2024 Halloween Costume Ideas: Meme Edition
It's the end of October, and if you are anything like me—an overstressed, overtired, procrastinating student—you don't have a Halloween costume. Halloween has always been a favorite holiday of mine, and honestly, probably most people. However, every year, the month manages to go by without any preparation on my end.
Halloween allows us to express ourselves and be creative; anything goes on the thirty-first. Celebrities take it as a time to express themselves, as we see in years past actor Heidi Klum’s spectacularly spooky worm costume and social media influencer Alix Earle’s recent Cheshire cat look, which took over six hours to create.
Sadly, I don't have the time or manpower to create such jaw-dropping costumes, so I usually turn to what always gets a good laugh out of the crowd: memes. If I can't be jaw-dropping, I can at least be funny. Here are a few meme-inspired Halloween costumes and how to execute them.
Moo Deng
Moo Deng, the months-old pygmy hippo native to Thailand, has won the hearts of many since her debut this summer. She is a sassy creature who loves to munch on her zookeeper and bother her mom. She also has surprisingly well-hydrated skin (Weldon, S, 2024). Moo Deng has garnered so much attention even SNL decided to do a skit about her. The clothing is simple for a Moo Deng costume; go for an all-gray outfit with some light pink accessories to match her appearance. Makeup is where things take a turn, and “Moo Deng Makeup” has garnered popularity due to her rosy and dewy complexion. Sephora Thailand has marketed products such as dewy pink blushes, moisturizers, and highlighters to help create the Moo Deng glow. Anyone can be Moo Deng this Halloween with glowy makeup, gray clothing, and a sassy attitude.
Snoop Dog at the Olympics
Snoop Dogg, Do Double G, has spent many years in the limelight as a rapper, songwriter, and media personality; this past summer, he was hired as a special correspondent by NBC for the 2024 Paris Olympics, even getting to be the US torch bearer. His commentary and unique coverage of Snoop attempting a few Olympic events made him an internet sensation (Arkin and Landahl, 2024). With the variety of looks Snoop Dogg was pictured in, there are many ways to go about a Snoop Dog Olympic costume, including his gold suit before the official games, his many laid-back Olympic merchandise outfits throughout his work, or his outfits for the sports he participated in such as horse riding. Finding a Snoop Dogg outfit may be easy, but reaching his level of charisma may be the deal breaker for this costume.
Coconut Tree/Coconut
As we all know, unless you have been blissfully living under a rock, it's an election year, providing the American public with both entertainment as public figures mess up on live television and anxiety about the country’s future. One meme to make it out of this year so far is the coconut tree. Current vice president and presidential nominee Kamala Harris were memed after her statement; You think you just fell out of a coconut tree, you exist in the context in all of which you and what came before you,” about the swearing-in of the President’s Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics at the white house. Harris said her mother would quote that to her and its connection to the importance of context, particularly with the advisory board, equity, and environments (Murray, C, 2024). To be a coconut or coconut tree, you could always take the easy way out with a premade costume or go with something homemade. Whether that be a literal coconut tree or an outfit of browns and greens for interpretation is up to you.
Awkward Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy, the Irish actor who was awarded an Oscar for his performance in the movie Oppenheimer, is not new to internet memes. Even he confessed to it, stating during an interview with the Financial Times’ How to Spend It Magazine that “Everyone knows that I’m the most f***ing memes awkward person on the internet.” Pictures of him looking awkward and uncomfortable on his way to the Golden Globes this past year garnered intense internet sensationalism as people used the image to express their feelings about hypothetical or past awkward experiences (Mallon, S, 2024). As in the Globes, Murphy is pictured in a simple black suit and white button-down, making this costume simple. However, you must have your awkward face ready. Be prepared to stand as a wallflower upon entrance to whatever Halloween event you attend as you take on the role of awkward Cillian Murphy.
References:
(2024, August 7). Snoop Dogg at the Paris Olympics: The rapper’s best outfits and viral
moments. Sky News. https://news.sky.com/story/snoop-dogg-at-the-paris-olympics-the-rappers-best-outfits-and-viral-moments-13191971
Amatulli, J. (2022, November 5). What you didn’t know about Heidi Klum’s worm costume: ‘It
costs a lot more than anyone would think. Independent.
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/heidi-klum-halloween-2022-worm-costume-b2218573.html
Arkin, D and Landahl, A. (2024, July 30). How Snoop Dogg became a fixture of the Paris
Olympics. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/snoop-dogg-olympics-nbc-correspondent-paris-games-rcna164284
Katz, L. (2024, October 3). ‘Moo Deng Makeup’: Why Fans Of The Viral Baby Hippo Want Her
Look. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lesliekatz/2024/10/02/why-moo-deng-fans-want-to-look-like-the-viral-baby-hippo/
Mallon, S. (2024, April 8). Cillian Murphy gives a typically Irish response to online 'meme' fame.
Irish Star.
https://www.irishstar.com/culture/entertainment/cillian-murphy-memes-response-online-3
Murray, C. (2024, July 22). Kamala Harris ‘Coconut Tree’ Quote, Explained: What She Meant
And Why It’s Going Viral As She Launches Campaign. Forbes.
Placido, D. D. (2024, August 12). These memes are winning the 2024 Paris Olympics. Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2024/08/07/memes-are-winning-the-2024-paris-olympics/
Weldon, S. (2024, October 2). Everything you need to know about Moo Deng, the iconic baby
Whittaker, A. (2024, October 27). See Alix Earle's Exclusive Photo Diary of Her 2024
Halloween Costume Transformation. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/g62727135/alix-earle-2024-halloween-costume-cheshire-cat-pictures/
Graphic by Sheena Deepak