weird -- pull one of its eyes off, since the real Bear is notoriously missing one eye. Make sure you spend plenty of time humping Bear inappropriately, in various positions, in front of everyone. Also, be sure to tell everyone how much you love Matt Damon's work.