The 15 biggest pop culture moments of 2025 to inspire your Halloween costume

It’s been a tempestuous year – from viral space voyaging à la Katy Perry, scandalous concert-going affairs, myriad facial reconstructions, a litany of anniversaries, engagements and album releases, and even the appointment of a new Pope.

Derive inspiration from the highlights (and horrors) of 2025 this Halloween by dressing up as a moving manifestation of some of the year’s outstanding, conversation-igniting pop culture moments. Whether you chose to channel fame or fright, upon entering your spooky soirees, your chosen costume should spark delight.

Below, see some of the retrospective looks selected by Vogue Scandinavia to mark the occasion.

For better or worse, the image of Katy Perry airborne in a spaceship singing Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World', and clinging tightly to a singular daisy (her daughter's namesake) is one clearly etched in our minds as the year draws to a close. Spanning only 11 minutes, the Blue Origin journey in April united Perry, Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez on an all-female, Jeff Bezos-funded mission bound for space. Ridiculed from the instant it took flight, it has since been the subject of countless memes pointing to its ostensibly tone-deaf objective. Others simply found the sheer scale of the endeavour entertaining. Either way, you too can partake in an extraterrestrial adventure dressed as Katy Perry’s singing space cadet with the hand-picked pieces below.

Few musical moments this year have defined the zeitgeist like Taylor Swift and her devoted Swifties. This October, she delivered her latest album The Life of a Showgirl – written and recorded entirely in Stockholm with Sweden’s own music maestros Max Martin and Shellback. The 12-track album features a rumoured Charli XCX diss track ('Actually Romantic'), a Shakespearean tragedy-inspired lead single ('The Fate of Ophelia') and a duet with Sabrina Carpenter. Effervescent and rose-tinted, it channels a chorus girl aesthetic reminiscent of Pamela Anderson in Gia Coppola’s The Last Showgirl and the glittering glamour of The Great Gatsby. Think feathers, sparkly headpieces and crystal-encrusted everything – with added points for sassy jazz hands and a crimson pout.

Kendrick Lamar single-handedly ignited a bootcut jeans resurgence when he took to the stage for his halftime Super Bowl performance in February. Pairing his electric (feud-fuelled?) energy with sharp choreography and surprise cameos from Serena Williams, SZA and Samuel L. Jackson, his set included fan-favourites 'Humble', 'TV Off' and 'Not Like Us'. With 133.5 million people tuning in – the most-watched Super Bowl performance of all time – Lamar’s fashion choices were paramount. Styled by Taylor McNeill, he wore bootcut Céline jeans and a custom leather varsity jacket by Martine Rose. But it was the denim that stole the show. So fish your beloved bootcuts out of the wardrobe and put them to good use – recreating the American rapper’s record-breaking moment.

Few films have captured the public imagination this year quite like Jon M. Chu’s Wicked. Delivering a spellbinding vocal showcase to Stephen Schwartz’s score, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande stole hearts – and Oscar nominations – as Elphaba and Glinda. Now, they’re set to do it all again in the tear-jerking sequel Wicked: For Good, premiering this November. In Glinda’s words, “Pink goes good with green,” so coordinate with your Elphaba, link pinkies and channel this year’s most “popular” costume duo. Bonus points for ending the night with a Wicked watch party and an in-tune rendition of 'For Good'.

The first Monday of May is always momentous, but this year’s 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' theme left a lasting impression. Standout looks from the Met steps included Zendaya in a spotless zoot suit by Louis Vuitton, co-chair Colman Domingo in a striking black and white Valentino ensemble, and Imaan Hammam in a sculpted Magda Butrym suit. Channel the same spirit this Halloween – embrace sharp tailoring, pick your favourite Met look, and finish with the ultimate accessory: a winning, confident smile.

The passing of 91-year-old environmentalist, anthropologist and animal activist, Jane Goodall, has prompted us to rifle through our old National Geographics with renewed appreciation for the natural world. Having revolutionised the conservation of chimpanzees, she campaigned relentlessly for animal rights and spread essential environmental knowledge through her widely-attended talks, with her efforts earning her a Damehood in the UK and a Presidential Medal of Freedom in the US just last January. Her death comes at a time when adapting an eco-friendly, sustainable approach is more important than ever, so why not say this with your Halloween ensemble and bring your best eco-friendly energy to the party.

With the timely launch of her new lingerie line, Main Rose, and a shiny new album, Midnight Sun, Swedish star Zara Larsson is seizing the moment this year, hibiscus in hair. Emulate the pop princess by investing in some paste-hued vests or anything that screams tropical, fantasy and summer-induced euphoria. Then, take the enjoyment one step further and recycle said outfit at her upcoming world tour.

