40 Clever Work-Appropriate Halloween Costumes to Wear at the Office

Sometimes your job is all work and no play, but Halloween ain’t just another day at the office! If you want to dress up and get into the holiday spirit but you also have to work on October 31st, here’s an idea: Wear your Halloween costume to the office. While it’s probs not a good idea to wear your sexiest costume, that doesn’t mean you have to be boring and skip out on dressing up, either. If you have a work dress code, you might need a costume that could also pass as professional clothing. Have zero idea where to start? Let us help you find one that even your boss will like.

I had my work cut out for me, but I found 40 amazing and work-appropriate Halloween costumes for ya (and even some group costumes for your coworker besties!) to wear at the office. Now, let’s get down to business. Here are the ‘fits that will put smiles on everyone’s caffeine-deprived faces and win you best costume at the office Halloween party—or, at the very least, employee of the month.

1. Grey’s Anatomy doctor

The amount of emotional turmoil that Grey’s has put us through since it first aired in 2005 is more than we’d like to admit, but you have to admit that it makes a pretty good Halloween costume that never goes out of style.

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2. Daphne from Bridgerton

We burnnn for this Bridgerton-inspired look, and so will your coworkers when you look as regal as Season 1’s leading lady.

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3. Princess Leia

It’s time to practice your space buns because if there’s one thing you need to get right for this costume, it’s the hair. Star Wars fans are gonna lovveee this one, and you won’t need Jedi powers to know that.

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4. Emily from Emily in Paris

Ooo-la-la! As we’re…patiently…waiting for the 4th season of Emily in Paris (plz, hurry up, Netflix), what better way to make it through this awkward limbo than to channel your inner American in Paris when stepping into office for Halloween? Sure, it may not be a cool marketing company in Paris, but some funky prints and heels will have to suffice.

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5. Kim Possible

All together now—🎶 I’m your basic, average girl and I’m here to save the world. You can’t stop me, cause I’m Kim Possible 🎶. Name a cooler high schooler turned crime stopping baddie. We’ll wait!

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6. Shrek

Okay, before you start thinking, “Why tf would I want to be an ogre?” hear me out. First of all, Shrek is a pop culture icon (period), and despite his looks in the movie, you can actually make this look v cute.

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7. Where’s Waldo

This one is a classic for everyone, and maybe (just maybe!) it’ll make you impossible to find at work.

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8. Sam Montgomery from A Cinderella Story

Hilary Duff, Jennifer Coolidge, and Chad Michael Murray gave us one of the most iconic rom-coms of the 2000s. Why be plain ‘ole Cinderella when you can recreate the movie poster of everyone’s favorite Y2K movie? Don’t forget a retro flip phone to type all your “laugh out loud”s.

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9. President Barbie

Barbie is going to be THE Halloween costume this year. So, while everyone else is going to try to recreate some of Margot Robbie’s movie looks, opt for miss President Barbie played by Issa Rae instead. Maybe it’ll help you manifest that raise you deserve.

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10. Pink Ladies of Grease

Whether you’re a fan of the new musical series or love the OG ladies from Grease, the Pink Ladies were Barbie-core before Barbie-core was cool.

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11. Flo from Progressive

Flo from the Progressive commercials will be a hit amongst all your coworkers, trust.

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12. Violet Beauregarde from Willy Wonka

Sure, Violet was defiant and stuck up, but you can’t deny that she wasn’t determined. Plus, her tracksuit looked super comfy. You can recreate the scene where she blows up into a blueberry with said tracksuit and some purple eyeshadow on your nose.

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13. Elaine from The Love Witch

In this 2016 film, a modern-day witch uses spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her (relatable). Not only did it give fans a new on-screen witch to admire, but it gave us her memorable blue eyeshadow and pink hat ensemble.

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14. The Matrix

Time to step into the Matrix. Sport an all-black ensemble (that also happens to be a perfect costume for cold weather) to recreate the badass outfit from the 1999 movie. Plus, it’ll be a lowkey way to let coworkers know you’re just simply not in the mood to be bothered today.

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15. Daisy from The Great Gatsby

Good luck trying to convince me that Daisy wasn’t the true villain in The Great Gatsby. I mean, the girl led him on and didn’t even stand up for his innocence in a crime. Anyways, before we go on a rant, you certainly can’t deny that her flapper-inspired outfits were a certified vibe.

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16. Cast of Daisy Jones & the Six

From one of #BookTok‘s most raved-about books to a show that you may or may not have seen, the Amazon Prime show has some unforgettable outfits inspired by the rockstar lifestyle of the ’70s. Think a mix of Stevie Nicks with some Janis Joplin to be the grooviest person in the office.

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17. Rihanna at the Super Bowl

Riri is known for her many iconic fits, and luckily, she graced us with this all-red, work-appropriate one when she took to the stage for one of the best Super Bowl performances in our book.

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18. Meredith Blake from The Parent Trap

Oh, how Parent Trap‘s iconic ice queen stepmom Meredith Blake has made a comeback, thanks to TikTok. From her outfits to her take-no-B.S. outlook and go-getter attitude, there’s just so much to revisit. It’s likely you already tried to copy one of her many iconic looks, so why not fully commit and dress up head-to-toe as her for Halloween?

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19. Patrizia Reggiani from House of Gucci

We were all blessed with Lady Gaga’s turn as Patrizia Reggiani from House of Gucci. And you can bet that Patrizia’s iconic attitude and style will remain memorable AF for years to come.

