According to the calendar, September 22nd is the first day of fall. But for many people, myself included, fall doesn’t start until mid-October, when the temperature drops and the drugstores break out the fake cobwebs. For me, Halloween and the days leading up to it are peak fall. It’s a season ripe with nostalgia. Gift bags featuring cartoon bats, ghosts, and other various Halloween iconography make me wistful for elementary school, when wearing a costume in public was considered a privilege. Some of the best parties I’ve ever been to were grade school Halloween parties. I stand by this. In third grade, our entire class got to go trick-or-treating in a haunted corn maze. Last Halloween, a mime threw up on my shoes.
So, the sentimentality for Halloweens past remains fresh. To quelch my regressive yearning, I’ve turned to the cartoons and sitcoms of my youth. Well, it just so happens that shows from the ’90s and early 2000s are a wealth of costume inspiration. So for any of you with a vague recollection of Kids’ WB and One Saturday Morning, here are some costumes honoring strong female protagonists with strong style.
1. Carmen Sandiego (Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?)
“Think out your plan like a woman of action. Then act out your plan like a woman of thought,” via 20th Century Fox Film Corp.
Villians’ International League of Evil (V.I.L.E.) leader Carmen Sandiego has graced our desktop and television screens since the mid-1980s. For many girls, Carmen Sandiego is the epitome of cool. She’s hyper-intelligent, always several steps ahead of everyone, and does it all in her iconic all-red ensemble. What many don’t know is that Carmen Sandiego is one of pop culture’s only Latina supervillains. Named after the Portuguese-Brazilian actress and singer Carmen Miranda, the original “Lady in Red” made her first appearance in the 1985 computer game Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? The games became inspiration for a ’90s kid’s game show, and then an animated series with Rita Moreno providing the voice for Carmen. Carmen Sandiego’s fashion sense is inextricable to her character, making her a fabulous Halloween costume. Her overall look includes:
• An oversized, crimson trench coat and matching hat (based on the sombrero cordobés) that she wears cocked to the side, revealing a single, arched eyebrow.
Vintage Red Trench Coat, knctdStudio, $49.99, via Etsy
Vintage Full Brim Red Hat, RetroRebelTrading, $35, via Etsy
• Black leather gloves
Black Slim Fit Leather Gloves, LesDebutantes, $19.99, via Etsy
• A yellow scarf
Gold Scarf, AllSeasonsBoutique, $13.09, via Etsy
• Tight black pants
Black Vegan Leather Pants, FloAltelier, $79, via Etsy
Costume Cosplay Wigs, BLUBOON, $19.99, via Amazon
Eyebrow Editor Complete Brow Kit, Sephora Collection, $9, via Sephora
Maxine Gibson (Batman Beyond)
“Just don’t call me Robin,” via Warner Brothers
The smartest student at Batman Beyond’s Hamilton Hill High School, with a genius level intellect, Max Gibson creates computer software designed to uncover Batman’s true identity. When she discovers Terry, the second coming of Batman, she becomes his trusted ally. Max is an invaluable asset to Terry and Bruce Wayne, so it was a real bummer when she didn’t become the next Batgirl. That one needs a rewrite. Maxine’s style is reflective of futurist fashions of the early 2000s, à la The Matrix.
Pair some sleek black pants with a yellow and black sleeveless turtleneck (or your variation of such) and a black armband. A silver belt and matching sneakers are a nice contrast with Max’s fuschia pixie cut and rust-colored lipstick. Finish the look with a swipe of black eyeliner and mascara.
