Top Expected Halloween Costumes for 2024 and Their Machine-Washability

by Marissa Zumbo, October 2024

Halloween 2024 is fast approaching, and costume trends are already making waves! As always, people want something fun and creative—but also practical when it comes to cleaning up. Here’s a look at some of the most expected Halloween costumes this year and whether or not you can toss them in the washing machine after a spooky night out.

1. Barbiecore Glam

Inspired by the iconic Barbie movie, "Barbiecore" is set to be huge this Halloween. Expect lots of bright pink dresses, neon accessories, and glitter. Many of these costumes are made from satin, polyester, or spandex—materials that can often be washed in cold water on a gentle cycle. However, anything with embellishments like rhinestones or sequins will likely require spot cleaning or hand washing to avoid damage.

Washability: Mostly machine-washable, but check for delicate details!

A collage of five photos featuring people in colorful outfits against pink-themed backgrounds, including a woman in a polka dot swimsuit with a headband, a man and woman in neon and tie-dye clothing, a woman in a pink dress, and a woman with makeup posing with a pink gift bag.

2. Mermaids and Sea Creatures

Fantasy costumes are another major trend this year, with people dressing as mermaids, sirens, or other sea creatures. While these costumes often feature shiny, scale-like fabrics, many of them are made from delicate synthetics or come with intricate decorations like beads or sequins, making machine washing risky.

Washability: Likely not machine-washable. Hand wash recommended to avoid damaging the fabric or embellishments.

Collage of five fantasy costumes: a woman in a white fairy dress emerging from the ocean at sunset, a person in a detailed animal mask and black jacket, a girl in a white fairy dress with wings outdoors, a woman in a gold mermaid costume with a starfish necklace and glitter makeup, and an older man with a long gray beard in medieval or wizard attire holding a pipe.

3. Taylor Swift “Eras Tour” Outfits

With Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour making headlines, expect fans to recreate her various iconic looks. From sparkly bodysuits and fringe dresses to pastel gowns, the costumes reflect different eras of her career. Many of these outfits will be loaded with sequins, fringe, or metallic fabrics, making machine washing a challenge.

Washability: Some outfits or elements could be machine-washable. Hand washing is advised for costumes with embellishments.

A collage of five images of Taylor Swift performing or posing, with a poster of her album "The Eras Tour" on the left featuring black and white portraits of her.

4. "Oppenheimer"-Inspired Costumes

Following the success of Oppenheimer, 1940s-inspired attire like tailored suits, trench coats, and vintage military uniforms are expected to be popular this year. These costumes are likely to feature heavier fabrics such as wool or tweed, which can be tricky to care for. While synthetic replicas may be machine washable, real wool and similar materials will need dry cleaning.

Washability: Depends on the fabric and how legit your costume is. Synthetics might be machine-washable, but if you're sporting a real wool trench coat for example, that will need dry cleaning (unfortunately). READ THE LABEL!

A collage of images related to the movie "Oppenheimer." It includes a promotional poster featuring a man in a suit and hat against an explosion background, sketches of suits and clothing details, and a family dressed in 1940s-style clothing standing in front of a brick wall, suggesting a period setting.

5. Beetlejuice Costumes

With Beetlejuice remaining a cult classic and a sequel coming out, the striped suit and wild hair of this mischievous ghost are 2024 Halloween staples. Beetlejuice costumes typically consist of a black-and-white striped suit made from polyester, along with a white shirt and messy, green-tinged wig. The wig will require gentle care, but the suit itself is usually easy to machine wash if it’s free of embellishments like foam or plastic accents. In addition to the iconic striped suit of Beetlejuice, costumes inspired by characters like Lydia Deetz—featuring her dramatic red wedding dress or her signature gothic black attire—are also popular.

Washability: The suit and dresses are often machine-washable, but wigs and any foam details should be hand washed or spot cleaned.

Group of four women in black, white, and red Gothic or alternative fashion, with a large fantastical creature, a character dressed as Beetlejuice, a woman with black and blue hair and tattoos, and a woman in a red flowing gown against a rocky background.

In summary, while many of 2024’s most popular Halloween costumes are made from machine-washable fabrics like polyester or cotton, their embellishments and accessories often require extra care. Always check the care label and follow instructions to keep your costume looking fresh for next year! Happy Halloween!

SIGN UP FOR BLOG POSTS TO BE DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR EMAIL!

Article Sources Cited:

https://www.realsimple.com/popular-halloween-costumes-2024-8716064

https://www.bestproducts.com/lifestyle/g62499468/best-halloween-costumes-2024/

https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/g45223092/best-mens-halloween-costume-ideas/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_mnh_md_pmx_hybd_mix_us_17889802313&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwpbi4BhByEiwAMC8JnUaGiXh-q2qwIVvmcow04eghenINNZcMcm9Fl1C6T2t5-182keR4ORoCDAQQAvD_BwE

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/halloween-2024-costume-ideas-popular-spiderman-witch