With Halloween creeping into the minds of every college student, all anyone can seem to talk about is their costume for this year. 

The perfect outfit needs to strike a balance — eye-catching yet one-of-a-kind, flirty but fun. With so many ideas floating around, it feels like you can't go far without bumping into a double of your carefully chosen look.

To avoid that nightmare, here's a compilation of niche pop culture Halloween costume ideas that perfectly capture the 2024 zeitgeist.

Troye Sivan and Charli XCX

Following the whirlwind fun of “Brat Summer,” a season named in honor of Charli XCX’s electrifying 2024 album “Brat,” why not continue the fun by dressing as the musical icon and her longtime friend and tour collaborator Troye Sivan? 

By copying Charli XCX’s curly locks and Sivan’s signature tank tops, this would be the perfect costume for any duo. Dressing up a tight white tank top with “About F****** Time” printed in bold black letters across the chest, a tribute to the outfits the pair wore for their interview with  i-D, would be recognizable whether you are together or apart. 

You could take it up a notch by making it a group costume, featuring other icons from the Brat-verse, like Billie Eilish, Lorde, Julia Fox or The Dare. 

Your favorite childhood book character

Something everyone will recognize but won’t see coming is your favorite childhood book character. Some perfect examples of this include “Madeline,” “Fancy Nancy” and “Angelina Ballerina.” These costumes aren’t just cute—they're unforgettable. 

“Saltburn”

You’ll be murdering the dance floor all night by dressing up as “Saltburn’s” Oliver Quick, played by Barry Keoghan, and Felix Catton, played by Jacob Elordi. This costume is perfect solo or as a pair and is both fashion-forward and recognizable. After “Saltburn’s” 2023 success, almost everyone will know who you are and wish they’d bought those iconic golden wings first. 

Snoopy

Dressing up as everyone’s favorite dog would have you be the belle of the ball this Halloween. Whether you dress up as the “World War I Flying Ace,” Joe Cool or classic Snoopy, there are numerous options, no matter how comfortable or sexy you want to be on All Hallows’ Eve. 

Snoopy is timeless, relatable and the hero Gen Z needs. According to a recent NPR article, the Snoopy TikTok account saw an increase in interactions by 223.8% just within 2024 thus far.

By dressing up as a man’s best friend, or in this case Charlie Brown’s best friend, everyone will compliment your fashionable outfit. The look could also become a duo or group costume by adding Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang. 

“Freaky Friday’s” Pink Slip

With the announcement of the upcoming film “Freakier Friday” comes loads of nostalgia for the original 2003 film, “Freaky Friday.” 

Dressing up as members of Pink Slip, the band Anna Coleman, played by Lindsay Lohan, is part of, would make for an incredibly unique, and yet also relevant, costume this year.  The costumes would be the perfect 2000s throw-back, chunky highlights and all.