Halloween is this weekend and the people of Athens are putting together their costumes. Popularizing creative Halloween costumes on social media platforms leads to people matching in costumes. This might be the case in Athens this year and the accidental matching can be fun.
Brandy Outly, a senior studying Hearing Speech and Language Sciences, says over the years in Athens, it has been a common theme that people wear the same costumes.
“My freshman year, everyone was Barbie,” Outly said.
This occurred because of the 2023 “Barbie” movie, making the doll more significant in mainstream culture, which led to the popular Halloween costumes. So, if a character or idea is popular on social media spaces and costumes are readily available, people are wearing them.
All the popular characters this year are going to be worn in Athens. I expect duplicate costumes if everyone chooses from this year's popular movies and shows.
As many search for creative costumes, social media has made it increasingly difficult to be the one wearing a non-replicated look. Lots of accounts online share Halloween ideas, with a popular trend being people asking for ideas based on their hair colors, interests or what matches them and their partner.
“I think a lot of girls, at least, are gonna be wearing some popular costume options from TikTok,” Glinksy, a freshman studying business administration, said. “I know my outfits that I’m wearing are pretty popular from TikTok, so I expect to see a lot of girls wearing similar outfits to me, lots of similar groups.”
Glinksy mentioned she is dressing up as a biker, genie and a party animal for OU’s Halloween weekend.
“I’m sure girls will have very similar outfits to me,” Glinsky said. “There’ll probably be someone wearing the exact same outfit as me, I’m sure.”
Being in the same costume, though not unique, is very fun and a bonding experience. I believe many people are going to be enjoying wearing the same costumes and sparking conversations with new people.
Alina Rivera, a freshman studying hearing, speech and language sciences, mentioned a costume she shares with Glinksy. Rivera said at some point this weekend, she is dressing up as a party animal.
“I feel like party animals (are) easy,” Rivera said. “Like, I feel like anyone who needs an extra costume does it.”
Party animal is a Halloween idea in which someone wears animal print and something indicating a party, like a party hat or clown accessories. It’s an easy, affordable and cute costume.
As I considered some of these costumes myself, I was a little worried about whether or not I’d be matching with someone. Turns out, others are not worried about the same thing. Standing out and being unique is not important this Halloween; what is important is having fun and dressing up to celebrate.
For Halloween, I hope to see creative, funny or flattering costumes. If you are in a duo or group costume, you might see others doing the same idea and then there is an opportunity to recreate the Spider-Man pointing photo. Oh well, if we are all wearing the same thing, we’re matching.
Cassidy McClurg is a freshman student studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassidy about their column? Email cm303824@ohio.edu or tweet them at @fuzzysnowycloud.
