One year, my roommates and I went as the Jonas Brothers for Halloween. It was not a good look. People basically thought I was Bette Midler, and the only person who guessed our costumes correctly was a drag queen we ran into at two in the morning. If you’re looking for a slightly more successful Halloween costume idea, why not try channeling some of these amazing ladies?

Dum Dum Girls

The idea here is black and white and Victorian all over. Add red lipstick. 

Lace Dress, Forever 21
Sleeveless Lace Dress Topshop
Solid Stripe Pantyhose, American Apparel 
Rhinestone Hells, Forever 21 
Vintage Cameo pin on Etsy

Grimes

The bonus of this costume is that anyone who doesn’t know who you are will just assume you’re an animé character and be too afraid of appearing irrelevant to ask. 

Short sleeve tshirt leotard, American Apparel
Tulip Skirt, American Apparel
Jersey Headband, American Apparel 
Black leather and lace fingerless gloves, Urban Outfitters 

If you’re seriously crafty, here’s how to DIY a flaming sword. If not, construction paper and a toy one will do nicely. Here’s how to temporarily dread your hair.

Taylor Swift

You can have all your friends dress up as her monster-mascot backing band! Score some $5 spectacles in Kensington Market, at one of the sunglasses stands near Augusta and Nassau. Top with red lipstick, like this shade from Gosh.

Nick & Nora Poplin It’s  A Hoot Pajamas, Target

Nicki Minaj

Nicki’s looks are usually a bit too intense, or risqué, for Halloween costume copying, but this look from “The Boys” is a more easily recreated Minajsemble. We, however, are suggesting you replace the bathing suit with a bodysuit, for both warmth and dignity. The only craftiness required here will be cutting the belt in half and attaching it to the straps of the white bodysuit.

Blazer, H & M
White Bodysuit, American Apparel
Ottoman Rib Tube Top, American Apparel
Spike Love Belt, Remi & Reid
Leopard Print Hat, Topshop