It's hard to believe that this year marks 25 years since the release of Cameron Crowe's coming of age classic, Almost Famous. Yet it's fair to say that the film's style is one that fans keep returning to. Designed by Betsy Heimann and showcased by Kate Hudson in the role of everyone’s favourite non conforming groupie, Penny Lane, it is eclectic, soulful and wonderfully retro. The ankle-length suede. shearling-lined coat worn by the vivacious "band-aid" in particular is a sartorial highlight and has been reimagined in myriad forms. It continues to captivate young watchers and wearers, many who have found modern alternatives to Penny's entrance-making outerwear. In honour of the anniversary, why not tap into the rock and roll adrenaline fuelled energy of the '70s and compile your own Penny Lane look.

Labubus first emerged an entire decade before their rampant popularisation peaked this year. Dreamt up by Asian artist and illustrator, Kasing Lung, the polarising albeit coveted collectables are hanging from handbags, charms and keyrings everywhere. Fuel society’s preoccupation with the fierce, fuzzy creatures by imitating one using soft, tactile textures and fluffy outerwear. Put on your best toothy, sinister smirk and you're all set.

The Victoria Beckham documentary series just hit our screens and it's making us want to live vicariously through our favourite fashionable Spice Girl. We are firm fans of the nostalgia felt through her '90s style, namely the fun flirty looks she flaunted before she became matriarch of the Beckham clan and went on to set up her womenswear label in the '00s. All you need to accomplish this effortless throwback VB look is your best black mini, some vibrant accessories to add unexpected pops of colour or flashes of print to the outfit, a pristine french manicure and your best boots to dance the night away. We guarantee your costume is what everyone else will 'Wannabe'.

Raking in millions of views, 'Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday', is a hauntingly viral soundbite that riffs on the budget airline’s chirpy advertisements. The much-parodised trend took over TikTok this year, placing those who are chronically online in a complete chokehold. Reflect the pervasive tagline by dressing up as an air hostess, a pilot or, if you want to go the extra mile, the budget airline itself. Simply slip on a smart skirt suit and some shades, put Jess Glynne's 2015 hit 'Hold My Hand' on speaker and you’re ready for take off.

This September, a surprising face was detected in the midst of the Berlin Marathon's 55,000 participants. Entered under the pseudonym Sted Sarandos, Harry Styles' efforts to mislead onlookers fell flat. Recognised and recorded as he ran, the British singer swiftly went viral. More impressive still was his stamina in finishing the marathon with a time just short of three hours. Replicate his running ensemble (minus the exhaustion) with an easy athleisure look. Pair sporty shorts, with a stretchy headband or some sneakers and you're all set.

This past summer, 'Evita Fever' swept through London as Jamie Lloyd’s reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita took over The Palladium. From June to September, crowds packed Soho to watch Rachel Zegler’s spine-tingling performance as Eva Perón, singing 'Don’t Cry for Me Argentina' from the theatre’s balcony – a clever staging mirrored inside via live projection. The sold-out production became one of the year’s standout theatrical triumphs, with a rumoured Broadway transfer, a UK No.1 single, and a live cast recording releasing October 24, just in time for Halloween. It also marked a career-defining redemption for Zegler, recently invited by Icelandic singer and former Vogue Scandinavia cover star Laufey to perform at her Madison Square Garden show.

As anticipated by Charli XCX and Elle Fanning, it's turning out to be Joachim Trier's year. With the recent release of the Norwegian auteur's latest Cannes Grand Prix award-winning motion picture, Sentimental Value, he's the director on every cinephile's lips. All you have to do to partake in the movement is rummage in your wardrobe for a crisp white t-shirt, grab a black permanent marker and scrawl his name across its front. Then head down to your local cinema and watch Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning and former Vogue Scandinavia cover star Renate Reinsve deliver Oscar-worthy performances in the poignant picture.

Shock! Scandal! Sacked! All apt terms surrounding the crime scene of Coldplay’s July 16 concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Caught red-handed canoodling on a kiss cam were married co-workers – Andy Byron and Kristen Cabot, the respective CEO and CPO of AI data development company, Astronomer–— much to the amusement of Coldplay frontrunner Chris Martin who quipped “Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.” Made even more obvious by their aghast expressions and hilariously feeble attempts to hide from the glare of camera lens, the viral clip set the internet ablaze. Shortly after, Cabot filed for divorce and both parties tendered their resignation ... woeful repercussions of an affair gone wrong. Take inspiration from the incident’s calamity and dress the part by grabbing your own partner and recreating the disgraced couple's concert-going attire.