Halloween Headlines

by Brooke Russo

Costumes are a staple of how Americans choose to celebrate Halloween, whether they

wear them for a long night of racing door to door for candy, watching movies on a comfy

couch, or partying it up with friends. Not only does the holiday come once a year, but it is one

of the only holidays that encourages creativity and expressiveness of one’s interests. Over the

years, as pop culture has evolved immensely, so have the types of costumes that people wear.

Throughout this editorial, some popular costumes for different age groups will be observed

from the time high school age kids were born to the year 2021.

2005 -

During 2005, some of the fashion trends included denim, low-waisted jeans, tank tops, and

Juicy Couture tracksuits. Additionally, some of the pop culture events that were notable of this

time period included the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Madagascar, Charlie and

the Chocolate Factory, and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. The music industry also

had a notable influence on people’s costumes, including the domination of the charts by

Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, Kanye West, Snoop Dog, Mariah Carey, and Green Day.

The top costumes of 2005 were...

1. Darth Vader

2. Batman

3. Corpse Bride

4. Fantastic Four

5. Harry Potter

6. Dora the Explorer

7. Disney Princesses

8. Power Rangers

9. Divas & Fairies

10. Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz

2006 -

Throughout the year 2006, High School Musical, Twilight New Moon, Pride and Prejudice, Corpse

Bride, Cars, and Pirates of the Caribbean were some of the most relevant media interests in

everyday life. In terms of fashion, some trend patterns that could be seen were babydoll

dresses, bootcut jeans, chandelier earrings, and artsy earrings. For the music industry,

Beyoncé, Ne-Yo, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Shakira, Coldplay, and Eminem were chart

dominators.

The top costumes of 2006 were...

1. Barack Obama

2. Mac Daddy

3. Ghostbusters

4. Sumo Wrestler

5. Riding Horse

6. Daphne from Scooby-Doo

7. Maid

8. Nurse

9. Prisoner

10. Surgeon

2007 -

Throughout the year 2007, celebrities including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Fergie, Taylor Swift,

Eminem, and Timbaland obtained a firm hold on the music charts. In the meantime, the film

industry had multiple memorable productions, including Shrek the Third, At World’s End, and

The Order of the Phoenix. TV shows that also were iconic during the year included American Idol,

Dancing With the Stars, and Hannah Montana. The fashion industry was thriving with trends

such as low-rise jeans, crop tops, neon accessories, and colored hair extensions.

The top costumes of 2007 were...

1. Hannah Montana

2. Princess

3. Pirate

4. Witch

5. Fairy

6. Disney Princess

7. Star Wars Character

8. Pumpkin

9. Ghost

10. Power Ranger

2008 -

Fashion staples such as headbands and oversized belts could be seen all throughout society

during this year. Music artists such as Britney Spears, Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey, and Leona

Lewis had a grasp on society’s music taste. Movies such as The Dark Knight, Kung Fu Panda,

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and Iron Man were some of the most popular

movies of 2008.

The top costumes of 2008 were...

1. Angel

2. Ghosts

3. Obama

4. Batman

5. Nurse

6. Fairy

7. Cat

8. Vampire

9. Pirate

10. Witch

2009 -

In the year 2009, Ke$ha, Flo-Rida, Beyoncé, and the Black Eyed Peas dominated the music

charts, while the film industry produced hit films such as Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and Up.

TV shows including Glee, and Modern Family were hits in 2009.

The top costumes of 2009 were...

1. Michael Jackson

2. Transformer

3. Ghostbusters

4. Witch

5. Pirate

6. Vampire

7. Clown

8. Cat

9. Devil

10. Athlete

2021 -

Clearly, over the past sixteen years since many high school students have been born, there have been

many cultural and social changes that have occurred. However, many of these costumes from

the early years of students' lives are still appreciated in the modern day. During the year 2021, Lil

Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Kanye West have dominated the

charts. Shows such as Euphoria, Squid Games, On my Block, The Office, You, and Rick and Morty

are extremely popular at the moment. Fashion trends from the early 2000s have made a major

comeback, as well as carpenter pants, Air Force 1’s, Converse, Goth Style, and Graphic Eyeliner.

The top costumes for this year are...

1. Dinosaur

2. Spider-Man

3. Cruella de Vil

4. Fairy

5. Harley Quinn

6. Cowboy

7. Clown

8. Chucky

9. Witch

10. Rabbit

Evidently, over the years there have been trends that dominated the fashion trends for

the holiday of Halloween during high schooler’s lifetimes. It is clear that pop culture does have

a heavy influence on the Halloween costumes that society members choose to wear. Some of

the most popular costumes collectively of the 21st century include witches, clowns, vampires,

princesses, political figures, and Star Wars characters. Without a doubt, Halloween’s fashion

statements could not be made possible without these crucial aspects.

sources:

2005 Top 10 Halloween Costumes

Pop Culture in Review for the Year 2005

Pop Culture in Review for the Year 2006

Pop Culture in Review for the Year 2007

Pop Culture in Review for 2008

Top 10 Halloween Costumes for 2008

Pop Culture in Review for the Year 2009

Top Ten Halloween Costumes of 2009

Top 10 Adult Halloween Costumes for 2009

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