Some costume ideas, like a fairy or a vampire, allow you to get a little creative with your interpretation, but if you’re trying to channel a pop culture moment, a celebrity, or a specific movie character, getting the hair color just right is key. Because sometimes the smallest details of your Halloween costume can be the difference between everyone asking the question, “Who are you dressed as again???” or everyone complimenting your spot-on costume. To make it easy, go with a costume idea that matches your natural hair color, whether you’re a redhead, blonde, or brunette. Or if you don’t have brown hair but somehow you found yourself reading this article anyway, just grab a brown wig and take a look through the following 20 brunette costume ideas to see if you find one you like (we bet you will).
Ahead, you can expect to find icons, like Selena, Cher, and Audrey Hepburn, classic Disney characters, TV show favorites, and more. So whether you have light brown hair with lots of highlights or super-dark brown/black hair, keep scrolling for plenty of costume ideas for brunettes of all shades, hair types, and hair textures.
[1]
Selena Quintanilla Performing at the Houston Astrodome
An iconic look! Choose from one of Selena’s many tour costumes (like this one from the Houston Astrodome) or award show outfits and pay tribute to the late singer.
[2]
Rue from Euphoria
If you don’t have the patience to apply all the individual crystals for a Maddy Perez costume, this under-eye glitter is much easier and just as recognizable.
[3]
Meghan Markle in the Oprah Interview
This sit-down interview was a huge event. You can dress like Meghan in a navy floral dress and signature loose bun—bonus if you can sit in a wicker chair.
[4]
Samara from The Ring
It’s been nearly 20 years since this movie first came out and to this day if someone flips their brown hair in front of their face, you know your mind goes straight to this horror film.
[5]
Cher at the Oscars
Super-long, straight brown hair is basically a dead giveaway, but this matching gold number really says, “CHER” in all caps.
[6]
Nurse Ratched
This ’60s nurses costume might look sweet and innocent, but did you watch the Netflix, series?! If you want a villain costume for Halloween, this is it.
[7]
The Craft
An all-brunette group of ’90s grunge witches? I can think of no better group costume for you and your besties.
[8]
Behind Her Eyes
Here’s a clever idea for ya: Go as a group and wear different colored glow sticks under your shirt to represent your “souls” for some astral projection.
[9]
Wednesday Addams
When it comes to recreating Wednesday Addams’s signature look, you need the three Bs: braids, black clothes, and brown/black hair.
[10]
Olivia Rodrigo in “Sour Prom”
You already know you’ll see a lot of cheerleading uniforms and sticker-covered faces for Halloween this year, so how about a little “Sour Prom” moment for an Olivia Rodrigo costume instead?
[11]
Bennifer
If you and your boyfriend both have brown hair, go as this 2001 2021 pop culture moment for your couples costume.
[12]
Nani Pelekai from Lilo and Stitch
All you need for this last-minute costume from your fave childhood movie are some jean shorts and a cropped T-shirt. Oh, and a little blue alien, NBD.
[13]
Belle from Beauty and the Beast
This Disney princess costume for brunettes is a classic. Some might say…a tale as old as time.
[14]
Mia Thermopolis from The Princess Diaries
This Disney princess costume? Not so expected! Go as Mia before the makeover if you’ve got a school uniform hanging around or go with the after if you want to get all formal with your costume.
[15]
The Nanny
You don’t even need to copy a specific outfit to pull this character off as long as you start with big brown hair and some flashy ’90s fashions. The accent is key, too.
[16]
The Muses from Hercules
Get all the besties together and go as this quintet of goddesses. Bonus points if y’all can sing, too.
[17]
Daria
I know you already own a green jacket, tennis skirt, and combat boots—or something like it—so as long as you’ve got brown hair, too, your costume’s basically set.
[18]
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
As we all saw during the party scene in Big Little Lies season one, Audrey Hepburn has a lot of looks to pull from. This Holly Golightly outfit from Breakfast at Tiffany’s is just one.
[19]
Jackie Burkhart from That ’70’s Show
If you’re dying to channel the ’70s for your Halloween costume, let Jackie be your outfit inspo. Don’t forget to feather out your brown hair.
[20]
Domino from Deadpool 2
If you’re a sucker for a superhero costume, go as this badass character from Deadpool 2. Domino’s superpower is luck, but with a look this good, you won’t need any of that for winning best costume.