Every teacher knows the power of a great costume. Whether it’s Halloween, Spirit Week, or just a chance to make learning a little more fun, dressing up is a great way to connect with students, especially when your inspiration comes from their favorite pop culture moments.
If you really want to earn instant cool points, lean into the pop culture references taking over your students’ social feeds and group chats. Think about what your students are streaming, scrolling, and sharing. Those shows, songs, and memes are pure costume gold!
If you’ve been within earshot of a group of teens lately, you’ll know the absolute excitement that they exude when the number “6,7” is uttered (explanation for those that need it). Why not take that phrase and turn it into a costume?!
6,7
Depending on who you ask, these numbers could represent basketball player Lamelo Ball’s height, a song lyric, or absolutely nothing. The point is: kids love it!
Grab a plain jersey or t-shirt and write 6,7 on the front, and BOOM, you’ve nailed it. Or better yet, find a teacher friend to recreate this viral phrase—you dress up as 6 and the other teacher as 7. When you’re standing in the hallway together, the kids will shout, “6, 7!”
Don’t worry if you’re not up to speed on all the pop culture references (it’s hard to keep up!), we’ve got some fun costume ideas that will have your students rolling their eyes and howling with laughter! Here are 6,7 (get it? 😂) more costume ideas:
1. Labubu
This cute little gremlin-bunny has been everywhere lately—as keychains on backpacks and as cuddly stuffed toys. Apparently, kids can’t get enough of these little monsters! If you want to recreate the Labubu look, find a hoodie or fuzzy onesie, and add big pointy ears using felt on a headband. You can use face paint to draw on a toothy smile or create a removable cardboard mask.
2. K-Pop Demon Hunters
K-pop is growing a bigger fanbase thanks to the popular Netflix movie K-Pop Demon Hunters. With over 325 million views in just 4 months, this animated fantasy action musical has become a massive global hit, and the characters that make up the movie’s K-pop bands would make for fun costumes!
In the movie, the girl group Huntr/x (“Huntrix”) lead double lives. During the day they’re pop performers, and at night they’re slaying demons using the power of their music. Their rival is a boy band, Saja Boys, who are secretly demons themselves trying to steal fans and souls.
For a fun costume, pick one side!
Huntr/x — Wear a black jacket with gold accessories (chains, gloves, asymmetrical cuts) and carry a microphone. Bonus points if you can sing the popular song from the movie: “Golden.” Recreate the hairstyles with colored hairspray.
Saja Boys — Find a pastel or brightly colored top, skinny jeans, and add a beanie or chunky belt. Use colored hair spray to finish the look. Now grab a group of teachers and work on your dramatic boy-band poses and this viral dance. Your students will instantly recognize the reference.
3. Wednesday Addams
Thanks to Netflix’s hit series, Wednesday Addams is having a major moment in pop culture. All you need to replicate her look is a black dress (bonus if it has a white collar), braids, and an unimpressed face. Then, walk into class stone-faced and use a monotone voice to deliver your lessons.
You’ll earn bonus points from your students if you learn her viral dance or bring a stuffed hand along as Thing!
4. Taylor Swift
Taylor is always trending, but even more so with the release of her new album, Life of a Showgirl and her engagement to Kansas City football star Travis Kelce. You can’t go wrong with a costume aligned with one of her previous eras, but if you really want to score, go with a showgirl-inspired look or pair up with a teammate for a Swift-Kelce costume.
For your showgirl look, find a sequined/sparkled top or skirt, and pair it with feathers! A boa from the costume store or a DIY headpiece with feathers makes the look complete. Go with Taylor’s signature colors, orange and mint green, to mimic her showgirl era.
For your Swift + Kelce outfit, one teacher can sport a Taylor-inspired outfit, while the other wears a Chiefs jersey. Together, you’ll be a pop culture powerhouse.
5. The Summer I Turned Pretty (TSITP)
The Summer I Turned Pretty is an Amazon Prime hit based on Jenny Han’s YA novels, and it’s become the show to watch this fall. It’s full of juicy teen drama—complete with love triangles, friendships, and beachy vibes.
To recreate the look of the main character Isabel “Belly” Conklin, find a sundress, flip-flops, and carry a beach tote with the name of her favorite summer destination, “Cousins Beach.”
For Conrad’s moody coastal vibe, go with a pastel collared shirt, shorts and sandals, or for Jeremiah’s sporty look, try a rugby polo, shorts, and white sneakers with no socks.
6. Wicked
This Halloween, dress as one of the characters from the land of Oz– Elpheba or Glinda. If you dare, slather on some green face paint, grab a black dress and broom for Elphaba, or a pink and sparkly dress with a tiara for Glinda.
7. Italian Brain Rot
If you’ve heard your students randomly blurting “Tung, Tung, Tung!” or ”Ballerina Cappuccina”, you’ve been a witness to Italian Brain Rot in action. These silly AI-generated characters with pseudo-Italian names appeared on TikTok earlier this year and kids have been going crazy over them! From Tralalero Tralala, a three-legged shark wearing Nikes, to Chimpanzini Bananini, a monkey with a banana as a body, each one has its own look and storyline, perfect for a Halloween costume.
Bombardino Crocodilo (crocodile bomber plane)
Wear a bomber jacket and crocodile mask, or green face paint and snout. Make cardboard airplane wings that attach behind you.
Image Source: Wikipedia
Chimpanzini Bananini (chimpanzee with a banana body)
Start with a yellow bodysuit or shirt and matching pants. Use a chimpanzee mask or face paint to create animal features. Add a yellow cape for the full banana peel effect!
Image Source: TikTok
Ballerina Cappuccina (ballerina with a cappuccino mug as a head)
Find a ballet tutu or leotard, tights, and ballet flats. Next, create a DIY cappuccino headpiece made from cardboard with a cutout for your face.
Image Source: Franz Gordon
Halloween or Spirit Day costumes are a perfect chance to have a good laugh, connect, and maybe even learn something about what’s going on in your students’ world. Don’t be afraid to pick out a pop-culture costume and have fun. Your students just might end up giving you the ultimate compliment…the coolest teacher in school!
About the Author
Marcee Harris is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and Sociology, as well as an M.A. Ed. in Education. Marcee specializes in curriculum development, maintaining and updating our course catalog, and partners with her Teaching Channel teammates to ensure customer success. Marcee is our resident expert for everything related to EdTech and the Science of Reading.
Fun Fact: Marcee used to be a professional cheerleader!
