UMD Student’s Halloween Costume Inspiration
By Holly Pommett
October 29, 2025
Photo Credit: Pexels
Halloween costumes continue to evolve over the years, blending different varieties of creativity and chaos for the fun weekend. Halloween 2025 is shaping up to be a busy weekend full of friends and fright, and UMD students have prepared their plans and party outfits accordingly.
Anna Purvin, a sophomore chemistry major, plans to spend the weekend hanging out with friends and dressing up with them. So far, she’s planned her costumes as “The Shining” twins, Indiana Jones, and Catwoman. Purvin found most of her supplies off of Amazon, but also utilized clothing items she already owned in her closet.
Gabby Nafie, a sophomore architecture major, prepared for the long weekend by ordering her costumes weeks in advance and hydrating to stay healthy. Nafie is dressing up in original costume ideas as the Fremen people from “Dune” with her friends, as well as the character Santana from “Glee.” Her other costume, a Girl Scout, was inspired by a viral TikTok video.
“One of my friends went viral in the Girl Scout costume. She had a lot of fun for Halloweekend and it looked really cute, so I bought it,” said Nafie. She also bought many of her outfits from Amazon and Shein.
Pinterest and Tiktok are popular places to find a variety of inspiration for creative costumes. Many Tiktok ideas are trendy, and it is easy to determine the popularity based on the like counts and reading the top comments. On Pinterest, interesting costumes can be found through the search bar using certain keywords, like “cute” or “scary” costumes.
Morgan Kim, a sophomore finance major, purchased her costumes from Amazon and Shein as well. For students looking for cheap, easy costumes, she also recommended Windsor, Dollskill, and FashionNova.
If none of these options are available in time, a cheap and simple option is local thrift stores. Uptown Cheapskate and Value Village are conveniently located in College Park, a walk or short drive away from campus.
Kim did not go for trends, but rather original ideas. She plans to be a baker, the Cheshire cat, and Minnie Mouse. However, she noted a major Tiktok trend in dressing up as “Silent Hill” nurses, a popular horror movie antagonist.
Whether going with a group or individual, or an intricately planned outfit or DIY-designed costume, Halloween is about enjoyment and expression where style and scare can go hand in hand.
Anna Purvin, a sophomore chemistry major, plans to spend the weekend hanging out with friends and dressing up with them. So far, she’s planned her costumes as “The Shining” twins, Indiana Jones, and Catwoman. Purvin found most of her supplies off of Amazon, but also utilized clothing items she already owned in her closet.
Gabby Nafie, a sophomore architecture major, prepared for the long weekend by ordering her costumes weeks in advance and hydrating to stay healthy. Nafie is dressing up in original costume ideas as the Fremen people from “Dune” with her friends, as well as the character Santana from “Glee.” Her other costume, a Girl Scout, was inspired by a viral TikTok video.
“One of my friends went viral in the Girl Scout costume. She had a lot of fun for Halloweekend and it looked really cute, so I bought it,” said Nafie. She also bought many of her outfits from Amazon and Shein.
Pinterest and Tiktok are popular places to find a variety of inspiration for creative costumes. Many Tiktok ideas are trendy, and it is easy to determine the popularity based on the like counts and reading the top comments. On Pinterest, interesting costumes can be found through the search bar using certain keywords, like “cute” or “scary” costumes.
Morgan Kim, a sophomore finance major, purchased her costumes from Amazon and Shein as well. For students looking for cheap, easy costumes, she also recommended Windsor, Dollskill, and FashionNova.
If none of these options are available in time, a cheap and simple option is local thrift stores. Uptown Cheapskate and Value Village are conveniently located in College Park, a walk or short drive away from campus.
Kim did not go for trends, but rather original ideas. She plans to be a baker, the Cheshire cat, and Minnie Mouse. However, she noted a major Tiktok trend in dressing up as “Silent Hill” nurses, a popular horror movie antagonist.
Whether going with a group or individual, or an intricately planned outfit or DIY-designed costume, Halloween is about enjoyment and expression where style and scare can go hand in hand.