The Best Political Halloween Costumes to Wear This Year
You don't have to dress as a 2020 candidate to have some political fun this Halloween.
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Every year there are certain costumes you know are going to be hot; characters from big movie franchises like Marvel's superheroes, or big time TV wins like Bridgerton. Then there are the timely costumes; memes, celebrities, and jokes that become popular because they're hovering around in the zeitgeist at that particular moment. With the constant presence of current events on our news feeds, it's a safe bet that politics-themed costumes are bound to crop-up, but getting political doesn't have to mean being the tenth Joe Biden at your Halloween bash.
Here we've rounded up a few fun, out-of-the-box political costume ideas that will be a real treat no matter what side of the aisle you're on.
Jackie Kennedy Onassis
To choose just one iconic Jackie look is almost impossible—her sunglasses! Her Chanel suits! Her hair flip!—but the former First Lady's matching skirt suit and pillbox hat combinations will forever hold a place in our hearts. It's instantly recognizable, easy to pull off, and best of all, timelessly stylish.
The pillbox hat combo works with pretty much any classic and simple dress or skirt suit in a Jackie-appropriate dynamic color—pick your favorite from your closet and buy a hat to match. For added Kennedy factor, add a short strand of pearls.
Alexander Hamilton
Do not throw away your shot... to show off your encyclopedic knowledge of the Hamilton lyrics (or to brag about actually finishing the Ron Chernow biography) this Halloween.
California Costumes Men's Revolutionary Costume
California Costumes Men's Revolutionary Costume
While this political costume requires more of a costuming effort than most of the others on this list, the odds of leading your Halloween party in a spontaneous musical number are also proportionally higher, which seems like a worthy tradeoff.
Leslie Knope
Elections get divisive, but there's one name on the ballot we can all get behind this Halloween, straight from Pawnee, Indiana.
More: Halloween Costumes You Can Actually Wear to the Office
ButtonDeliDotCom Leslie Knope Buttons, set of 4
ButtonDeliDotCom Leslie Knope Buttons, set of 4
Four buttons may seem like too many for one costume, but trust us, your whole Parks and Rec crew is going to be begging for one.
Abraham Lincoln
America has had plenty of highly recognizable commanders in chief, but between his height (6'4"), his beard, and his penchant for tall hats, our 16th president definitely deserves a spot amongst the ranks of the most distinctive looking—and consequently the most emulateable.
More: These Easy Halloween Costume Ideas Are Perfect for Procrastinators
President Lincoln became famous for topping his outfits with an extra-tall stovepipe hat, and there's just no way to complete a Lincoln look without one. Simply add your favorite black suit and some stubble (real or faux) and you're all set.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Nobody mixed law expertise with accessory swagger quite like the late, great Notorious RBG. Grab that old graduation gown that's been stuffed in the back of your closet and you're more than halfway to one Supremely good Halloween look.
This Stella & Dot necklace is the exact version that RBG wore for the first official Supreme Court portrait with Brett Kavanaugh (it was gifted to her by a fan) affording your costume extra authenticity points.
John Lewis
Capes and superpowers are great and all, but if you want to dress up as a real hero this Halloween, take a page from civil rights icon, John Lewis.
Whether you're DIYing your own Presidential Medal of Freedom (as bestowed on Lewis in 2010) or recreating his iconic mugshot from his pioneering work standing up against segregation, a John Lewis costume will without a doubt be one of the most inspiring at any Halloween get-together this season.
A Bill
For many Americans, Schoolhouse Rock's famous ditty about how a bill becomes a law was one of our earliest lessons about the way government works. So why not pay homage to that little bill sitting there on Capitol Hill this Halloween?
Enter, the bill.
Tracy Flick
Sure, national politics are intense, but our vote for the most dedicated—and vicious—candidate, has to go to the one and only Tracy Flick, whose quest to earn the title of student body president in Election was more than just a campaign: it was destiny.
Break out your best sweater vest and button down combo, pin or one of these buttons, and get ready to be relentlessly assertive in your campaign the be the best student body president ever.
Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.
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