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20. Jess Day from New Girl

Between her quirky-preppy style and adorably awkward personality, Jess captured our hearts when the show first aired in 2011. Channel her look with a modest dress and cutesy cardigan in fun, bright colors. And, of course, some specs. (Bangs optional.)

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21. Katherine Johnson from Hidden Figures

Pay tribute to brilliant, boundaries-breaking mathematician and NASA legend Katherine Johnson this Halloween. Slick on some bright red lipstick, add her signature cat eye glasses, a plaid dress or matching skirt and blazer set, and you’ve got formula figured out.

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22. Carrie Bradshaw from Sex And The City

Carrie has no shortage of iconic outfits, so you really can get as creative as you’d like; here’s just one of (so many) options. Of course, if you casually happen to have a pair on Manolo Blahniks in your closet, that would be ideal footwear-wise.

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23. Anna Delvey from Inventing Anna

The world became totally captivated by the latest high-profile grifter, Anna Delvey. Or is it Anna Sorokin? If you still can’t stop thinking about the scandalous scammer, might as well recreate one of her “stylist-selected” outfits for Halloween this year.

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24. Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family

Who else is very excited about the second season of Wednesday? The iconic character always makes for a great Halloween personality. Embrace your dark side in her never-fail signature outfit.

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25. Satsuki from Totoro

An easy costume you could pull together last minute is this one from Totoro. Go as Satsuki, who’s the older sister character in the iconic Studio Ghibli movie, by throwing together her easily recognizable outfit with just a few simple pieces.

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26. Mary Poppins

Few characters are as iconic and ageless as Mary Poppins, so you won’t have any trouble making people guess your Halloween costume with this one. Also, am I the only one who didn’t know there was a new Mary Poppins movie starring Emily Blunt?! Adding to my must-watch list immediately.

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27. Elle Woods from Legally Blonde

Becoming Elle Woods for Halloween…what, like it’s hard? Not if you’ve got the below pieces to wear! There’s a number of memorable outfits from this masterpiece film, but I suggest you go with something pink 😉

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28. Molly Wright from Men in Black International

As long as you have a form-fitting white button-down, black blazer, and some seriously dark shades, you’re good to go as Tessa Thompson’s badass character from the action flick.

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29. Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s

C’mon, you can never go wrong if you dress up as Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Plus, you can consider it an excuse to dress extra fancy (and wear some serious bling) to the office. It’s also an excuse to keep a few pastries by your side at all times 😉

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30. Emily Nelson from A Simple Favor

Emily Nelson may have not been successful at scamming her friend and husband, but she was successful in delivering some killer outfits. I mean, she always looked boss. Copy her sleek aesthetic with just a couple key pieces!

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31. Veronica Corningstone from Anchorman

Stay classy and give your usual office attire a ’70s twist with the exaggerated winged collars and retro prints that Veronica’s known for wearing on the job. If these wrap dresses and skirt suits work for Channel 4 News, they’ll work for you.

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32. The Office Staff Member

The episode where Pam and Phyllis match! Or when Kelly wears the hot pink polka dot dress! Or when Kevin drops the chili! With so many great, work-appropriate costumes and fashion moments in this show, you’ve got enough ideas for the entire office to dress up as, well, The Office.

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33. A Student from Saved by the Bell

Go for some early ’90s floral motifs and embellished denim à la Kelly Kapowski, Lisa Turtle, and Jessie Spano. No Saved by the Bell-inspired costume is complete without statement earrings and a scrunchie.

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34. Moira from Schitt’s Creek

Everything from Moira’s accent to her outfits is dramatic and over-the-top—the perfect recipe for a Halloween costume. Grab all your black-and-white clothing, anything with fringe, fur, or feathers, and statement bib necklaces, and you’ve got yourself a convincing Moira costume.

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35. Hilary Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Will’s rich cousin might have been slightly snobby and very shallow, but you can’t tell me she wasn’t stylish!! Hilary’s closet makes for the best work-appropriate costume ideas, thanks to all the blazer dresses, colorful vests, and oversized suits.

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36. Thelma and Daphne from Scooby-Doo

If you already have a short bob cut or red hair, you won’t even need a wig to really sell your Scooby-Doo costume. But honestly, the orange turtleneck or purple dress and green scarf combo are dead giveaways anyway.

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37. Cher, Dionne, or Tai from Clueless

So you and your work bestie went as Cher and Dionne in their respective yellow plaid and red, white, and black outfits last year? Iconic! Do it again, but wear one of the other millions of looks this year. The movie is jam-packed with amazing ’90s fashion moments that are equally as good, just as recognizable, and less likely to be worn by everyone else.

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38. Penny Proud from The Proud Family

If you work an office job, you already wear a blouse, cardigan, skirt, and/or flats most days of the week anyway, so this nostalgic Disney costume should be pretty simple (and sweet!) for you to throw together.

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39. Mabel Mora from Only Murders in the Building

Anyone else always plan cute costume only to find out the forecast for Halloween is freezing and you have hide under a coat??? Be prepared this year with a warm costume, like this outfit Selena Gomez wears in the Hulu TV show that you and your work wife are currently binge watching. With this costume, you can stay in character from your commute all the way to the office.

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40. One of the Heathers

If your office has a pretty formal dress code (we’re talking pantyhose, blazers, plain button-ups, etc.), this preppy Heathers-themed costume sticks to the dress code and to the Halloween theme.

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