Celebrities exhibit and influence Halloween costumes

By MADISON PACE

Staff Writer

Halloween is one of the most festive times of the year, when everyone has the opportunity to dress up as anything they desire. Parents usually pick out or help with their children’s Halloween costumes, whether their child likes it or not. However as kids grow up, they get to experience the thrill of buying or creating a costume that they really want to wear. Throughout the media, people tend to get ideas from celebrities on what to wear.

This year, I have noticed tributes to Hugh Hefner, who passed away back in September. One tribute came from “Bachelor in Paradise,” alum Robby Hayes. People began dressing as Hefner along with a “house bunny” as their sidekick to complete the costume.

This time of year gives students a chance to take a break from school work and enjoy themselves whether they choose to dress up or not. Halloween is not always about dressing up, but taking a weekend to watch scary movies or even buy cheap candy the day after.

Author and fashion designer, Lauren Conrad dressed up as Cruella De Vil this past Halloween. As we all know, Cruella DeVil was popular back in the day when the movie “101 Dalmatians” was popular. EJ Johnson also decided to depict Cruella De Vil this year.

Another nostalgic costume idea from the media was portrayed at UMW by sophomores Jenna Morgan and Leslie Pullen, the two decided to bring back the “Hannah Montana” costume. Pullen dressed up as old-school, “Hannah Montana” with the preppy 2000s style, while Morgan depicted Cyrus’ “crazy-side.”

“We were thinking of a two-person costume and we figured that Hannah Montana-Miley and Bangerz Tour-Miley were so iconic and different that it would make a really funny costume,” Morgan said.

Morgan completed the outfit by wearing a marijuana-patterned leotard with a tutu, iconic power buns and glitter to depict Miley’s “crazy-side” while Pullen wore jeans, a poncho and a classic Montana hairstyle with barrettes.

Senior Brooklynne Brown, watched a DIY video for Halloween costumes and fell in love with the idea of dressing up as Wednesday Addams from “The Addams Family.”

Brown said, “I never planned on dressing up this year until I found this idea. Plus, it’s easy to recreate.” The recreation of the outfit consisted of a black sweater over a white button-up shirt and a black skirt.

Media plays such a strong role in influencing young adults in many aspects of life. It may vary from fashion icons to body portrayal. Every Halloween, I have looked to the media to try to get ideas for a costume. I run celebrity costume ideas through my mind, and although I never end up dressing as one, the media is always my first place to look. As another Halloween has passed, I noticed more creative and fun costume ideas that celebrities wear that I would never even think of.

Personal Top Five Halloween Costumes 2017:

1. Channing Tatum dressed as a purple unicorn

2. Jason Derulo dressed up in a Game of Thrones-inspired costume

3. Vanessa Hudgens dressed in her masquerade-themed costume

4. Joanna Krupa dressed in a Cleopatra-like costume

5. Jonathan Cheban and Kim Kardashian West depicting Sonny and Cher