Vintage Yellow Black Top, JustGiza, $28, via Etsy
Black Vegan Leather Pants, FloAltelier, $79, via Etsy
Black Leather Wristband, LuckyDogLeather, $29.71, via Etsy
Women’s Silver Belt, SAVOPOULOS, $26.93, via Etsy
Be Legendary Lipstick in Screen Queen, SMASHBOX, $21, via Sephora
Got Inked Cushion Eyeliner, Stila, $14, via Sephora
Perfect Up Styling Mascara, BLACK UP, $24, via Sephora
Amplified Hot Hot Pink 4oz via, Manic Panic, $14.50, via Amazon
Jane Lane (Daria)
“Every cloud has a smoky gray lining,” via MTV
Fantastically cynical with the same biting wit as her bestie Daria, Jane Lane is a lover of the arts, a painter, a sculptor, and a condemner of the conventional. Jane’s style and overall demeanor is more extroverted than Daria’s. Her look isn’t difficult to replicate, aside from the severe haircut and piercings. What’s great about this particular costume is that it consists of mainly separates that you can get more wear out of in your day to day. More bang for your buck. If you’re looking for more of a costume, you can play up Jane’s cartoon status à la Katy Perry with an oversize asymmetrical black wig. If you want to live like a cartoon, the brand JumpFromPaper makes amazing bags that appear 2 dimensional at first glance. But back to the basics of Jane’s lewk. You will need:
• Charcoal or black shorts
1950s Charcoal Pinup Shorts, GardenPartyPieces, $45, via Etsy
• Black tights
Black Lace Tights, swingingchicksshop, $22, via Etsy
• Dark, heavy boots
Dr. Martens 1460 Originals Eight-Eye Lace-Up Boot, $88.99, via Amazon
• A black v-neck tee (bonus points if you can find one with gray or white lining the neckline)
Vintage Black Midi V Neck Dress with White Collar and Sleeve Detail, MiddleScout, $35, via Etsy
• A red blazer (the more oversized, the more cartoonish)
Vintage Red Blazer, TheVilleVillage, $26, via Etsy
Graffiti Black Spaceman Backpack, $120, via JumpFromPaper
Women’s Lola Wig, Fever, $23.24, via Amazon
Be Legendary Lipstick in Screen Queen, SMASHBOX, $21, via Sephora
Daria Morgendorffer (Daria)
“I don’t like to smile unless I have a reason.” via MTV
Arguably the least animated of cartoon characters, Daria Morgendorffer was first introduced to us as a sarcastic voice of reason to Beavis and Butthead’s idiocy. Her dark humor and observations proved too funny for her not to have her own series. An intelligent high school student who hates the politics of high school, she keeps a low profile, which translates to her look. She can usually be found wearing an orange t-shirt with a forest green jacket, a black pleated tennis skirt, and combat boots. Her trademark round glasses, mop of brown hair, and disinterested smirk complete her look.
Large Round Secretary Preppy Schoolboy Clear Lens Eyeglasses, SunglassMuseum, $25, via Etsy
Black Pleated Skirt, skydancepl, $27.33, via Etsy
Millitary Green Hoodie, SaveThePeople2016, $27.07, via Etsy
Plain Orange Pocket T-Shirt, LostHighwayVTG, $27.20, via Etsy
Dr. Martens 1460 Originals Eight-Eye Lace-Up Boot, $88.99, via Amazon
Women’s Long Curly Wigs Full Hair Dark Brown Wigs for Halloween/ Cosplay Party, Magma, $11.99, via Amazon
Shana Elmsford (Jem and the Holograms)
“Tonight was amazing and I’m going to hold onto this feeling as long as I can!” via Jemsworld
Backup vocalist, bass guitarist, former drummer and costume designer for her band Jem and the Holograms, the multi-talented Shana favors a purple color palette starting with her fashionably disheveled curls. She performs her many talents in a purple dress, white motorcycle jacket, and white, strappy heels. Orange eyeshadow, two pink streaks on her cheeks, and some heavy, gold statement earrings finish off this glam-rock ensemble.
