HR-Approved Halloween Costumes to Wear to Work

last updated 13 August 2019

Dressing up for work on Halloween is fun, but the fact that Halloween costumes for adults can often be a little too scandalous or casual for most office environments can make it more tricky than fun (e.g., Harley Quinn probably won't fly for this particular occasion). Which is why a little extra creativity is needed when planning a costume that won't make HR or your co-workers uncomfortable. To help you out, we sought out seven costume ideas that are fun, topical, and easy to put together. (But if you're still seeking a Halloween costume idea for after-hours, we've already covered under-$30 costumes, cat costumes, high-fashion costumes, and even costumes you can wear with leggings or a choker—or just re-wear the costume you've planned for the office. We won't tell.) And just a reminder: An HR-approved Halloween costume is especially relevant this year, given that the holiday falls on a Monday.

Keep scrolling to shop the pieces you'll need for a perfect office-appropriate Halloween costume!

BLAIR WALDORF

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What You'll Need:

Headband: Nasty Gal Claremont Velvet Bow Headband ($18)
Fancy fit-and-flare dress: Forever 21 Contrast Crochet Overlay Dress ($35)
Structured handbag
Tights
Colorful heels
Upscale department store shopping bags

TUMBLR PINK

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What You'll Need:

Pink dress: Drifter Lupine Mini Dress ($215)
Pink shoes: ASOS Star Pointed Heels ($62)
A sign around your neck that says Tumblr
Any other pink accessories of your choosing

STEVE JOBS

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What You'll Need:

Black mock turtleneck: Reformation Jobs Sweater ($78)
Round glasses: Boomer Eyewear Steve's Specs Reading Glasses ($17)
Jeans
Black socks
Sneakers
iPad

ANNA WINTOUR

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What You'll Need:

Printed midi dress: Zara Midi Dress ($100)
Statement necklace: J.Crew Colorful Crystal Necklace ($25)
Bob wig: Barbara Ann Bob Wig ($24)
Strappy high-heel sandals
Sunglasses
Copy of Vogue magazine

CAT LADY

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What You'll Need:

Cat T-shirt: I "Heart" Cats T-Shirt ($19)
Cat stuffed animal(s): Aurora Bella Flopsie Stuffed Cat ($10)
Pencil skirt, trousers, or jeans (depending on your office's dress code)
Bag of cat treats

OLIVIA POPE

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What You'll Need:

White coat: H&M Double-Breasted Coat ($129)
White pants: Calvin Klein Classic-Fit Trousers ($60)
Structured handbag
DIY White House visitor pass

What are you wearing to work on Monday, October 31? Tell us in the comments!

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Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.