Curly Bob Wig, Leg Avenue, $19.99, via Amazon
Vintage 80s Prom Dress Purple Strapless Sweetheart Neckline Bubble Skirt, susiesboutiquecloths, $75, via Etsy
Yucatan Bay 1980s White Leather Cropped Motorcycle Jacket, lightandshadevintage, $90, via Etsy
White Leather Block Heels, ForeverSoles, $139.82, via Etsy
Open Angle Earrings, DesignsbyDannaValko, $24, via Etsy
Vintage 80s Gold Braided Hoop Earrings,NeueWelt, $15.30, via Etsy
Moroccan Spice Eyeshadow Palette, FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA, $59, via Sephora
Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter Duo, FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA, $36, via Sephora
Audacious Lipstick in Lana, NARS, $34, via Sephora
Pepper Ann Pearson (Pepper Ann)
“What the fuzzy?” via ABC
Who’s that girl? What’s her name? Is she cool? Is she lame? She’s Pepper Ann Pearson, lover of pizza, comics, video games, books, and soccer. Much too cool for seventh grade, she parades the halls of Hazelnut Middle School with her best friends Nicky and Milo. Bold and unique with a rich interior life, she’s her own biggest fan. Pepper Ann has a vivid animation in which her normal, adolescent challenges are transformed into fantastical feats of triumph. She’s marchin’ in her own parade. Alright, I’m done quoting the theme song. Pepper Ann favors the colorful, sporty athleisure of the late ’90s. She holds her curly red mane back with a blue scrunchie that matches her leggings. Pair an oversize purple t-shirt with a groovy printed skirt. Complete the look with some Converse and wire frames.
Deep Blue Velvet Hair Scrunchies, TopKnotFavors, $2.75, via Etsy
80s Workout, Jazzercise Costume, RIPandROSE, $45, via Etsy
80s Vintage Purple T-shirt Blouse, paws4harry, $10.93, via Etsy
Vintage Eyeglasses 1990s, hisandhervintage, $25, via Etsy
Pink and Green Diamond patterned Mini Skirt, MollyMadeMars, $39.62, via Etsy
Unisex Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Sneakers Black/White, Converse, $51, via Amazon
Women’s Fluffy Wavy Party Halloween Costume Merida Wig, Angelaicos, $25.99, via Amazon
Natasha Fatale (The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends)
“SHARRUP YOUR MOUTH!” via NBC
A spy from the fictional country of Pottsylvania, Natasha takes glee in her criminal misdeeds. Along with her partner Boris Badenov, they report to Fearless Leader and get into shenanigans with Rocky and Bulwinkle. A caricature of a “femme fatale,” hence her last name, her look is severe. Turn up the volume with your hair and makeup, i.e. dark lips, dark eyeshadow, and brows arched up to your forehead. For a ’40s-style ‘do, sleep with foam rollers in over-night. Then, when you remove them the next day, tease the waves a bit, and then secure them with bobby pins. For clothing, a form-fitting dress and some stilettos are all you need.
1980s/1990s Party Club Dress, PsychedelicPinup, $28, via Etsy
1950s Black Stiletto Heels, Nestdesignstudio, $64, via Etsy
Women’s Burlesque Beauty Wig, Fun World, $14.95, via Amazon
Black Premium Bobby Pins Black, MetaGrip, $10.20, via Amazon
Moroccan Spice Eyeshadow Palette, FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA, $59, via Sephora
Eyebrow Editor Complete Brow Kit, Sephora Collection, $9, via Sephora
Eyeshape Lash Kit, VELOUR LASHES, $45, via Sephora
Be Legendary Lipstick in Violet Riot, SMASHBOX, $21, via Sephora
Judy Funnie (Doug)
“My soul throbs.” via Nickelodeon
The older sister I’ve always wanted, Judy Funnie wears her sunglasses inside and doesn’t give a fuck if you think she’s being dramatic. She’s too focused on her artistic ambitions and spreading her poetic gospel. Decked out in a purple sweater dress with a matching beret atop her red undercut, this girl commits to what she wants and believes. Don’t forget a black turtleneck and Birkenstocks to bring it on home.
Flat Black Wayfarer Sunglasses, JoeyLaMeche, $20.37, via Etsy
Vintage Plum Lambswool Beret, everyoneinhats, $24, via Etsy
90s Sweater Dress, JUNKKYARD, $11.10, via Etsy
Vintage Black Chenille Turtleneck, INOVintage, $40, via Etsy
Arizona Soft Footbed Smooth Leather, $135, via Birkenstock
Women’s Lola Wig, Fever, $23.42, via Amazon
Fran Fine (The Nanny)
“What’s this? Oh, it’s my shrink’s bill… *boy* am I unhappy!” via CBS
She has style, she has flair in a world of vanity fair. She’s the lady is red when everybody else is wearing tan. Fran Fine, that flashy girl from Flushing, has a wardrobe that has since achieved icon status, thanks to costume designer, stylist, and color expert Brenda Cooper, who set the tone for the Nanny’s first four seasons. Always treading the line between cutting-edge chic and over-the-top, Fran wore some colorful looks by Moschino, Thierry Mugler, and Todd Oldham, eliciting waves of ’90s nostalgia. The Instagram account @whatfranwore is an incredible source of inspiration. Dedicated to the icon herself, it’s a massive catalogue of all of Fran’s best looks throughout the series. With so many looks to choose from, you’ll have just as much fun putting this costume together as you will sporting it. There’s so much creative freedom with this costume, because Fran’s style is more about attitude. She wears those clothes, not vice versa. Yet some classic attributes of her overall look include:
• A mountain of curly, dark hair. Seriously, the bigger, the better. Fran usually styles it half-up, half-down, with an emphasis on height and volume. Bring out the curling irons and any heat protective products and tease away. Bonus points if you have a “bump-it.”
Big Bumpits Happie Hair Volumizing Inserts Hair Pump Beauty Set Tool Gift,Pack of 5 (Black), Tinksky, $6.99, via Amazon
Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat & UV Protective Primer, BUMBLE AND BUMBLE, $28, via Sephora
The Wrap Party Styling Wand, DRYBAR, $165, via Sephora
Costume Cosplay Wigs, Wiwigs, $19.99, via Amzon
• Blazers with mini skirts and black stockings. The classic cut of her outfits was a chic way of contrasting the outrageous colors and patterns.
via CBS
via CBS
1990s Black White Houndstooth Jacket Blazer, PsychedelicPinup, $30, via Etsy
90s Yellow Suit Mini Skirt, PsychedelicPinup, $42, via Etsy
Costume Skirt and Jacket, TropicalaffaireES, $83.75, via Etsy
90s Olive Green Boucle Knit Blazer Jacket, badatpettingcats, $18, via Etsy
Vintage Red Blazer, RubyVintageBoutique, $34, via Etsy
• Any bright colors with bold patterns. Bonus points if you can find a matching set. Fran loved matching her blazers to her mini skirts.
via CBS
via CBS
Vintage Colour Block Suede Mini Skirt, flashtrashvintage, $47.56, via Etsy
via CBS
Vintage Moschino Ribbon Top, TrendListr, $109.04, via Etsy
Vintage Moschino Polkadots Trucker Jacket, TheBBAclothingStore, $80, via Etsy
90s Black and Red Rayon Cropped Lightweight Jacket, badatpettingcats, $24, via Etsy
MOSCHINO 1990s Vintage Rainbow Mini Dress Multi-Coloured Shift Dress, vintageonwerth, $336.50, via Etsy
• Animal print: because nothing says “they’ll still be talking about me years from now!” more than a leopard-print suit.
via CBS
via CBS
80 Leopard Print Blazer, JUNKKYARD, $42, via Etsy
French Vintage Leopard Blazer, YouLookAmazing, $49.37, via Etsy
90s Leopard Print Fun Fur Mini Skirt, HouseOfHabits, $31.84, via Etsy
Leopard Print Velvet Mini Skirt High Waisted, BOODWAH, $40.77, via Etsy
• Red lipstick and a wide range of facial expressions. You’ve got a personality to match your fuzzy orange coat.
via CBS
via CBS
Be Legendary Lipstick in Bing, SMASHBOX, $21, via Sephora
Vintage Faux Fur Coat, smockwalkervintage, $38.40, via Etsy
AS Orange Faux Fur Jacket AliseSmile, $100, via Etsy
Unisex faux fur coat, BLNKStudioUK, $47.56,via Etsy
Header photo Daria, MTV
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